PRESENTATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2735, 14 February 1910, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

AIR, AY. F. CRAWFORD

A large and representative gathering assembled at the Farmers’ Union Club rooms on Saturday afternoon, when a presentation was made to Mr. AY. F. Crawford, first Mayor of the borough, as an expression of the general esteem in which he is held. His Worship the Mayor (Mr AY. I). Lysnnr) presided. The Hon. J. Carroll was present, and the assemblage was so large as to crowd the room. The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, referred to the general esteem in which Mr. Crawford js held. No doubt, he said, there were some who- differed from Mr. Crawford, but there was no man worth regarding as a proper man who did not have some persons who were ojiposed to his ideas. His AVorsliip spoke in feeling terms of Mr. Crawford’s high ideals, his kindliness and readiness to help those who needed assistance, and his unwearied efforts to advance the interests of the town and its residents. He was glad, His Worship said, that it fell to him. on behalf of the citizens, to express their desire to do honor to such a man, but on this occasion all that ho had to do was to call unon their member, the Hon. J. Carroll, to make the presentation by which they had given expression t* their respect and esteem. The Hon. J. Carroll said that the duty which devolved upon him was one which called forth the strongest feelings, love and affection, towards him whom they were honoring. He would read the address which had been prepared, arid from which they would gather the sentiments of love and affection which were felt towards 'their •old friend, AV. F. Crawford. Mr. Carroll then read the following add ress:

“AA 7 . F. Crawford, Esq. Dear Air. Crawford, —On behalf of a number of your fellow-townsmen, we have much pleasure in handing you the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a small token of the appreciation and esteem for your many and strenuous efforts to improve the status, progress and welfare of the town and district. AVo have great pleasure in reminding you that on the incorporation of this borough in the month of Alay, 1877, the borough burgesses were proud to elect you as the first Alayor of this town, since that date you have taken an active interest in the welfare of the place and its people. AYe are also aware that for a very long period in the past the fruition of the many sound and progressive reforms advocated by you both by voice and pen has been delayed, which must have caused you frequent disappointment; but we feel that your persistent and strong advocacy has been very largely instrumental in impressing upon the ratepayers of this borough the necessity and prudence of sanctioning a progressive and bold policy that most tend to uplift the status of our town and at the same time improve the facilities and add to the pleasure and enjoyment of the many who live in Gisborne and those who visit it. A\ T e very cordially express our pleasure to you that after living in our midst for over 35 years you should tp-day be enjoying such robust health, and it- is the fervent wish of all those who have contributed to this small token of esteem that you may be granted the best of health and strength for many years to come, and so continue to aid the progress of the town and district on sound and prudent lines, while at the same time continuing to be a much-respected figure in our community. . AYe are, dear Air. Crawford, yours very sincerely, J. Carroll, AY. D. Lvsmir, on behalf of over 100 fellow-townsmen.’’

Air. Carroll said that, besides himself, there were those present who could carry their rni’nds. back to the time, 36 years ago, when they first became acquainted with Air. Crawford, who, all that time, had always been identified with the true interests of the place and its people, and had been foremost in every action which tended To secure those comforts and conveniences which they desired and which were their due. Air. Carroll then, in eloquent language, eulogised the guest of the gathering in his public capacity as’a citizen, and in his private life,pointing out that Air. Crawford had been foremost in advancing every movement that was for the benefit o*‘ the community, had ever been prompt to aid those who needed help, both with wise counsel and with substantial assistance. , Air. Crawford had been benevolent in the extreme, an.l his open-hearted and genial disposition had been a great power for good ; n the social life of the community. He was a fine, clean-living man, a man of just and fair instincts, wh<> had not only used his powers for the advancement of high principles in the place in which he lived, but bad made incursions into wider sphere of those affairs which affected the welfare of the country as a whole. As a citizen of Gisborne they had not his equal—(applause)—and in his private life he had been most admirable. The kindness of bis disposition they would find reflected in many smiling faces and in many comfortable homes. In a business capacity, there was no question as to his undoubted ability, and nature bad endowed him with many qualifications in other respects. There was hardly a single scientific matter, or any matter connected with human progress, industry, or art of which their old friend had not more than average knowledge. In the wider sphere of politics Mr. Crawford had in* many way s exercised great and valuable influence on behalf of democracy. Air. Carroll concluded an eloquent eulogium by saying that a large number of Air. Crawford’s friends had decided to show their appreciation of his many good qualities by the address which ho had just read, and by subscribing the contents of a purse which he (Mr. Carroll) had been asked to present. He did not know what R contained, except that it contained a load of love and affection and friendship, which Air. Crawford’s fellow citizens desired to extend to ,him with their hope that his years might be extended some considerable distance beyond that usually allotted to man, and that the sunset of his career might be serene and unclouded. (Prolonged applause). Air. Carroll then handed a purse of sovereigns to Air. Crawford, who was heartily applauded on rising to receive it. Messrs J. Somervell, D. J. Barry, P. Maher, T. E. Toneycliffe, G. Aliller, AV. J. Hennessy, AV. E. A. Akroyd, F. Harris, and C. J. Parker made brief speeches eulogising Mr. Crawford as a citizen and a man. referring to his public spirit, enterprise, geniality and benevolence, and expressing hearty good wishes for his welfare. The Alayor said that an apology had . been received for the absence of Mr. John Townley, who was unable to be present. His Worship stated that the testimonial to Air. Crawford was quite" spontaneous, as no effort had been made at canvassing. Air. Crawford received an ovation on rising to return thanks, arid was very deeply affected. He said that the present was the proudest moment of his life. He had never been much

of a speaker and to sit and listen to the unearned increment 0 f praise which had been bestowed upon him made it very difficult to tell them what he felt. He could not, for the life of him, see what he had done to deserve all their esteem. It was the greatest pleasure j n iif e —they had shown him that his little efforts and his life had been pleasing to them. He was deeply grateful for their kindness, and be could assure them that for the rest of liis life he would do his best to repay them for their kind thoughts and acts. He had often felt that be had been neglectful of his public duties. His life in Gisborne bad been a strenuous one, and he had found that without neglecting duties which were imperative. he could not go as he should have done into public matters. He had now more leisure time, and he should like to do as much as he fcould for the place that he loved and the people who had been so kind to him. He never wa.s an orator, but he would give all he possessed to be able to teli them all he felt. (Prolonged applause.) Air. Crawford’s health was enthusiastically drunk, with musical honors, and the proceedings closed.