Presentation to Mr G. Sawyer.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2632, 15 June 1877, Page 2

Presentation to Mr G. Sawyer.

Considering the inclement state ?of the weather last night a fair proportion of the members of the St~r of Hauraki Tent of Reehabites met at the Tent room (the Karaka School), to participate in a social soiree, and to make a presentation to Bro. Geo. Sawyer, P.C.R., who is leaving the district. Towards 9 o'clock a repast was partaken of by the members and a few friends, after which Bro. John Phillips, who acted as Chairman, called upon Bro. W. J. Speight to make the presentation. ;.

Mr Speight then proceeded to make the presentation. He said he was called upon to do so as being the oldest Chief Ruler in the Tent. Presentations were the rage now-a-days, but he believed Bro. Sawyer had earned it, and would appreciate it, not because of its intrinsic value, but on account of those who had made him the presentation. He referred in complimentary terms to Bro. Sawyer. The presentation consisted of an elegant satin sash and a nicely finished complimentary certificate, framed with mottled kauri, which latter work, we believe, was done by Bro. G. Meachem. The certificate bore the following inscription besides the symbolic representations peculiar to the Order :—^u Independent Order of Rechabites, Salford' Unity.—Complimentary Certificate.—Presented to Bro. Geo. Sawyer, who has served the office of Chief Ruler to the Star of Hauraki Tent No. 3, of the Auckland Independent Order of Rechabite Friendly Society, and in serving such office has endeavored to promote the prosperity of his Tent, and the interest of its members and that of the Order generally, as witness our hands of Thames, New Zealand, the 14th day of June, 1877.—William Babnett, C.R. John Phillips, D.R."

Mr Sawyer, in reply, said he parted from the Tent with feelings of regret. He had been five years with them, during which time he had held offices. It had been said that he appeared to have lost his interest of late, as he had not regularly attended, but he had not done so. It was for want of time. He said he could hardly expect where he was going to find such a body of enthusiastic Rechabites. There were good men in their Tent. As soon as he got to Victoria he would ijoin a Tent there, and work as industriously in the cause as he had here. There was only another matter he would refer to, and that was, he was on good terms with every, member of the Order. He knew that at times he had got a little out of temper when he was Ruler, but now he was good friends with them all. He should look upon the presentation with pride as long as he lived, and thanked them! for their kindness in making the presentation. Bro. Nodder said they all knew it was hard to part with friends, but it was often necessary. He felt sure that Bro. Sawyer was wedded to the Order and its principles, and that wherever he went he would further the interest of it. He wished him and his family every prosperity. (Applause.) : Bro. J. P. Jones said, as one of the old C.R's. of the Tent, he remembered the opening of the Tent. He would perhaps feel the departure of Bro. Sawyer more than anyone. They had always been very intimate, and he had always found him to take very great interest in the Order. He hoped they would hear good news of Bro. Sawyer when he had got to Australia.

Bro. Honiss said he thought he was rather a new ntember to be called upon to say much. He' felt that it did himself good to be present.. He admired the good feeling which existed between the members. He hoped that he (Bro. Sawyer) would go to some Tent where his services would be appreciated. • . ( Mr Speight said he had been wondering how many had left since, their beginning. A number of names had been struck off the roll, but he remarked with pride upon the fact that they had not lost one member by breach of obligation, and that

those who had left were- still to be found most active workers in the Order. (Applause.) He thought it a good sign that the sisters had taken up the cause. The female Tent would greatly help them. They could educate their children in the priuciples of the order. Bro. MeLochlan briefly expressed his regret at the Tent losing so good a lnemas Bro. Sawyer.

Upon the sisters being asked to i say something, tlie absence of the chief Ruler of their Tent was apologised for by Bro. Honiss, and the absence of the D.lt. by Bro. J. P. Jones; Bro Tredinnick spoke as to Bro. Sawyer's worth f s a Christian and a Rechabite, and wished him happiness and prosperity wherever he went. Bro. Brett said he had been watching Bro. Sawyer's movements in the Tent, and he thought he had been doing very much. He wished him the same good things as the preceding brother had done. Bro. Dauby said there had been many changes in the. Tent and it officers. Bro. Sawyer had ably filled the offices he bad held. He thought the presentation they had made to Bro. Sawyer would act as a stimulus to greater exertion. He then proposed a vote of thanks to the Friendly HelpTenU Bro. J. P. Jones seconded the proposition.

Bro. Sawyer here said he thought the praise had been laid on " rather thick." He felt very gratified and grateful at the manner in which they had appreciated his humble efforts in the cause. He was a life-abstainer, and there was little likelihood of his ever violating his pledge. He intended as soon as he got to Victoria to join a Tent, and he would write and let them know how he got on, and what he thought of the Rechabites there. The D.C. ft. then wished Bro. Sawyer good-bye on behalf of the Tent. Bro N odder, on behalf of the sisters, responded to the vote of thanks accorded them. The proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of an ode. ; [We may mention that Mr Sawyer was also presented with an address and a valuable gold pencil by the children of the Waiotahi Sunday School, in whose estimation he has evidently had a good place.] -