PRESENTATIONS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XX, Issue 1003, 15 April 1908, Page 5

PRESENTATIONS.

At the conclusion of the business, the Mayor presented Cr Drummond with the following testimonial: — "The members of the Dannevirke Borough Council desire, on the eve of ! your intended departure for a trip | to the Old Country, to express their regret that you will be absent from the Council table for some time, and also to wish yourself and good wife a pleasant voyage and every enjoyment during your stay in the Home Land, and a safe return to New Zealand. ••While asking you to accept these »ocd wishes, they would at the same time express their appreciation of your good qualities, as a man, and your actions as a councillor, and also Mayor of this borough during the years 1897 to 1902. We have all known you personally for a number of years, and with every year of acquaintance has grown the appreciation already mentioned. "In wishing you a pleasant and prosperous trip they hope they may have you once again amongst them to take active part in the welfare of this borough, in which you have been so long a useful member. (Signed and sealed.) H. M. RIES, Mayor. For the Borough Councillors. [ Cr Drummoiul thanked the Council on behalf of himself and Mrs Drummond. He said that although the Council had not been a "happy family," he thought there was no animosity borne outside the Council, and no matter what their public actions had been they had borne no animosity in private life. The Mayor then presented Cr Drummond with a travelling rug for Mrs Drummond and a pipe of black maire, silver mounted, and lined with meerscham inside, for himself. He said the pipe was the first of its

kind made in Now Zealand, and h<>! thought Cr Drummond would like a little bit of New Zealand wood with him, and as Cr Drunnnond had spoken of peace lie hojjed he would smoke the pipe in peace. Cr Drummond again returned thanks. His Worship then called on Mr H. Drinkwater, sen., f«t step forward, and he presented the late captain of the Fire Brigade with a gold watc-1* and chain for his faithful services to the Council as captain of the Fire Brigade for such a, largfe number of years. Mr Driukwa-ter, in reply, said he greatly appreciated the gift, and he knew it was given in a free spirit. The magnanimity of the gift surprised him, and he heartily thanked the Council for their kindness. Refreshments, which had been kindly provided by the Mayor, were then partaken of, and the toast of "Cr Drummond and Captain Drinkwater," was drunk, and cheers were given. Cr Drummond returned thanks, and Mr Drinkwater said that it struck him as appropriate that the iwo presentations were made in conjunction. Cr Drummond and himself had been in the Council at the same time, and now they met together oh their retirement. Cr Johnstone spoke in reference to the arduous duties performed by Captain Drinkwater during his thirteen years' service in the brigade. He hoped that Captain Drinkwater would recognise that the gift had come from the ratepayers through the Council. Cr Bam said he was the youngest councillor, and he had always looked upon Cr Drummond as a guide an borough matters, and lie would like to see him resume his duties on his return from the Old Country. Cr Haines then proposed the toast of "His Worship the Mayor." In doing so he said that on all occasions like the present one, his Worship ?aJways treated the Council right royally/ He had much pleasure in proposing the toast, which was drunk with musical honors. ' - „ The Mayor, in reply, thanked them for their kind toast, and said that they all had heads, and they were guided by them, butit must be accepted that the xulihg of the chair must be obeyed. The Mayor was. 1 always suspected of working for some specific thing, and he thought this suspicion ought to bo abandoned/, as they should work amicably together, and treat each other as above suspicion. Speaking in connection with Cr Druinmond's leave of absence, he said he was against it. He thought Cr Drummond should have asked for le.-ive of absence, or resigned, and not leave it to the Council. He, personally, would be sorry if Cr DrmiimoncVs services were not available, and he was sure that when Cr Drummond came back there would be a scat for him, either as a emm-t-illor or as Mayor. Cr Drummond said lie had no personal feeling in the matter at all. He would have to resign from the committees, and some other councillor would have to act in his stead. He, therefore, in" leaving the position as he had, explained that it gave the option to the Council, if they could riot manage without him, to elect someone in his stead. Cr Bain: "We would not miss one councillor. The Mayor could act as the whole Council." Some time was spent in sociable discourse, and the gathering then broke up.

We understand that the volunteers also tendered a complimentary social to Lieut. -Col. and Mrs Drumuiond, but as the courtesy of an invitation was not extended to us, we were not able to be present. This is the second occasion on which this studied discourtesy has been shown to us during the past few weeks, but on enquiry we find that neither Captain Harrison, Lieuts. Davidson nor Adams are responsible for it. are responsible for it.