MR. AND MRS. TOWNLEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2422, 10 February 1909, Page 5

MR. AND MRS. TOWNLEY.

CITIZENS’ PRESENTATION. AN ENTHUSIASTIC FUNCTION. When Mr. John Townley retired from tlio Mayoral chair of Gisborne jft April last, after occupying the position, of Chief Magistrate of the town for seventeen consecutive years, a committee of liis fellow townsmen was formed to consider the best means of recognising his long, faithful, and untiring services to the Borough. As a result a large sum of money was subscribed, and it was decided to present Mr. and Mrs. Townley with a magnificent piece of silver plate,' and Mr. Townley with an illuminated address. The piece of plate, a handsome solid silver rosebowl, arrived from England last week, and was presented to- Mr. and Mrs. Townley during an interval in the spectacular display “The Birtli of the Empire,” in the Garrison Hall last evening. The building was crowded. Shortly before the presentation took place, Mr. A. F. Kennedy placed tlic handsome bowl, which had been Idled with choice roses, oil a table in front of Mr. and Mrs. Townley. MR. deLAUTOUR’S SPEECH. Mr. C. A. deLautour (chairman of tlic Townley Presentation Committee), who, on. rising to speak, was greeted with applause, said that good citizenship made the Empire strong, and it was fitting that the people of Gisborne were assembled that night t > witness a pageant symbolical of the great British Empire, and to do honor to their, fellow citizens, Mr. and Mrs. Townlev. It was because Mr. and Mrs. Townley had been noble citizens of Gisborne that the interlude in the proceedings had been made, but before asking Mr. Townley to accept a small gift from his fellow citizens, as a token of their admiration, affection, and esteem, he (Mr. deLautour) would first call upon the Hon. Captain Tucker, in the absence of the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar), who was engaged at a meeting of the Council, to say a few words. THE RESPECT OF THE COUNTY. The Hon. Captain Tucker said that it was unnecessary for him to say how pleased he was to assist at the presentation, which Mr. Townley so sincerely deserved, for one could not haveforeseen a few years ago that such a brilliant gathering was to take place and such an ausipicious occasion was to arise. Mr. and Mrs. Townley were beloved in the county as well as in the borough, and were they not present he would say many kind, but truthful, things of them. However, he would be”content to toll them that they had the respect, the esteem, and the" admiration of all the people m the Borough of Gisborne, and on behalf of the. pe ole of the county he could assure the n of that esteem, and the hope that they would long be spared to live a prosperous and happy life, loved and respected by all. THE GOODWIJ I- OF THE BOlt--01 GH. Cr. J. W. Bright said that he was charged with the very pleasant duty of conveying to Mr. and Mrs. Townlev the congratulations an'd good wishes" of the Mayor and Councillors, who were unable to be present, and he had been deputed to say a host of good-things on their behalf, He (Cr. Bright) had come to Poverty Bay over 22 years ago, and Mr. Townley was the most prominent man in public life then, and after all those years Mr. Townley was still willing and able to give" his time and services to the people. Mr. Townley was for 17 vears Mayor and Chief Magistrate of Gisborne." He had resigned that office voluntarily, and without a stain or fault on his public career. He (Mr Bright) had had the pleasure of sitting at tlio Council table for many years under Mr. Townley, and he could not help not icing Mr. Townley's tact and his faithful service to the ratepayers, night and day, often risking his health in that service. During his many years as Mayor, Mr. Townley had to entertain many distinguished guests, and he always did so with credit to the town and to himself. Jiis ear was over open to those in sorrow or distress, and no one was ever turned from liis door. For all those things the people honored him, and while the small present was but a poor token of esteem, there was a lasting monument in tlio hearts of the people. Mrs. Townley was also widely loved, esteemed, and respected, and could, with the greatest respect, be called the mother of the town. She had always led the way in all charitable movements, and would never be forgotten, as she was everybody’s friend. Ho was sorry lie had not" a more eloquent voice to speak of Airs. Townley’s many virtues, but would conclude by expressing the hope that she would long bo spared to see Gisborne the most favored city in God’s Own Country. (Applause.) THE PRESENTATION. Air. deLautour, in asking Air. Townley to accept the piece or plate aud the illuminated address, said that in doing so he handed Mr. Townley in symbolic form the esteem and appreciation of his fellow citizens. He hoped Air. Townley would long be spared to see Gisborne a prosperous city. Mr. Townley had laid the foundations of the building of a city, and ho hoped a magnificent structure would be, raised. (Applause.) Mr. Townley, on rising to speak, was received with deafening applause and cheers, .lie thanked Messrs deLautour, Bright, and the Hon. Captain Tucker for what they had said of Airs. Townley and himself , and said that he would be pleased to accept the handsome present from the people, well knowing he had not done anything great to deserve it, toi\ lie. had only done his duty. He had •served oh tlio Council for many years, and had been a member of the hire Brigade but those services were not worth such a magnificent present. The bowl was very beautiful, and he would always be proud of it, and lie would tell the young people that it they did their duty they might, also get"one like it some day. (Applause.) To be Atavor of Gisborne had always been a pleasure to him, but it was tlio people who gave him that pleasure, and even on Monday they had voted for him again. He would take charge of the present and care for i , because lie knew it told lum oL ie esteem of the people of the d’sn iet, and all he could say was thanks, thanks, thanks, for the beautiful gift. Cheer upon cheer was then given for Air. and Mrs. Townley. Mr. Townley was then carried shoulder

high in a chair around the hall, the band playing “For lie’s a jolly good fellow,” and the people cheering heartily.