PRESENTATION TO MR THORNTON WALKER.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 827, 11 December 1900, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR THORNTON WALKER.

AIiODT thirty of the friends and wellwishers of Mr Thornton Walker assembled at the Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, last evcuiug, to present him with a souvenir upon his leaving the district. At the request of Messrs Park and Hewitt, the promoters, the Mayor (Mr Buckland), occupied the chair and made the presentation. In doing so His Worship said he had not the pleasure of being as intimately acquainted with Mr Walker as many of those present, but he knew his father well, and all had learned to respect the family. He trusted that wherever Mr Walker went he would be piospcrous aud would meet as staunch friends as those he was leaving behind in Cambridge. He then presented Mr Walker ivith a very handsome fold watch and chain—the best that could be procured in Auckland—bearingan inscription that it was from his friendson his leaving the district as a token of the respect and esteem in which he is held by them. Iu thanking the donors for the present Mr Walker said it gave him very great pleasure to receive it, but on the other hand he would rather uot have had it, for then he would have beeu remaining amongst them ; however, he trusted that he would at some future period return and live amongst his old friends once more. When his father took up the Moauavale Estate lie found it a more difficult task than he expected, and had to put up with greater hardships than most people .vere aware of, as had most of the early pioneers. The Moanavale house had been twice fortified, and their horses had been taken to supply the troops at Taptipa. Mr Walker related several little matters connected with the early dnys, and after again thanking the donors he resumed his seat. Mr W. G. Park said he had known Mr Walker for 18 years, and had found him the best of neighbours and a genuine friend. He never troubled about cattle that had got on to Moanavale, for they were always well cartd for and returned home after a muster. His friend " Thornry" had pretty well beaten him at everything, he had done so at managing the estate, and now he had got married. (Laughter and cries of " follow his lead"). Mr T. W. flicks said he had known Mr Walker for 18 years, and had always looked upon him as a great friend, lie was honest and straightforward, and always willing to give ndvtce to those who needed it regarding farmiug matters in the Waikato and there was no one moro competent to do so. Hr Hicks satd lie trusted that the watch would be handed down iu Mr Walker's family for generations, and that the recipient would yet return and live amongst them again. The health of Mr Walker and his family were then drunk with musical honours, fur which he thanked them, Mr K. Reynolds said he had great sympathy with promoters of any laud scheme, notwithstanding the tact that they were now called " social pests," for they had all dropped their money and benefited others, for which they were now reviled. And so it had been with Mo;iuavale, Mv Walker had broken in the ground and now others were about to reap the benefit. He was not one of those who did uot like to see others get on (but he was afraid some of the inhabitants of the district were built that way) and ho wished to sec everyone prosperous. He was so disgusted with the methods of some of their settlers a little time since that he put his pla<:e in the market intending to sell out, but he had now taken a portion of the Moanavale Estate, and that had anchored him to the district, where for the future he intended to take his share in public matter 1 !. He then referred in complimentary terms to Mr- Walker, who he said he had never kuow.n to speak an untruth or break his word He concluded by proposing the health of the absent members of the Walker family, which was duly honoured and responded to on their behalf by Mr Carr. The remainder of the evening wa3 devoted to social intercourse.