LINEBURN

Otago Witness, Issue 2358, 4 May 1899, Page 29

LINEBURN

Presentation to Mr and Mrs Titrxbuia.

(From an Occasional Coirespondent.)

The annual ball at Linnburn station was held on the 18th ult., and was made au occasion for presenting Mr and Mrs Turnbull with N a slight token of the regard in which they are held by their employees and a number of friendr in the district. The Misses Roggiers and M'Kay issued the invitations, which were accepted by over a hundred guests. The large woolsh?d was transformed into a splendid ballroom, beautifully decorated with evergreens, etc., while the large dining room was most tastefully arianged by Misses Craig, Stanford, and M'Kay. As to the catering, which was in the hands of Miss Roggiers and Mr F. W. Tumor, it would have done credit to any assembly, everything, in fact, being of the choicest, including wines, etc. Dancing commenced at 8.30 p.m., and was heartily indulged in till 12 p.m., when an adjournment was made for supper. Mi R. S. Charters, who was chairman on the occasion, proposed prosperity to Mr and Mrs Turnbull in their travels, which was enthusiastically received. After all the good things at the table had been partaken of, Mr Charters said all present knew Mr and Mrs Turnbull and family were about to depart from theix midst for the old country, and he felt sure all deeply regretted their departure. He also deeply regretted the unavoidable absence of the gentleman who was to have occupied the chair that evening, and who was Mr TurnbiilPs oldest' friend in the district, Mr A. G. Mathias, a gen; tleman whose name was honoured and respected by all in our midst. He felt sure that was the sentiment of all present. — (Cheers.) However, a pleasing duty had fallen to his lot that evening in being asked to present Mr and Mrs Turnbull with a token of the esteem and respect m ■which they were tuiiversally held. He then called upon Mr Turnbull, and on behalf of the employees and friends, presented him with a handsome gold albert and Maltese croBS, on tha latter of which was inscribed: "To It. M. Tiirnbull, Esq., fiom employees and friends, Linnburn, 18/-1/99." Mr Charters said he knew that both Mr and Mrs Turnbull would value the gifts more for the associations in connection with them and for the feeling which had promoted their presentation than for their intrinsic value. The speaker further said that he had the pleasure of Mr Turnbull's acquaintance for over 20 years, and ho could say that during all that time ho had never heard one single word unfavourable to his friends — on the contrary, both Mr and Mrs Turnbull had the good opinions of everyone with whom they had come ;n contact. When asked to help in any good cause neither of them had been found wanting, and the district would bo the poorer for their absence. — (Ap-T)-aitse.) Mrs Mathias, then presented Mrs Turnbull with a valuable lady's toilet bag with monogram inscribed on each article contained in it, and in the course of her remarks said that her task that evening was a very pleasing one, and on behalf of the givers 3he expressed the hope that Mrs Turnbull would have a pleasant journey Home and a speedy return. Mr Turnbull, in-responding, seemed much moved, and amongst other kind things alluded to the pleasant- relations that had always existed between his employees and friends, and said he accepted their gifts to himself and Mrß Turnbull in the spirit in which they were offeree!, and would always treasure them as pleasing mementoes of their mutual goodwill. Although he was placed in what was to him a somewhat embarrassing position it was yet an extremely pleasing one, and he was sure that his employees and friends derived no more pleasure from the giving than he and Mrs Turnbull did in the receiving. He could assure them that these handsome gifts would always be looked upon by them as forming part of their most cherished possessions. He was not at present sure whether Linnburn would be their home on their return, but his friends could be sure that Linnburn would bo the first place visited. He again thanked them on behalf of himself and Mr 3 Turnbull for the many kind expressions which had been tendered them during the evening. — (Uproarious cheers.) Among the toasts of the evening was that of the healths of Mr and Mrs Turnbull, in proposing which Mr A. Cameron referred in deservedly hipfh terms to the esteem in which both Mr and Mrs Turnbull were held. Although the speaker had only been on Linnburn foi the comparatively short space of two years, he had still had ample proof of the many good qualitieo possessed by his employer and Mrs Turnbull, and hi fel+ that he was giving voice to the wishes of every person present in expressing the hope that they would find never a care to ruffle their future happiness, and, should they evei return to theii old home again, he could assure them that there would be warm hearts and willing hands to welcome them. — (Cheers.) In responding, Mr Turnbull returned thanks for the complimentary remarks of the proposer of the toast, of whom, said he, he had formed a very favourable opinion, and was confident that he would, as manager of Linnburn, be just both to the employees and himself. — (Cheers.) Mr Hillier, in responding for those who had displayed such taste in arranging the tables (Miss Craig, Miss Roggiers, and self), begged fo disclaim having contributed much in the way of help to the ladies mentioned, far would it be from him to rob them in the slightest of the credit that was undoubtedly their due. He hsul been boss ; the beautiful result was through the otbers who had done the work. Any sug-

gestions that he had proffered were simply ig» nored, which fact he was happy to say largely tended towards the artistic display which they had before them. — (Cheers.)

Mr Thomas Adam, in responding to the toast of the decorators, Messrs King, Ledingharn, and Chirnside, said that the result of their very best efforts he was sure would fall' far short of the desire they entertained to do honour to tho occasion. — (Cheers). The flowers employed, ho said, might wither, but their good will towards Mr and Mrs Turnbull would never fade. — (Loud applause.) Mr R. M'Skimming, in responding to the toast of the musicians, Messrs Tate and Herlihy, thanked all present for the hearty manner in which they had drunk »the toast, and he was glad to say, excellent aa it was, that the music played was only a jninoi part in the harmony, of the evening.— (Cheers.) He was sure that the spring m the feet of the many nimble dancers was not more vigorous than the strong feeling of goodwill held by all towards the worthy lady and gentleman whom they had gathered together to honour. Although bound down in a manner by the title of the toast to harp on four strings, he could not let the occasion pass without adding andther. The key-now of his remarks, lie aaid, would be to give expression to his opinion of the unanimous respect in which Mr and Mrs Turnbull were held. Mrs Turnbull's kindness was proverbial, while as for Mr Turnbull he could say that, a more generous personality was -not to be found in the country.— (Cheers.) In short, he felt that he could apply no more worthy words to their host than thoso of Robert Burns, that after a. l l

The rank is Int. the guinea stamp, The man's the gowd for a 1 that. — (Cheers.) Mr "William Craig, in replying to the toasi of the caterers, thanked all present not only for the hearty manner in which they had drank the toast, but also for the ample marine*, in which they had done justice to the good things provided, and in a few happy, words called for three hearty cheers for Misses Eoggieis and M'Kay and Mr F. W. Turner, in recognition of the splendid result of their labours in the catering line. Mr Turner's name all over the Maniototo wa? synonymous with high-class cooking, and in the beautiful feast which that gentleman and his coadjutors had provided he had worthily upheld his reputation. Not only as a cook was " Fred," as his friends knew him, celebrated, but as a man he had the respect of all who knew him.— (Cheers.) Mr Turnbull then led off with "For he's a jolly good fellow," which was sung in a hearty manner by all.

Shortly before Mr and Mrs Turnbull and family left the ballroom the assembled company joined hands in singing " Auld lang syne. Dancing was kept up till break of day.