A PRESENTATION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 24

A PRESENTATION

RETIREMENT OF CAPT. T ; E; DONNEyCMC.

FORTY-EIGHT YEARS OF POBLIC

SERVICE

FEELOW;COUNTRYMEN DO HIM

HONOUR.

, _(«bll. .088 OWN. CORRESPONDENT.)

XONDON, 6th July,

' It-lias.'.'"often beeni said .that' New Zealanders in- London lose the' faculty of cooperation,- that they drift into isolation, and lose the'spirit, of- the clan. That this ,is ;a* fallacy ■was; demonstrated at the reception; given in honour of Captain T. E. Dpnne,.:C.M.G., F.E.G.S., on the eve' of: his retirement 'from' the position of secretary to tho High Commissioner's Department.:.." Given'Siiiiiicentive and an. j organiser,;:,. New.. Zealanders"• materialise j for any social function with wonderful spontaneity', and enthusiasm. Having come together they are a- perfectly cheerfu] assembly,of people, for distance from •■• home is a..very.. humanising element., That the meeting;of old friends, the music; arid the s dancing had something to do ■vith drawing some four hundred Nejv Zealahilers together on 28th June was self-evident; but the main item on. this occasion—the- 'presentation—was an importairf one, "and a Really popular one. Some 329 people; subscribed to the presentation,; and the cheque given amount-' ed."fo'Vißsoo."T-: This is surely evidence of the high:-esteem in which Captain Donne i« held-by New' Zealanders in London, most, "of\ whbro;' Have'had • personal experiencfe; of.'.h,is, kindness and unfailing Murtesyi-in- his--: official -capacity, and many of whom have a, warm friendship for Kirn™ "which"they" will always retain. ;.TpJ.Mr.; I:' W. -Raymond must be attributed;the ■ionour- of having initiated the movement toinalie the- presentation. MucK'regret'~svas":.'riaturalJy'felt.'.when' it' was' known that Mr.; Raymond had, had to submit to a serious operation. Though he was unable" to.:be present at the're-*: ception,";he was'able-to append his sig-nature-a'tthe-head of-the-list' of donors in flie"pfese'ntati6»^'album 'when" itTSVas taken to''thei "nursing''home."' prominent and' active New'-Zealanders j were-very ieady%to help,' and a-committee was formed'a few'week's "ago"'' consisting of Mr: I. !i W:::Raymon:d;.(chairman),.;Lord Strathspey, Sir^ James'MMill s;;-Sisr s T.; W. Parkinson, '-Miv Moss Davis, "Mr. A.. WUlis; "Mr. "C.-J.- Wray^VMr.' W. L. James;' Mr. A: Sfc'' G. Ryder, Mr. W H.- Young,- Mr. G. Holdsworth, Mr. SV-.'A". Hobkj"Mr:' J.v.T; Horn,"Mr. G. S: Amos; Mr. L;;:M. Myers, and Miss A: K<; Evans (New ■■■ Zealand •■ Associated Pres6),::Miss-;Evans was appointed honorary Hreasurerr'aiid:"undertook"the" sec Tetartal: B w'6rk;:.inyoly6d':in'. the collection ©f-subscriptions;-/ It, only, needed notification, and-the -response frosn New Zea-lariders--was .graliryirig 'arid.''.'spontaneous. «o :that;..the..committee, never had any ■ doubt that-tho entertainment ' would ? prove-to be an-unqualified success. "C reception- was held, in the Grand HaU of the.Hotel Cecil. Lord and Lady btrathspeyvand Sir James; Mills. ■ with Captain. Donne, received the guests. * On entering,". Vubscribers were asked to sign their names .in the presentation ' album, a handsome'volume in red morocco. The illuminated address is done in blue. red. .and black lettering, while■ at the top of the first,place the C.M.G. star is represented m correct colouring.. In the left of the page is.the New Zealand flag, on the right the fernleaf crest, and at the bottom the armorial bearings of the Dominion of New Zealand. ILLUMINATED ADDRESS.: The address.reads:— '.':: '.'"■ Dear Captain:'Donne,— The news of your impending-retirement from tho New Zealand Government Office in London naß been, received .with, deep .regret by your many friends in England and New Zealand, and they decided that'ah event of such importance"tb"the Dominion must not. pass without an'expressiol of the admiration and respect in which you ar e held. " ~':~y:_.'.." 'C.",\. '.. ".:,: ■''•:• "'" V The assistance-and.advice "you have.so cheerfully rendered to- New Zealanders when in England is "sincerely and deeply appreciated by.us allr: _ , ■ , The., efficiency and enthusiasm 'which' nave always characterised: the performance of your duties are" top well known to require-any .elaboration:- •■'-..■.'■■•- We .iaveTevery■-'.justification- for expressing;. the;;yiews? of ;your..fellpw-New Zealanders as-to .-the- great -efforts that you have always .made in "furthering the' best interests of Uhe "Dominion throughout the long period of forty-eight: years durmg which you have been associated .with its'deyelopment; "•-' May wei also; add' how deeply officers ' non-commissioned officers, and other .ranks_ of,; the, .New:. Zealand- Expedition-. ary Force valued your efforts on their behalf during tfi e ,Great War. Throughout those arduous years you never spared yourself in the cause of duty or kindly interest in-the. men- of all ranks, ion .turther .demonstrated your 'gieaV capacity for o-rganisation of which New /ealanders hav e had so many instances aunng: your career. ■:■::.."' May we express the hope that you your wjfe,- andl family may long be spar^ ed to each other, and that your retirement may bring wittf it that' happiness and .leisure, which you -have so richly merited. . : . .. : / ; ; ILLUStRIOIJS SERVICE. ''. ;On the platform' when the presentation was made were: Lord and Lady Strathspey,-Sir James- Allen; Mr. Moss Davis, Miss Evans; and Captain Donne. Lord Strathspey first read various letters •of;regret for inability to be present. One from. Mr. Raymond' eaid: "The eeT?'}? n-:iw^?':.n- appear the names of those' -who ha-ve^ 'officially " served their country contain many who have reh ; dered distinguished and illustrious service, but I am sure I am voicing the sentiments of those present whep I tay that in the forefront, of these can be placed the name of our honoured guest." IA: letter* received by Captain Donne from, the Duke of Devonshire {Secretary of State for the Colonies) was also read. "I am. very glad," wrote , the Duke, "to submit your name to the King for-4he C.M.G. May I congratulate you on this recognition of your cervices to New. Zealand.' The Gov-ernor-General "has asked, me to. convey to you his w.armest^ congratulation's on' ' the honour wbich His Majesty Has. coii-ferred^-'on-,.y0u." „ . '.".'•.'•.'.. . : Among those who; sent letters regretting- inability to attend-were :• General Sir A. ■ *J. ; Godley and. Lady Godley, Vice-Admir'ar Sir' Lionel 'arid Lady Halsey, S"ir- John' Roberts, Sir Duncan Elliott. Sir Weetbyand: Lady Perceval; Sir Lambert Orrnsby, Lady Mills... Colonel the Hon.: ,W. E.. Collins and..Mrs. Collins, Captain H..E. Greenstreet, MajorGenera.l Sir Fabian Ware, "Nina, Dowager Countess of Seafield," the Countess of Hardwicke,"Dr. and' Mrs. H. Hard-wick-Smith, Mr. and ftfrs; H. A. Ma3eey, Mr. arid Mrs. Alexander Michie, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. • Reid,' Mr. and Mrs. Louis P. Blundell, Mr. and Mrs. Hursf Seager, Mrs. G. Beetham, Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Raymond. '•'..'' AN EXAMPLE AND AN INSPIRATION. The retirement of Captain Donne, said I^ovd Strathspey, after nearly fifty years .jn. the-New Zealand Civil Service, fiJ-

teen of which had been spent in the High Commissioner's Department 'in London, removed from official life one of -the finest' and most efficient characters in the Empire, and one to whom New Zeaalhd owed at least a part of her present' prosperity. He had not been so much in. the' limelight as he might havo been and, indeed, as ha deserved tp be, but not a. few of those who had Been in the public eye owed their success to Captain Donne, and the least that his fellow-countrymen could do was to recognise this now that he was called before the curtain. ,The Empire needed more men like Captain Donne. His work was in a sense finished, but m another sense : it was only beginning, for, his name and example would always be an inspiration to. young men of ambition and ideals in New Zealand. When,ho (Lord Strathspey) advocated in the House of Lords recently that colonial members should sit in Parliament to enable the great distant partners to speak for themselves here 'in the heart of the Empire, it was men like Captain Donne of whom he was thinking—men whose life experience after a career of office had given them a knowledge which should be an asset to the Dominion and .should not. therefore, be cast aside upon their retirement. Both in peace and in war Captain Donne had been. all that a New Zealander coiild be. r Though only a captain, and in fact . (°.;' a long tims only a private, in reality he did the.-work of a general. In peace he had worked with the same ardour., the same patriotism, andhis office with the tranquillity of a great family and the exactitude of a mar chine. If it had not been for his loyalty to his chiefs in the Civil Service, had he chosen to strive for self instead of suppressing himself for the furtherance of the work he was doing, had he chosen a political, career . instead of < a life of service, with his! talents and accomplishments'he might ?A this moment have been Prime Minister of the-coun-try he loved so well—-a country which he .trusted wpuld show; its gratitude while he was still at the height of his power and could appreciate the honour he had so: well deserved. ■••:. ■■:.'■..■; . .WITH ALL HONOUR. ' . The chief figure with us this even-ing-said .Sir James .Allen, must 1 hare mingled, feelings with regard >to this occasion—feelings of sadness because ' a. long career of official service was coming to an end. But he was quite sure I that Captain Donne in the years that .remained to him would not fail'to render to ;New Zealand additional services similar to : those he had so ■ gracefully •rendered in.the past. But he would :also have feelings of joy because of the ;knoTvledge that after. 48' years of service to his country, he retired with all. :the honour a man of long service could Tetire with, He would leave with the ;feelmg that -in the future he would always have the-memory that in these services he had rendered to his" country he 'was.true .to. himself, for evidence of this ;was ■forthcoming..'in the great gathering ;that'evening. V.He would have the feeling .of joy because his valuable work iad r been .recognised and rewarded by 3is 'Majesty 'the ..He:would have ull^ satisfaction .'Svhen/he realised, as he- must realise, that he was leaving with- the goodwill iof himself as High Commissioner, with the goodwill of his country and of the Government—indeed of manj/ of them '; for in his forty-eight years he rendered full service to a" long line of:. Governments. He 'wished ; Captain Donne health, and he wished" fpiMrs. Donne : better health. In whatever Captain Donne contemplated doing Vie wished him the happiness and euccess Which he so well "deserved. PIONEERING DAYS. , "In June;. 1875," said Captain Donne, "I left Lake Wakatipu by coach for Dunedin on my way _to Wellington to enter the.Public.Service." Between that time' arid the present date it is evident that Captain Donne has a wealth of experience, the recounting of which would occupy many pleasant hours. On this,oc--casionrhe.took the opportunity to recall some; very interesting incidents of the early days, i The difficulties and patience of pioneers-in the backblocks he illustrated by the story of.a man in the sou-wester standing like an image beneath a tree by the side of the track near the head-of Lake Wanaka waiting for. the official party which was to pasß that way.- "Incidentally I asked him how long lie had. been waiting for me," said Captain Donrie. "He replied: 'Only a, week.'." He ; told of his early days •when he worked beside a very efficient telegraphist named Ward at the Bluff. "In 1877," he said, "the Railway Department borrowed me for three months and kept me twenty-three years. In those" days the ;Otago' railway, time-table was comprised within the compass of a .postcard." ■.■■■; .. ' i DOMINIONS HIGH EEPUTATION; '■' Coming down to more modern times, Captain Donne spoke of the New Zealand soldiers "in England. During the twenty months he was practically in charge of the^New Zealand men in England, he said, he did not receive one complaint as to the public misconduct of any. of them.- There was such a demand for hospital beds that hundreds, of men were released" from hospital who were quite unfit to go into th^ depot at Weymouth. He therefore took upon himself to give invalid men special : leave, instructingthem to report at.- specified dates, arid this they never failed.to do. The High Commissioner advanced to New Zealand soldiers, out of funds in his hands, over £3000, and this money was all refunded except a few, pounds, and these were, in 1, all probability, unpaid because the debtors remained in France. In his opinion New Zealand owed thanks to her soldiers for .a large measure of the high reputation which she enjoyed in this country to-day." He would like also to testify to the faithfulness, energy, and loyalty of. the ladies and gentlemen who belonged to the N.Z. War Contingent and the N.Z., Red Cross '-Associations. Two instances of generosity to New Zea r land soldiers had hitherto not been made public. When the men were coming to London for leave, many of them had insufficient money, and had to return to tho trenches before tho period of leave expired. Hearing of this, two ladies— Mis 3 Hilda Williams, and her cousin, Mrs. Lucy Warren, went to him with large cheques and said: "We want you to give those men who are dead-broke as much'money ,as you think necessary. Doit't inquire why they have no money, but just help them." He knew; that many a good lad was made happy by the generosity of these, two ladies. ; .■ -: •:. A NOTABLE HONOUR. The reputation of New' Zealand in this country stood Vvery high morally, commercially, and officially. That reputation had been made by every New Zea: lander in London, by the High Commissioner and members of his staff. Sir James Allen represented all the High Commissioners on the Board of Control of the British Empire Exhibition—that indicated that, all the representatives of the. British Empire outside Great Britain itself -were willing, and had consented, to place their important \ interests in regard' to the coming Exhibition inthe hands of New Zalnnd. Captain Donne also referred to the questions of trade, of migration, and he complimented the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company on their, regular and efficient steamship service. He mentioned that last week the largest cargo of goods that ever Ifijt tb*.Port of London (gr,'

New Zealand was dispatched. This was by the Armagh, which carried 15,000 tons, and which had to leave 3000 tons behind.

BASIS OF A REPUTATION, To Lady Strathspey, Captain Donne extended his thanks for her kindness in receiving the guests on behalf of the committee. He wished Lord and Lady Strathspey and their children a pleasant voyage to New Zealand. He thanked Madame Rosina Buckman and Mr Maurice D'Oisly for the artistic treat they were about to afford; and the members of the committee for their conception of the undertaking and for the ethejent and cordial manner in which they were carrying it out. To Miss ■kvans, the capable secretary, ordinarily one of the busiest women in London, he owed a deep debt of gratitude. New Zealand should be proud of the fact that a lady upheld so worthily the prestige U the New Zealand Press in London.

In regard to the laudatory remarks that have been, made regarding me," concluded Captain Donne, "I can only say that I havo always endeavoured to dp my duty in a conscientious manner, giving to the public that measure of courtesy, attentive kindness, and sincerity to which they are entitled. I have merely performed my work to the best of my ability, and subordinated my personal inclinations to the general interest of New Zealand. If I leave any official reputation behind mo I would like to think that it is in a measure based on my activities in respect of the preservation of scenic areas and bird sanctuaries, the establishment of parks, as well as the development of Rotorua." ! ;With much pleasure Madamo Rosina Buckman and Mr. M. D'Oisly acceded to the suggestion that they should sing, and so' add to the enjoyment of what promised to be a very delightful evening. They have both returned to London full of enthusiasm for New Zealand. Madame Buckman sang Alfred Hill's alwaysdainty "Waita Maori," and "Waiata Poi,'.' arid Mr. D'Oisly "Adieu dv Matin" (Pessard), and "Petronille" (We'ckerlin), and then both sang the duet from "La Boheme," Act I. They were in ex- I ccllent voice, and had a great reception from numerous friends. Shortly after I 10 o'clock dancing began, and was kept.' up till midnight. And even at that late hour, people were loth to leave. Mosi of the guests arrived very earlyv and remained to the end. These included :— Lord and Lady Liverpool, Lieuib.-Colonel N. FitzHei-bert v and' Mrs. FitzHerbert, Lady Fergusson, Mr. and Mrs. A. E.: Russell and Miss Russell, and. Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Lowi-y (who had crossed from Paris especially to attend). , Follqwing is the list of those .who contributed to the presentation, arid so, incidentally, to the pleasures of the evening:— . _-.;.'■ ■ ■'- ; ■• : , ....-

.Sir James Allen, Colonel N. P. Adams. Mrs. A., Appleby, the Misses E. M. Al r l?n,. L." '8.. Armstrong, and. J. W; 'Armstrong; -Messrs.' D: A. Aiken, J. B. Akel, G.\S. Amos, G. S. Anson, H. V. Ansbn, G. B. Anderson, T. W. Attwood, Gbrdpri Armstrong. •• "'.,.' Sir Francis Boys, Sir R. .Blankenbevg, Messrs. Birt, Potter and Hughes, Professor A. W; Bickertoh, Madame Rosina Buckman; Mrs.' G. Beetham, Mrs.Bagnall, Mr. and Mrs. R. Brown, Mrs. 'Burton, Mrs. Brunton, Mrs. Bayly, , Miss.. Mary Butler, Miss Biirge, Major E. A. Belcher, Dr. R. H. Baxter, Messi-s. M: C. Barnett, I. Batkinj L.JP. Blundell, S. G. Bonsor, C. Box, Oscar Borer, A. J. Boyd, M. Brumfit, C. B. Burdekin, P. A. B. Brett, L. J: Brient, F. A. Bown, P. T. Birch, William Brown, J.:A. Beall;

Sir Theodore Gobke, Colonel the Hon. W. E. Collins, Dr.'D. Colquhoun, Mrs. W. H. Cruickshank, Mrs.' F. G. Coulter, Miss : J. Craig, • Messrs.' .J. K. Campbell, John Campbell, J. S. Campbell, A. F. Carey, H. P. Caughey, J. D. Clark, A. Clark, C. J. Cowan, W. Crow,- E. J. Cordner, J. A. Clung, Messrs. A. Clark and Sons. ,

Colonel. T. H. Dawson, Mrs. E. Denny, Mrs. D. Donald, Mrs: I. Dufaur, Miss H. de Beer, Messrs. Moss Davis, Ernest Davis, J. Danks. L. E. L. Donne, Cecil Donne, H. (i Dring, W. Devenish, F. Deverell, F. W- Doidge, H. C. Dickinson.', Sir Bassett ' Edwards, i Sir Duncan Elliot, Lieutenant-Colonel N. FitzHerbert, Major J. W. Findlay, the Hon. F., M-" B. Fisher, Lady Fergusson, the Farmers' Overseas' Co-operative Federation. (Mr/ A. D. Henderson), Captain R. G. England, Misses A. E. Evans, C.:' Feldwick, -. E. Fitzgerald, Messrs E. Eva, C. F. Ediiey, A. Eddleston, A. E. Fraser, A. J. Fraser, H. L. Friend, John Foden, W. Fels, J. K. Ferrier. • . ' ' ':

General Sir A. J. Godley, Captain H. E. Greenstreet, Mrs. G. F. Gee,>lrs. Graham, Miss Gorrie, Messrs. Shayle Gardner, S. R. Gardiner, J. Gell, M. J. Godby, Martin Greenwood, G. A. Grib. bin, I. G. Gray. , Vice Admiral Sir. L. Halsey, Admiral, of the Fleet Sir Charles Hotham, the Countess of Hardwicke, Professor and Mrs. Horton, Mr. G. Holdsworth, Dr. W: 'J. Hutchison/' Dr. F. C. Hutchison, 'Dr. H. Hardwick-Smith, Mrs. Holmwood, Mrs.'S. Ham, Mrs. FJdred Hitchcock, Mrs. A. R. Ha^re, Mrs. Mathew Holmes, Mrs. Holl, Mrs. E. M. Herrick, the- Misses E. G. Hardcastle,H. Hazlett, A. N. Herbert,' C. N. Hart, M: Horton; Messrs. T. H. ■Hamer, J; C. Hannah Wolf Harris, H. L. Hayman, Dr. A. S. Herbert. Messrs,. J: T. Horn, F. A. Hornibrobk, :G. Humphreys, P. E. Hurlbutt, G. M. Hamilton, F. A.' Hook,' J. S. Hyslop, R. C. Horton, A. Hore, A. A. Howes, J. B. Hey wood,' E. P ; Hudson, J. Hill, G. J. Hicks.

Mrs. Iredale, Miss Crichton Imrie, Miss E. Isitt'. ,-.•■-'•-

Mrs. Bayrie-Jardine, Mrs. v A. Joseph, Miss G. Joel, Messrs. W: L. James, S. Jacobs, J. Jackson, D. M. Jervis, Edgar Jones.

Mr.^Willoughby Knight, Mr. C. M. Kebbell, Mr. C. J, Kerr, Mr. E. M. Kennaway, Miss J. Kempthorn Kernot. • - ' - ''.-.-.

.■The Bight-Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, Lieutenant-Colonel Eff. W. Lascessel, Sir Thomas Lipton.lDr. M. G. Louisson, Messrs. Lovell and Christmas, Mrs. Luxton Lbn'ey, the Misses Laurie, Messrs. J. M. Laing, F. Larkworthy, T..8. Lees, Dr. L. Lcvein, Mr. T. IT. Lowry, C. St. ;G. Littledale, T. B. liawEon. ■■■ ■ , ■■■'."■. ■'.•.•. Captain F. J. Medley, pr. L. Mandel, the Rev. M. Mnllineux, Mrs. A. V. Macdonald, Mrs. Masefield, Mrs. >V. Hanson, Mrs. E.. Moorhouse, Mrs. M. L. Monckton,' Mrs. P.. P.. Montgomery, the 'Misses Stella Murray, M. Macfarlane, Morrison, E. and I. Mason; Messrs. Alexander Michie, B. M'Gillivray, E. G. Meers, F. J. Miller, H...A. Massey,'Keith" Moss, P. A. M'Hardy, K. D. P. Murray. Major W.F.Narbey, Dr. C. L. Nedwill, Mrs. Newmarch, Misses J. Nathan, M. Ney, E. Nolan; Messrs N. Nairn, David L: Nathan, P. H. Nathan, S. G. Newall, C. Netting,-A. H. Ninnis. Sir T. W. Parkincore, Sir Lambert Ormsby, Mr. G. H. T>atway, Mr. M. Orchard, Miss L: Otterson, Sir Westby and Lady Perceval, Major, H. H. Pounds, Dr. S. T. Parker, Messrs. Preece, Cardew and ■Byder,' Messrs. Perkins, Bacon and Company, Messrs. P. Parfitt, T. J. Pemberton. N. Fortescue Perston, C Wray Palliser, J. W. Potter, E. H. Patterson. . Mrs. E. E. Quinn. Sir John ' Roberts," Ls.dv Russell, Miss Paissell. Major A. B. "Ptose, Mr! and Mis. J. B. Reid, Mrs. E: J. Riddifotd, Mrs. Rollestoh. Mra. Malcolni p^se, ani Ui% G, Eobev.U, Mjsi

Ettie A. Bout, Messrs; G. M. Reid, S. Ruddock, A. E. Russell, A. St. 0. Ryder, A. Rees, S.G. Raymond, C. E. Richardson, I. W. Raymond, M. T. Ryan, J. Raymond, D. J. Rogers.

Lord and Lady Strathspey, Nina Countess of Seafield, Lieutenant-Col-onel J. Studholme, Captain Donald Simson, Captain H. C. Smart, Commissioner D. C. Lamb (Salvation Army), Mrs. Staples-Bowne, Mrs. Guy Stratton, Miss Stubbs, Miss Shirley, Messrs. T. Summerson, H. Strange G. A. Simmonds, J. D. Scott, Hurst Seager, N. C. Sheridan, F. T. Sandford, H. C. Steere, A. Shearer, J. W Stevenson, L. Shaw, Dr. Sweet.

Lord Trevor, Major W. R, Tuck, Mrs. Rittson-Thomas, Mrs. Teschemaker, Mrs. C. Tully, Misses E. Twomey and G. Trolovc, Messrs. G Tabart, W. Taylor, H. Tolmie. Mrs. R. Vane, Mr. H. E. Vaile '

, r T. he Right Hon. Sir: Joseph Ward, Major-General Sir Fabian Ware Sure-eon-eoinniander S. H. Woods, Captafn Weeks, Mrs. B-. Wilson, Messrs. F Waldegrave, E. 3. Napier Watson, X T. Webb,- W. C, Weston, Hal Will liams,^Henry Wilson, A. Liston Wilson, .H. Wood, C. J. Wray, J B WnghVA. K. Warren, Arthur Wii: lis, F. T. Webb/ Walter Wright Mr. W. H. Ydurig.