PRESENTATION TO MR. D. McKELLAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8960, 18 August 1892, Page 6

PRESENTATION TO MR. D. McKELLAR.

A meeting of merchants and others was held at the rooms of Messrs.* Cook and Gray, Victoria-street, yesterday, for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Mr. D. McKellar on the occasion of his departure from Auckland to occupy the office of Collector of Customs at Wellington, to | which he has been promoted. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr. YV. Crowther) presided ; and there were also present: Messrs. C. C. McMillan (McArtbur and Co.), A. Heather, Seeguer, H. C. Tewsley, and Thomas Finlayson (Sargood, Sons, and Ewan) ; Hinton (Kempthorne, Prosser, and (Jo.); Murchie, Logan (Macky, Logan, Steen, and Co.); Taylor (John Burns and Co.), M. Clark (A. Clark and Sons), H. Cattanach (Collins Brothers), and Mr. W. Gray (Cook and Gray). The Mayor said he had been requested to make the presentation of a purse of sovereigns, consisting of sums of money contributed by citizens of Auckland representing the principal mercantile houses, to Mr. McKellar on the occasion of his promotion to the collectorship at Wellington, which necessitated his removal from Auckland. It' was more than 30 years ago since Mr. . McKellar and he had first met and during the whole of that time he did not know of any officer in the Customs Department who had given less trouble or greater satisfaction to the mercantile community with whom he was brought into business relations. . (Cheers). They wished Mr. McKellar every success. They knew that he was capable and willing to do his duty without partiality or fear of consequences. (Cheers.) He concluded by handing the purse to Mr. McKellar, and saying that it afforded him great pleasure to make the presentation. (Cheers.) The presentation of sovereigns was enclosed in a very haudsome purse, one of a sample which had just been received by,the mail steamer Ruahine. - ■ '

Mr. McKkllak said that this mark of esteem from the merchants of Auckland took him by surprise, and he scarcely knew how to put into language the feelings which he wished to express. (Cheers.) He had always tried to do his duty, and it gave him great pleasure to find that he had done so to their satisfaction, and the presentation coming on this occasion (which was only a tranfers) made the recognition all the more gratifying. He hoped that in the sphere to which be was promoted he would do credit to the department and not disgrace the opinions which they had formed of him in Auckland. He wished them all every prosperity in Auckland in which he had been a resident for so many years, and again thanked them for their handsome present. Mr. C. C. McMillan moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding on this occasion. He could testify to the high appreciation in which Mr. McKellar was held by the merchants of Auckland. His position was a difficult one, for he was frequently called on to interpret the difficult Customs laws passed in this colony, and while as an officer he had always to appeal to the authorities there were many circumstances in which common sense had to be exorcised, and Mr. McKellar had always done so. (Choers.) In reference to a remark made by the Mayor as to the retirement of officers at the age of 60, he thought it was a wrong principle, as experienced officers would be able to advise Governments in regard to any proposed changes of the Customs laws, and it would be of immense advantage to the Government to have the mature advice of experienced officers. He hoped the time was not far distant when Mr. McKellar would be at the head of the Customs Department, and he had much pleasure in moving the vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding. Mr. McKkllar seconded the motion, and subsequently shook hands with the gentlemen present, each wishing him success and a prosperous future.