PRESENTATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9117, 16 May 1891, Page 3

PRESENTATIONS.

A number of tho friends of Mr W. E. Spencer, M.A , B.Bc, who h»8 received the appointment of assistant inspector under the WaDganui Education Board, met him in the Shamrock Hotel last night for the purpose of making a presentation to him prior to his departure from Dunedin. Mr A. Hendry, B.A. (president of the University Students' Association), occupied the chair, aud presented the guest of the evening, on behalf of the students, with a very bandsome and suitably inscribed locket. In making the presentation, the Chairman said that of all who laid claim* to the fathering of tha Students' Association, there was no man who was more enthusiastic at its inception than Mr Spencer, by whom, as b'rst president, the institution bad been brought from a state of infancy so a state of maturity. He was sure he expressed the feeling of all present when he said that in the midst of their conviviality there was an undercurrent of regret, because it was a loss to the university and to the students that suoh a gentleman as Mr Spencer was takiDg his departure from amongst them. He had great pleasure in presenting Mr Spencer with a email token of the esteem and respeot in which he was held by the students of the university, and he was sure it was accompanied by their best wishes for Mr Spencer's welfare. The health of the guest of the evening was drunk with musical honours Mr Spencer, in replying, said he had to thank them for the hearty way in which they had drunk his health, and for the kiu<3 expressions that had been used concerning him. Ever since he entered the university seven years Bgo he had always tried to identify himself with the classes and to identify himself outside the classes with the students. He pointed out that students here, not being resident at the university, had not the same opportunities of social intercourse as were enjoyed at the Home universities, and the only way to get the real benefits of the university—which he held not merely to be the passing of examinations—was by intercourse among the students. The one who obtained most approbation from his fellow students was not he who merely passed examinations, but he who did his best for the students and for his alma mater. Prior to the formation of the Students' Association the students were solely units—they were weak because they did not know their power, they were powerless because they were not united—but he was thankful that he was long enough at the university to see the students united into one body by means of the association, He referred at some length to the matter of the teaching power of the university, and maintained that there would require to be a radical change in the formation of the University Council before the students would obtain any satisfaction. In conclusion, ho stated that he had been "capped" three times at the university, but nothing had given him more pleasure than the appointment as first president of the Students' Association, and the feeling that ho had done a little towards fostering an esprit de corps in the university. Several other toasts were honoured, the speakers including Dr Jeffcoat, Messrs Milne, Barclay, and Mouat, and songs were contributed by members of the company, f Mr Christophers, the accountant at the Dunedin branch of the Bank of New South Wales, who has been promoted to the management of the Invercargill branch, was presented on Thursday with a small token of the respect in which he is held by the members of the Dunedin staff. The manager (Mr W. K. Perston) made the presentation—which consisted of a very handsome inkstand and liqueur stand in oak and silver—and referred to the good feeling which had always existed between Mr Christophers and his fellow officers during bis long connection with the branch. The usual toasts having been honoured, Mr Christophers responded in very feeling terms. After wishing him health and happiness, the meeting terminated.