Presentation to Mr Greenwood.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 658, 12 September 1891, Page 3

Presentation to Mr Greenwood.

The following gentlemen were present at the Masonic Hotel on Thursday afternoon, on the occasion of a public presentation to Mr Greenwood, prior to his departure from GisborneThe Mayor (Mr Townley) and Messrs DeLautour, Bright, Sievwright, Crawford, Davies, F Sheet, E. F. Harris, W. O. Skeet, Matthewson, Butt, Dunlop, Harding, Watson, R. N. Jones, Coleman, Finn, F. T. Morgan, L. Rees, Dickson, and Others. The Mayor occupied the chair, and said that he had the pleasant duty of making a Sresentation to Mr Greenwood, prior to his eparture from Gisborne. That gentleman having been so long, and so favorably known in the place it was thought only right that some public recognition should be made of his services. Were it not that he was going to take up a better appointment than he had held in Gisborne they would extremely regret hie leaving the place. It might be truly said that Mr Greenwood left the place without having made a single enemy. He (the Mayor) had intimately known Mr Greenwood for many years, and he expressed the opinion of ths people of the place when be said that a more straightforward and honorable gentleman it would be difficult to find. They felt that they were losing one of a kind they would much prefer to welcome. On behalf of Mr Greenwood’s many friends he (the speaker) had now to present him with a puree of sovereigns. (Applause.) He hoped that Mr Greenwood would like his new home as well as be liked Gisborne. He had always taken an interest in works conducive to the good of the place, and in Church matters especially he bad been of much assistance, and would no doubt be greatly missed. Mr Greenwood said be found it rather difficult to reply. He bad been in Gisborne a long time, and certainly this meeting made him feel more keenly than he bad before how much he lost in leaving Gisborne, seeing around him so many kindly faces of those he must leave with more or less regret. He had been for very many years on friendly terms With moat of those present. He was afraid that none of them knew bis failings as well as ha did himself, and what was said he took more as proof of the friendship and kindliness with which he was regarded than as really the reward of any substantial merit on bis part. He bad with some misgivings undertaken important duties in Gisborne, but he bad always bad the kindliest assistance of the profession. Speaking not only personally, but also on behalf of his wife and family, they bad met with unfailing kindness in Gisborne, and after a residence jo! sixteen years here, be felt that in going to a new place, in advanced middle age, one did not make friends as readily las the young, and that it would be a long time, if ever, before he should again be surrounded by such a circle Of friends as be had in Gisborne, Ha heartily thanked them all for their kindness. Mr W. F. Crawford said ha had been asked as one of the oldest residents in Gisborne, to assist in saying God-speed to their old friend Mr Greenwood. Though it was a pleasure to know that Mr Greenwood was being advanced in the service, the old residents could not help feeling their loss in the departure of one whose friendship they had so long enjoyed, Indeed, be felt that that gentleman had not only done active good, but bad done much passive good by showing them an example worthy of being copied by every man who wished to lead a straight and upright life, Personally, and he believed he expressed the opinion of the gentlemen present, he believed the loss by Mr Greenwood’s departure was to them an irreparable one. It made one feel, as Mr Greenwood himself expressed it, that after a certain age new friends were not easily made, while the old ones gradually separated from each other. On the Other hand Mr Greenwood was going to a larger field of operations, and from what he had known of him be felt sure that with his Social qualifications and sterling worth, he would soon have many friends round him in Christchurch. On behalf of old residents he

wished Mr Greenwood God-speed, and said that whenever he had the opportunity to -y again visit Gisborne they would be ’ delighted to see his face again, (Applause.) Mr DeLautour, on behalf of the legal profession, spoke highly of Mr Greenwood’s proficiency for the special line in which he would be engaged in his new duties at Christchurch. As Registrar of the Supreme Court for some years past, Mr Greenwood had had an opportunity of showing a thorough mastery of the law in dealing with some of the most difficult questions in bankruptcy that could have peen brought forward, and he was sure that the other members of the profession would agree with him in saying that for patience, with experience and skill in the work, they were not likely to get a successor who would fully replace Mr Greenwood, and such experience would be of great yalue to the people in Canterbury. The pew position offered Mr Greenwood seemed such a suitable recognition of the way he had hitherto discharged bis duties that be (the epeaker) could not feel regretful in the face of such deserved advancement, but he assured Mr Greenwood of the heartiest respect and goodwill of the profession. If they could at any time be of the slightest assistance to him they would be delighted to render such assistance, and he was quite sure that tbe profession in Canterbury and the commercial public would soon oome to value Mr Greenwood’s capabilities as highly as they had been valued in this community. (Applause.) Mr Sievwright endorsed the opinions expressed of Mr Greenwood’s qualities in his public capacity and as a private citizen. His experience In the several offices be had held in Gisborne, and the manifest sense and judgment he had always exercised, must recommend him wherever he goes, Mr DeLautour said that, when speaking, he had omitted to add the regret of Mr Booth, 8.M., who was occuped by his work I- up the Coast, and could not be present to express his appreciation of Mr Greenwood's jeyvioea. Ur Butt said he had known Mr Greenwood Since the sunny days of boyhood, and during that long_ period had never heard a harsh Word against him, or heard any wrong imputed to him. (Hear, hear.) As an office-bearer in the Anglican Church he (Mr Butt) had mush pleasure in testifying to the services of Mr Greenwood, His work in Church matters was not confined to one 3eho?nination, as trig sympathy and assistance h*d ever been accorded to all religious work, He h*d bean a most faithful vestrymen of tbe Church of England, and diligent in his attention. He (Mr Butt) felt that all tbe Church bodies in the district would join In expressing regret at the loss of Mr Greenwood, Mr Harris also endorsed the high opinion in which Mr Greenwood was held, and conSnded by'propoeing a vote oi thanks to the hairmaq. The Mayor said be did not think that was pecessary. He mentioned that Mr Greenwood had had tbe honor of creating the Borough of Gisborne, and he believed cf Installing Mr Crawford as the first Mayor. He had seen the place grow from a very small size, when it was without a church, while now ail denominations were represented in it. Mr Greenwood would be missed l both in his private and public capacity. The experience he bad had pught to specially suit him for his new’duties. It had been said that Poverty Bay could manufacture and unravel more legal questions than any other place in New Zealand —(laughter)—and if ever doubt was expressed at Mr Greenwood’s capacity in legal matters he had only to say that ha came from Poverty Bay. (Laughter.) The regret that was felt at Mr Greenwood's departure was tempered by the fact that hs was going to an improved position. The presentation had been got up very hurriedly, And must be accepted as merely a token of • the good wishes towards Mr Greenwood. Mr Greenwood said that he was not a good Speaker at tbe best of times, and felt exceptional difficulty under the present circumstances. He might say that the change had v not been of his seeking—he had not the V remotest idea of it until the offer had been put in his hand, He would have been perfectly happy to remain in Gisborne for the rest of hie days. But the change was sn advancement, and as he had others to think a! boride* himself, h* had etasultad scire 6* til* friends, imd had concluded that he wbuia

not be right in refusing the offer. As’the time drew nearer for his departure it gave him increasing regret to leave so many friends, and he must again thank them very heartily. At the meeting of the Holy Trinity Band of Hope on Thursday night. Canon Fox, on behalf of the Sunday School, presented Mr Greenwood with a black marble clock, and yesterday afternoon Mr Greenwood’s fellow civil servants had a little meeting at which Mr Booth presented Mr Greenwood with a silver inkstand.