PRESENTATION TO THE HON J. G. WARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9465, 14 July 1891, Page 6

PRESENTATION TO THE HON J. G. WARD.

[Pee Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 13. This afternoon the Hon J. G, Ward was presented with a handsome oxidised silver epergne, from which was suspended a golden cradle bearing the following in-scription.-—“To the Hon J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General and Electric Telegraph Commissioner, from the officers of the telegraphic staff at Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch and Dunedin, to commemorate the birth of hia eon, Gladstone William, born May 14, 1891.” There were present the Ministers and several members of both Houses of Parliament. Mr C. C. Robertson, officer in charge, and Mr J. Gell, assistant officer in charge at Wellington, represented the telegraph officers. Mr Robertson, who made the presentation, referred in graceful terms to the fact that the Hon Mr Ward had formerly been in the Department and to the unbounded satisfaction with which the telegraphists of the Colony hailed hia appointment as PostmasterGeneral and Telegraph Commissioner. He then mentioned the importance of a Department employing one thousand one hundred and fifty«four officers. It was in immediate touch with the public, and its ramification extended throughout the whole of the Colony. After the Hon Mr Ward had suitably replied, the Premier proposed the health of his son, Gladstone William Ward. The Hon R. J. Seddon proposed the health of the telegraphists, and stated that they were a credit to the Colony. The Hon Mr Reynolds endorsed Mr Seddon’s remarks. Sir G. S. Whitmore proposed the health of Mr Ward, which was duly honoured, and the PostmasterGeneral replied.