WELL DONE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 32

WELL DONE.

PRESENTATION IN GRAND COURT. The bandstand - at the Exhibition was surrounded by one of the largest crowds that had collected in the Grand Court. And it was not only to hear the playing of the band that they assembled. The occasion was a special one—namely, a presentation by the citizens of Dunedin to ibe directors in recognition of their services. The committee representing the e"fcuens of Dunedin consisted of Messrs W. B. Taverner (Deputy-Mayor), F. M. Shortt, K. A. Rosevear, James Hogg, H. C. Campbell, and J. B. Waters. Sir George Fenwick wa« also present on the Rotunda. The signatories to the presentation were as follows:—Dunedin City Council, Chamber of Commerce, St. Kilda Borough Council, Mosgicl Borough Council, Port Chalmers Borough Council, Otago Harbour Board. Importers and Shippers’ Association, Otago Expansion League, Otago Institute, Otago Labour Council, Otago Motor Club, Council of Christian Churches, Real Estate Institute, Otago Early Settlers’ Association, Otago District Law Society, Otago A and r. Society, New Zealand Institute of Architect®, New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Otago Division British Medical Association, Licensed Victuallers’ Association, Dunedin Stock Agents and Woolbrokers’ Association. Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association, Dunedin Public Art Gallery Society, Duncoin Manufacturers’ Association, Dunedin Burns Club, Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association, Caledonian Society, Dunedin Amenities Society, Otago Rugby Football Union, Otago Cricket Association, Employers’ Association. Tbe addresses were delivered with the assistance of loud speakers placed round the platform, and indeed the crowd was so great that without these instruments the speeches would have been futile. Mr Taverner was the first to speak. “We are met to-night,” he said, ‘‘to do honour to the directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition and to present each of them with a commemorative, illustrated album. In doing so. we are not unmindful that many other citizens have worked with commendable zeal to assist, in bringing about such a profoundly happy and successful result, but w© look upon the directors as the official head of the Exhibition, and through (hem we thank all who have been engaged in the task. On them lay the responsibility for the undertaking, and to them now we pay a hearty and grateful tribute for their work. “Exhibitions may be regarded as being the periodical and concentrated expression of a country’® development and potentiality, as well as Affording the world at large an opportunity to give it some of that attention which all great public movements desire to attract. That being so, thero cap [bo no two opinions as (o the result of the 1 Exhibition session now rapidly drawing to a close. The intense and wholehearted en'poyment experienced bv our own people, no lens than the kindlv eulogiums of the visitors. testify eloquently to its success. “To the directors our thanks are due for providing the necessary foundation upon which such a remarkable collection of exhibit* has been staved: a collection which has been alike to old and young a never* ending source of instruction and pleasure. The impressions which our people have 'received have hoen so many and so varied that some time wifi be required for those Impressions to crystallise. The winnowing process of time will eliminate the lighter '•Pd leas important, leaving the more abiding to form new starting places of thought pgfed action.

In this lies the real value of such an experience. The directors ::ot only represent the Exhibition Company, but »n a larger sense they represent the people. The grandeur of the effect produced is proof that those to whom the people delegated the task have loyally carried it to a a rand conclusion. “To commemorate in tangible form our appreciation ot the work of the directors, 1 ,-ow have very sincere pleasure in asking Mr J. Sutherland Ross (the president) and each of his colleagues on the directorate, to accept an illustrated album. It bears on a gold plate .he name of the recipient, and set above is the coat of arms of the City of Dunedin. The introduct»on reads: 'Presented to ths president and directors of the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition by the citizens of Dunedin, in recognition of their valuable services in connection with that great and successful undertaking. The text of the pre-entation is in these words:—“This volume is dedicated to the president and directors of the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, held in Dunedin from November 17, 1925. to Mav 1, 1926, and commemorates the foresight, courage, tenacity and ability exhib.ted by them in the organisation and control of a great and successful undertaking. Upon a site skilfully transformed, first from a shallow lake into a sandy waste, and then by a mag .cal touch converted into a beautiful park, was reared under their guidance a ,ciiy of industry, instruction, and pleasure, of which visitors in huge numbers preserve grateful memories. Their work will live after them, as a milestone on the road of progress, and this record of their success is a token of the honour and esteem in which they are held by their fellowcitizens.’’ “The illustrations are excellent xifews of the Exhibition and there are also photographs of all the directors. This is followed by the signatures of some 30 odd representative bodies and associations. In order that this record of thanks may be preserved for public reference, it has been arranged to place one copy of the address in the care of the city librarian. To commemorate further the great occasion, it is also intended to procure a descriptive tablet which, by consent of the City Council, will be placed in the Town Hail, and upon which will be lettered the text of the address which has been read.” Mr Taverner concluded by handing Mr Ross the copies of the addresses. The Chairman then called upon the Prime Minister to address a few remarks. Mr Coates said that it gave him the greatest pleasure to support the Deputy Mayor in the well-deserved presentation he had made to those who had directed the operations of that wonderful undertaking. “They muat have had great foresight to conceive the idea.” he said “It has been a wonderful success, and we owe them a debt of grati tude for carrying out this great concern that has been placed before Dunedin ami the rest of the world. It seems to me that Dunedin must have the brains,” he added amidst cheers. “ You are loyal to your directors and loyal to your town. But after all. it is not only Dunedin that is concerned. The whole of New Zealand is concerned in this Exhibition, and it is to be congratulated. Through the work of the directors, the loyalty of Dunedin, and the rest of New Zealand, this country ha? moved steps ahead, and has taken a more prominent position than ever in the world’s affairs. On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand all over the country—in boroughs, cities. town districts, county councils, and backblocks, I wish to congratulate the people of Dunedin and to thank the directors for what they have done. Each and every one of us has been faithful to our country and, we should be mighty proud of the Empire to which we belong. Mr Ross, on behalf of his colleagues and himself thanked the committee and the citizens of Dunedin for the very signal honour that bad been done them in that presentation. There bad been 'no thought of any such recognition in their minds when they undertook that work. “After all,” he added, “the success of the Exhibition was not. due to any 10 men. but to one of the finest things on earth, a firstclass community.” He thanked the citizens of Otago, and after them the whole of the community of New Zealand, for their support. It had been solid work, but it could not have been carried on unless thev bad known that they bad the public, one and all, behind them. lie went on to say that Dunedin had gained a reputation for hospitality during the course of the Exhibition, and it was a singular fact that when the public were appealed to to provide accommodation for visitors they responded so well that there was no time when accommodation was not available. In conclusion. Mr Ros? expressed his appreciation of the presence of the Prime Minister, and added that the volumes would be treasured in the families of each for generations. At the conclusion of Mr Ross’s address, the band played “For they are jolly good fellows,” and the crowd joined in lustily, concluding with cheers.