PRESENTATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5009, 25 April 1895, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

TO MR, J. WALLACE SMITH.

Last evoning, n number of settlers in this District, assembled at the Occidental Hotel, Masterton, for the purpose of presenting an address and a pnrso of sovereigns to Mr J. Wallace Smith—late Inspector of Stock for the North Wnirarapa District—as a mark of the esteem in which he is held, the Chair being oecupied by Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R, The address, which is to be illuminated by MrW. Sellar, and forwarded to Mr Smith, read as follows : To J. Wallace Smith, Esq,, Late Sheep Inspector, North Wairarapa. Dear Sm,--"Wc, the undersigned residents of Nouh Wairarapa, bciug desirous of showing our appreciation of your services upon your severing your official connection with the District, take this oppoitunity of askiug you to accept as a mark of our esteem, this address with the accompanying purse. The gift in itself is trilling, but the presentation of it gives us an opportunity of expressing our regard for the recipient. In doing so we wish to add our conviction that the Department has suffered a great loss by your retirement, as well as the cause of sincere and deep regret to your many friends and well-wishers, and we assure you of our heartiest wishes for the future prosperity of Mrs Smith and yourself.—Tours respectfully etc." (Signed by John Cross and 33 others). In making the presentation Mr Hogg said that it gave him great pleasure to meet tho settlers and Mr Smith, whom he had known over since 'ho came to Mastorton. He had always held him in high respect as a public officer, while occupying tho position of Sheep Inspector in this district. He felt he was performing a public duty in presenting this testimonial and accompanying purse. He regretted thoro wore not more present, and also thatthepurso was not a heavier one. In carrying out the Act it had been the duty of Mr Smith to rub up the settlers, and for him (Mr Hogg) to rub up Mr 'Smith and the Department (wbicli probably did some good). Still they had always been personal friends, and no material difference had existed between them. He believed he was correct in saying that Mr Smith had never unduly pressed the settlers in tto performance of his duty, It was a high compliment for the settlers to pay an officer of his Department—which was undoubtedly an unpopular one—but he believed Mr Smith had always discharged his duty fearlessly and impartially. Mr Smith feelingly replied and said he fully appreciated tho compliment paid to him, and while he was aware bis duty was not always a pleasant one, the presentation now made to him, would be something to remind him that he had the goodwill of the settlers amongst whom he had worked. Mr J. Groves said he regretted the absence of many whom he expected to be present, also the fact that the pursowasnot a heavier one, but they all knew that at present the lot of the settler was not the happiest. All knew the conscientious way in which Mr Smith had carried ' out the duties of bis office, and he did not believe that any settler bad a word to say against him. Ho was sure Mi- Smith did us good work as possible to get tho settlers to cany out the requirements of the Stock Department. He had much pleasure in wishing Mr Smith success in his new sphere. Messrs Langdon and Cross also spoke highly of the way in which Mr Smith had always carried out What were often very unpleasant duties. Mr Cross stated that but for unavoidable absence from Masterton, Mr Inspector Miller would have been present. The health of Mr and Mrs Smith was druuk in bumpers, and also that of tho Chairman, after which the gathering dispersed,