A COMPLIMENTARY GATHERING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2122, 22 February 1908, Page 2

A COMPLIMENTARY GATHERING.

i RESENT A'i iON TO DIG SCOTT

A number of those who have been associated with local Burns celebrations and also other friends of Dr. Scott, assembled at the . banner, Union Club rooms last evening i" purpose of making a Present, tiou to that gentleman as a token of ' ’ teem on the occasion oi his iM'.lit marriage. Mr. J. B. Kells presided, and called upon Mr. R. M Birred to make the presentation. !" s ed of a handsome set ot sihei waio, including a salver, hot water kettle, coffee pot, and tea set, the .saLei being suitably engraved. Anotlei pre-i->nt was a portrait of the poet Bum., that had been painted »y Miss Hogg. In making the presentation , Mr. Birrell referred to the great p!eas i re it gave him to pay his tribute to Dr. Scott. The Doctor had come amongst them a few years ago a perfect stran- , cr to the people, and within a very short period he had attained the position of being recognised as one of the lemdno physicians in the town, whilst he had also made a host of warm friends. Of course for a doctor to please everyone he would have to be heaven-made, hub there was an old cyvine “speak of a man as you lire him.” and he (Mr. Birred) conk! speak feelingly of the Doctor s worth. His own personal experience in tins connection was, lie knew, the experience of many. Mr. Birred reminded his hearers of the time of the floods last year, and warmly eulogised the heroic action of the Doctor on that occasion, when many people in dire straits were isolated and needed attention Dr. Scott had given verygreat assistance in the promotion o, the Burns ‘gatherings, and as chairman he had been the life and soul of these fmi&ioiis. It had originally been intended to confine the presentation to the doctor’s Scottish friends, hut others had insisted unon. coming in. Mr. Birred assured the recipient that the gift carried with it the heartiest goodwill and affection of his numerous friends, and concluded j.) wishing for the Doctor and his wife long life and prosperity. Mr E. P- Joyce also spoke warmly in*praise of Dr. Scott, whom. ho described as an honorable, conscientious and trustworthy man, both as a physician and oilmen. From the social aspect also their guest was to be ad mired. Of course, Scotchmen were not usually supposed to be very mirthful (laughter), but after hearing Dr Scott at merry gatherings he had sometimes thought the Doctor mustbe an Irishman. The speaker also joined in the general good wishes for Dr. Scott and his wife. The health of Dr. and Mrs. Scott was then toasted with musical honors. J)r. Scott, on rising to reply, was heartilv cheered. He said that on behalf of himself and his wife he tendered his most hearty thanks for the presentation, and for the very great honor bestowed upon him. He had come to the district determined to .stay, and he had laid himself out to be as useful to the community as possible. He felt that he could sav without egotism that- he had done his little bit for tlie district, as he had never spared himself in the execution of what appeared to he his duty. Under the circumstances it was indeed gratifying to find that he had such warm friends-as was evidenced by the gathering that night. Referring to the Bums portrait, he said that although the life of the great Scottish poet could be appreciated bv everyone, only Scotchmen, he believed, could get the full inspiration from his sentiments and utterances. A capital programme of musical and recitation items was contributed by Messrs R. Mitchell, X. Mair, H DeCosta, Ellis, Sutcliffe, R. M. Birrell, H. J. Grieve, B. Hird, J B. Kells, A. Don. W. Lissant Clayton. ML Robertson, Hogg, and Dr. Scott.