THE TESTIMONIAL-PRESENTATION FARCE.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7529, 19 April 1890, Page 3

THE TESTIMONIAL-PRESENTA-TION FARCE.

TO THE EDITOR Off THE PRESS. Sir,—Where Is the line between the deserved and nonsensical form of this question to be drawn? The craze for giving and receiving testimonials, often drawn up in terms of the most fulsome flattery, appears to be an ever-spreading one; and this frequency has effectually defeated its object by depriving the testimonial of all value as a mark of esteem from the public What old resident, who has borne the brunt of hard work for years in district local bodies, or old valued public servant, can now look with anything approaching pride on a testimonial that be proffered when he is aware that the same honor (?) is assured to any clerical or departmental employee who may be leaving for another sphere, or who is removed by the authorities to another district only a few miles away. How easily the matter is set afloat. A few intimate and interested parties meet, may be " send the hat around," and the fact is blazoned forth to the world

through the pubMo prints that Mr So andso has been the recipient of a valuable presentation, &c., from each and such * community. Tne matter la one that i« assuming a useless shape, and Is verj generally looked upon as a farce and nut Rsroai-v