BULLS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9416, 10 April 1909, Page 5

BULLS.

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION TO MR F. B. TURNER. A large number of the friends of Mr F. B. Turner assembled at the Oddfellows’ Mall, Bulls, on Wednesday evening, tor the purpose of wishing him good-bye on the eve of his departure , to., take over the management of the Stratford branch of the Bank of New South Wales. Mr J. E. Walker, chairman of the Bulls Town Board, presided, and opened the proceedings by proposing the health of the King, which was duly honoured. The toast of “Our Guest” was entrusted to Mr John Stevens, who said there was nothing which afforded him greater pleasure than to have the honour and privilege of proposing the toast' of the health of their guest, Mr Turner, who, in tne short period he had been amongst them, had been one of the class t of people they called bankers, and there could be no mistake about the high esteem in which bankers were held, not only because they would give you money when you did not need it, and would not when yon did, because bankers contributed to the welfare of the community, not only financially, but also from a moral standpoint. One could not point to auy banking institution in any large centre, or any of its smaller branches, with., its various ramifications throughout the Dominion, but that it was found that where there was one of these institutions situated there was a gentleman in charge who was justly and deservedly respected by his fellow townsmen and citizens. Mr Turner was a gentleman whose acquaintance he had had the privilege since he had been in Balls, and he felt he was not saying too much when he said Mr Turner was held in the highest esteem by the settlers of this and surrounding districts. Mr Turner was a gentleman who had a fairly good grasp of the affairs of tiris country, especially in respect to finance, and, although not a client of the bank, he was sure - that Mr Turner was a gentleman whose ability as a banker was second to none. Mr Turner, he understood, was to take his departure from this little township of Bulls, and district, and go to reside in Stratford. He believed it meant promotion; he hoped so, and so did all present. But it would be promotion if not materially, in sentiment, and in the highest degree. Here he was being transferred Horn this town with its beautiful !and euphonious name of “Bulls” to “Stratford.” What was Stratford? It was the name of the birthplace of the greatest man the world had ever known, the greatest public educator world ever had, and such being the case it reflected credit on the people of Stratford and the pioneers jof the district that they had selected such a name as Stratford instead of allowing in the mud of “Bulls,” as they in Bulls had been so many years. Stratford was the birthplace of that great • man William Shakespeare. Therefore, it would bo [great promotion to be advanced from Bulls to the town bearing the name of the birthplace of the immortal William Shakespeare, who had done so much for the education of the British public and the whole civilised world. .(Applause.) Mr Turner had been spoken of to him by many clients of the Bank as being most capable and most genial in business. He could not say anything more than to wish Mr and M*s Turner long life and prosperity, and hoped that their sojourn in Stratford might be pleasant, and that they might live long to enjoy the good health which he was sure they both deserved, and this he expressed to them on behalf of the residents of Bulls and surrounding districts. Mr Stevens then presented Mr Tamer with a case of pipes Mr Turner, in reply, thanked Mr Stevens and those present for the way in which they had drank his health. He was very pleased to hear Mr Stevens’ remarks concerning Stratford, and it was a curious coincidence that the coupling of Stratford and a case of pipes recalled a very early incident in his life—of one ot his first attempts at poetry. He had met, while in Bulls, many men one could feel friendly with from the jump. He thanked them sincerely for the manner in which they had, treated him in Bulltown and he would remember the twelve months hejhad spent there for the rest of his life, and he must thank Mr Stevens for the kind remarks he had made concerning him. In proposing the health of Mr Hall, who succeeds Mr Turner, as manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Mr Homes said he had great pleasure in welcoming Mr Hull amongst them, as he and Mr Hull were former soho.olmates in Blenheim, and he could not say more than that if Mr Hull proved as good a hank manager as a schoolmate there could be nothing left to be desired. Mr Hall, in replying, thanked them for the welcome that had been extended to him. After hearing the remarks made concerning Mr Turner he said he felt an intruder amongst them and that he was driving away their best friend. Bulls seemed to be another Blenheim as every second person he met was an old Blenheim boy. When it came to his tarn to leave he hoped they would have as good an opinion of him as they had of Mr Turner. Mr Turner proposed “ The Farming and Business Interests of Bulls.” What had struck him on his coming to Balls, lie said, was the good quality of the land, though in results he thought the farmers in the North Island had a good deal to learn from those of the South. (Hear, hear). They did not get as good a return as they should compared with the Southern farmer when the higher quality of the land was taken into account.

In responding, Mr Lavett said he thought as good men would be found in the North Island as in the Southland the North Island farmer was a really first-class man and a white man. To have come from Raugitikei was recognised as a recommendation anywhere in New Zealand.

Mr Turner explained that he meant no reflection on the farmers as men, but they did not utilise their land to as full an extent as the Canterbury men in that respect improvement could, be made here. Ho did not mean to . say the ment theselves were personally any better. He knew they that had been very bind to him in Bulls. 'The Chairman proposed the health of Mr John Stevens, an old friend who had lepreseuted the district so long in Parliament, and who was interested in the district, and had its best interests at heart. (Applause). Although not touching on political matters ne was sure there

was no one who could not admire the way in which he carried out his last political campaign. He was sure they would all agree with him when he said they-wished to see him present at their assemblies for years to come, and he . was sure they would find him ready to give his time,' energy, and interest to the welfare of the district.

In reply to the toast of his own health, Mr Stevens said it was certainly a surprise to have received such an ovation, and such a bumper health. He hau understood he had' come there to do honour to Mr Turner, and not to receive honours himself. During his public life he had lived in one grove, that of trying to help those who helped themselves, and when one had gone through a fairly long life with the belief that he bad endeavoured to help others, then he could say he had left no“footpriuts'on the sands of time,” but a few little landmarks which would live after lie. had passed away, namely, that the settlers in the district in which lie had lived for over half a century, whether they believed in his politics or otherwise, had frequently on many public matters expressed their gratitude and their appreoiatiou of his public acts, and shonld be have the good fortnne to have his sight restored at any time, nothing would deter him from again contesting the seat should a majority .of his supporters require him to do so, but in the meantime had he a seat in any branch of ■! the Legislature after the long - experience which he had had he could assist in carrying out those measures of reform he had supported, and in supporting had done so much in New Zealand. When such men as ex-President Roosevelt, Sir W. Lanrier, and the Prime Minister of the Common wealth of Australia looked up to New Zealand as being in the van and forefront of legislation, which was calculated to better humanity, they might well feel proud of being New Zealanders, and he felt pleased to have assisted in placing on the Statute Book many measures which were being copied by the civilised world, and so long as he had health and streutgh and his services were required in the Legislature, and the people wanted to send him there nothing would be wanting on his part to vigorously carry out what he believed to. be his duty. - Many people believed him to bean invalid, and certainly he could not see, and could not walk without a little assistance, but there was one certain fact, his mental calibre had not suffered in any measure whatever, and as long as God gave him intelligence to be useful so long would his services be at the disposal of the community. (Applause). The toast of “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr King, and briefly responded to by Mr Scott. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, and a very enjoyable time, the proceedings were brought to a conclusion by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne ” During the evening songs and recitations were contributed by Messrs Dawson, Webb, ‘ Turner, Hathaway, Ingram, Homes, Mercer, Kearney, Walker and King.