AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 8

AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

TRIBUTE TO MR. CHEESEMAN. AX ILLUMINATED ADDRESS PRESENTED. ''The fact that our esteemed secretary nml revered friend, Mr. Cheeseman, celebrates this year liis 50th term of ollicu as secretary of the Auckland Institute and curator of the Institute Museum, invests this annual meeting of the Institute with more than ordinary interest," said Mr. J. H. (Uinson last night, in presenting to Mr. T. F. ('heesenmn, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.N.Z.1., th<- text of an illuminated address which is being prepared. Not only the city and provinces of Auckland, but indeed the Empire, had benefited by the services of Mr. Cheeseman during the past lift y years. He had given his life's work to furthering the interests uf science. Dr. Leys and Sir Edwin Mit.hflson had been'associated with him for King years, and the lastnamed who was one of the first boys born in Auckland. 77 years ago, had probably been associated with Mr. Cheeseman over the whole of the period. The great work which he had carried out so ably in the past had earned the respect and admiration of a large section of the community, not only in Auckland, but in all parts of the province and NewZealand. .Members were tilled with pride and gratitude to think that he had been spared to continue in that sphere of work to which he had set his hand to such good purpose. In addition to the illuminated address the council of the Institute desired him to accept as a jubilee bonus a cheque for £100 in token of their love and appreciation. (Applause.) Professor J. C. Johnson supplemented these statements, paying a tribute to the marvellous and cumulative work done in fifty years by Mr. Cheeseman.

LONELY NEW GENERATION. "My first feeling to-nig|t is one of loneliness as I stand amid a new generation," said Mr. Cheeseman in accepting the address and cheque. "There is now no member living of the council that gave mc my inaugural appointment, nor- indeed, of several successive councils. But it fills mc with joy, gratification, and pride to have it thus demonstrated to mc that my work is appreciated by the council to-day as it was years ago by th.c old council." Reference to the valuable scientific research of Mr. Cheeseman, with special mention of his monumental work, the "Manual of New Zealand Flora," is made in the address. The hope is expressed that he will be spared to aid in the equipment of the proposed national memorial.