PRESENTATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2941, 29 August 1882, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

Last evening at the Ship Hotel a pleasing ceremony was performed, being the presentation of a silver flagon and cup to Mr Thomas Turnbull, in recognition of his valuable and lengthened services in connection with the Eire Brigade of Timaru. About twenty gentlemen were present, and the Chair was occupied by Mr 0. Bourn.

The Chairman explained that the meeting was called for the purpose of presenting these cups to Mr Turnbull. He understood that they had been purchased sometime ago, but the opportunity for presenting them had only just occurred. He called upon Mr Jonas to give a further explanation. Mr Moss Jonas stated that he had himself taken the chief part in organising the Fire Brigade, twelve years ago, and that Mr Turnbull had, ever since that time, been a member of the Brigade. He had entered it as a private, and had ended by holding the office of Captain for two years. • Mr Turnbull had acted in a most selfsacrificing manner all through, and with courage and through his personal exertions at the Mechanics’ Institute fire, a great deal of property had been saved to the insurance companies. He regretted that Mr Wildie was unable to attend. He had also been a most energetic fireman. He thought Mr Turnbull had it in him to do yet further service for the town.

Mr C. Green testified to the value of the water supply. Mr James Granger testified to his knowledge of Mr Turnbull’s high qualities, on land and water. Both as a private friend and as representing a fire office, he begged to express his admiration of that gentleman. Mr Ziesler corroborated the remarks of previous speakers. Ho thought the Council of Tiraaru had behaved in a short-sighted manner to Mr Turnbull, but the good opinion of the public quite outweighed that.

The Chairman then proposed the health of the recipient, in a neat speech. Mr Hamersley wished to add that, as a Volunteer, he fully appreciated the high qualities displayed by Mr Turnbull. In the present state of the Brigade the duties of a Captain were comparatively easy. In Mr Turnbull’s day it was uphill work, and the fact that he had organised and drilled the Brigade was the highest testimony to his ability. Such men as Mr Turnbull were especially valuable in any community, more especially because of their disregard of self and their exertions for the place in which they live. Mr Turnbull’s health was then drunk with extreme heartiness. Mr T. Turnbull said he felt much diffidence in acknowledging the complimentary remarks just made. Mr Jonas’ speech recalled old times, and be might say that but for the united exertions of Messrs Jonas, Wildie, Mills, and himself, there would have been no Brigade. He referred to the various difficulties encountered, by the resignation of members. Mr Jonas had been most energetic in getting in subscriptidns. By-and-bye they got the fire-engine, Alice ; then they went to a Fire Brigade competition in Dunedin, and their experience there stimulated them. Though they took no prize, they were beaten in the running only by the Ballarat team. He was proud to say that he was the originator of the Fire Brigade Association of New Zealand. He thought the day was not far distant when the Government would take the Fire Brigades in hand. He specially thanked Captain Hamersley for his kind remarks, and reminded those present of the patriotism and devotion exhibited by him and his command at the time of the Parihaka difficulty. He had been ten years and one day a Fireman. The Council had conferred on him the post of Fire-Inspector ; and, afterwards, disparaging remarks had been made about fire-inspectors, at the Council table. He then threw up the office in disgust. He also stated with pleasure that he had never had a dispute with any member of the Brigade. The Council had treated the old Brigade in a harsh and unfitting manner. He would not wish to again take the responsibility of such an office.. He again thanked those present for their kind recognition of his services. (Loud applause). Mr J. W. White said he was glad to be able to speak, not only as to Mr Turnbull’s services in the Brigade, but as to his good qualities as a private individual. He thought this was of much importance as the respect in which, as a private individual, he was held, went a long way to ensure respect for him from his men. Mr Turnbull was most unpretending, but good in everything. He a salamander in fire, and a Boyton in water, and his word was his bond. He desired to propose the health of Mr Turnbull as a private citizen. The toast was drunk with musical honors.

The Chairman then handed the 'cup and flagon to Mr Turnbull, who received them amid loud applause. Mr Turnbull, in thanking the Chairman for this presentation«specially thanked Mr White for his kind remarks.

The Chairman here proposed the health of Mr Moss Jonas, who had acted with energy and self-sacrifice throughout. The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Mr Jonas, in thanking the company, said he might remark that he had always endeavored to take a leading part in promoting the prosperity of the place, and had endeavored to recognise the good qualities of any deserving man. He believed the progress of Timaru was assured notwithstanding the wrecks. Other ports were jealous of us and were trying to run us down but our prosperity would manifest itself, and wo should shortly compete with all other towns. He wished it to be generally understood that, “ Whenever a good thing was to be done, come to Moss Jonas and he would do his best.”

Mr Mills said he felt as the Mormon Elders said, constrained ‘to bear testimony to the qualities of Mr Turnbull. He was surprised that the Borough Council had allowed Mr Turnbull to leave the fire service without decoration. He felt great pleasure in this presentation, as Mr Turnbull had interested himself throughout in the welfare of the Brigade, and had even expended money out of his own pocket upon it. He wished to draw attention to the use of the Fire Brigade Association, they presented medals to long-service firemen. He hoped the Borough Council would follow their example and give Mr Turnbull a gold medal at least. Mr Hamersley proposed the toast of trade and commerce. He thought an occasion of this kind peculiarly suitable for this toast. Trade and commerce required public-spirited men, with liberal minds. He begged to couple with this toast-the name of Mr Warren. Timaru had long suffered from narrowminded persons in office, and Mr Warren represented the liberal element.

This toast was drank with musical honors.

Mr Warren in response said he was much flattered. But his idea was that a banker ought to be a reticent man—ho should be like the parrot, “ a poor talker but a devil to think,” Mr Warren’s remarks, which were most humorous, were received with applause. “The Press,” proposed by Mr Turnbull, and “ the Chairman,” proposed by Mr White, were briefly responded to, and the formal proceedings closed. We may remark that on the flagon is handsomely embossed a plough and team with all the ingredients of a landscape around them. The cup is a silver goblet.