PRESENTATION TO MR HORNSBY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3074, 19 December 1908, Page 7

PRESENTATION TO MR HORNSBY.

(From Our Own Correspondent). '

There was a crowded assemblage of Liberals at the Victoria Hall, Carterton, on Thursday night to take part in the social and presentation tendered to the late Member for the Wairarapa, Mr J. T. M. Hornsby. The chah- was oacupied by Mr G. A. ZFairbrother, wha read several ■apologies for unavoidable absence • and good wishes and seasonable greetings, including a long message from the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward. Amongst the speakers were Mr J. W. Card (Featherston), Mr J. Chesham (Martinborough), Mr G. A. Fairbrother (Carterton), and Mr W. Udy (Greytown). The latter, on the conclusion of a speech eulogistic of the work done by Mr Hornsby, presented him with a purse of 250 sovereigns. On rising to respond, ~rMr Hornsby was greeted with rounds of applause. He feelingly thanked them for their recognition of what 'he had done for them in the pnst. On the night of the poll he had said <itwa3 his Intention to leave the district* and his last word to them was '"farewell." He had recognised that ■he was beaten, and having parted with his paper he had not seen his way to making a living in the district. "iThe position now was altered, and the action of the people had convinced him he had a chance of making a living in the Wairarapa, and te was going to start in business in Carterton. < Prolonged applause). He described the state of the roads as they were when he came to the district, and the improvements that had been made, due to the grants secured by him. , They had now • miles-of Jsplendid roads and good bridges. He spoke of the ingratitude of a section of the people, more particularly between Blairlogie and Holmwood. It was not a defeat but a betrayal. There had been tying and slandering to bring about his defeat. He knew of most dis creditable things that might be brought to light yet, as it was not ■too late to lodge a petition. He referred to the sectarian cry and the use that had been made of it to bring about his defeat, and ha cried shame on those who useri such methods. They should kick this sort of thing out of political and social life. Pie was not prepared to say he would be •a candidate at the next election. f There wa:- Loo much ingratitude. He had bad a majority in his old electorate and would have been returned but for political treachery. He thanked those wno had contributed to the presentation ar.d those who had atttnded that evening to show their sympathy. He took his seat amidst long applmse. a vocal ar.d musical programme was gone through, and supper and dancing made up an interesting evening.