MR KYNNERSLEY.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 393, 3 November 1868, Page 2

MR KYNNERSLEY.

■ The late Chief Officer of the Nelson South-west G-oldfields has reason to be proud of the general feeling of sympathy and regret called forth by the occasion of his retirement from office. It is not gi/en to every official to win at one and the same time the praise of the Government, the goodwill and esteem of his subordinates, and the applause of the general public! Yet Mr Kynnersley stands in the happy position of having accomplished this feat. As Commissioner, he enjoyed the fullest confidence of the Superintendent and Executive Council, and his conduct during a late critical period of our history won high praise even from the Premier.* Mr Stafford, who is not often found compliments. The general regret expressed from one end of the Coast to the other on the Commissioner's retirement, and the testimonials and addresses which have been showered upon him are convincing proofs of the public's appreciation of his administration, while the two independent

presentations yesterday from the officers who have served under him on the goldfields are sufficient indications of the regard in which they hold their late chief Our columns have already made' mention of the various banquets, addresses, and purses of sovereigns, presented to Mr Kynnersley by the inhabitants of Charleston, Brighton, and the Grey district. We have now to record three presentations of the same nature which took place yesterday in Westport. The first consisted of a purse containing fifty sovereigns, the gift of some of the residents of this town and Addison's Mat, which was handed over to the presentee, in the long room of the Post Office Hotel. Only the Testimonial Committee, and a few others were present on the occasion, and fie whole proceedings partook more of a friendly than of a formal character. After Mr Martin, who acted a& chairman, had fulfilled his task and a bumper of champagne had been drnnk to Mr Kynnersley's health that gentleman acknowledged the compliment in very feeling terms, and expressed his gratified sense •of the many kindnesses lately heaped upon him. In the very few remarks he made he spoke chiefly in reference to the affair at Addison's Flat, and observed that though many of the inhabitants of Westport disapproved of the way in which he had conducted that business, it was after all but a difference of opinion. In that emergency he had simply striven to do his duty, and had considered that duty to be, first and foremost, the preservation of the peace. He secured that and believed that in so doing he gained the approbation of all those whose good opinion was worth having. Immediately after the above meeting, a presentation of a very valuable watch and chain was made to Mr Kynnersley by Inspector Franklyn and the various officers of the police, particulars of which will appear in our next issue.

The same evening a gathering of Mr Kynnersley's personal friends took place at a farewell dinner given in his honor at the Post Office Hotel. The late hour at which it concluded, prevents us giving any particulars until next issue.