Presentation to J. E. Macdonald, Esq.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2978, 31 August 1878, Page 2

Presentation to J. E. Macdonald, Esq.

1 A public meeting, convened fofc the purpose of presenting Mr Macdonald with the'handsome gifts purchased for him by the people of .the Thames on the eve of his departure to Napier, was held at the Academy of Music last evening. There was a large and fashionable audience. We noticed the following- gentlemen on the stage : Ca'pt. Fraser (R.M.), Messrs L. Ehrenfried (Deputy Mayor), T. Spencer, E. W. Puckey, li. Workman, A. J. Allom, E. W. Hollis, James Mackay, Bullen, Cameron, CarrickjGellion.

The Scottish Band was present, and ■played i set era! 'selections': in first-class Style. .■>■:<■:;,•■:: ;r.i:-r'i(j ;,v..i. ■■*■ On the motion of, Mr Pucker, seconded by Mr AHom, ''Capt. • Fraser, E.M., took the Chair.

. The Chairman said; they were all aware of the occasion that called them together. He was 5 pleased to 'see so' many of Mr Macdonald's friends present, but he only regretted that they had met for the purpose of taking leave of him. He would call upon Mr Ehfenfried to move a resotion. . „ '! ■'■''■:. ''■':,;''7" i'

Mr Ehrenfried; said they, .were assembled to do nonp.r : J;t6''iM'r'''^^E.\\Maqdonald; to wish him prosperity in, his new home and bid him farewell.h He had been associated with the Thames from its birth, and during his many years of residence had made many friends, and, won general respect^ and he was iure they all felt regret at his departure, which would, leave a vbid'difficult to fill.' Asa gentle-; man of the legal profession he had enjoyed the confidence of the Judges of the local.courts and of the public, and he was sure: they; would find it difficult to fill his place.' He was sure any one, who bad come in contact with him in business could testify' to this. Really Mr Macdonald bad filled so many positions that it was difficult to know where to leave off or where to commence. He bad been Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, and bad been the means of raising it to its present state of efficiency, and it would be no easy matter to j find a successor who would keep it to its i present standard. Mr Macdonald had aerted for the benefit of the public, and he was sure in that respect their thanks were due to him. Again, they found Mr Macdonald as Captain of volunteers, andj he trusted the No. 2. Scottish would be| able to,replace him. He (the speaker)! could look back to a period of his life, when he had the honor of being intimately, connected with Mr Macdonald when 1 Mayor, he being then a Councillor. Hej had found him a gentleman he wai proud! lo call one of his truest friends. ;Mr, Macdonald had served the Borough' as Mayor for two years, and he must say) it often required a-great amount of taetj on the part of a' Mayor to guide the Council, which Mr Macdonald had, and during the time hie waß'Maydr he worked in harmony 1 wiflr fflie Council. He then moved—" TBisKtiis. meeting expresses its deep reg*et'at'the approaching departure of Mr Macdonald and his family, and at the same time sincerely wish them health,. , ha^pine*», and prosperity in their new homeV' (Cheers.) , , , Mr James Mackay seconded the motion. He had known Mr' Macdonald since bis arrival, and it was' a "coincidence .that he ,'^ad here the first and last wardens before; whom Mr Macdonald had practiced on; the Thames — himself and Captain! , Fraser. They always felt they were deal-j iing with an upright man when Mr Mac-; >don&ld was before .them, for he was not one of those who when/he had .got a! judgment .against a man, pressed for a! (judgment. As far as he could judge .of iMi• Mabdonald while he (the speaker) was on the Bench, he never misquoted, law or misstated facts. He had "served iri mifciy -capacities, and had never been > found wanting. In his capacity as Mayor he went to Wellington and brought oui # wants prominently before the Govern merit, with 'That revolt they all kn^w. Ar 1 Fire Brigade! Superintendent he ?hi|| |iepf the body under him in a very efficient gtate and as a Volunteer *he had been mainlj , instrumental in "forming the No. 2 Scot tish, which for efficiency was not excelled in the district. It was not necessary for him to bring before theml the many and valuable services he had rendered" to this district, and he was glad to see the way in which those services were appreciated by the public. He might take occasion to' refer to Mrs Macdonald. She had taken a very prominent part in the Ladies' Benevolent Society, and in all matters relating to charity, and he thought it was only just on this occasion that this tribute should be tendered to her. Withj reference to Mr Macdonald,- he xlid not; think hef could do better'than sre-echo the; words of the last speaker, that we are; suffering a great loss by his departure—a loss which could not be very easily;filled.| In conclusion, he could only wish Mr; Macdonald and his family health, wealth; and prosperity. (Loud and continued ap! plause). :;:..;■■<■:•:::.•■> >.;.;* :••■.'• ;;iwt. <;■:■:■•(>!'■* j

The motion was. then carried unanimously. '.. ■ ' The Chairman*:): Will iMxi Macdonald! step this way ? ■■ i Mr Macdonald stepped on to the stage! amidst loud cheers. j The Chairman : Siry at a public meet- j ing it was decided to present you with' this address. - The Chairman then read a handsomely illuminated framed address as follows :—;" >'■ •.; -1--:-;- ' '—v;'! : To.J. E. Maodonatt>, Esq. . ' ;

Sib, —The inhabitants of the Thames cannot allow you to leave the district without showing their high appreciation cf your character as a public man and a private citizen, and in compliance with resolutions passed at a public meeting, we have now t!ie honor on behalf of aIK classes of this community to express the great regret with which, your contemplated departure is regarded.

As a public man you have been twice elected Mayor of the Borough of Thames, and from the able manner iv which you discharged the important duties of that office, numerous benefits have resulted to the cor poration and the district generally. As an officer commanding a volunteer company you have done good service, and have always been foremost in promoting t l c welfare and discipline of your corps. As superintendent of tho Shortland Fire Brigade the public are much indebted to your active and persevering exertions, which have most materially aided in bringing that important body to its present high scale of efficiency.

As a member of the legal profession practising in this provincial district -your great ability, zeal, and well-known integrity have earned for you not ouly the respect and esteem of your clien's, but a'so of the general public, and as a private citizen your genial hospitality and your many social qualities create a feeling that when you and your

family depart from among us a void will eiiefclwhich caniiot be file 1 up. >'J/*We offer you;our; beet wishes for your health, prosperity, and bucccbs in your new home, and .request your acceptance of the aceompiinjirig plato: Signed, 1 his 30th day of August, 1878, on behalf of tho inhabitants of Thames.

VV. Fhasee (Chairinauj, Robbbt Wokkm^w, E. B. Cambbon, James Mackay, E. W. Puckby, L. ■Ehbenfjhbo, W. H. Taxpabi.

He continued : Sir, on this" occasion I intended to make a speech, but I cannot do it. I therefore, on behalf of the Thames public, present this silver plate for yourself, this epergne for your family, this bracelet for your wife, and this locket for your daughter.

Mr Spencer said the sporting part of the presentation devolved on him. He was asked by the Thamea Cricket Club to prfesent ,Mt Macdonald with a bat, and wished him health and strength long to use it; / ■;' _ i ■ „'"., '/{ Mr Macdonald, who was received with a perfect ovation, said: Captain Fraser, ladies, comrades, and - friends and he thought he might apply the word friend to all of those he bad the honor of addressing. He felt himself in the difficult position of not being able to adequately express his feelings, as he could not come wiLli a prepared speech, -which would fall flat on his hearers f therefore he had but his own feelings to rely on, If any one a week or a fortnight ago had informed him that his departure from the Thames would have been under such auspices he would have laughed at the, idea. He could assure them it was quite unexpected, and in some measure unmerited. (No, no.) They had given recognition to the services he had or had not rendered, and he could only express his heartfelt thanks both on his own account, and on that of Mrs Macdonald for their handsome present' to hex and the kind manner her deeds of charity had been spoken of. It was ' eleven years this month since he first pitched his tent on the Thames, and in front of him, and behind him too, he could see some faces who had been with him all the time. People had been constantly poing and coming, and times had • been good and bad, but whatever - times they had they had managed to, pull along somehow. He believed there was a good time coming,, but whether by a patch of gold coming from the Big Pump or by the railway he could not then say. He had been confidentially informed that he was going away at tlie wrong time; but he might"«y if he was going away at the, wrong time for himself he would not mind, as it would be the right time for the others to - stay. Regarding- his military* career his friends had really laid 'it pn too thick, although for the last few weeks he had been chock full of good' intentions,of what he would do, when he wore the red uniform of that company.l Of his previous military career the less he v said,, the better, but this he could say, that he had got the No. 3 down to that state that it rose J&cenix like from its ashes and became":the No. 2 Scottish. (Oncers.) He was vfcry much arito&ahed when he saw the bat presented to him just now in the shop window, and thought it belonged to a friend,of his, ( Mr.Young, and The bat was put there to remind him (the speaker) that his subscription was still due. . When he saw it was for him, though toe blushed, lawyer like, he felt a jflewrarable feeling that his services in that respect were appreciated- Having touched on the red uniform he did not wear he would refer to the red uniform he did wear in'his connection with the fire brigade. (Qheers.) Whil st upon the subject he might say! that he had heard complaints of, the cost of the' Eire Brigade: They must understand ,that the main bulk of the money was taken" up in material. Those in the brigade .had nothing, to do with it; but said "We give you our service* for nothing, and you. (the' ratepayers) will hive f>o provide the material.'',' Not one sixpence had. been spent by the brigades, 'not even for so much a% a glass of beer. The cost of the annual dinner warborrie by public subscription. He .mentioned this because there' were complaints about rthei colt.; of the brigades, which were, "really 1 without foundation/ He 1 * could not express in adequate terms the feelings he felt on the present occasion. When he looked at the many valuable gifts he was quite overpowered,, and he could not find words to express himself. He woQld hand them down to his single posterity, and if it pleased God that his little girl should have an establishment of her own he was sure no man could give a prouder heirloom than these presents. (Loud applause.) Mr Meed sang a local song composed for the occasion,. entitled " Macdonald's going away." Cheers were then given for Mr and ! Mrs Macdonald and for Capt. Fraser, and the meeting-separated..