PRESENTATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9167, 29 July 1890, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

MR JAMES CAMPBELL. A number of the friends of Mr James Campbell, who, after a residence of many years in Canterbury, has accepted an appointment in the North Island, met at the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s rooms at half-past four o’clock yesterday afternoon, to wish him good luck, and to give him a substantial token of their esteem. The gathering was a thoroughly representative one, including, as it did, many of the principal business men of the city. Mr John Anderson junior. President' of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, presided. At the request of the Chairman, Mr A. C. Fergusson made apologies for the non-attendance of Messrs W. Boag, W. Strange, T. I. Joynt, P. Campbell, Dr Guthrie and others, who had expressed their best wishes for Mr Campbell’s welfare. The Chairman then said that, as President* of tho A. and P. Association, he had been asked to preside on the present occasion, and he felt that it was a very pleasant duty, though he also felt that someone more experienced and able than himself might have been called upon to doit. When it becameknown thatMr James Campbell wasabout to leave Christchurch, a number of his friends determined to show their appreciation of his character, and of the manly and brave way in which he had borne himself through many viscissitudes of fortune. They were sorry to lose him, they would miss his familiar face, now grown almost venerable among them, and they wished to give him a practical proof of their esteem in the shape of a purse of sovereigns, which he would ask Mr Campbell to accept. Good wine needed no bush, and he would say no more in praise of Mr Campbell, but would call on them to drink his health with all honours. The toast was drunk in champagne, with musical honours and cheers. Mr Campbell, in responding, said that be felt very deeply the kindness of his friends, which made him feel even more keenly than he expected the pain of parting, for it showed him how many good friends he had in Christchurch. Whatever might have been bis success here, he bad at all events been very successful in one thing—in gaining so many good friends. He had never expected to see such a day as this, when so many gentlemen occupying the highest positions in Christchurch would assemble together to express such kindly feelings towards him. He thanked them from his heart, and could assure them that one result of their kindness would bo that he would endeavour, for the rest of his life, to so act that they might keep the opinions so kindly expressed about him.

Mr G. F. Martin, President of the Chamber of Commerce, said that, as Mr Campbell had been associated with the Company with which he himself had the honour to be connected, he could endorse all that the Chairman had said of that gentleman. When he (Mr Martin) came to take charge <• of the Christchurch branch, in, 1834, he saw that Mr Campbell’s abilities and experience rendered him eminently qualified to assist him in his work. Mr Campbell had remained with the Company until now, and he (Mr Martin) had never had the slightest cause to alter the opinion he had formed of him six years ago. He was sure that Mr Campbell’s new employers would have every reason to be satisfied, as the National Mortgage and Agency Company had been, with his integrity and ability. Mr Campbell said that he was very pleased indeed with the kind remarks made about him by Mr Martin, and also that that gentleman was satisfied with his services to the Company. He had known Mr Martin for a long time, and was satisfied that he had not a better friend in New Zealand. Mr J. T. Ford said that he had never met a more genial, good fellow than Mr Campbell, who had always been most upright and honourable in his business, and ever ready to give another a helping hand. He (Mr Ford) wished to thank most heartily those gentlemen who had been instrumental in enabling the subscribers to show Mr Campbell their appreciation of his character. He had much pleasure in proposing their healths, and would specially mention Mr Staveley, Mr Matson and Mr Fergusson. The toast was duly honoured. Mr Staveley said that he was very glad to have been partly instrumental in getting up the testimonial to one whom they had known and respected for a quarter of a century as Jim Campbell,, and. who, no doubt, would be soon as well known and respected in the North Island as here.

Mr J. T. Matson said that Mr James Campbell had done what any man might be proud of—had made his name respected so that it was felt that hia word was as good as his bond. The credit of initiating the present testimonial, he pointed out, belonged in the first place to Mr Staveley. Mr Ferguason also responded, and said that those whose names had been'mentioned by Mr Ford felt that a large share of the credit was due to the other members of the Committee,' and to those who had so willingly responded to their request. Mr Staveley proposed the health of the Chairman, ■ remarking that the Committee could not have found a man more fitting to preside over the gathering, or one who would have filled the chair with more ability and geniality. Mr Anderson briefly responded, and the party broke up.