PRESENTATION TO MR R. BROWN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8992, 29 November 1907, Page 5

PRESENTATION TO MR R. BROWN.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

The popularity and esteem in which Mr R. Brown, late Town Clerk, is held by the townspeople of Masterton, was made manifest by the large gathering at the Town Hall, last evening, when Mr Brown was the recipient of a public presentation. The chair was occupied by Mr M. Caselterg, senior ex-Mayor, and with him on the stage were: —Messrs A. Bish, G. Heron, P. L. Hollings, exMayors, and A. W. Hogg, M.P., W. H. Jackson, E. G. Eton. D. Caselberg and J. B. Keith. The utmost enthusiasm prevailed throughout the proceedings, and the remarks of each of the speakers were loudly applauded. The chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that a great honour devolved upon him that night, and he appreciated it. To have an opportunity like the present to say a few words about an old friend and a man who was appreciated by all was indeed an honour. (Applause). He was very pleased to see such a large audience present to witness the token of public appreciation that was being paid to Mr Brown. That gentleman had been a good public servant for thirty years, and fully deserved the honour that was being paid to him that night. As there were many exMayors present he would simply open the meeting, and give all an opportunity to speak. Mr Caselberg then called upon Mr A. Bish, who, he said, was really the senior ex-Mayor, though he did not now reside in the town. Mr Bish remarked that it Was said that time obliterated all things, but he scill saw around him many faces that he knew 2.5 years ago. It afforded him, he said, extreme pleasure to have been in office with Mr Brown who had been not only a good Town Clerk, but a sound lawyer. When he (Mr Bish) spoke of Masterton, he referred to it as he knsw it when Queen street, for instance, was only metalled as far as the Club Hotel. The revenue in those days was only £BOO per annum, and he considered tha 4 ; the then council did remarkably well with it. Mr Brown had always a pleasantness about him. that brought ease and comfort to all around him. It was always a pleasure to meet him, and he was always the same Richard Brown, approachable by everybody. He felt glad that the people had seen fit not to let Mr Brown retire without showing him some recognition of his valuable services. He hoped that Mr Brown would still live to enjoy many years of private life, and in conclusion he | would say that he should have been sorry to miss the chance to give his testimony to a man who had so long served Masterton well and faithfully. He was proud of the Masterton people for what they were doing that night. Mr G. Heron said it gave him pleasure to pay his tribute to Mr Brown for his long service and ability as Town Clerk. The speaker had been a member of the council for a m-ru-ber of years, and he could say that Mr Brown had always been painstaking and conscientious in his service. He could not say that Mr Brown was a sound lawyer, but when it came to interpreting the Municipal Corporations Act. he would never be found wrong. He then referred to Mr Brown's powers as a peacemaker in the council, and in conclusion wished him and Mrs Brown health and prosperity in the future. He was sure the audience" would endorse this wish. x Mr P. L. Hollings said that when he took up mayoral duties he was like a young horse and required breaking in. For his training in his civic duties he thanked Mr Brown. Some had called Mr Brown a lawyer, but he (the speaker), like Mr Heron, preferred to call him a peacemaker, as it was in that role that he. shone. He would not say that Mr Brown had no faults, because where was the man that had no faults? But it was to Mr Brown's credit that he, unlike many others, strove manfully to overcome them. During his (the speaker's) term of office as mayor he had had a trying time, and he was indebted to Mr Brown for much assistance. There was one feature about Masterton people, and that was I that they were always willing to admire a man for his character, independent of any political or other opinions that he might hold. This they had shown that night. There j was one thing to be said about Mr jb'r<nvn's retirement from office, and i that was that had he been allowed to serve for another five years, until he wa* sixty-five years of age, he would assuredly have been entitled to a pension, because it was common that a bill was in course of.preparation entitling public servants when they had reachd 65 years of age to retire on a pension. Mr Brown had been cut short, and deprived of any pension. He had been the only town clerk the borough had had, he had watched the growth of the town, and had served it in many ways, especially in financial matters, and he now ended his term honourably and nobly and remained in their midst an he inured man. The chairman again referred to Mr Brown's services, especially in the advice he gave the council, and remarked that he had often saved the council from floundering in a bog As proof of Mr Brown's popularity, the speaker said he held in his hand a purse containing 100 guineas subscribed to by admiring citizens, and he had pleasure in handing this to Mr Brown. (Prolonged applause.) In handing over an illuminated address to Mr Brown also, the speaker said that the town clerk had not only been a good officer, but a splendid citizen as he had taken a lively interest in the moral and educational advance- | me;it of the town. (Applause). The text of the address, which was signed by over one hundred prominent citizens, is as follows —"As residents of the borough of Masterton and surrounding district, we desire to express to you the deep regret which is felt, not only by ourselves but by the whole community, on your retirement from the office of town clerk of Masterton, a position which you have worthily filled for the whole period since Masterton was a borough until the present time. Your thirty years of faithful and honourable service are willingly and gratefully acknowledged by the ratepayers and residents. Your intimate knowledge of municipal mat-

ters, your keen interest in the welfare of the town, together with your own personal character, have compelled the esteem of jour fellow townsmen, who thar.kfully recognise that much of the prosperity and wellbeing of the town is due to the conspicuous ability with which yuu have managed its municipal affahs. We are also deeply indebted to you for jour services in connection with education, your faithful services for many years as secretary of the Trust Lands Trust, your efforts to found a museum for the town, and your valuable assistance to our local institutions. We assure you of our esteem i and goodwill, and offer your our best | wishes for your future welfare." Mr A. W. Hogg. M.P , in opening his remarks, apologised for the absence of Mr J. A. Renall, an exMayor, who had left for Auckland that morning with a contingent of mares. (Laughtei). He(MrHogg) was there to do honour where honour was due, and after listening to all that had bc j n said about Mr Brown he could not say that there had been any exaggeration. Over twenty years ago he knew Mr and Masterton was rather a young place then. It was 1877 before the town "got its wisdom teeth," and became a municipality, and since then Mr Brown had been identified with its government. In training young and inexperienced ex-mayors, Mr Brown was an adept, and one of the best adepts in New Zealand. Masterton's present flourishing position and the manner in which it has been managed, was due in no small measure to Mr Brown. The speaker then referred to Mr Brown's services when the £4,000 abattoir loan was raised when by his tact he saved the borough no less than £IOO in expenses. Mr Brown was just as. fresh as ever now, despite his thirty years' service, and after all those years of hard labour, the speaker hoped that he would be like a cork i.i water — not to be kept under. He hoped that Mr Brown, with his knowledge of public affairs, would still take an active part in the management of the town. He hoped Mr Brown would still enjoy a long and prosperous career. On Mr Hogg's initiative, the singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow," was taken up by the audience. Mr Brown, who was "'armly received, said in the first place he would like to thank the chairman personally for his kindness in coming out to preside. He felt that Mr Caselberg had made some sacrifice and he appreciated it. After giving a brief but interesting outline cf the borough's early history, Mr Brown returned thanks to all the speakers and those present for the kind sentiments. One speaker had said that he was 60 years of age, but he would tell them that he was only 59, and now that the responsibilities of the ! borough were off his shoulders, he | felt very much younger. He mentioned that during one period of four months, towards the end of his term, sixty council and committee meetings had been held, and when they thought of the wcrk these entailed and the hours spent at night at meetings, he thought they would agree with him when he said he was rather glad to be ou 4 ; of it. In conclusion, he hoped to be able to serve them all in some better manner in the future. During the evening a number of selections were given by an orchestra under Mr Reihar.a Boyen and vocal 1 items were contributed by Mrs Jago and Messrs. W. S. Jago, W. Tggulden and H. Hal!. Prior to the meeting the Masterton Municipal Brass Band played outside the hall.