MR. JAMES ASHCROFT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 232, 24 June 1908, Page 6

MR. JAMES ASHCROFT.

A PRESENTATION BY BUSINESS MEN. . ILLUMINATED ADDRESS. A numbor of lccah business men met in tho Mayor's parlour at the Town Hall yesterday'afternoon to witness the presentation on their behalf of an illuminated address to Mr. James Ashcroft, who lately retired from the position of Official Assignee , Tho Mayor (Hon. T. W. Eislrip), inmak.ing the presentation, referred.to tho varied career of Mr. Ashcroft', whom ho knew first as a merchant at Oamaru. Subsequently Mr. Ashcroft removed to Dunedin, where ho was at one time the editor of a newspaper, which was largely controlled by persons who took what might be .called the Conservative side on-the land question. Notwithstanding this, Mr. Ashcroft succeeded in putting the other side before the people, but ultimately had to .relinquish his post. As Official Assignee, Mr. Ashcroft had carried out his duties. without inflicting toi much hardship upon unfortunate bankrupts, and. yet to tho complete satisfaction of the commercial public. '• '•

The' illuminated address was' then rca\l by Mr. D. M. Luckie. It was as follows :— 1

"To' James Ashcroft, Esq.—Sir,—Qnly recently 1 the principal members'-of the legal m this city 'have signified, their respect for yourself and their appreciation of your public services as' Official Assignee in the District of Wellington, from wliich important' office you have now retired. There remains to be recorded a similar expression of opinion,, which we, tho subscribers' to this address, as merchants and othofs- intimately connected with tne commercial 'aspects of the duties of Official Assignee, now desire to proffer, together with our ' testimony to the just and judicious methods which have.'characterised your labours in connection with the administration of the intricate provisions of the bankruptcy laws of. tins. Dominion, and our satisfaction with r y.our rulings and general dealings thereunder. We recognise that, while carefully watching over the just claims of creditors, you.have displayed reasonable allowance and humane consideration for- tho errors of really unfortunate debtors/and at the same timri'you did not hesitate to-censure traders'.' t W,bo, .by reckless• speculation and loose expenditure, brought trou'olo on themselves and < caused financial losses to their over-trustful 'creditors. You carry with you on yoiir. retirement from an ofiico you liavo so lgng : and worthily fillod tho respect and good 'wishes of tho signatories hereto, and or tlieemuch larger public which thoy may be viijired as representing. Wo aro, dear sir, y6\ws faithfully—7-" Tho address, wliiqh is handsomely illuminated and ..bears the signatures; of very many of th^lciiding. business men and firms of Wellington.!'-. ' • • Mr. Ashcroft, in '."returning thanks, said that when 110 first'ihb'ird that this presehtation was intended.'hoi,feared that the public would be getting tifco'q of the series of compliments paid to, liim ipn his retirement. He feared lie might repeat the fate of Aristides the, first, 1 who waj> J banished because tho peoplo grew sick o£.;\hearing 6f his merits. During 24 years as .'Official Assignee' he had had to givo a 'great many decisions, and very few of them liad been reversed by higher authorities.. Ho believed, his work had given general satisfaction, \He, had always been fond of his little joke, 'and perhaps ij; was largely because ho able to keep a chocrful countenance-under trying circumstances that he had'"lived so long. Ho thought ho. might still bev.of some assistance to somo of the merchaiitS'of Wellington in connection with tho bankruptcy laws. Ho especially thanked Mr. Luck'ic for the interest he had taken in iHk Matter of this presentation, -Mr! the secretary, and His Worship the Mayb'r;. for lending the room and presiding.- 0 . Mr. G. Winder proposed jtf vote of thanks to Mr. Luokio for t-he prescntaThis was carried by acclamation.' Mr.- Luckie, in acknowledging the compliment, said that in getting up'tho testimonial he had the advantage of'the Suable assistiince of Mr. James Rodger, who,did yeoman service in going round obtaining signatures. There was, ; in addition to'the artistic work of Mr. Bock, an inkstand',- whitili would be sent to Mr. Ashcroft in a day oi 1 two'.