SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Southland Times, Issue 14634, 26 January 1911, Page 6

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

INVIiBCABGILL’S SEH3-OrF. A meeting of citizens of Invercargill convened by the Mayor (Mr NV. A. Ott), was held last evening in- the Council Chamber to consider the advisability of tendering to Sir Joseph Ward a public send-off in connection with it is forthcoming departure to attend the Imperial Conference and Coronation celebrations in England. The attendance numbered between thirty and forty and Lite Mayor presided. H!.s Worship explained that lie hud called the meeting hy request a- there seemed a general desire that the citizens of Invercargill should have the opportunity of bidding au revolt - to Sir Joseph. He (the Mayor; considered that the country was particularly fortunate in having such an able man as Sir Joseph Ward to attend the Conference, and it seemed only right that, as Sir Joseph was a Southland man, Invercargill should hold a gathering as proposed. He personally favoured a non-political mass meeting (free of charge; being held in the Theatre for an address to be presented to the Prime Minister. The Mayor's proposals were endorsed by the meeting and on the proposition of -Mr W. B. Seandrelt, seconded by Mr A. F. Hawke, it was decided to invite Sir Joseph and Lady Ward to visit Invercargill on Wednesday, Feb. 22, which dale, it was understood, would be suitable to Sir Joseph. In supporting the proposition. Mr J. A. Huiiiui, M.P., remarked that the Prime Minister was going to England, nut as the representative of any parly, but on belia!f of the whole of the people of New Zealand. The feeling in Parliament was that Sir Joseph would worthily uphold at the Conference his reputation as a statesman and .as an imperialist. He (Mr Hamm) considered it very lilting that the citizens of Invercargill should unite in doing honour to one who was not only an M.P. for Southland, but v. as also the Prime .Minister of the Hominkm. In reply to a question, the Mayor staled that he proposed to ask the Council to undertake the expense of the preparation of the Address. The Mayor and Messrs J. A. Hanan, M.P., W. B. Scandrett, J. Crosby Smith, \V. Brent, A. B. Ilaggitl, A. F. Hawke, C. S. J.onguet, John Stead, W. X. Stirling ami T. \V. Walker (secretary; were appointed as a committee to carry out the arrangements for the function. A suggestion was made by Mr T. D. A. Moffett that some souvenir of the occasion should be presented to Hady Ward, and it Mas understood that the same would be considered by the Committee. A motion by Mr A. McCulloch, seconded by Air liaggetl, that nibscquenl to the mas.; meeting an oyster supper (for which a charge should lie niadei should be lieh.i in the Victoria Ha!) iaileil to me. t with fat our and was withdrawn, it being considered Unit the farewell should be limited to a gathering open to all. Mr Hawke sugge Ued that the meeting .. liquid lie repl'e.-i'MI all ve of Sou ill la ml us a whole and that Winum and Bluff should be hr, tied to combine; but the Mayor intimated that he believed that arrangements hud already been made for separate send-offs at those towns. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Mayor.