PRESENTATION AT KAIAPOI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 5008, 8 March 1877, Page 3

PRESENTATION AT KAIAPOI.

At the conclusion of the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening last, a presentation in the shape of a very handsome tea and coffee service and salver was made to the late Mayor, Mr B. G. Kerr, in recognition of past services. The articles were purchased at the establishment of Messrs Ooates and Co, Christchurch; and the salver bore the following inscription “ Presented to Mr 3. G. Kerr, by several of the inhabitants of Kaiapoi, in recognition of services daring his five years Mayoralty, March, 1877.*’ All the Councillors, except one were present, and several of the towspeople, including Messrs Josiah Birch, J. Bohurrell, 0. Hansen, Ac, Hie Worship the Mayor, Mr J. W. Ellen, said he felt that an honour bad been conferred upon him on the present occasion, to present their late Mayor with a testimonial of their esteem and respect. He then said, addressing Mr Kerr : You will understand, sir, that it is not in a monetary value point of view we wish you to look on this present. It is on account of your services and the leading position which you have taken that this presentation ie made iu token of our appreciation of those services. Although the present is not a very costly one, we hope you will take it in the spirit in whioh it is given. 1 have known you personally for many yean now; indeed, I may say 1 can remember when we were boys together, and in the discharge of your public duties you have always acted independently, and without fear or favour. 1 have foond, since I came into your shoes, as it were, the amount of work whioh devolves upon the offioe of Mayor, and I find you have done your work excellently well. (Hear, hear.) Although you have retired into private life, I hope you will not long remain so, but will be forward again in this Council at no distant date. (Hear, Hear.) I need not add anything else, as you and your aotions are all well known to us all. I have now great pleasure, on the part of the subscribers, in handing you this souvenir of our regard for you. (Applause.) Mr Kerr, in acknowledging the presentation, said he bod to thank tho Mayor for his expression of goodwill towards himself, and the subscribers to the testimonial, for their kindness in securing such a handsome present. He supposed all present understood his feelings on such an occasion as the present, and he could only say that if ho could change places with the Mayor, and be the giver instead of the receiver, he would be more at home in making a epeooh. Ho did not attach so much importance to the intrinsic value of the presentation, although in itself it was well worth receiving, but he certainly did attach a deal of importance to the good will by whioh the subscribers and tho committee were actuated when they made the presentation. Ho now begged to thank those present, and the subscribers who were not present, for the honour they had conferred upon him, that evening by presenting him with a token of their regard and esteem. It was now rather over 10 yeare since he first became a member of the Oonnoil, and ho was then only 21 years of age. During the latter half of that period ho had held the offioe of Mayor, having been four times elected by his fellow Councillors, and the fifth time by the ratepayers of the Borough. Whatever he might have done for the town during his term of offioe as Mayor to gam their good will, he felt satisfied that on all occasions he had endeavoured to act impartially, and as Chairman of tho Council, had never favoured any particular Councillor, or been unfair to anyone, no matter whether or not the opinions they held or advocated were in accordance with hi* own. (Hear, hear.) To gpoak of what work he had done during the time he presided over the Council might savour of egotism, and ho would not attempt it, particularly as all present know quite as much of his past services as he could tell them. It would be sufficient to again say he was very much obliged to them lor the presentation, and the complimentary remarks with which they had addressed him through the Mayor. (Applause.) At the request of Mr Birch, three hearty ohoers wore given for tho ex-Moyer, and tho proceedings terminated.