PRESENTATION OF A SILVER CRADLE TO THE MAYORESS OF HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2283, 26 February 1887, Page 2

PRESENTATION OF A SILVER CRADLE TO THE MAYORESS OF HAMILTON.

The ceremony of presenting a silver cradle to the Mayoress of Hamilton (Mrs W. A. Graham) took place in the Public Hall on Thursday night. The hall was well filled, the fair sex naturally predominating. The cradle was on view for half-an-hour before the formal proceedings commenced, and was greatly admired by all who inspected it. It is from the atelier of Mr S. McLernon, the well-known jeweller of Hamilton, and reflects the highest credit on his taste and skill. The frame-work of the cradle, or rather bassinette, is constructed of New Zealand woods, the pedestal being of puriri while the standard and cross bar are each formed of four different kinds of timber. The carving, representing ferns and other species of the flora of the colony, which is exceptionally well done was executed in Auckland, but the sketches were supplied by Mr McLernon. In the centre of the cross bar is a silver medallion, on the obverse side of which is engraved Mr Graham's monogram and on the reverse the seal of the Borough of Hamilton. On a massive silver plate, let into tho pedestial, is the following inscription " Presented to Mrs William A. Graham, by the burgesses of Hamilton, 188 G." The cradle itself, which is suspended between the standards, is a charming specimen of the silversmith's art. It is simply a model of a wickerwork cradle, constructed of silver wire. The dimensions of the frame are Length 12 inches, height 15 inches, length of pedestal lu inches, width of same 6 inches, length of, silver cradle 9 inches, and depth in proper proportion. The cost of this unique present was something under £20.

At 8 o'clock the Mayor and Mayoress, Crs. Knox, Edgecumlje, Scott, Yon Sturmer and Jones, willi the Town Clerk, Mr Gelling, mounted the platform, and onthe motion of Cr. Knox, Cr. Edgecumbe took the chair.

The Chairman said he did not purpose taking up the time of the meeting by making a speech. They were all aware of the object of the meeting, and he would therefore content himself with calling upon Mr Knox to make the presentation. This office was his due, as he had filled the position of Mayor of Hamilton for three successive years (applause.)

Mr Knox, who on rising was received with applause, said:—Your Worship, on behalf of the burgesses of Hamilton, I have great pleasure in presenting the Mayoress with a silver cradle. The burgesses of Hamilton avail themselves of this opportunity to do honour to you, who have filled for the third time the responsible position of Mayor of Hamilton, with great credit to yourself and benefit to the borough. Although the intrinsic value of the article is trifling, I am sure you value it highly as a token of what it is intended to convey—the high appreciation of your services rendered to the borough, and the esteem you are both held in by your fellow burgesses. 11 is unnecessary for me to particularise the various works and borough imorovements induced by you, timing ofwlricfy are

already apparent, and as time goes on, the inhabitants of the borough will realise the great debt of gratitude duo to you for the foresight and judgment in devising and placing on record the various improvements for the borough. In conclusion, I trust you and the Mayoress may be long spared to reside amongst us, and still further placo the burgesses of Hamilton under obligations for your sacrifices in their interests. Mrs Graham said Mr Graham wished her to say a few words first, and this was her own opinion also, especially since she had seen their beautiful present. When she first heard of the presentation she was pleased to think that the people of Hamilton had determined to keep up u good old custom. They had called their baoy after the borough, Olive Victoria Hamilton, so that she would always be reminded of the town and peoplo of Hamilton. She (the Mayoress) could only say in conclusion that she valued tho beautiful gift very much, and wherever she and her husband went they would never forget the donors (Loud applause). The Mayor would like to add to what his wife had said that they would hand the cradle down to their descendants as au heirloom. The present was valuable intrinsically, but still more valuable as a token of the esteem and goodwill of the burgesses. It would encourage him to go on in his efforts for the advancement of tho borough. He was fully compensated for all he nad done in the past. Such a present as this was more valuable than money, because money might go, whereas this would be handed down to his descendants. He then referred to the future of Hamilton, which he predicted would be a bright and prosperous one. People often laughed at him when he spoke of Hamilton attaining to a population of 25,000, but he could remember the time when the white population of the whole colony did not exceed that of Hamilton at the present time (Applause). He considered it an additional honour that the presentation should have been made by Or. Knox, a gentleman who had occupied the mayoral chair three times in succession, and who had done so much during that time to lay the foundation of Hamilton's prosperity (applause.) He would only add in conclusion that borough affairs should continue to receive his beat consideration, and that ha would do his utmost for the town (Applause). At the instance of Cr. Knox three hearty cheers were given for the Mayor, Mayoress and family, to which Mr Graham responded briefly. The Chairman, on behalf of the council, thanked the burgesses and their wives and children for their attendance that night. Such a larpe attendance must have been very gratifying to the Mayor and his worthy lady. The proceedings shortly afterwards terminated.