PRESENTATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2618, 28 September 1909, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

TO MR AV MILLER J X pleasant little ceremony took place rn the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Club rooms, Lowe Street, yesterday afternoon, when members of Mr W. Miller’s committee and friends who in the Mayoral contest met to present that gentleman with a handsome silvormounted walking stick as a slight token or esteem. Mr. C. A. deLautour presided, and said that the gathering should have been held a great deal earlier, but had been postponed for many reasons, primarily owing to the accident to Mr. A. F. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy had been the life and soul of the contest, and they could not hold the meeting without his presence. The friends there wished to express great gratitude to Mr. Miller for sticking to them in the late contest. His business engagements had called him away at the time, hut he was good enough to leave himself in their hands. They felt a contest for the highest civic honor was not one that should go without being* earned, and Mi-. Miller had been the strongest candidate they could put up. The committee had spared no efforts ,to put him at the head of tlio poll, and there might be another occasion when they might do better. Meanwhile, they wanted to show their appreciation of his kindness, enthusiasm, and excellence in the contest, and also show their appreciation of him as a man and friend, and asked him to look upon the accompanying gift as a token of unfailing friendship and esteem. Air. A. F. Kennedy said he wished to supplement Mr deLautour’s remarks. The committee had turned out night and day, and did everything they could to secure Air. Miller’s return. They knew Air. Alil’er had not gene away because he was afraid to face the music, and lie (Air. Kennedy) was oniv sorrv their efforts had not been success-

Mr. Miller, in reply, said he hardly knew want to say to thank them for l heir evidence of confidence in -him. jle had always regretted, through his ur '-M >een business gelations, not being abie be present at the election, but he bmie. a: 1 , they all knew it was impossible for him to stay. He had no reason to regret having placed himself in their hands during the contest, and lie wanted to thank them for the loyal way they had handled his views during big absence, and he would always look upon the little memento from them as ah honor.