SMOKE CONCERT TO MR E. F. DUTHIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 4

SMOKE CONCERT TO MR E. F. DUTHIE.

After a connection of many years with the Otago A. and P. Society, during whic'a time the society passed fiom v.hat might bs described as a langu. slung condition to one o£ prosperity, Mr E. F. Duthie this year resigned his position as secretary. The members of the society, recognising the splendid work done by him, and desiring to publicly express their appreciation of it, took the opportunity of entertaining him on Friday night, and of makiug him a presentation. The entertainment, v.hicli took the ionn. of a smoke concert, was ho d m the Victoria Hall. There v.\s a large atlandance of members and other peisons interested m agricultural matters, and the enthusiastic tone of the proceedings indicated how veiy popular and how very much esteemed and respected the late secietary of the society was with all those present. Shortly after S oVoek ths President of the Association iMr Alex Douglas) took the chair. He was accompanied on the platform by Messrs Wm. Patrick Thos. Brydoue (life governor), and Oeo. Roberts (,vice-presi-dent), and the guest of the evening, Mr Duthie's appearance on the platform being the signal for an outburst of applause. Pioccedings were opened by the singing of the National Autbem, after winch the Chairman made a few remarks. He said the Otaso A. and P. Society's show was now so successful that lie believed they might almost regard it as the metropolitan show of the colony. He did not think, however, any show was complete without a dinner, and in his opinion it would be a good thing if they were to hold one ou the first or the second night of the show, when they had with them judges from the different parts, of the colony. At such a dinner views could be exchanged, which would result in much benefit to the society and to farmers generally. During the day, while the show was on, there was no time for meeting pnd expressing views — the members were all too busy, but in the evening they could meet for a couple of hours and assist each other in the way mentioned. He was pioud to tell them thai the show just ended hocl been a success in every way — (applause),— and he believed the public had gone home thoioughly satisfied. The weather had, fortunately, been fine, but the society would endeavour by next year to erect a grandstand, which would protect pations either from the sun or from the ram. They would also endeavour in other way 3to promote the comfort of their " people," without whom the show could not be a success. He wished to thank tlio committee for the splendid manner m which they had worked ia connection with the show, and also many young men wlio weie not on the committee, but v.lio had assisted m many ways. When it came to the time for these young men to take their places they would do* the work more efficiently because of their early training. The show that day had constituted a lecord in that the money taken exceeded that at any pievious show, being £70 more ihan last year, which up to then held the record.— (Applause.) When they were told that only £24 was taken on the first day this year they could imagine the attendance they had had that clay. His Excellency had expiessed his pleasure at the way they had conducted their business, and at the absence of any hitches or delay. Such woids were very encouraging. — (Applause.)

The toast of " The King " was then drunk with musical honours, after which the Chaiinuu asked Mr Brydoue to make the presentation to Mi Dutliie.

Mr Brydone said their knowledge of fie man they had met to honour that night would have taught them that he had always been a worker and not a talker —(Applause.) He was greatly pleased to have the high distinction placed upon him, whether worthy or rot._ Being an " old stager ' ju connection with, this society, he probably came more iv contact with Mr DjiUiia \km px otliei; js£Bibs<u wd eaus&-

quszilly had been bsilei able to ]udge of the value of ihe woik he had done for it than most men. They knew that the society was in a languishing condition when Mr Duthie was appointed secretary m 1893, but he faced the difficulties like a hero, bi ought his let tile brain ruto play in. cieo'iag sources of liiieresi and instruction io tho farmer, thus increasing the membership and the sinews of war. When Mr Duthie took charge the society owed the de-benture-liolders £3000 m conneclioa with Tahuna Park, which was now reduced to £1275. and over JEIOOO had been spent on improvements to the grounds — all out of revenue. The society had fallen into such a low financial condition that for two yeais it was unable to pay any piize money; but Mr Duthie soon altered that, and last year the laige sum of £SOS 12s ■was given away iv puzes. When lie became secretary the income was only £1350 per annum, but last year it rose to £2431 — (applause; — all the result of the untiring energy and ability of Mr Duthie. — (Applause.) It was he who originated the "Winter shows that have been such a success, and for which he deserves a monument instead ol the few trinkets that now lay in front of him. The first few Winter skows, thc-y \vould remember, weie held in the Garrison Hall, but the hall piovcd too small, and it became imperative to piovicte much gieater space, otherwise they would have had lo be abandoned, and there being no such place in Dunedin the only alternative was to build one. With Mr Duthie as executive officer a few eneigetic men put their shoulder to the wheel, and begged and borrowed enough to erect this handsome hall at a cost of i' 11,500. It had probably been rather too expensive, but it, had proved a souice of instiuction and pleasure to thousands of young and old in town and country. It was opened by a very excellent Industrial Exhibition, and, besides the society's Winter show, the flower and dog shows, it was used for balls, banquets, lectures, auctions, arid preachings. Last, but not least, the royal reception was given in it to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall when they were here. Mr Duthie's private business had now incieased to such an extent as to require all his time and attention, and he wss forced to resign his position with the society, very mucn to the regret of eveiy member. He still, however, retained his connection with them, so that they would benefit by his counsel and experience. Mr Brydone then, iv the name of the society, presented Mr Duthie with a handsome gold watch, which, lie said, was accompanied by the best wishes of eveiy member of the society for his future prosperity, and that he might live long to wear it and continue to be not only a useful member of the society, but of the public in general, which he had already proved himself to be in connection with the contingent and other movements of a- patriotic and colonial character. —^Applause.) He albo asked him to accept, on bekalf of Mrs Duthie, a silver tea and coffee service and oak tray as a small recompense for the many weary hours she had to sit up for her husband when lie was burning midnight oil foi the benefit of the Otugo A. and P. Society. — (.Laughter and applause.)

Mr Brydone then handed over to Mr Duthie a very handsome silver service of plate for Mis Duthie, and for Mr Duthie a handsome gold watch with Mr Duthie's monogram on the outer case, and bearing the following inscription . — " Presented to Mr E. F. Duthie by the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society. Dunedui, November, 1901.''

After thia the toast, of Mr Duthie's health was enthusiastically diunk. Those present sang 11 For he is a jolly good fellow," and heart y Jieei-a were also given for him.

Mr Dutlue, on jising to respond, received a great leceptjon. When the applause had subsided, Mr Dutliie said that he had to thank them for the enthusiastic manner in which his health hncl been honoured, and to expiess his sincere thanks to the various speakers for their kind remarks concerning himself, which, he assured them, he deeply appreciated, although he felt he was receiving considerably more CiSiiit tk«£ h& jUMt j6tt&k& &.— JkS.°i M-l- Oa.

behalf of his wife and himself he sincciely thanked them for their handsome piesents, which ho would letam to remind him, if necessary, of the few yeais he had had the privilege of acting as then, secretary. During his terms of office he had been well paid for his services, and knowing how tbo var.ous gentlemen who had acted on the committee had devoted their time pud given their valuable soi'-iccs without fee or reward, lie you'd have been wanting m Ins duty if lie did not endeavour to further the interests of the society to the best, of his ability. Whilst it was gratifying to himself to know that he left the society ax a sound financial position, and altliouy'a desirous of giving all credit to the general members of the committee for their unseifiMi labours, still lie was satisfied that had ']\s> society not been fortunate enough to have had amongst its members some few gentlemen who stood loyally by it when it was in financial difficulties, he would not have had the pleasuie of being there that evening, nor would lie have had the honour of leceiving such valuable tokens of their good feeling. Most of them would remember tlie time when the societyhad the greatest difficulty in fulfilling its engagements — in fact, for some years it was unable to pay even prize money, but these gentlemen never lo3t courage-, and by their energy, perseverance, and loyalty safely piloted the society through its many difficulties, ancE^ to them, he maintained, wa',9 chiefly, due the credit of the society being now in its present satisfactory position Although some of their operations had not turned out an unqualified success, still it must be admitted that the society by holding summer and winter" shows, farm and field turnip competitions, horse parades, and fairs, testing of seeds, mamues, etc., was worthily endeavouring topremfate its objects, and when they considered; that the committee have only some £500 of assured revenue from members to arrange and organise these functions, they would all admit that the funds had been utilised to the best advantage. He hoped that the time was Dot far distant when the number of members wouldi be doubled, as in his opinion there was not a. trader, shopkeeper, farmer, or professional man. who was not either direcHy or mdhectly b;ccfited by the progress of this society, whosa main ob,eit', were the promotion and extens oa of the agncultural, pastoral, and dairying iiicliisti ies which it must be admitted were the backbone ol the colony, and in which all of them wee more or less interested. Be deseed! again to express his sincere thanks to them, all for their kind remarks and handsome presentation?, aud he trusted the society would extend and prosper, aud that the same success aud good feeling would be extended to his ccsaO'-, Mr Fulton. — (Cheers).

Aftciwards the following other toait'. v-e:e honoured" — '"P.ist Presidents," j eipoutloJ *o by Messrs Smith, Todd, Shiei, Pattu'lo, Patrick, and Stronaeh, all of whom re"' 1 , re] in laudatory terms to Mr Dutliie; "'The Foui.ll African Contingents," responded to b^ Colonel Robin, C.8.; "The Present Secretary,' -csponded to by Mr Pulton; '• Tlie Society's Treasurer," acknow laclged by Mr Angus ; "1 :e Otngo A. <uid P. Society, ' responded to by ihe pieo'clcut; "Ths Visitors," replied to by, Messrs Reid Chamberlain (.Clrristehureli\ Shannon fWaipahi), Gardiner t,Oamn:-u), 0".& Priest (Timaru) ; " The Vicepresident ard Lite Governor," responded to by Messrs Robeits and Brydone.

Tho rn'oyment ol the gathering was gieatly pddeel to by the la^go number of musv.al ai.d r'hc" items contubuted cluing the evening. Mr W. Farrjiuliav Young saug '" John Tt'iufoii's bairns." and, as an encoie, gave a iccitation, "My Male Bill." Later on Mr Yoiug sang " Off to Philadelphia," and, beirg agoin recalled, contributed "Bobs." Mr Tonance sang " The anchor's weighed ' ; Mr Todd

" Blow high, blow low " ; Mr Evans '" Red, white, and blue," and the p.e&ident also conbutc?. a song. Messrs Thomson, M'Ewan, and. Price also created great amusement by telling humorous stories. Mr G. R. West acted as accompanist during the evening. The proceedings were brought to a c'.ose shortly after 10 o'clock by the company joining hands and singing " Auld lang syne."