VALEDICTORY LECTURE BY MR G. W. RUSSELL AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2598, 7 March 1889, Page 2

VALEDICTORY LECTURE BY MR G. W. RUSSELL AT CAMBRIDGE.

On Monday evening Mr Russell appeared before a Cambridge audience for the last time, previous to his departure from Waikato, when he delivered a most interesting leoture upon the life of General Gordon. Tho proceeds of the lecture are to be placed to the credit of tho funds of the public library, an institution that the lecturer has always taken gp>at interest in. The chair was occupied by Mr Priestly, the chairman of tho library committee, who in hi.s introductory remarks stated that it would probably be the last time that they would have an opportunity of hearing Mr Russell lecture, as he was about to take up his residents in Christ church. He then spoke of both Mr and MrsKusscll in flattering terms, and wished them success in their new sphere of life, after which he proceeded with the business of tho evening.

The audience was a large one, many attending to witness a presentation of plate and an illuminated address, which it was known would be Riven to Mr and Mrs Russell, at some time during llio evening. The entertainment commenced with a pianoforte duet, a selection from Donnizetti's opera "La Favourita " by .Messrs MeDerniott and Hartly. Mr O. Garland then sang " The Arab's Farewell to his Steed "in good stylo; and then Mr Russell gave his lecture. The subject of " General Gordon" has been thrashed pretty bare of late by both professional and amateur lecturers, and the newspapers havo teemed with anecdotes about him; but, nevertheless, Mr Russell managed to bring some of the traits of character of the illustrious General before his audience in a new light, and urged the youth of Cambridge to take the principles of the "Hero of Kartoum,"as their pattern through life. The lecture was short, but a most enjoyable one, and at its close Mr Russell was greatly applauded. After a brief interval the second part of the entertainment was proceeded with, as follows:—Piano duet, "JeSuisPret,"by the Misses Nixon, very nicely rendered, but it required a much better piano to do it justice. Song, "The Outpost," Mr tt. Wilson. This gentleman was hardly up to his usual Rood form. Song, " Waiting," Mrs G. W. Russell. Although this lady must have been having a wearying time, preparing for her departure for the South, she was, nevertheless, in good voice, and was encored in such a manner that clearly showed that the audience would not miss an opportunity of hearing her remarkably [aire arid sweet voice. She repeated a portion of the song, and was again loudly applauded. THE PRESENTATION, Mr C. M, Brunskill then came upon the platform, and said it had fallen to his lot to perforin a very pleasant duty. He was sure there was not one among the audience who would not be sorry they had hoard Mr Russell for the last time, and that he and his estimable wife were about to depart from amongst them. The district could ill-afford to lose persons of the jalibre of Mr and Mrs Russell, and when it became known that they were going, a few friends had decided to give them a small token of appreciation of the services they had rendered whilst residing amongst them, and also as showing the respect in which tkey were held in the district. He then preseuted Mr Russell with a handsome tea and coffee service, and the following address which ho read : —■ '' To George Warren Russell, Esq., J.P. Dear Sir, — Your departure from amongst us, to a new and wider sphere of labour, gives us the oppottunity of publicly expressing the regard in which you are held by all classes of the community. From the first day of your arrival in Cambridge, you have always taken a deep and active interest in the welfare and progress of the town and district. Kvery scheme or effort calculated to advance the common weal, has found in you an able, zealous, and energetic champion. In public affairs especially you have so played your part, that your loss will long be felt by men of all ranks and conditions, for all have benefited in greater or less degree by your energy, sagacity, and helpful spirit. As a tangible though very inadequate expression of the esteem in which you and Mrs Russell, (whose place also ill our social and musical circles will be hard to fill) are held by troops of friends, we beg your acceptance of this tea and coffee service, and illuminated address. Be assured that we most sincerely wish you both all happiness and prosperity, and that the memory of you will long live and be kindly cherished in Waikato. (Signed on behalf of the subscribers), Arch Clements, J. P. ; W. S. Scewart, B. A. ; R. W. Sargent, C. M. Brunskill, and Jas. Forrest. In replying, Mr Russell evidently spoke with emotion, and said he had much pleasure in accepting the address and handsome present of plate, as an expression of good will. It was now four years since he and his wife came to Waikato to make a home and endeavour to bring up their family in peace and happiness, but they had foand it necessary to move to a larger sphere. He thoroughly believed in Waikato, and he thought it only required a little time to make it a prosperous place ; but with his increased family, lie thought it his duty to endeavour to meet the tide of prosperity, hence his removal to Christchurch, where, with the large population it possessed, he thought, any peculiar talents that he might posses*, would bo made better use of than in a place with a comparatively small number of inhabitants. He could assure them that both he and his wife left Cambridge with great rocret. They had made many friends, and he believed would not leave a single enemy. He may at tunes have said things that would have been better left unsaid, and which he afterwards regretted ; but lie could assure them that it was not from a bad heart, but from a bad head, for he must admit that he was impetuous. If there were any that he had so offended, ho trusted they would accept this assurance, that it was done unintentionally. He was particularly grateful to his friends for having specially mentioned his wife in the address. She was a true and noble wife to him, and equally good mother to his children ; and whatever ballast he lackcd, she was able to supply. He counselled inhabitants of Waikato not to be downhearted. He believed there was a great future before it; and lie ventured to predict that three years would see thousands more settlers upon the lands now lying waste in it; but, notwithstanding that, he felt that he, with his large family, must go to a place that would get into the fray a little earlier. He concluding by again expressing his thanks to his friends, and to the chairman for his kind remarks, and said if he was ever in a position to do anything for any them, it would afford him great pleasure to do it. The programme was then resumed as follows :—Song, " Gates of the West," Mrs Maxwell, encored and " Killartiey " substituted ; song, " The Vicar of Bray," Mr Knight; loudly applauded ; comic song, " Miss Hoolohan's Christmas Calce," Mr R. Watnon ; encored and " Widow McCree'' givon. The National Anthem olosed the proceedings.