VALEDICTORY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12532, 20 June 1901, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

"SOCIAL" TO MR J. BAYNE. A farewell "social," tendered to Mr J. Bayne., late Director of the Cwtejfeury Agricultural College; at Lincoln, by the residents of the district, was heM in the Druids' Hall, Lincoln, on Tuesday evening, Mr W. Gjlmour, of Tai Tapu, presided, and about two hundred were present. Apologies for absence were read from Msssrs J. J. Isbistor, A. Ferguson and G. Biuset. . After an enjoyable programme of music had beon* provided, m adjoumroenJ was made for supper. Mr H. Anderson, of PrehMetcxn, in sewing the, address, whioh had 'been subscribed, to by all pi*esent, -said it was a token of the high esteem in which, 'Mr B,»yne was held. Ho (the speaker) 'had known the College for many years, and watched the pro* grass of its work with deep interest, Lately he -had paid a visit to the College and farm, and everything was in the 'highest order. Ho congratulated Mr Bayne on the, good work done, The farm stock was. also in the very best condition. The memento those present desired to present to the guest of the evening had taken the form of an illuminated address, and it was a token of the esteem of the whole district. They had conceived the idea of an address ont'.y after long deliberation. It would ever be- a memento to Mr Bayne l of the feelings of Lincoln people towards him. The position of Director of Lincoln College- was an onerous one, and Mr- Bayne had made a successful director. Whoever came after him wCtcld find the position, hard to fill because of the a»ie and efficient manner in which the institution had been conducted by Mr Bayne. TheMloiwing is the address: '•To J. Bayne, Esq., M.A., B.Sc in Agriculture, Director Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, New Zealand. Dear Sir, —We, the undersigned, on the occasion of your departure from amongst us, desire to present you with this- address, as a token of our high respeat and esteem for you during the seven and a half years you have occupied the responsible and arduous position of ' Director of the Canterbury Agricultural College. As agriculturists, and others residing in the Lincoln district, wewish to.place on record our appreciation of the large amount of experimental work •done by you in the interests of the farming community. We note with great satisfaction* the increase of the various breeds of pure-bred live stock, on the College farm, and the high degree of excellence to which they have been nrought by you. Further, as to scholastic work in the College, we also note the success of the 'College students in the examinations, as held bv external examiners, both in scientific and practical farm work. Finally, taking everything into consideration, wo cannot but express ouri regret at your severing your connection with the Agricultural College, and, we feel strongly that owing to your comparatively long experience in agricultural matters both at Home, abroad and in these colonies, your services may yet, in the agricultural interests of the colony, be secured for some other position similar to that vacated hy you. Wishing you, wherever, your lot may be cast, a bright and happy future,—We remain, etc., Mr Bayne, in replying, said it would be difficult to express his feelings in words. He stood there that evening as an honoured man. The address was one-which had been drawn up by a very large number of agriculturists of, the Lincoln district, and henceforth he felt- that he could say he was ah honoured man. The address contained several points. The- first was regarding the experimental work at the College. He did not intend to speak for himself .or his colleagues, but he considered the farm compared favourably .with the farm of any agricultural college in the colonies. Secondly, in referring to the breeding of stock, it was a very necessary adjunct to an agricultural college, both in the interests of the farming community and for the training of students who intended, to take up the breeding and rearing of stock. Thirdly, as relating to scholastic work, he was pleased to say that a high average had been obtained by students f.t the examinations, and' they had oeen euecessful in all the classes. The three points mentioned in the address took in the woik of the College. As for the suggestion that something might occur to keep him heie, he could not say definitely, but he thought he would take a trip home to Scotland for the present. That'would be am occasion of saying good-bye. The time was too short before Iris departure to allow him to go round to all his friends to say good-bye. He might have missed a point in not entering more into social life, but it was impossible for him to get away from his duties. He required to be in constant attendance at the College. It was seven and a half years since he had arrived at Lincoln, and he might say that that seven and a half years had been the best and happiesttime of his life. Everyone required to adapt himself to surroundings,' and thus he made a home for himself. He believed that though he did go Home, his departure might be like the Arabic say-' ing, "He who drinks of the Nile water must drink again." He meant that after seeing New Zealand, its pleasant lands and agricultural prospects, he thought of returning, perhaps at some future time. There was little remaining for him to say, except to thank the representative gathering of agriculturists present. He was glad to see that many had coma from Christohuxoh in the drag. He took that as a high compliment. Wherever he went he would entertain the kindliest recollections of Lincoln. Dancing was then commenced and continued; till a late hour. Before breaking up for the holidays last week the students of Lincoln College presented Mr Bayne with a handsome marble timepiece, suitably inscribed.