TESTIMONIAL TO MR THOMAS CORCORAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1791, 18 September 1888, Page 2

TESTIMONIAL TO MR THOMAS CORCORAN.

A largo number of the subscribers to the testimonial to Mr Corcoran, assembled last Satnrfuy evening in the Wolseley Hotel, Winch' si or. Mr W. Deßenzy occupied the chair, a nt said it was needless foi him to stile the object for which thsy had assembled, or to say one word io praise of Mr Oorconm. It would be seen by the address that 90 people had subscribed to it, and the amount collected averaged aboet 10s per head, fhat was sufficient to show the respect and esteem in which Mr Corcoran was held. He would call upon the secretary to read tbe address, and any documents ho had in connection ther with, Mr McCarthy then read the following “ Winchester, Aug. 9tli, 1888. “Mr Thos. Corcoran. “ Dear Sir,—On your approaching removal to auotherstation, although wahave no doubt that the public generally will express their sense of legret, we cannot allow you to leave without expressing onr great obligations to you for your invariable courlesy and attention. “We have had some experience among various classes of officials, and may safely say that we have never received greater civility, promptness, and self-forgetful-ness than from you. You certainly deserve to succeed in the service, and we heartily wish you prosperity and happiness.—Yours faithfully,

“ JNVfOOD & Co.” “ Temuka, Aug. 13th, 1888. “Dear Mr. Corcoran, — “ I am really sorry, beyond what I can express, to find that we are so soon to lose the moat courteous, energetic, and conscientious stationmaster that Winchester lias ever had. But never mind so longan our loss—for loss it will be—turns out to be a pecuniary advantage to yourself. I was pleased, but not surprised, to see by the Guardian that the people io the district mean to show their sense of your worth.— Yours very sincerely,

“John Kelland.” He also read the following address ; “ To Mr Thomas Corcoran.

“ Dear St,— On the occasion of your departure from Winchester to Doyleston, we cannot allow yon to take your departure without expressing our deep and sincere regret a* the severance of your official connection with the inhabitants of thia disrct, by whom you have always been held during your seven years’ residence amongst us in deservedly high estimation.

“ The knowledge that you were to be removed to Doyleston at such a short notice has evoked a feeling of sorrow as g'Duine as it i« widespread in the large circle of friends whom you have, by your unvarying kindness and civility, combined with obliging manners and a warmhearted, genial disposition, attracted around you throughout ihe extensive area of this agricultural district. “la your social relations you were always to be found foremost in performing the duties of a sterling citizen and good colonist, by assisting in every work calculated to advance the material and intellectual growth of the district—whether connected with agriculture, school, public library, or outdoor amusements. “As a mark of our appreciation of your excellent qualities us a public officer and citjen, we beg your acceptance of the accompanying testimonial, consisting of u cruet-stand and a purse of sovereigns ; and recognising also that Mrs Corcoran has shared the warm appreciation of her lady friends, we request that you will hand to her this tea service as a slight memento of the esteem and regard in which she has been held.

“ We trust, in conclusion, that both yourself and Mrs Corcoran will be honored with the same respect and sentiments of goodwill in your new sphere as the people of Winchester district now respectfully convey to you. “ J. A. Young. W. Deßenzy. “0. C. McCarthy. “ And 90 others. “ Winchester, August 18th, 1888." The chairman then presented to Mr Corcoran the address, a purse of sovereigns, a very handsome solid silver cruet stand, and also a yery elegant tea-servica for Mrs Corcoran. The address was in a spendid gilt frame, and beautifully illuminated by Mr Wade, of Timaru, and the other articles of the presentation were suitably inscribed. The chaitman next proposed the health of Mr Corcoran, which was drank with musical honors, and Mr Corcoran in reply said the kind expression of the good-will of the people of Winchester was far dearer to him than the silver and gold with which they had presented him, There was nothing to the soul of a man like sympathy and expressions of good will, and in thanking them moat heartily for the very valuable and handsome presentation they had made to him, he might say he set more value on the good opinion of him to which they had given expression so beautifully in their address. (Cheers), it was always his duly to be civil and obliging, and if ever he failed in being so, he felt more angry with himself than anyone else could be with him. Ho mndo it a rule to chastise himself whenever he forgot himself, so that be might be more civil next day, (Cheers). He had no doubt his successor would prove a better man than be ever was. He had known him for a long time, and he ct.uld tell them few were better liked amongst his fel ow employees. He had irksome duties to perform. Their chairman came of a noble race, and had noble haughty blood In his veins, and if rubbed the wrong way his haughty blood got the better of him—(Cheers)—but if he were rubbed down he would come up ns mild and smiling as a butterfly. (Great laughter). Mr Thomas Connolly was different. He was so gentle and amiable that if you hit him on one side he would turn the other. (Laughter). A man in tl e position of his successor had to discrimii ale between these people. He bad done his best, and he believed he succeeded in pleasing every man worth pleasing in the district. There were a few not worth pleasing, and with these he never bothered himself. (Cheeia). But if he had succeeded in pleasing them, there was no doubt they had given him every cause to be pleased with the people of Wincbes'er. He had frequently been given assistance to shunt, and when he hud the assistance of these Goliaths, the Haar brothers, he never would think of uncoupling a whole train if he had to shunt it. (Laughter). On behalf of Mra

Corcoran ha begged to thank tliom most sincerely, end he would assure them that he would convey to her their kind expression! of goodwill, and that she would always treasure their gift as the most valuable of all she possessed. It was difficult to spe«k when one was speaking of oneself, because it was difficult to avoid what would have the appearance of egotism. They were goed enough to retar to his actions with regard to local matters, and especially to the Public Library. When he came it was in debt, but in one week they wiped it all off, and now it was an institution of great value to the district, But they had all been too kind to him, be had done nothing to merit it. He alwaja triad to be guided by a spirit of fair play. He loved honor an I fair play more than go’d, and always strove to be guided by these principles, lo the Chairman he must feel the deepest gratitude for his kindness, also to the secretary Mr McCarthy, for the indefatigable energy he had thrown into the work of the testimonial ; and to the local press for the kind way it had spoken about him. He would now propose the health of the chairman, Mr Deßenzy, the secretary, Mr McCarthy, and the local press, represented by Mr Twomey. Mr Corcoran made long speeches in reference to each of those*named in the toast, some of which were extremely amuainer, and kept the whole assembly i" roars of laughter. The toast waa drank and duly responded to. Mr Corcoran next proposed the health of his successor, Mr Pepperill. It had been said that he (Mr Corcoran) had spoiled the people cf Wikchester, and that it would be difficult far hia successor to get on with them. He felt confident his successor would find no difficulty io it, for he was a better man than ho (Mr Corcoran) was. In him they would find nothing hut amiability and ability second to none on the Canterbury Railways. The toast was drank with enthusiasm, and Mr Pepperill suitably replied. He had only been a short time amongst them, but be bad learned to esteem the people already. Ha could not expect to please them as their late stationmasier had done. They most remember that now he had no assistant, and had all the work of tha station to do, but he would do his best, and they might rest assured that so far as he could oblige them ho would. (Applause). Mr Corcoran next proposed “ The Host and Hostess,’' and said ho would sooner reside in Winchester than iu any part of the world. It was a beautiful village, and its beauty was due to Mr Young. Mr Young, in reply, thanked Mr Corcoran for the way he had proposed the toast. He said he had invested all bis capital ia Winchester, and had done his best to push it ahead. Ho hoped it would be a good town soms day, but was afraid it would not be in hia day.

Mr Corcoran then proposed “Absent and Present Friends,” and if was responded to by Messrs Connolly, Kennedy, Jones, Harrison, Carston, Bishop, Haar, Walton, Phillips, and Bennett. Several song* and recitations were given during tha evening, and the parly broke up at about 11 o’clock with three cheers and many good wishes for the future happiness of Mr and Mrs Corcoran.