PRESENTATION TO MR SHEEHAN, M.H.R.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6173, 17 February 1882, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MR SHEEHAN, M.H.R.

A large number of gentlemen were present at the Criterion Hotel yesterday afternoon, to present Mr John Sheehan, M.H.K., with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns. His Wsrship the Mayor, Mr Vautier, occupied the chair.

The Mayor, addressing Mr Sheehan, said that the object of those assembled was to give him (Mr Sheehan) some practical proof of their personal esteem for him, and their gratitude for hi 3 services to the district, especially in connection with the erection of the Port Ahuriri bridge. For many years the settlers in the northern part of Hawke's Bay had agitated for this work, which was one of the most essential means of opening up and developing the resources of that part of the provincial district. For many years also promises were made and hopes held out, by both the Provincial and General Governments, that the work should be proceeded with. In 1876 Mr Sheehan promised that he would do his best to get the bridge built, and the following year, when he came into office, he lost little time in seeing that tenders were called for the work — and all knew the result of his efforts. (Applause.) What Mr Sheehan had done might have been done long before by the Hawko'a Bay representatives, had they given their attention to local requirements. The building of the bridge had opened to the north a market for its produce, and had benefited Napier at the same time. (Applause.) It gave him great pleasure to present the address and purse of sovereigns to Mr Sheehan. The address was most beautifully illuminated by Mr Percival Bear — in fact, we have not before seen a specimen of his work equal to it. It was as follows : —

To John Sheehan, Esq., M.H.K.— Dear Sir, — We, the undersigned residents and others of the Town of Nnpier and surrounding districts, being desirous of expressing to you our acknowledgment of your services in advancing by all means in your power public works in our district, and recognising the great benefits which we experience from the completion of the Port Ahuriri bridge — a work which we are aware would not have been commenced for many years if you had not so earnestly promoted our interests — request you to allow us to present you with some practical token of our gratitude and of our personal regard for yourself, iWe ask also to be permitted to express to you our high sense of the services you were able to render to the colony while you held the position of Native Minister in the Administration' of Sir George G-re Trusting that you will be spared for many years to render still further services to the colony from which you have sprung, and that you will prosper in all that you may undertake.

(Here followed the signatures of the Mayor, Mr J. H. Yautier, Councillor Swan, and eighty other*.)

Mr Sheehan, in replying, said he thanked the company most heartily for the honor they had done to him. He could not say that he did not know the object of the gathering ; but this he could say— that in no way had he sought or solicited any such recognition of what services he might have been able to render, and what he had done had been with a single eye to the public interests, and not in the hope of personal reward. (Applause.) Before referring further to that matter, he would jusfc like to say a few words on the importance of getting, as representatives, men who were not merely acquainted with one district, but with the whole colony, its capabilities, and its requirements. When he was first returned to Parliament, in 1872, he was one of the most determined opponents of the Wel-lington-Napier railway, because he was led to believe that it was a -job — in fact, a political railway. Shortly afterwards he had to come to Napier on legal business, and he saw the province and its capabilities. The result of his visit was that when he returned to Wellington he was one of the staunchest snpporters of the railway. (Applause.) So it was with this bridge. Twice he had occasion to travel onverland from Napier to Auckland, and though the road had many discomforts, none was greater than the crossing of the ferry at Napier, especially to anyone travelling with goods or stock. He saw that a bridge was urgently required, that it was only the due of the northern settlers, and that it was a proper work for the colony to undertake, and when he had the opportunity he saw that the bridge was built. (Applause.) He was aware that the bridge was opposed by many, even among local residents, but he believed then, and he still believed, that this opposition was due to party feeling, and that personally everyone knew and appreciated the necessity for the work. Even when the first pile was driven, he heard a public man of some standing in the district say in a loud voice "That is all that we shall see of this bridge. " Nevertheless, he felt convinced that there was not a man in Napier or the surrounding districts, north or south, who did not acknowledge the importance of the bridge. (Applause.) He might mention that strong opposition in the first instance came from tne Harbor Board. The members of that body seemed to have an insane notion that the construction of the bridge would irretrievably damage the harbor, but the result had proved that the bridge had been rather an advantage than otherwise, and that whatever damage had been done to the harbor had been done by the Board. He hoped to see, next Bession of Parliament, the local represenj tatives bring prominently before the \ House the question of securing a proper harbor for Napier, in place of the present

one-horse concern. (Applause.) He hoped to see a harbor at the Bluff, where English vessels could lie alongside a wharf and fake their cargoes directly from the railway trucks. (Applause.) He hoped that before the next session of Parliament closed the work would be an accorrplished fact, so far as the power of the Legislature to authorise the raising of money was concerned. (Applause.) In that, or any other matter affecting the vital interests of Napier and Hawke's Bay, he would heartily assist — ho always counted himself a fourth representative of the district. In conclusion, he again thanked the assembled company for the mark of confidence in him conveyed by the presentation made in such flattering terms by the Mayor.

Champagne was then introduced, and the Mayor proposed " Health, long life, and happiness to Mr and Mrs Sheehan."

The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Mr Slieehan returned thanks in a humorous speech, saying that he was yet hardly accustomed to the sound of " Mrs Sheehan." His friends told him they were not sorry for his marriage, and ho certainly was not sorry, for perhaps it would teach him to look more closely after "Number One." (Laughter.) Ho would add that Mr and Mrs Sheehan would not be strangers in Napier, for though his present stay would not be very long, his business engagements would in the future make him a frequent visitor to Napier.

Major Houtlcdge said it was impossible tor him to let pass an occasion like the present without saying a few words. He

was the first to introduce, in the Provincial Council, the project of a bridge across the Spit, and a sura was voted for the work. When the money was applied for, however, it could not be got. The next session £6000 was voted, but again they were told the money was not available. Meautime Mr Villers, for the Petane settlers, had engaged Mr Rochtort to report on a bridge from Battery Point, and they had defrayed the expense from their own pockets. Mr Villers had always worked most indofatigably to get the bridge, and its ultimate construction was not a little due to his efforts. (Applause.) Mr Villers had benefited by its construction, but he (Major Routlerjge) felt that Mr Villers did not work from any purely selfish motive, but in the interests of the whole district in which he was a resident. He concluded by proposing the health of Mr Villers.

The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Mr Villers very briefly acknowledged the compliment, saying that he could not claim for himself all the credit which had been accorded to him, as many gentlemen had given him great assistance in his effort to get the bridge built.

Mr Sheehan then proposed "Prosperity to the native race," coupling the toast with the name of Mr Henare Tomoana, M.H.R. He referred to the services of Mr Tomoana when the colony was threatened with serious danger — services which had been specially acknowledged by the Queen, in sending him a sword, which was publicly presented to him at a parade of the inhabitants of Napier. Mr Tomoana thanked Mr Sheehan for the references to hi 3 loyalty, and said that as the natives of Hawke's Bay had always been loyal and law-abiding in the past, so they would be in the future, and would prove it if necessity arose. He was not quite clear as to the object of the gathering that day, but ho presumed it was to welcome Mr Sheehan back, and it gave him (Tomoana) great pleasure to be present Mr Sheehan reminded him of a well-bred dog. (Laughter.) He advised the people of Napier to stick close to him and support him, or he might develop into a dog which would go after the sheep and pull the wool oft. (Renewed laughter.) To the natives he would say " Bewaro of sheep who come here in wolves' clothing." This concluded the proceedings.