VALEDICTORY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 112, 15 May 1906, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

MR FELL'S DEPARTURE

Owing to the very wet night, only a limited number (four or five ladies and about 20 gentlemen) were present at the valedictory meeting held in the Picton Council Chambers last evening, when Mr A. G. Fell was the recipient of a number of eulogistic speeches, and a silver epergne, beautifully embossed.. The Mayor '(Dr. Redman), in opening the proceedings, said that Mr Fell had always proved himself the man for the place, and in his departure Marlborough w6uld sustain a great loss. He spoke in regard to the hospital, which but for Mr Fell would never have been built. He (Mr Fell) was an ideal chairman of the Board, and his knowledge of the necessities of the institution and his practical advice had been of incalculable value to them all. Mr Fell's connection with the Council dated many years back—from the time that Mr A. T. Thompson was Mayor, 20 years ago. On Mr Thompson's resignation, Mr Fell was appointed Mayor. He had served Marlborough in general and Picton in particular in several capacities ever since. On .the Education Board, as a Justice of the Peace, and in sporting matters he was an enthusiast, as all those different bodies had testified by their joint action in making the presentation; which he would ask Mr Fell to accept from thorn. .? MrGroensill said that he had much pleasure in testifying to Mr Fell's earnest'and good work in the town, and his amicable relations with his fel-low-workers on the Council and elsewhere.

Mr H. C. Seymour regretted MiFell's departure, and said that, though in times past they had fought out their differences of opinion in the Council and the Board, they all had to acknowledge that Mr Fell was right, and all present had to thank him for the water supply that Picton was duly proud of.

Mr Riddell added his testimony, and expressed regret that circumstances were taking Mr Fell from the town wherein he had done so much good. Mr Simmonds said he felt very sorry that Mr Fell was leaving. It would be a difficult matter to replace him on the Hospital Board. Mr T. Edwards said he was glad to be present though he, too, regretted the occasion. There was no fulsome flattery m any of the "speeches made. It was all honest praise of Mr Fell who "was a most pleasant man to do business with, and whoSe slightest word was absolutely to be relied on Though in Wellington, he had no doubt Mr Fell would always be willing to help Picton. Mr Blizzard said he had been a member of the Picton Borough Council ever since Mr Fell had been one He was also a member of the Hospital Board with him, and could testify like others, to Mr Fell's worth. Mr Fell, in acknowledging the remarks of his old and new co-workers said: "It is written in the Old Book' .the Lord keep my memory green ' and certainly I shall keep this evening green mmy memory. To hear so many kind remarks—far too kind for my poor merits-^entirely overwhelms me. I remember my father telling me about his first journey from Blenheim -—then Beaverton— to Picton, how it took him and his party a fortnight to accomplish it. And I did the journey om y -J. 11 an llom< ancl a garter, llie.n, who can say what changes may take place here during the next generation. Old Plato says that 'Mournful, laughable and strange is the choosinoof a man's life,' and I chose one more laughable than anything, else. Public life takes a lot of time and money One thing I will say for the public men in Marlborough. I can claim that they never took a penny for their exponses in attending Board or Committee meetings. A public life has its ups and downs, and is often dull and squalid For all that, a public life strengthens, fortifies, and tests a man. . . . Although I must go, I shall always strive to assist the district, and doing so will always bring back memories of the pleasant time 1 spent in Marlborough. Though my blunders may have been many, the district has been kind enough to overlook them 1 hope I shall not be accountable like the man who put all Iris talents in a napkin, and kept them there." (Applause. ) v l