A PLEASING CEREMONY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4510, 30 August 1893, Page 3

A PLEASING CEREMONY.

Presentation to Mr Burton Soys, Several of the most prominent residents in this district assembled at the Oddfellows' Hall, Porry streot, this morning, for the purpose of preBenting Mr Burton Boys with an illuminated testimonial, as a mark of high esteem, and an expression of regret at bis retirement from bis position as a Justice of the Peace,

Tho chair was occupied by Mr W Lowes, wbj> Said be had a duty to porform. rj|b ho could bare wished had fallen upoc someone else, not because be would give place to an; man in his regard far Mr Hoys, but because he would have liked someono more capable and who could have dope Mr Boys more justice. The duty delegated to him afforded very great pleasure, because its object was to express their very high estimation of one who, during a long residence, had endeared himself to all who knew'him, with affectionate re* gard. They regretted the cause of his retirement from the Bench, but bo (Mr Loweß) would merely say they were sorry that such circumstance as led to his retirement should have arisen in the career of any honorable man. (Hear. Hear). They regretted Mr Boys' retirement chiefly because they lost his services, which had been always so readily given. Mr Boys was one of the pioneer settlers of tho Wairarapa, and during tho time of the Provincial Government lib had rcnderod.it sorvices of the bigbcßt value, It was, howover, principally in his capacity as a Justice of tho Peace that they desired to honor him, because he had always endeavored to discharge his duties in the highcßt manner possible. He (Mr Lowes) had never sat with any fellow Justice o|rthe Bench with whom it gave bim greater pleasure to work tbau Mr Boys, (Applause.) Ho whb a man of social virtues as well as public ability, and a citizen, a man, and a gentleman whom they all admired. Bnt on the present occasion they had met to pay a tribute to Mr Boys more in his public capacity than in his private one, and he (thespeuker) would not occupy time by further remarks, He would now just address a few words to Mr Boys himself. Tbo following address was (lieu read :

" To Boaion Dots, Esq., vor fourteen teirsajosiiceofmbpeacb in new Zealand.

Wo, thoMfegned Wairarapa residents, desire, on'tho occasion of jour retirement from ft position which jou have tilled for so many years with honour to yourself, and with advantago'to this community, to record our opinion of your services as ft Justice of the Peace In this district, You have devoted much time and attention to the performance of your official duties, never sparing yourself, when a call has been made upon you. You have also made yourself thoroughly conversant with the laws you have had to administor, and have, on all oocasions displayed an earnest desire to impartially and carefully decide all issues submitted for your adjudication, proving yourBelt loyal to both the spirit and letter of tho law. You have shown by your example that the position of a Justice of tho Peaco is an honourable and responsible oflico, and that tke duties of it can be discharged with marked benefit to the community at largo. Wc, therefore, sincerely regret jour voluntary retirement f<om an oilico in which you possessed our fi\Aonlidencc and respect. Byyonr*Sj>dStioß, the 801 l of Justices in the Wairarapa loses one of Its oldest, ablest ami most honored members,"

Mr Lowes said that the testimonial expressed the heartfelt wishes of the.community and also tbe deep regret at Mr Boys' retirement from the Bench, feeling assured that Mr Boys took the sffflUe did feeling it was the only honourable course open to him. (Applause.) Mr Burton Boys, (who was visibly affected) said ho eiucorely thanked his friends from tbo bottom of his jjeart for thoir kind testimonial, aod especially Mr Lowes for bis kind words, For thirty-two years ho had lived in the Wairarapa and had done bis best to promote tbe interest of the Wairarapa aa a whole, apart from any potty feeljng that tbo boundary of a river divided the poh from the eoutb. 01 course he

did feel, nod feel deeply, tbat, hi 8 j honour was at stake when be resigned Mb posi'ion as a Justicpofi the. Peace, but a'"it th« unpleaßunt incidont whioh ocoured mid the wordu h«d bepn spoken, it was inoumbent upon him to do so, He \vft« a sensitive man and to fool that «fior nil be had done, never studying himt'elf, such remarks as were made —perhaps not purpossly to wound him—was too muoh for him. The present kind expression of the testimonial just received had acted as a wive, and had healed the wound made, and again from the bottom of his heart he returned his most sincere and oordial thank (Applause) Hearty, voles of thanks to Mr W, Sellar (who obtained the names and prepared the testimonial) and to Mr W. Low 93 for his services as Chairman concluded the proceedings.