PRESENTATION AT WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14340, 12 January 1911, Page 6

PRESENTATION AT WAIMATE.

i/iKEYVELLING MB J. SINCLAIR. A nujiibw .of. gentlemen uwi. in tito Borough Uouneii \Jiiainbcv3 . inuauitt*, yeitsiciiy afternoon, to loi-c-v.cu uu-J-dniai sraelair, wiio is leaving iQJ ;l«-, vr:ei,. to reside m Duneflm. a...« _u;.y...i(Mr H, irancis) pres.a«;j .iini .'euri apologies ironi a large m.ii!i.*--r ol gentlemen, u'iio were unable to ua present. Sir ,"\V. 0 V Steward, /-U.i\, was among tliose present. The Mayor said all were proud to honour ah old citizen, and at die same time regretted liis departure from-the district. -H» gave the following as a partial list of Air Sinclair's activity in public matters for over 30 years. Mr Sinclair arrived in Waimate in August, 1878. He had been twice Mayor, and was a councillor for- nearly twenty years. For twenty-six years he was captain of the Fire Brigade. For-about thirty years he was a member of the Caledonian. Society's Executive, and always acted as timekeeper at the sports. ■ For many- years he was a member, and some time chairman of the Waimate High School Board. For over ten. years, he was a member of the Licensing Committee, and its chairman for several years. For fifteen years he had heeu chairman of the "Waimate Hospital Trustees. He was one of the oldest J.P.'s in Waimate. He was secretary to the Acclimatisation Society for a very long time, for eighteen years was secretary to the local Masonic Lodge, and was a member of the Racing Club and many other societies. -Mr-Sinclair's popularity was proved last:.year-.when he was seriously ill, .and sympathy was freely expressed on all sides. Mrs Sinclair, too, had always taken.her part in any public or charitable function, and had freely given her services at all times. Miss Sinclair, with her great musical ability, would indeed bo missed from the community. Her violin soles were always highly appreciated, and her .place would be very difficult to fill, both as regards her ability and her willingness to assist at all times. All wished the Sinclair family success and happiness in their future' life in Dunedin. Sir W. J. Steward, Messrs A. TManchester.- W. M. Hamilton, J. At. will, J. W. Freeman and G. J. Shackleton, also spoke of the valuable public services and estimable personal qualities of Mr Sinclair, and similarly of Mrs and Miss Sinclair, who had always been ready to assist. Miss Sinclair being especially praised for her willing and valuable services as a musician. The Mayor then at the request of the testimonial committee presented to Mr Sinclair —for himself, Mrs, and Miss Sinclair—a small token of esteem to remind them of their friends in Waimate. It was thought the present should take the form of a purse of sovereigns, which it was hoped would ba expended in procuring something which would remind tiram of happy days in Wnimata. ■ Ha wished them all long life and success in their new homc. Mr Sinclair sn-'d he felt a, difficulty in expressing his feelings in leaving the district altar re-iding there for so many years. He had always done what 'in '•r?ns : drr«l riiiht in public matters, and he thankwl them al! on behalf of lr'm-'-'ll' and his wife and daughter for their kindness and ewd wishes, and honed r~ ■ec niar.v of them at Dun-gdin from t!ir.6 to ri"*.'