TESTIMONIAL TO A. A. FANTHAM, ESQ. [FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.]

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1308, 16 November 1880, Page 2

TESTIMONIAL TO A. A. FANTHAM, ESQ. [FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER. ]

In last issue we published a telegraphic resume of the proceedings at the presentation last Friday afternoon, at Hoffmans Warehouse, Auckland, to Mr Fantham i of Grwynneland, near Cambridge, of a testimonial in recognition of the services he rendered, and the firm stand he took during the pleuro outbreak in fjhjs dis- ! trict. The testimonial was subscribed to by eleven hundred and twenty-two farmers, and the individual subscription was limited to one shilling. The presentation took place in the spacious show-room of Mr Hoffman, Queenstreet, at half-#ast 'two o'clock. Amongst those r rae»ent we noticed Messrs Hunter (Hunter and Nolan), Lewis, Inspector of catjcle, 'Harris, Udy, F. Laury, Robertson Willcocks, Hobbs, and Davidson. Mr Udy proposed and Mr. Hunter seconded that Mr Laury make the presentation, which was agreed to nem con. Mr Laury said, "I may observe that this address was adopted principally by myself, and was unanimously adopted at a meeting of the committee held at the British Hotel. I will now read the address." To A. A. Fantham, Esq., Gwynneland, Cambridge, Waikato. Deab Sir, — At a meeting held in the British Hotel, Queen-street, Auckland, on the 13th day of May, 1880, which was attended by about thirty gentlemen,, who represented most of the past?orar- districts around Auckland, it was unanimously resolved to present you with some testimonial as a slight recognition of the honourable course of action which you had pursued in your capacity as a member of the South Auckland Cattle Board, and in appreciation of what you had accomplished against obstacles which most men with equal honesty of purpose would have considered insurmountable and hopeless to contend against, jt was unanimously determined to make this testimonial assume' something like au expression of public qp"hiion relative to your actions, and with this objestin view it was resolved to limit the subscription to the sum of one shilling from each subscriber. The following gentlemen (all of whom are interested in practical pastoral pursuits) were elected as a committee, with power to act, and with full power to carry out the wishes of the committee, viz. : — Messrs J. Bainbridge, Jas. Robertson, janr., C. Rhodes, F. R. Claude, W. Porch, A. Harris, R. Udy, A. Hastie, J. R. Walters, Thomas Allen, and F. Lawry. The Committee deem it very desirable and necessary to go into these details here because no item of correspondence or verbal communication, as far as they are avfaro, relating in the remotest degree to this matter, has ever been exchanged with you, cither when it was projected or f&jnce it has been carried into practical effect; and you are, therefore, entitled to know now how ]t originated, and also how it has been accomplished. The Committee regret on the one hand, and rejoice on the other, that the public did not respond to the call upon them iv such numbers as was at one time anticipated and expeete 1. They regret this because they feel that the matter has; "toot been fairly represented in one- twentieth part of the districts interested,- in the raising of cattle in this Provincial District, inasmuch as a circular and subscription list were sent to the chairman of one hundred any thirty Highway District Boards, with a request that they would assist in bringing the object to a successful issue, but only sixteen have taken action or replied acknowledging receipt of them. The result of subsequent enquiry satisfies your Committee that the majority of the people of those districts had no opportunity of subscribing, as they never saw a subscription list, whilst letters have been lately received offering to guarantee five hundred subscribers, and if desired to send cheque for the amount in advance. The Committee, however, on the other hand, rejoice exceedingly in the fact that some Providental interposition haa arrested the progress of the direful disease — known as pleuro-pneumonia — or fit least has kept it confined to certain localities ; and though they feel that the dissemination of the disease— spreading ruin, desolation, destruction, aud death amouarst cattle in every quarter — would have been the direct means of inducing many thousands of cattlc-ownei'3 to send unsolicited subscriptions — not only from a sense of gratitude to you for having warned them of impending danger, but also as a manifestation of indignation towards tho3e authorities whose conduct the Committee feels to merit the most unqualified censure in any case, and as they apprehend that you would feel pained beyond expression at recieving— no matter how valuable a presentation, and no matter how wide its representative nature may be — at such a sacrifice. The Committee, nevertheless, rejoice at its comparitive inhigificance, although, at the same time, *hey cannot help expressing their conviction that, taking into consideration the opposition which it has obtained at every btcige from those high in authority, it is, however, a most gratifing success. The subscription closed with eleven hundred and twenty subscriber}!, making a total of fifty-six pounds (£56) with which sum a piano has been purchased which instrument the Committee hope you will be pleased to accept. It was understood to be ratber a singular presentation, but though you were personally unknown to most of the Committee they knew by repute, that to present you with the proverbial piece of plate would be to give you something of which you already possessed, a sort of counterpart, and in this presentation they desired to combine utility with something ornamental — something not altogether devoid of beauty. The Committee have the greater pleasure in presenting this testimonial to you because they fepl that you expected no reward except such as invariably follows the performance of duty, either private or official ; and they further feel that though you had some pain- [ ful and uncongenial duties to perform, that they were felt to be so incumbent upon you as not to be set aside except at the sacrifice of self-respect. They are also fully aware that testimonials as a rule detract from the real satisfaction which an honourable man feels, resulting from the performance of his duties ana obligations ; but it is nevertheless felt that your actions as a member of the South Auckland Cattle Board were of so exceptional a nature as to scarcely render the rule applicable to your particular case. The Committee deprecate the ise,a that this testimonial and presentation are the reward of merit, but they declare it to be the manifestation of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude, emanating from eleven hundred and twenty of your fellowsettlers for your action in the endeavour to suppress pleuro pneumonia. And they conclude by expressing the hope that you will live long to listen to the tones of the instrument forming the substantial part of this presentation, and that its music will tend to enhance the satisfaction that you will always feel from having acted in accordance with a sense of duty. It ia now only necessary for me to call npon Mr C. T. Wren to present this piano. Mr Wren : It affords me much, pleasure,

to perform the duty of formally handing over this small recognition of the services you have rendered, and I sincerely trust you will be long spared to enjoy its capabilities. MrFantham, who was overcome with emotion said : " " Jfcr Chairman and gentlemen, —I have ft task before me which it is utterly impossible to properly acoomplish, and beg to most sincerely thank you for tue very handsome present yon hate thought fit to make me. I have simply done my d uty to the best of my ability, and am sure my poor endeavours have not merited such a return. I have long felt the importance of protective measures being taken agains the introduction of pleuro, or any other contagious or infections disease into this country, and, on the 26th January last, jead an essay before the Cambridge Farmeru' Club on th«? subject, and succeeded ( in carrying several resolutions, suggesting steps that in my opinion ought to be taken, with reference to the examination and quarantining of imported stock. Such examinations should always bo undertaken by a properly qualified veterinary, surgeon. These resolutions were forwarded for the information of tho Government, and little did I think at that time my foara would bo, aoon be verified, for by the latter end of February pleuro had .actua% appeared in our midst, • and on the oth March, at a special meeting of the Farmer's Club, Mr Benjamin Maclean - was uyjtructed by the Government to proceed to Cambridge, and confer with the members re the appointment of the South Auckland Cattle Board. Gentlemen, I had the honour to be chosen as one member of the Board, and being a stranger in the country, I considered the appointment a very great honour. And since then my doings ia connection therewith have been before the public. So many gentlemen, by subscribing towards this testimonial, shows me my publio conduct meets with the approval of a large portion of the community. I need not «ay I am proud to have my conduct so approved, and am also very thankful your expressions of good have taken so substantial and useful a form. And Ido assure you the handsome instrument shall be handed down to my family with pride, and I hope it willinduce them to do their duty fearlessly in any public capacity they may be called upon to fulfil. The coantry 18 mack indebted to the Editor of the Waikato Times for the very truthful reports of meetings of the South Auckland Cattle Board that have appeared m that journal, and the fearless stand that paper made during the time the pleuro panic was obtaining. The importance of Cattle Boards cannot be too highly estimated. In my opinion they only rank second to the Board of Health, which Board is appointed to prevent the spread of contagious disease amongst mankind, while the function of the Cattle Boards are to perform a similar duty for stock, and taking into, consideration the importance of healthy meat and milk, I am sure everyone will say it should come from stock that is not diseased. It has been proved beyond a doubt that milk given to chfldrw. from cpws suffering from tubucular diseases has caused consumption. It has often been proved in young animals that have, been fed on milk from such stockyfch%t they have died from consutnptiou. I may add in conclusion, I have .exhibited successfully for eighteen years, aud was jiever bo well prepared for a Show as I am at the present time. Yet through fear of getting my cattle diseased, I am not able to bring them before the public, which I consider a great loss to me as a breeder, and it is to my own benefit to get the restrictions taken off cattle as soon as possible, and to have the Auckland province proclaimed frep from disease, but I shall not consent to' this until sure that all danger is past. Again, gentlemen, accept ray heartiest thanks, and if it pleases the Almighty to spare me, I trust my future actions in connection with the Board will al»o meet with your approval. Mr Allen, in a complimentary speech, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Lawry, the secretary, who in responding referred to tho great assistance rendered by the treasurer, MtUdy. Mr Lawry moved, and Mr Dxvidson seconded, a vote of thnnks to Mr Hoffman for his kindness in allowing the use of the room for the presentation. This was passed aod the meeting separated. The piano, which is a very fine instrument, bore the following" inscription on a silver plate in front -.—"Presented to A. A. Fanthani, Esq., in recognition of his services as a member of South Auckland Cattle Board in the suppression of pleuro pneumonia, purchased by subscriptions limited to one shilling."