A HOME RULE PRESENTATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9093, 29 June 1888, Page 5

A HOME RULE PRESENTATION.

lis! will be recollected that Mr. W. A. Micarthur, M.P. for Cornwall, delivered a very interesting lecture on Home Rule for Ireland to a largo audience at St. James' Hall. A number of Irish ladies resident in Auckland, desiring to testify their gratitude to Mr. Macarthur, have had a very artistic and beautiful paper-knife of greenstone, silver-mounted, constructed as a present. On two shields placed on either side are the legends: " From Irish Homo Rulers, Auckland. ISBS," and " A Souvenir to W. A. Macarthur, M.P." Tho article has been artistically finished by Mr. Spindley, on tho wharf, the shields being adorned profusely with " the dear little shamrock."' It is needless to say that Mrs. Duffy, of Hobson-street, took an active part in getting up the presentation, assisted by Mrs. Gleeson, Miss Shanaghan, and others ; and the following letter accompanies tho gift, which will be conveyed to Mr. Macarthur by his kinsman, Mr. C. C. Macmillan, now about to leave for England : —

Auckland, June 1888. Dear Mr. McArthur, Doubtless in the whirl of public life you may have forgotten that once at the Antipodes you charmed and delighted a large audience with a lecture on " Home Rule for Ireland." We Irishwomen of Auckland, wishful to show our appreciation of your zeal and labours in the cause, and in recognition of that evening, desire your kind acceptance of the accompanying greenstone paper knife. It will remind you that the " Irish over the sea" watch with interest all that pertains to the " dear old land," and the noble band that are fighting for her freedom, that .justice and right may triumph in the end, is the earnest hope of all true friends of Ireland. Apologising for the delay in transmitting this souvenir, which was unavoidable, with our best wishes for your happiness and prosperity, on behalf of the subscribers, I remain sincerely yours—Margaret Gleeson.