THE TESTIMONIAL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2529, 13 February 1877, Page 2

THE TESTIMONIAL.

was presented to Mr Robinson at the Governor Bowen Hotel. Mr Robinson had been invited by one or two of the companionship to meet them in' the afternoon and say good-bye, as they, owing to their work, would not be able to be present in the evening. The companionship wera present at the appointed time, together with a few friends, and Mr Ran well, the father of the companionship, having been voted to the chair, expressed to Mr Robinson their deep regret at losing him from amongst them, with whom they had been associated for so many years, and with whom they had ever been on terms of cordiality. He then presented Mr Robinson on behalf of the companionship with a very haudsomo telescopic gold pen and pencil case, elegantly chased, and with the initials W.R. engraved on it, at the same time expressing many good wishes that Mr Robinson's future career would be a prosperous and happy one. 1 Mr Robinson. said he had been quite prepared to receive their good wishes, but totally unprepared for so handsome a mark of their goodwill. He thanked them heartily for it, saying that by constantly using it it would frequently recall to his mind the donors and the many pleasant hours he had spent while at the Thames Advertiser. Healths were then drunk, and the company separated.

" the stjppeb took place at the Pacific Hotel, and all present agreed that a most excellent spread had been provided by Mr Curtis, / ift three gent l e m e n sat down, His Wortne Mayojf being in the chair, and L. Ehrenfried, Esq., in the vice-chair, MrHobinson,thei guest of the evening, was °n *Ue Mayor's right, and ampngst, others there were present Messrs Sims, A. and IG. Price, Watson, Thompson, Wickham, Ht J(megf Hopcraft) Corner, Hicks, Mahoney, J. Walker, J. Brown, Whifcford, G. N. Brassey, Price, Darrow, McLaren, E. McDonald Scott, W. 11. Cassrn, Craig, Cloonan, W. W. Robin son, Wilkinson, Brodie, Miller, Crawford, E . Skeoll> Aitken> Lon . Cj &c | &c . Wben ' the more substantial parts of the supper na( j b een removed, the Chairman asked all present to charge their glasses, and gave the first toast of the evening, "The gj^^J-m-jntaßjjlJta-Jr. The Chairman then gave " The Health o f His Excellency the Governor," which was also well received, Tho Vice-Chairman proposed "The Ministry''remarking that this toast, at the Thames, had always been drunk with hearfcinesSj whicU> he uopedj would nofc now be denied it. He thought that thia toastpnghfc especially to be well receired now, seeing that the Ministry had given

them local self-government. In fact the Ministry had treated them as a parent would a child, while Provincialism had treated them like a step-child. That the Ministry had the welfare of the district at heart was evident from the liberal education grant they had given them; a most important grant, for if the youth of the colony got a good education they would in future be able to take the places of the present generation with honor. He thought that when the lands were thrown open for settlement they ought to have a a district commissioner, also that the district court ought to sit more than once in two months as was now the case, "but taken as a whole he believed the Ministry were well inclined to the Thames, and the Thames well inclined to the Ministry, and would ask them to drink the toast heartily. This was done.

The Chairman then read a letter from Mr Bowe, M.H.E., regretting that illhealth prevented him from being present as he had intended.

The Vice - Chairman proposed the " Army, Navy, and Colonial Forces." He said that they all knew the British lion, and that nothing could stand against him, but at the same time all should be thankful that they bad such a powerful fleet in the Mediterranean, otherwise he believed that at the present time all Europs would be involved in war.

Mr Brodie returned thanks for the Army, remarking that when connected with the Eoyal Engineers he was one of those who were the first to .bring over the telegraph to the North Island.

Captain Macdonuld returned thanks for the Colonial Forces.

The Chairman said he rose to propose a toast which he was quite sure would be heartily responded to by all present. Had he gone when he first knew he had to propose the toast to pome who were old stagers in proceedings like ■ the present and asked them what he ought to say on the occasion, he would doubtless have been told that he ought to commence by expressing the• very great pleasure he felt in presiding on such an occasion, &c, &c. ; but he could not say this, because it was not a pleasure for him to preside there that evening. Had Mr Bobinson lefc the Thames some little time ago and now returned to reside amongst them again, he would have felt the utmost pleasure in presiding, but instead of welcoming Mr Bobinaon back again they had met .to bid him farewell, and the only way he could have pleasure was on the principle on which an irreverent friend said he preferred a funeral to a wedding' because at the former there was more to drink and less crying. But while he did not wish them to rush recklessly into colonial wine, or to give vent to tears, he knew that one and all of them felt sorrow at the loss of Mr Eobinson. They had known Mr Eobinson for a long time, and he had been connected with the 'Tizer since that luminary first shed its rays amongst them. Speaking from his own experience he had always found Mr Eobinson as a reporter and commentator honest, straightforward, and prepared to do his duty. He had in fact followed the precepts of Othello, and while in his reports he did . Nothing extenuate, So also he had never— Set down aught in malice. \ He would venture to say that Mr Eobinson would be missed by all his friends; especially would his loss be felt by the Advertiser; while the Herald and Cross would gain by having Mr Bobinson amongst them. He would ask them all to receive and drink heartily the toast ho had to propose, and wish Mr Eobinson "God speed." The toast was drank with musical honors, three cheers being given for Mr Bobinson, and three for his wife and family. \

Mr Robinson, who on rising was received with applause, said he did not know how to express his thanks for the kind remarks and compliments paid him. He was absent at Ohinemuri when his friends had got up the present meeting, and when he was first told of it he thought it was a joke ; he soon found out it was no joke at all, and how to get through what he had to say he was sure he didn't know. He could only thank them for their kind approval of his efforts; these might not have been very great, or rather the results might not have been, but they were honest efforts on behalf of the Thames, and wherever he went they would still be exerted in their behalf.

The Chairman said he had received some private tips as to who were good for songs, tho first was Mr H. Robinson. .

Mr H. Kobinson then sang "My Old Friend, John."

Mr W: Robinson proposed "the Mayor, County Chairman, Borough and County Councils." He remarked that he thought the reason the toast had been put down to him was because everyone knew that he would not make a~long speech. They had elected their Mayor twice in succession, and he did not see how they could hare done better. He eulogised the conduct of the County Chairman when acting for the Waiotahi, and also the Borough Councillors, expressing a hope that the County and Borough would soon be merged. Mr Whitford sang " Pull, pull together, boys," and was applauded. The! County Chairman returned thanks for the manner the toast had been received. He had endeavoied to do his little best, and was glad to'see that theyappeared to think he had succeeded. Regarding the amalgamation of the Borough and County he though that as long as the present Mayor was head of the Borough its affairs would advance. The Mayor had always worked harmoniously with them, and tried hard for the welfare of the Thames, and he hoped he might" long be spared to do so. The Mayor, in a brief speech, returned thanks, saying that if it was shown to be for the best he hoped the Highway Boards, County, and Borough would all join.

Cr Mirenfried returned thanks for the Borough, which he said had met with great difficulties owing to limited means. He agreed that .the Borough and Council ought to join, for where there were two governments they must clash sometimes, and one government was better than two; he hoped to see the two amalgamate before long on terms advantageous to both.

Mr Miller sang " Annie Laurie " extremely well, aad was much applauded. Mr G. N. Brassey proposed the " Thames Mining and Local Industries." He said thai at present the Colony was suffering from a great period of depression, and this field felt it. He hoped though that it would soon pass away, and the prosperity of eight or nine years ago return. The Thames was not behind in local industries ; in fact they were better carried on here than iv any other part of the provincial district of Auckland. He instanced Mr Ehrenfried's brewery,

and the businesses carried on by Messrs Mennie and Dey nnd McCaul. The toast having been drunk Mr W. W. Bobinson (who a gentleman remarked waa foremost among cricketers and songsters) sang " Three Jolly Post Boys," and was applauded. Mr A. Price returned thanks and said that he still considered that a great deal more might bo done than had been done. Mr J. Brown was very glad to be present to bid.farewell to Mr Kobinson one of his oldest friends. He spoke of Mr Bobinson in "very high terms, saying., that not a single report of his had been colored to serve self-interest, but his were the reports of a man who worked^ hard in the interest of his employers and the public. Mr Lawless sang " Lannigan's Ball." Mr Skeen proposed "The Ladies," who he thought >rvere worthy of our highest regard and affection, and without ladies all men would be on their beam ends. (Laughter.) In all difficulties ladies cheered men on, and until men had wives they knew not how wellthey were off. The toast was heartily drank, and a verse of "Here's a Health to all Grood Lasses," sang. •

Mr Miller sang "Banting, Eoving .Robin." : : .

Mr Whitford in thanking those present on behalf of the ladies said that owing to his innate modesty and bashfulness the toast could not have been in worse hands. He then dwelt on the pleasures of matrimony, and drew a picture of the wife, waiting the return of her husband from business, getting the fire ready, a " tit-bit " for his supper, his slippers warm, and when she heard his footsteps ready to rush out and throw her arms round his neck, or —as he remarked —any other man.

Mr Sims proposed the " Press," which he regardedas only second to the toast of the evening, and said that they would agree that in loosing Mr Robinson the Thames Press was losing a valuable man. Messrs Skeen, Hopcraft and Wickham returned thanks.

Mr W. Robinson proposed the health of the "Chairman," and spoke of the many obligations he was under toTiim for the many acts of kindness he had received. He need not sound his praises for all there knew him.

Drank with musical honors, and cheers for Mr Macdonald and Mrs Macdonald.

The Chairman thanked all present remarking that if he had been able to render Mr Robinson assistance at any time he was very glad to have done so. The health of " the host, Mr Curtis^" was then proposed by the Chairman, and the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " terminated a pleasant evening.