Banquet and Presentation to Mr Thomas M'Whirter

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 6046, 11 September 1894, Page 4

Banquet and Presentation to Mr Thomas M'Whirter

There was a large Gathering of ladies and gentlemen at the Ngapara Public TTall last night for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr Thomas M'Whirter. who, after a residence in the district of 14 years, is about to leave to take the management of the Morven Hills Station A liberal spread was provided by host Weir, and the hall was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens. TVTr A. Murdoch occupied the chair and cm his right were the guests of the evening, Mr and Mrs M'Whirter, the vicechair being filled by Mr Geo. Livingstone. Attention having been paid to the good j things, The Chairman said that he need not Inform those present that they had met to do honor to Mr and Mrs M'Whirter. A few days since they heard that Mr M'Whirter was about to leave the district, and they could not let him co away, like a cow, a horse, or a sheep, but as a man worthy of every recognition. It was resolved, therefore, to entertain Mr and Sirs M'WMrter, and to make them a presentation. As a man they had always found Mr M'Whirter carry out everything orderly, honorably, and honestly. As a social man he was to be depended upon to do the thing effectually. As to his moral worth Mr M'Whirter was a man to be copied and followed. He had pleasure, on behalf of the subscribers, in handing him a gold watch, albert, and locket. On the watch was engraved : "Thos- M'Whirter. Presented by bis friends on his leaving Ngapara." The watch, said Mr Murdoch, had not been wholly subscribed for at Ngapara, but it had been thought better to enerave Hgapara on it so as to associate it always with Ngapara. He hoped that Mr M'Whirter would live long to wear the watch, and that he might have prosperity in his new sphere. There were many who had not been able to subscribe and many others who would have subscribed more largely had they been able, but Mr M'Whirter could feel assured that the watch only represented a small portion of his many friend esteem. Mr W- M'Kay, then addressing Mrs M'Whirter, said -.—Mrs M'Whirter, it is some 15 or 16 years since you first came amongst us, and your friends, both absent and present, have held you and Mr Whirter in the highest respect and esteem. On this, the occasion of you and your family leaving the district, they thought they would present you with some slight token of esteem. At first it was intended

to purchase some article to be worn by you, but they afterwards decided to pre- / sent you with this purse and its contents, thinking you might procure something more suitable to your own taste that you cculd keep in remembrance of your lady and gentlemen friends. I may be permitted to say that Mr M'Whirter has not been missed from amongst us since you came here, but he will be missed at the Oamaru Show, and this reminds me of a remark made to me by Mr M'Master the other day to the effect that Mr M'Whirter brought his merino sheep to their present very high standard of perfection, and that as a judge of merinos Mr M'Whirter was second to none in New Zealand. I present you with this purse of sovereigns and desire that you will accept it as a token of our esteem, and we all wish you and all your family health and happiness in your new sphere. The Chairman explained that at first it was intended to present a purse of sovereigns only, but afterwards it was thought better to present a watch also, as although the money might be spent, the ■watch would remain as a reminder of the many friends at Ngapara. (Applause.) Mr M'Whirter, in returning thanks, said that the situation was so novel to him that he hoped they would excuse him if he were not so explicit as he might otherwise have been. He could not plead that he had been taken by surprise, as he had been invited a week ago, but he never thought the banquet would attain to such dimensions. He thought he had

been treated to more praise than lie was entitled to. As a neighbor he had had some experience in the present gathering. He had only done his duty in the way he thought every man should do it by spending a little of his spare "time in serving others ; and in doing this he did not think he had done more than others. In thanking them for the token of their esteem, he said he would ever remember the Ngapara district, and when he ceased to wear the watch he hoped his children and grand-children would wear it. For Mrs M'Whirter he might say that although not so much in evidence as himself, she was a better asset to the State than he was, as she had brought eight sons and daughters into it. His aim had been always to do his duty to his fellow men. He was quite aware that this was a difficult task to perform, but he had done his best. He noticed there were not many of the selfish ones in the Ngapara district. He assured them that it did him good to see so many present who had come a long way to do honor to one who had lived 14 years in their midst. This showed that he was not to be allowed to go away, as the chairman remarked, " like a cow, a horse, or a sheep." (Applause.) In thanking them for their areat kindness to himself and Mrs M'Whirter, he wished all health, long life, and prosperity. (Applause.) The toast of "The Queen" having been honored, the vice-chairman proposed *' The Governor and Parliament of New Zealand," which, he said, was just now exciting a great deal of interest.

Mr Paulin did not see what Parliament had to do with it. They had met to do honor to Mr and Mrs M'Whirter, and he proposed to leave the Governor and Parliament out of it.

Mr Stringer said he felt proud to be coupled with such a man as the Governor of New Zealand. He was not Governor yet, but he might be. (Laughter.) It behoved them to drink to the Queen and her representative, and he did not see why they should not drink to the Government, which was the people, and those present had helped to place them in their present position. Mr Henderson proposed "The Army and Navy," coupled with the names of Messrs Gillies and Welsh. Mr Gillies, in responding, said he felt much honor in being classed with the British army and navy, and was sure that If called upon the army aud navy would, as in the past, gire a good account of themselves. Mr Welsh said that he fully endorsed what Mr Gillies had said. The latter was a lieutenant in their corps, and as their company were coming through Ngapara in a few days he hoped the people would turn oat to see them. The Chairman proposed "The guests of the evening." In speaking of them he aid that had they not been going to better themselves, they would not havelet them £jo. He did not say much about Mrs M'Whirter, perhaps she was better thau Mr M'Whirter. He had had a great deal to do with Mr M'Whirter, and iu dealing with him he had always been treated as a man—as a man of honor and as a gentleman. They would miss them both socially and in the school, at the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Show, at the Caledonian Society and, in fact, everything that they had in the district, as both Mr and Mrs M'Whirter were foremost in everything. He would ask them to drink their healths, with musical honors. Mr M'Whirter said, that in making his last speech he thought he" had finished, and It was difficult now to make another. Referring to the Chairman's remarks that they would not let him go if it were not to better himself, he thought now that he would stop (laughter). Here they had

many friends, but in going elsewhere they would have to make fresh friends. With regard to his business transactions he was pleased to hear that he had made such a good impression by them. By the gathering this evening his wife might think more of him than formerly, and had he known it earlier he might not have been such a good settler. He thanked them again for their kindness, which he said was much appreciated by himself and Mrs M'Whirter. Mr Dewar proposed ''The Agricultural and Pastoral Interest." In referring to the lot of the farmers and wool growers he said it had not been a happy cne during the last few years, but he hoped soon to see a turn in the tide wh6n all might get a good return for their labors. He coupled the toast with the names of Messrs T. Little, T. Reid, and H. Edwards. Mr Little, in responding, said that 17 years ago, when the district was booming, his father gave 6s 6d to Mr Murdoch for seed wheat. Since then they had not found things so pleasant, but he would stick to it yet as it behoved them to do. He thought the outlook was better this month than the same month last year. Mr Reid also responded, taking a more despondent view of the situation. Mr Reid proposed "The Commercial Interest of the Ngapara District," coupled with the names of Messrs Ardagh, Treahy, and Mr Waddell, Mayor of Oamaru. Mr Waddell said that ib was a difficult matter to respond to the commercial interest just now as it did not matter who one met in the street the conversation was sure to turn on the dullness of trade, and to hear the gloomy way Mr Reid had spoken of the pastoral outlook showed how intense the depression was as the pastoralist interest was at one with the commercial one in New Zealand. He was in hopes things would soon improve, however, as although he was not altogether a supporter of the present Government he believed they were perfectly right in their efforts to settle the people on the land. If the people were settled on the land which they had bought at a fair nrice they would see things boom again in New Zealand. Prices were veiy low just now and when they got so low they would rise again. Next year would be better but the following year would be better still. Of their guests to-night he would say on behalf of their many friends in Oamaru that they all wished them long life and prosperity at Morven Hills. The other toasts honored were—" The Mining Interest." "The Visitors," "The Ladies," "The Press," "The Host and Hostess," and "The Chairman."

During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs W. White, Gatfield, Sutherland, Miss Ford a recitation and the Misses Toohey a pianoforte duet. The watch was a very handsome gold repeater purchased from Messrs G. and T. Young's and cost L3O.