OPPOSITION PARTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 535, 1 October 1902, Page 3

OPPOSITION PARTY.

PRESENTATIONS TO MESSRS PIRANI AND HUTCHESON.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night. At a mooting of the Opposition Party this afternoon Mr Massey, on behalf of tho party, made a presentation to Messrs Pirani and Hutcheson, who are retiring from active politics. The former received a gold watch, and tho latter a silver fish and dessert service. Mr Massey said that the Opposition desired to express their appreciation of' tho good work those two gentlemen had done while they had been members of the House. Thoy had earned a colonial reputation as men, able, and earnest politicians, and honest, and straight forward men, which those who had been associated with them knew that they thoroughly deserved. Air Pirani, in reply, said that ho had only done what he deemed to be his duty, and he was very pleased to know that his actions had the approval of those with whom he was associated, and of those who had sent him thore. No ono felt move than he did the pang of leaving polities, but he trusted in tho near future he would be able to return again to polities. Mr Hutcheson said that if at any other time he could seek the suffrages of hia fellow citizens, which he was not in a position to know, hope, or fear, he believed his destiny would bring him back into politics. Sir William Russoll expressed the hope that thoy were only temporarily parting with Messrs Pirani and Hutcheson, whose health was then drunk in bumpers. Sir Win. Russoll also handed to Mr Jas. Alien a handsome silver flower vase as a prosent from tho Opposition Party to Miss Allen on tho eve of hor marriage.