OXFORD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 8034, 6 December 1886, Page 6

OXFORD.

[from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] On Monday evening a large number of Mr Sladden's friends met at the Harewood Hotel, to wish him farewell on his departure from Canterbury to Wellington, where he has accepted the p. .-i'An of Secretary to the Wellington Meat Export Company. The chair was oc. upted ;>y Mr W. E. Pearson, MMI.il., who »’> t »c-?' d, on behalf of Mr rihuiden’s mmw«us friends, their.. great regret that he was about to take bis departure from their inidst._ The leading position that he had taken in the district as a Magistrate, Chairman of the local Road Board, one of the largest employers of labour, and. lastly, a» <1 good neighbour and citizen tor the last liltoen years, had oncb<*ie>l him to those re was now about to .’cave, and on their behalf he was deputed to present their guest with the following presentation : “To Dilnofc Klad en. Esq., J.P., Oxford, New Zealand. ! “ Lear Sir, —We, the undersigned, on behalf of your numerous friends and residents: of Oxford, desire, prior to your dej p, i, ; ure from our midst, to convey to you our sense of the esteem in which you are L- id, and to record our sincere regret that you are about, through circumstances, to sever your connection with us. During the very many years you have passed amongst us you have, by your uniform courtesy and kindness, endeared yourself to all those with whom you have come into contact, not only in your private life, but also in your official position as a Magistrate and Chairman of the Road Board. We therefore, as a mark of our goodwill, ask your acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns, and we sincerely trust that you may meet with every prosperity and happiness in your new home; and when you look upon this testimonial, we hope it will always tend to remind you of your many Oxford friends. —We are, Ac., W. F. Pearson, M.H.E.; John E. Gorton, J.P. ; Mabmaduke Dixon, J.P.; John Ingram, J.P.; John T. Brown ; J. Pearson.” There was an accompanying purse of sovereigns, which Mr Pearson was sure Mr Sladden would appreciate less than the goodwill and respect of bis friends, which he had been requested to convey. Mr Sladden, in responding, felt much that circumstances compelled him to sever his connection with a district where he had spent the best days of his life—his long connection with it had brought him into contact with so many of the residents. Several other toasts were drunk, and the meeting separated after the National Anthem had been sung. The address, which had been illuminated by Mr Garnett (of Garnett and Beverley, of Christchurch), was greatly admired by those present, and the Chairman was requested to convey to that gentleman the thanks of the Committee for the trouble he had taken in the matter.