RANGIORA RESIDENT HONOURED.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14993, 13 June 1914, Page 3

RANGIORA RESIDENT HONOURED.

MR JOHN SANSOM, EX-MAYOR

In the Oddfellows' Hall last evening there was a notable gathering of tho principal townspeople of Rangiora, including members of tho Borough Council, present and past, and several visitors, including Messrs 11. "Moore, R. Gardiner, R. Evans, F. Horrell (chairman of the County Council), J. L. "Wilson, and D. Jones. Apologiea for absence were received from Messrs T>. Qraham, A. S. Clarkson, and A. H. Tyler.

, Tho evening's guest, Mr Sansorn, arrived in Lyttelton from London in 1858, and settled at Rangiora a few yeanlater, co that his life has been incorporated for a generation with the progress of the district and the borough, which was municipalised in 1878. Ho has seen all the roads and railways established, and tho advancement ol agriculture and settlement. As a good citizen, • besides' assisting in • other public matters as a director of the Building Society, captain.of a rifle club, and president of the Bowling Club, he has held an unbroken record of twenty-six years with tho Borough Council, of which ho was five years in the office of Mayor. These years saw many stirring events, including the enthusiasm which the town showed in equipping the contingents for the South Africa War, .tho introduction of gas, public baths, and many useful works outside the general business of tho borough. In every case the burgesses have to thank Mr Sansorn for his exercise of prudent and reflective judgment in the management of the affairs in promoting municipal, social and commercial interests. The Mayor (Mr C. I. Jennings), who presided, presented Mr Sansom with an illuminated and framed address, as follows:—

"To John Sansorn, Esq., Rangiora. Dear Sir,—On behalf of tho residents, we take this means of expressing the high esteem in which you aro held in the community, and assuring you of the existence of a warm feeling of appreciation of the valuable public services rendered by you during twenty-six years' connexion with the Borough Council. Having been identified ' with Rangiora over fifty-five years, yon havo ?een the place develop from a.few settlors' unpretentious surrounded by the uativo wild of a new country, to its present importance of a well-kopt thriving market town, and we know that from tho early days you have taken a keen interest in all that pertained to the welfare of tho place, and that your services have been given with whole-hearted willingness whenever domanded for the public good. During the time -you* were a member of the Borough Council, and in the five years you filled the office of Mayor, you discharged your duties with integrity, zeal, and ability, and displayed tho qualities of a sterling character that earned you the respect of the townspeople and others with whom you camo in contact. We assure you that it is tho earnest desire of all that you may bo long spared and vouchsafed good health to continue to take a leading part in the public life of our town, and wo join in heartily wishing you, Mrs Sansorn and family continued prosperity and much happiness in the years to come." (Signed by tho Mayor and councillors.) In making' tho presentation, the Mayor referred to Mr Sansorna valuable services to tho borough for tho past twenty-six years, and j remarked that the good of the community had ever been his singlo purpose. "Mr Sansorn had always been look|ed upon as a safe aud sound guide, and i there had not been a public gathering which he had not identified hims-if with. He hoped that the guest of the i evening would long live to enjoy his i retirement from municipal life, alj though it was hoped that ho would not retire ontirelv from public life. | Messrs H. * Boyd, R. Moore, T. R. i Cresswoll, R. Evans, and J. L. Wilson | also eulogised Mr Sansom's services to | the town and district.'

On rising to respond, Mr Sansorn was accorded musical honours. He returned thanks for the presentation, and then related many reminiscences connected with his public life and early experiences in Rangiora. Musical items were given by Me*dames H. Chappell, T. It. Cressweil, E. Trollope, W. McGruer, C. E. Bell, Misses Wadev, Lorna McGruer, C. Rogers, Messrs C. E. Bell, *W. Atkinson, C. Smith, and G. Struthers. Supper was dispensed, and a pleasant evening terminated.