PRESENTATION TO MR MILLAR.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8589, 16 September 1893, Page 8

PRESENTATION TO MR MILLAR.

Last night at the eon >rrt of the Litdjy. tafei the friends of Mr A. Millar took U»» opportunity to present him with a testj. moniai as an expression of their esteem a-*} regard, and also in recognition of the massy services rendered by him to the cause** music in Christchnrch. Mr Carru-k said that the friends of J|Millar h*d thought that the occasion of &« return to active work in connection with the Liedertafel was a fitting opportunity tt present him with an expression of theiraiv preciation of his worth, and they a*j accordmgiy asked the Bishop of Chrsg, church to make the present ition. The Bishop ok Cußivmirr.cn, who*,, loudly cheered on coming forward, sri that it was his pleasing duty on this oca. sion to act as the representative of the man* friends of Mr Millar. He supposed that U every man iv the world there was gifts iv a Urger or smaller degree. Mia* persons were unconscious of the posseojaj of these gifts, soma were too lazy to da. velope them. Then there were others trim forgetting that the gifts they possessed be. longed to humanity in general, them and used them for selfish purposes. There was a smaller number who, develop, ing the gifts they possessed, gave them for the benefit of their fellow creatures. I-, this latter class he placed Mr Mfllat. (Cheers.) He had great- gifts, and instead of using them for his own advantage he h»4 given them for the enjoymeut of the peopl* of Christchurch aud elsewhere. There m scarcely a musical society or a society ol any kmd that had not at some time cr the other made a demand og Mr Millar, and he (the Bishop) did not know of an occasion when Mr Millar was abie to respond that he had not does so. (Cheers.) There were times in a man's life when he wanted more than at any other to feel tbat he possessed the sympathy aad respect of his fellow men, and it seemed to him that the many friends of Mr Millar whom he saw there, in addition to tboar who were not present, had chosen a good time to express to him their sympathj | and congratulations on recovering from his severe illness. Mr Millar had passed through times of sickness and times of anxiety, but now his friends had gathered round him, they wished bim (the Bishop) to say how thankful they were to him fathe manner in which he had used hat talents so as to give them gratification. They wished him health, strength, and prosperity for the coming year, and he would now ask Mr Garrard to read an address which would set forth far better than hit words could what his friends felt. Mr Thos. Garrard then read the following address:—"To Alex. Millar, Esq., Christchurch. Dear Sir, — Your rainy friends desire upon the present occasion to i offer you their heartiest congratulation upon your restoration to health, after the long and severe illness experienced by you. Tbey i also wish to record their acknowledgment of the valuable assistance rendered by you for many years past in the cause of music ; services freely given, often it is feared at great inconvenience to yourself. As aa indication of their esteem and good feeling _ they ask your acceptance of the accompany* ?_., iug purse of one hundred sovereigns as evidence of their appreciation of your valued services. On behalf of the subscribers, C. Christchurch, J. E. Denniston, President Christchurch Musical Society; A Carrick, Acting-President Liedertafel; T. H. Baraett, Hon. Secretary Liedertafel; Geo. Bonuington, Vice-president Orchestral Society; F. C. Raphael, Hon. Secretary Orchestral Society; G. F. Tendall and C H. H. Cook, Cathedral Choir; H. Wells, Motett Society; A. J. Merton, Hon. Secretary Society Musicians; F. M. Wallace; Thos. Garrard, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. Christchnrch, September 18th." . The Bishop then said it would give him the greatest possible pleasure to present Mr Millar with the purse, aud he" wished him health and prosperity. (Cheering.) Mr Millar, who was warmly cheered, said that he need hardly say that he could scarcely find words to thank them for | their kindness. There were periods ia [men's lives when they looked back on - . honours bestowed upon them, but in his I case he felt it was not deserved. It was matter for deep gratitude on his part that j they had been so generous towards bim, and also that he saw before him such an army of friends. This evening was one ■ which would always live in his memory. His hobby was music because he thought it waa one of the arts which more than any 1 other tended to elevate, and he hoped yet Ito see it included in the curriculum of the public schools, as a subject tending to inculcate morality amongst the people. Once more he desired most heartily to thank ' them. (Cheers). His Honour Mr Justice Denniston said be had been requested to convey from the j Executive Committee their warmest thanks Ito Mr Thos. Garrard for the zeal and industry displayed by bim in the detail work iof the testimonial to Mr Millar. Mr Garrard's energy was well known, and in ! this case he had been as successful as on former occasions. Mr Garrard briefly responded, and the proceedings closed with* three cheer s for Mr Millar.