TESTIMONIAL TO MR J. DEWE, TOKOMAIRIRO.

Otago Witness, Issue 1630, 26 August 1871, Page 10

TESTIMONIAL TO MR J. DEWE, TOKOMAIRIRO.

A public meeting was held iv the Volunteer Hall, Milton, on Friday evening last, for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Mr John Dewe, R.M. , on the occasion of his leaving the district. There was a considerable attendance of Mr Dewc's personal friends and old settler 3. On the motion of Mr A. Jones, Mr J. Goodall, Mayor, was called to the chair.

The Chairman said the duties he had to perform that evening partook both of a very pleasant and a very painful nature. It Was, he said, a pleasing duty for him to be made the medium of communicating to Mr Dewe a tangible proof of the estimation in which he was held by the public of Tokoinairiro, but he also felt it extremely painful to undertake the task of saying farewell to one they had all so long known, so much respected, vivl no much loved. No one could ever forget the many happy meetings they had enjoyed at The Grove, and the many acts of courtesy and kindness they had received at the hands of Mr Dewe. It vra& frequently the case

that the doings of able and good men were I not duty appreciated till they were removed, and this, he believed, was true in the present case, for he was sure Mr Dewo's removal would cause a blank which they would all feel, and which would not easily be filled up. The Chairman then, in the name of the public of Tokoinairiro, presented Mr Dewe with a purse of sixty-three sovereigns, and read the following address, ■which was neatly printed upon white satin :—: — To John Dewe, Esq., R.M. We, the residents of Tokoinairiro, having learnt that you purpose taking your departure from amongst us, cannot allow you to leave this district without evincing our appreciation of your many services and estimable character. As one of the oldest residents in Tokoinairiro, you have been known and respected from the earliest days of the province byjall with whom have come in contact ; and we cannot but express our deepest regret that circumstances s'umld take you from our midst. Many among us can testify to the unfailing kindness and sympathy met ■with from you in ever varying circumstances, and wo believe there is hardly one a\ ho w ill not feel that in your departure they have lost a friend. i As a member of the Church of England, there are many who can testify to the advantages which they have enjoyed from your tenure of the office of Lay Reader. You were, under the hand of Providence, instrumental for good in keeping together the members of the Church, in conducting the worship of God, and in disseminating Christian knowledge. Yours has been a practical illustration of an exemplary Christian life. As llesident Magistrate, your impartiality and readiness at all times to give any information in your power, was much appreciated. As a member of the Provincial Council, as Returning Officer, as Coroner, and in many other offices — wherever, indeed, there was any useful object to be gamed — we shall find the district has sustained a severe loss by your departure. It is with mingled satisfaction and regret that we present you, in the name of the residents of this district, with the accompanying purse of sovereigns ; with satisfaction that we can show so substantial a proof of the regard and estimation in which you are held ; with regret that the gift should mark your departure from the district. That all good success may attend you in your future career, and that you may be as much beloved in the time to come as in the past, is the best wish we can give you. Milton, Tokomairiro, August ISth, 1871. Mr Dewe replied as follows :—: — i Mr Mayor, Ladies, and Gentlemen — The parting between long-known and valued iriends is at all times painful ; but the kind wishes, the flattering views you have taken of my life amongst you, and the substantial token of your regard which I have received this evening, make it exceedingly painful to me to say " farewell.*' I have lived long and happily amongst you. I have ever met with a ready hand to help, a kindly beaming eye to welcome, an affectionate respect, and a friendly greeting — at all times, in all places. Differences of opinion there may have been between us, but they have not destroyed our good opinion of each other. Vaiying in religious opinions from some of my neighbours, we have agreed to differ on minor points, and, where practicable, to aid and assist each other where we agreed. Often have we joined in voice — I hope in heart and soul — to worship our God beneath the same roof. I thankfully acknowledge the assistance and support I have received- as Lay Header from them, as I do more particularly from our own congregation. May that friendly feeling ever continue in this place. The very flattering memorial you forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, when, in consequence of retrenchment, my services were dispensed with as Resident Magistrate, assured me that however iinpcrfc-tly I had been able xo perform my duties, my earnest endeavours impartially to administer justice had been accepted by you in a kindly spirit. 1 should indeed have been ungrateful had I not endeavoured to ilo all in mj r power to assist in forwarding the interests of this district. 1 had hoped that the Providence of God would have permitted me to pass my old age in a place with whose growth and prosperity I had been intimately connected. It has pleased him to remove me hence, and appoint me another sphere of action. I go forth trusting that the same God who has led me hitherto, and given me favour in the sight of those amongst whom I dwelt, will still he with me whithersoever I go — "still lead me on. " But wherever I may be placed — however distant from this loved spot — I trust there will be no change in our feelings of mutual regard ; and when at the Throne of Grace you offer up your daily supplications, one kindly thought will turn towards me, one prayer ascend that I may be made j useful wheresoever it shall please God to place me. Mr Mayor, Ladies, and Gentlemen, again accept my sincere thanks for this valuable token of your regard and esteem. Messrs Poppelwcll, Rev. R. L. Stanford, R. Murray, and. others, briefly addressed the meeting, and expressed their extreme regret at parting with Mr Dewe. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman,