A POPULAR CHAIRMAN.

Evening Star, Issue 14574, 24 May 1911, Page 9

A POPULAR CHAIRMAN.

PRESENTATION TOMB W. BURNETT. The staff of the Dunedin Drainage Board assembled in the Trocadero Private! Hotel last evening for the purpose of presenting to Mr W. Burnett, ex-chairman of the Drainage Board, an illuminated address, Mr A. SKnger, engineer to the Board, presided, and was supported on his right by Mr W. Burnett, the guest of the evening, and on his left by Mr J. Arkell, the present chairman erf the Drainage Board, roe other members of the Board wore also present. . Mr SHnger, in the coarse of his remarks, said that it gave him veiy great pleasure indeed to propose the toast of the exchairman of the Drainage Board. But he was afraid they had given the honor of proposing the toast to the wrong man, for he felt he could not do it justice. Mr Burnett joined the Dunedin Drainage Board in 1903. He was elected chairman in 1906. The Board in those days Was in a very black condition. AH members seemed to be continually getting into hot water. Mr Burnett progressed in his work exceedingly well. A member of the Drainage Board had to work very hard, and lie thought that the members of the Board were to bo complimented on the manner in which they had carried out their duties. They had to spend a considerable time at their work, and the remuneration was practically nil. It was only the good wishes of the people. It had always given him great pleasure to meet Mr Burnett, The members of the staff all regretted losing Mr Burnett, but they were pleased to see him elected chief magistrate of the City. Mr Slinger then presented to Mr Burnett a neatly-executed address, the wording of which was as follows:—“On the occasion of your relinquishing tile position of chairman of Uie Dunedin Drainage Boot'd, we, the members of the staff, desire to place on record our appreciation of the uniform impartiality which has characterised your administration, and at the same time congratulate you on your attaining the high honor of chief magistrate of this City, a position we feel assured will be upheld by yon with dignity worthy of too best traditions of the office. We feel that in losing you wo are losing a sterling friend, but at the same time we are fully cognisant of ttve fact that our loss is tho City’s gain.” Then followed the signatures of tho staff. In concluding, Mr Slinger said he hoped that Mr Burnett would bo long spared yet, and when viewing the address lie would I>© reminded of the members of the staff. The toast “Mr Burnett ” was then drunk with enthusiasm, and a chocr was also given for Mrs Burnett. Mr Burnett, in replying, said that it could be quite understood that he was rather affected at tho toast and their magnificent address*. He thought he liad to he congratulated on having their thanks expressed in this very beautiful manner. He must say that the work reflected groat credit on tho gentleman who designed it (Mr George, of the staff). It was certainly one of the most beautiful pieces of work ho had seen. Referring to tho Board, Mr Burnett said that some people might ask Why should anyone give time to such work? It wr.s true that they iiad a groat deal to do, but they did not want thanks He had always tried to get tlw Board to pull together, and he had, ho thought, succeeded. He looked upon the drainage scheme as a most important work, and ho felt tbit in carrying it out they were doing the very best thing for the people among whom they dwelt. Ho had worked among men since ho was eighteen years old, and he must say that he had never fait greater pleasure than when working among tlibsu he saw around him, and also the men in the trenches. Ho felt satisfied that the work of the Drainage Board was being carried out in a manner that would give the utmost satisfaction to the people of this City. In concluding, the speaker referred to a gathering be had witnessed yesterday —the Gabriel’s* Gully jubilee. He felt when looking at those old sturdy pioneers marching along—one was only two years of! ICO—that if their sons were like them there would bo no danger to tho great Empire to which they belonged, Ho again thanked those present for their kindness. He felt that in leaving them he was losing a friend in every one of them.—(Applause.) The following toasts were also-honored ; —“The Chairman and tho Board,” proposed by Mr G. Esther (secretary) and replied to by Messrs Arid©,' Small. and Campbell; “The Engineer and Staff,” proposed by Mr Christie and replied to by Messrs Slinger and Esther; “ The City Council,” proposed by Mr Douglas and replied to by Crs Marlow and Campbell. The musical portion of tho programme was excellent. It contained no lej-s than sixteen items. Those who contributed were Messrs Slinger (songs), Douglas (song), Christie (song), Logan (flute solo), Jacobsen (song), George (clarionet solos), Lee (song), Butcher (song), T. K. Goorgo and J. Huggins (piano duet). The orchestra, composed of members of tho staff, contributed several selections. It may be mentioned that Mr Burnett’s brother, General Burnett, was invited to the function, but acting under doctor’s orders was unable to be present. Mr Gimpbell, during the course of a neat speech, referred to tho career of the general, and in concluding invited all to join in tho singing of a verse of ‘ The Soldiers of the King.’ This was done with enthusiasm.