RECOGNITION OF MR PILCHER'S SERVICES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 30

RECOGNITION OF MR PILCHER'S SERVICES.

The following letter, which speaks for itself, has been addressed by his Worship tho Mayor of Dunedin to the mayors and chairmen of local bodies throughout the colony: — ]£t October," 1900. ■

Sir; — I think that you will agree with me that it behoves the people of this colony to make some recognition of Mr Herbert Pilcher's m,ost valuable services rendered to 'our men and nurses in South Africa. Doubtless you have in your own district sonic of the invalids who have had to return from the war, and, as you are, aware, one and all speak most feelingly of .Mr Pilcher's great kindness and unremitting attention. The nurses sent from Otago also write in the most glowing terms of Mr Pilcher'? invaluable services, and aie enthusiastic in their praises. It is true that Mr Pilcher ia now G-overnment agent in South Africa for this colony, and it may be assiiined thai the Government will remunerate him for his services in that capacity, but long hefoie he received his . appointment Mr Pilcher constituted himself the personal friend and adviser of every New Zealand trooper and nurse he came across, and bhe consequent demands upon his finances and the extra work entailed nniot have been a very heavy strain upon him. The recognition of Mr Pilcher's services is not a provincial matter, because eveiy portion of this colony and every district in it has conbributed its quota to oui forces m South Afiica, and my object m writing you is to ask yovu advice as to whai you think should be done herein. It may not be out of place if X

mention that the general feeling here is that the various chaiimen and niayois of the- local bodies should aiiange with their local press for a public collection thiough the press of contributions fiom the pubha, limited to sums not exceeding Is. I feel sure that every leturned trooper woald publicly sapijoil the movement , m the columns of the pi ess, and their mdiii vidual tesLimony to the value oi Mr Pilcher's services -would arouse enthusiasm in eveiy direction. This, however, is merely a suggestion thiown out, and possibly some better scheme can be suggested. My object m writing now is because I consider the matter should be immediately taken I up m some shape or form, and I am anxious I that there should be concerted action. Each district can keep its contributions separate and distinct" m the testimonial which would probably accompany the gift, and whicti could be signed by all chairmen and mayois, xhua giving it a national character. Mr Pilchei, as you know, is the agent at Capetown of the South Butlph Insurance Company, and is a New Zealander. Iho directors of his company are undoubtedly entitled to gieat praise lor their action m allowing Mr Piicher a free hand in his patnohc aud un&elfish labours, for it must not be overlooked that ho is the s? larked agent of the company. I shall be glad to be favoured with your views on ths matter.