Prersentation to Mr D. G. Mac-Doaaell.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3007, 4 October 1878, Page 2

Prersentation to Mr D. G. MacDoaaell.

A presentation was made to Mr D. G. MacDonnell at the Governor Bowen

Hotel last night, by a number of his (nerds, as a mark of esteem on his leaving the district. for Auckknd. Mr L. Ehrenfried was icalled t0 the chair, and amongst those present we noticed Major, Murray, Messrs Cameron, Carrick, ilargreaves, McGullough, Symington, Mcllhone, Cloonan, Hutchinson, and others.

The Chairman said, it having come to the knowledge of a few of Mr D. G. MacDonnell's friends that he was about to leave the Thames, it was at once decided to make him a small present in token of the esteem and respect in whigh be was held.. himself he had always felt proud of the friendship of Mr MacDonnell, and so had' ere yone he knew who had been fortunate enough to secure such a favor. - He had had considerable business 'transactions with Mr MacDonnell, and theie were very.few men in whom he had greater' reliance,, .and. thought higher of as a tborougK practical business man. Mr MacDonnell had always on the Thames taken a prominent part in all matters relating to the welfare of the district, especially in his own locality (Pai'Awai), and he w*s sure the whole community were sustaining a lose .when Mr MacDonnell lett the Thames. There were few persons, he believed, who could leave the Thames regretted more than the gentleman they had met that night to make a presentation to. It was scarcely necessary for him to make a long speech upon this occasion, and with the few. remarks he had already made he would conclude by eimply handing to Mr Mac* Donnell a gold-ring, bearing the crest 'of his family, as a'slight tokan of esteem and respect from a few of his friends on the Thames. (The ring, a massive gold one, bore upon a lozenge shield Mr MacDonnell's crest, and on the inside the following : " Presented to D. G. MacDonnell, Thames, Sepi ember, 1878.") Mr Win. McCuHough, as one of Mr MacDonnell's oldest friends, was glad^ to say there was one feature in his departure which, took the stin^ away. He was not going far, only' to Auckland. Some years ago, after a stay on the Thames of a considerable time, Mr M: cDonnell had gone away, > and, immediately after, the Caledonian rich find had been made. He (the speaker) hoped something _as good as that would tr^n up again, and bring Mr MacDonnell back. Mr MacDbnnell had been intimately connected with mining in Otago and ,on the West Coast, and equally so on the'Tnames, whe c his knowledge and experience would be missed. H.e*could but expreci thg hope that something would tarn up to induce Mr MircDonnell to return. tit £*'*•,. „„ : - ' Mr Cameion cou>d not, speak of Mr MacDonnell as one of hitf oldest friends, for he (the speaker) was perhaps amongst .his late it acquaint anc«p He could, however, say that Mr MacDonnell waa one of the right sort, and was better liked the more one knew him. Mr MaoDonnell must not take that meeting as an evidence of the wblic feeling regarding him. In fact it "was regarded that his going to Auckland was scarcely like moving at all, as ohey looked forward to having him often amongst (hem. Moreover, had it been known that such a proceeding ' was about to take place there would have been many more present.

Mr MacDonnell said he was really impressed with the presentation made to him: A more costly testimonial was not called for. He thought that when a man left a -district to oetter himself that he, had no. right to expect such a thin* as a testimonial. 'They should be , resenred for men coming into the. district with capital. However, he was sensible of the esteem which such presentation expressed.. He could only hope that another Caledonian would turn up, and lie would be pleased to come back. The' health of the Chairman was then proposed by Mr Mcllhbne, 'and drunk with cheers, and after the Chairman had responded the proceedings terminated with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the company sayiffg "Grood-bye" to the departing guest.