Testimonial to Mr A. A. Fantham.

Auckland Star, Volume XI, Issue 3218, 12 November 1880, Page 3

Testimonial to Mr A. A. Fantham.

To-day Mr A. A. Fantham, of Gwynneland, Cambridge, wus honoured by the gift of a public testimonial from eleven hundred and twenty-two farmers and others, in recognition of the linn stand he made in suppressing pleuro-pncumonia, he being the first to advocate tho adoption of precautionary measures, even before the disease really showed itself. The lirat thing to rouse his attention was tlio reading of reports in the " Town and Country Journal " and other Australian papers which showed the serious aspect of pleuro-pncumonia in Australian districts, and knowing that largo numbers of cattle were being brought over with- | out due quarantine regulation, he felt that unless proper care was taken tho desease would be introduced into this country. The lirst notice he gave was at tho time Messrs. Grant and Foster attended the Cambridge Fanners Club meeting—He gave notice that he would read an essay on plcuro at the next Club meeting, January !!(>'. In the essay ho shewed that England had liecn losing two million pounds worth of stock per year for several years by the desease. Mr Fanthani shewed what an enormous amount of loss Australia had, and was now sustaining through the same deaease, and as pleuro was known to have boon introduced into Australia by one beast imported from England through lack of proper inspection and quarantining, he thought we should profit by tho lesson, and as New Zealand was freo from disease, proper precautions should be takoti to provent it being iutroduced into the country. It was n remarked thing that the disease actually appeared through certain shipments within one month from tho time ho laid his proposals beforo the Club.—Mr Fantham's encrgotic and intelligent advocacy, and his great experience as a breeder led to his being elected a member of the South Auckland Cattle Board, tho other members having been nominated.— Mr B. Maclean met tho Farmer's Club, and said the Board would consist of three--tho Government recommending feivory Maclean (to he transferred from the Auckland Board) and Mr Charles Storey, at tlio meeting then held, Mr E. Maclean said that if Cambridge was to havo only one member be would prefer to withdraw, as he thought Mr Fautlntja was justly entitled to bo that member from tho action he hud taken. It was then carried unanimously that Messrs E.Maclean, Charles Storey, and A. A. Fantham be recommended to Government. Tho subsequent action of tho Board is known, and though in the carrying out of certain measures mistakes were made, still on the whole the Board is credited with having succeeded in preventing tho spread of tho dreadful cattlo disease. Tho firm staml taken by Mr Fantham was consistent throughout with the suggestion made before taking his seat as a member, and to-day's voluntary expression of public opinion in the shape of tho "shilling testimonial" from over a thousand people shows the general respect and appreciation to bo very great. Tho presentation took place in tho spacious show-room of Mr Hoil'mau, Queen-st., at half-past 2 o'clock this afternoon. Amongst those present were noticed Messrs Hunter (Hunter and Nolan), Lewis, Inspectors of cattie, Harris, Udy, F. Lnury, Kobertsou, Willcocka, Hobbs, and Davidson.

Mr Udy proposed aud Mr Hunter seconded that Mr Laury make the presentation, which was agreed to|uem con, Mr Lawry said, "1 may observe that this address was adopted principally by myself, and was unanimously adopted at a meeting of the committee held at the British Hotel. I will now read the address."

To A. A. Fantham, Esq., Gwynncland,

Cambridgo, Waikato,

Dear Sir,—At a meeting held in the British Hotel, Queen-street, Auckland, on the 13th day of May, 18S0, which was attended by about thirty gentlemen, who represented most of the pastoral districts around Auckland, it was unanimously rcaolved to present you with some testimonial as a slight recognition of the honourable course of action which you had pursued in your capacity as a member of the South Auckland Cattle Board, and in appreciation of what you had accomplished against obstacles which most men with equal honesty of purpose would have considered insurmountable aud hopeless to contend against. It was unanimously determined to make this testimonial assume something like an expression of public opinion 'dative to your actions, and with this object in view, it was resolved to limit the subscription to the sum of one shilling from each subscriber. Tho following gentlemen (all of whom are interested in practical pastoral pursuits) wcro elf cted as a committee, with power to act, and with full power to carry out tho wishes of the meeting, viz. :—Messrs J. Bainbridge, Jas. Robertson, jnnr., C. Rhodes, F. It. Claude, W. Porch, A. Harris, K. Udy, A. Hastie, J. K. Walters, Thomas Allen, and F. Lawry. The Committee deem it very desirable and necessary to go into these details here bocause no item ot correspondence or verbal communication, as far as they are aware, relating in the remotest degree to this matter, has ever been exchanged with you, either when it was projected or since it has been carried into practical effect ; and you are, therefore, entitled to know now how it originated, and also how it has been accomplished. The Committee regret on the one hand, aud rejoice on the other, that the public did not respond to the call upon them in such numbers as was at one time anticipated and expected. They regret this because they feel that the matter has not been fairly represented in one-twentieth part of the districts interested in the raising of cattle in this Provincial District, inasmuch as a circular and subscription list were sent to the chairmen of one hundred and thirty Highway District Boards, with a request that they would assiafin bringing the object to a successful issue, but only sixteen have takon action or replied acknowledging receipt of them. The result of subsequent enquiry satisfies your Committee that the majority of the people of those districts had no opportunity of subscribing, as they never saw a subscription list, whilst letters have been lately received offering to guarantee five hundred subscribers, and if desired to send cheque for tho amount in advance. The Committee, however, on the other hand, rejoice exceediugly in the fact that some Providential interposition has arrested the progress of the ; direful disease—known as pleuro-pueuraonia —or ut least has kept it confined to certain localities j and though they feel that the dissemination of the disease—spreading ruin, desolation, destruction, and death amongst cattle in every quarter—would have boen the direct means of inducing many thousands of cattle-owners to send unsolicited subscriptions—not only from a sense of gratitude to you for having warned them of impending danger, but also as a manifestation of indignation towards those authorities whose conduct the Committee feels to merit the most unqualified censure in any case, and as they apprehend that you would feel pained beyond expression at receiving—no matter how valuable a presentation, and no matter how wide its representative nature may be—at such a sacrifice. The Committee, nevertheless, rejoice at its comparative insignificance, although, at tha same time, they cannot help expressing their conviction that, taking into consideration the opposition which it has obtained at every stage from those high in authority, it is, however, a most gratifiing success. The subscriptioa closed with eleven hundred and twenty subscribers, making a total of fifty-six pounds (£56), with which sum a piano has been purchased which instrument the Committee hope you will be.pleased to accept. It was understood to be rather a singular presentation, but though you were personally unknown to most of the Committee they knew by repute, that to present you with the proverbial piece of plate would be to give you something of which you already possessed, a sort of counterpart, and in this presentation they desired to combine utility with something ornamental—something useful with something not altogether devoid of beauty. The Committee have the greater pleasure in presenting this testimonial to you, because they feel that you expected no reward, except snch as invariably follows the performance of duty, either private or official; and they further feel that though you had some painfnl and uncongenial duties to perform, that they were felt to be so incumbent upon you as not to be set aside except at the sacrifice of self-respect. They are also fully aware that testimonials as a rule detract from the real satisfaction which an honourable man ieels, resulting from the performance of his duties and obligations ; but it is nevertheless felt that your actions as a member of the South Auckland Cattlo Board were of so exceptional a nature as to scarcely render the rule applicable to your particular case. The Committee deprecate the idea that this testimonial and presentation are the reward of merit, but they declare it to be the manifestation of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude, emanating from eleven hundred and twenty of your fellow-settlers for your action in the endeavour to suppress pleuro pneumonia. And they conclude by expressing the hope that you will live long to liston to the tones of the instrument forming the substantial part of this presentation, and that its music will tend to enhance the satisfaction that you will always feel from • having acted in accordance with a sense of

duty. It is now ouly necessary for me to call upon Mr C. T. Wren to present this piano. Mr Wren : It affords me much pleasure to perform the duty of formerly handing over this small recognition of the services you have rendered, and I sincerely trust you will ba long spared to enjoy its capabilities. Mr Fanthani, who was overcome with emotion said:

"Mr Chairman and gentlemen,—l have a task before me which it is utterly impossible to properly accomplish, and beg to most sincerely thank you for tliovr'i-y handsome present you have thought lit to make me. I have simply done my duty to the best of my ability, and am sure my poor endeavours have not merited such a return. I have long felt the importance of protective measures being takon against the introduction of pleuro, or any other contagious or infectious disease into this country, and, on tho 2Gth January last, read an essay before the Cambridge Farmers' Club on the subject, and succeeded in. currying several resolutions, suggesting steps that in my opinion ought to bo taken, with reference to the examination and quarantining of imported stock. Such examinations should always be uudertuken by a properly qualified veterinary Riirgeon. Th«se resolutions were forwarded for the information of the Government, and little did I think i.t that time my fours would so soon bo verified, for by tho latter end of February pleuro had actually .appeared in our midst, and on the sth March, nt a special meeting of tho Farmer's Club, Mr Ucnjamin Maclean was instructed by tho Government to proceed to Cambridge, and confer with the members re the appointment of tho South Auckland Cattle hoard. Gentlemen, I hud tho honor to be chosen ns one member of the Hoard, and being a stranger in tho country, I considered tho apppointmcnt a very grout honor. And since then raj doingH in connection therewith have been before tho public. So many gentlemen, by subscribing towards this testimonial, shown me my public condust moots witli tho approval of a largo portion of tho community. I need not say 1 urn proud to havo my conduct so approved, and am also very thankful your expressions of good will havo taken uo substantial and useful a form. Am! Ido assure you the handsome instrument shall bo hauded down to my family with pride, and I hopo it will induce them to do thoir duty fearlessly in any public capacity they may bo culled upon to fulfil. The country is much indebted to the editor of the '•WaiUato Times" for the very truthful reports of meetings of the South Auckland Cuttle Board that havo appeared in that journal, and the fearless stand that paper made during the timo the pleuro panic was obtaining. Tho importance of Cattle U oat 11 h can not he too highly cs timateu. In my opinion they only rank second to the Board of Health, which Board is appointed to prevent the spread of contagious disease amongst mankind, while tho functions of tho Cattle Boards are to perform a similar duty for stock, aud taking into consideration the importance of healthy meat uud milk, I am surooveryone will say it should come from stock that is not diseased. It has been proved beyond a doubt that milk given to children from cows suffering from tubucular diseases has caused consumption. It has often been proved in young animals that have been fed on milk from such stock, that they have died from consumption. I may add in. conclusion, I have exhibited successfully for eighteen yoars, aud was never so well prepared for a Show as I am at the present time.:' Yet through fear of getting my cattle diseased, I am not able to bring them before tho public, which I consider a great loss to me as a breeder, and it is to my own benefit to gefc^he restrictions taken oft' cattle as soon as possible, and to have the Auckland province proclaimed free from disease, but I shall not consent to this until suro that nil danger is past. Again, gentlemen, accept my heartfelt thanks, and if it pleases the Almighty to spare me, I trust my future actions in connection with tho Board will also meet with your approval. Mr Allen in a complimentary speech proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Lawry, the secretary, who in responding referred to tho groat assistance rendered by tho treasurer, Mr Udy.

Mr Lawry moved, and Mr Davidson seconded, a voto of thanks to Mr Hoffman for his kindness in allowing the use of the room for the presentation, This was passed and the meeting separated. Tho piano, which is a very line instrument, bore the following inscription on a silver plato in front:—"Presented to A. A. Fantham, Esq., in recognition of his services as a. member of South Auckland tjnttlo Board in tho suppression of pleuro puenmouin, purchased by subscriptions limited to one shilling."