PRESENTATION TO THE EX-MAYOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8398, 23 January 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

PRESENTATION TO THE EX-MAYOR.

The ceremony of presenting to the ex-mayor (Mr Win. Dawson) the very handsome silver epergne which has been subscribed lor by a number of the citizens, took place in the Town Hall on the 16th inst, and the same opportunity was also taken to present to Mrs Dawson a beautiful diamond bracelet ia dead gold, very chaste and simple in design. A good many citizens gathered to witness the presentation— among them Grs Fish, Hardy, M'Gregor, Cohen, Barrou, Kirabell, aud Cramoud, Messrs J. Green, Scoular, J. Matthews, G. Esther, &c. The Mayor (Mr H. Gourley), who occupied the chair, explaiued the purpose of the testimonial, i which was to mark the citizens' approval of Mr ] Dawsou's conduct during his term of office. In j making the presentation he had much pleasure in saying that he worked with Mr Dawson as a councillor, and under him as mayor, and there had always been a geniality and kindness but a firmness of purpose about that gentleman which gained for him the esteem and respect, not only of the councillors, but of the public generally.—(Applause.) At the time of his contest for the_ mayoralty, Mr Dawson stated that it was his intention to at all events try and keep the municipal expenditure within tho income, aud he was successful in carrying out that purpose. This at least proved to the citizens that he had exercised a wise supervision over the various departments. The speaker could say that they found him as chairman of the Works Committee constantly reminding them that they must not be led away by their feelings, but must remember any excess of expenditure simply meant an increase of rates. There was little more to say, but that the epergne to be presented bore the following inscription :— " Presented to William Dawson, Esq., by the citizens of Dunedin, New Zealand, in appreciation of his services as mayor during the year 1888." He had only to add that he hoped Mr Dawson would long be spared to wear his well earned laurels. But he had a further presentation to make to Mrs Dawson, who he was sure was a lady -well worthy the respect of the citizens. He had pleasure on their behalf in presenting the bracelet, and hoped Blrs Dawson would have as much pleasure in wearing it as he had in presenting it. He wished Mr and Mrs Dawson success; and long might they live to enjoy the good opinion of the citizens of Dunedin.—(Applause.) Mr Dawson said he was unable to find words to express his feelings at being the recipient of such a handsome testimonial. He did not expect anything of the kind, aud thought that he would have been quite sufficiently rewarded if during his term of office he had been able to carry out his promises to the ratepayers, and fulfil his duties so as to earn their respect and esteem. When first elected he began to fear he should not be able to fulfil the duties satisfactorily ; however he die his best, trying always to work amicably with the councillors for the interests of the city alone, and he felt gratified to think that the citizens had appreciated any little service he had rendered in that office. — (Applause.) He also received great help and support from the councillors during the year, and although it had been a poor year in itseif, it would, he hoped be remembered as one which had heralded the approach of better times. Although he was out of the council now he should watch its proceedings with great interest, and hoped there were indeed better times in store for it than had been the case for some time past. He had also to thank them heartily on behalf of Mrs Dawson for the handsome bracelet presented to her, and was sure she would prize it very highly and wear ib as the gift of the citizens of Duuedin.

O Fish expressed his great pleasure at being present at a presentation of that kind to his respected friend the ex-mayor. Without claiming any transcendent abilities, Mr Dawson had managed to get through his term of office in a manner most creditable to him for more reasons than one. Because when he was elected—to the surprise of many—it was looked upon as quite possible that he would prove a failure in the chair. Tho speaker thought it would be agreed that Mr Dawson had to go through a most trying time in presiding over the deliberations of the council during the existing difficulties, and had it not beon for his tact, discretion, and urbanity of demeanour, there might very likely have beeu reason for the press to chronicle—as they delighted to—scenes in the couucil much more frequently. By the exercise of his common sense and quiet ability Mr Dawson had been able to pull through with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the citizens, and the speaker was free to confess that never in soliciting assistance for a testimonial of this kiud had he met with such ready and willing response as on the present occasion. (Applause.) Had they desired to get treble the handsome amount collect ed i t could have been done without the slightest difficulty, and he looked upon that, in these times, as the strongest testimony to the earnest, solid respect in which Mr Dawson was held by tho xitizens. He was not there to say Mr Dawsou was a Disraeli or a Gladstone, but he said that he had performed the functions of his office in times of difficulty in a way most creditable to himself and gratifying to the councillors and the citizens at large. His re-entry into public life would be looked upon with pleasure, because he was one of those men we could not afford to lose. Or Kimuell also said a few words complimenting Mr Dawson upon his futtinent of the duties of his late office. An adjournment was then made to the mayor's room, where the health of Mr and Mrs Dawsou was drunk in champagne.