Memento of Vice-Regal Visit

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 8

Memento of Vice-Regal Visit

PRESENTATION TO ROTARY CLUB The Palmerston North Rotary Club extended an invitation to all cxRotarians still resident in Palmerston North to be its guests at the weekly luncheon on Monday. Among the guests were Messrs. W. A. Swinbourn, J. A. Bell, A.- M. Davies, E. P. Wix, N. D. Stubbs, A. R. McKegg, D. G. Glendinning, S. J. Bennett and J. P. Stubbs, all of Palmertson North, as well as Messrs. W. S. McLean, W. H. Milner and J. Wakelin, of Wellington, and J. Wallace, of Plimmerton. Mr. L. Collinson welcomed the past members of the club. Mr. N. Mackie, a past-president, presented to the club a souvenir which he had acquired during his term with the club. The memento, he said, had come into his possession when he was ser-geant-at-arms. When Sir Charles Ferguson visited the club and came in late the sergeant-at-arms exacted a fine, as was the custom. Mr. Mackie read a note which had passed between himself and the Governor-General, stating:— “Sergeant-at-arms to his Excellency: Am prepared to discuss a reduction in fine if paid singly as individuals and not as a party. (Will accept three months' bill if suitably backed.) — N.H.M.”

To which Sir Charles wrote the following: “His Excellency to Ser-geant-at-arms: I fancy that this might be held to be compounding a felony. I can only be responsible for my own misdemeanour. ’’

Mr. Mackie presented to the club the card bearing these two messages, as well as the coin (attached to a ribbon) which had been paid as the fine. The president, Mr. A. Grigor, thanked Mr. Mackie on behalf of the club.