PRESENTATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6128, 15 March 1898, Page 4

PRESENTATIONS.

%-■ There -was a Jarge and representative &► gathering in the hall of the Chamber of ■V Commerce last owning, on the occasion of '~. a presentation *o Messrs T. M. and R. P. .• Lonargan. The chair was occupied by Mr : R. C. Bishop, and on his right was Mr B. P. Lonargan, and on his left Mr T. M. Lonargan and the Rev Father Cummings. The Chairman referred to his long acquaintance with the Messrs Lonargan, and to the fact that they had bravely met the misfortunes which had overtaken them. It must be some consolation to them in their adversity to find that they had so ma ay friends who wished them well. They had always been foremost in all good works in the city, and had always been known as keen business men. It was the wish of all present that at no distant date they would again be able to meet them under much more favourable circumstances. He then asked the brothers to accept souvenirs on behalf of their friends amongst the citizens of Christchixrch, together with a purse, which, he was happy to say, contained a substantial golden lining. To Mr T. M. Lonargan he presented a silver cigar case on Mb departure for England, and to Mr R. P. Lonargan«a wallet, each being .suitably inscribed. The health of the gueßts was then drunk with enthusiasm. The Eev Father Cummings thanked the - committee for having asked him to b<3 present at the presentation. He had come to the conclusion that the heart of the commercial people of Christchuvch was in the right place, as they had shown that they could gather round their brothers in adver- . .aity, to support them in their hour of need. • The Messrs Lonargan had striven to sue- . ceedL, hut had been overtaken by adversity, -and the outcome of good feeling shown 'that night was a credit to the citizens. He .would be equally glad to^assist, whether v the recipients were Catholics or not. The Messrs Lonargau had been models of all that was good, and nobody regretted their position more than he did. He felt that he had learned a great, object lesson in com- . mercial matters that evening. The recipients suitably responded. Mr J. Macnamara proposed the health of ■"jThe Committee," coupled with the name of Mr M". Sandstein, which was duly . honoured. v Mr Sandstein, in replying, said that the 1 testimonial had been originated by Mr 3. B. Triggs, who had, unfortunately, been absent from Christchurch for some time. He paid a high tribute to the honesty of ! purpose of the Messrs Lonargan Bros. He looked forward to the time when they '.would again be established in Christchurch in a flourishing business. \ ' Mr J_ R. Triggs endorsed what Mr ' Sandatein had said. Several others having spoken in the same strain, the proceedings were brought to a close by honouring the toast of " The Chairman," who suitably responded. ■■■'•*' Each of the souvenirs bore this inscription :— " This memento, together with a parse of sovereigns, was presented by / Christchurch friends, March 14, 1898." C On Saturday afternoon there was a Urge gathering of officials and members of "Jthe Ashburton Trotting Club at the Somerset Hotel, for the purpose of presenting Mr Donald M'Lean, president of the .dub, with a sovereign-box and shield . pendant in gold, on which were inscribed .•■'•"4l* M'LSRIl's moncgram and the words, '■■'■■ "To Mr D. M'Leau, from members of the JAshbnrton Trotting Club, Dec. 16, 1897.V The gift was suspendecHro ft i lnaa'aive gold /'chain. Mr Daniel M'Kendry, vice-presi- .;' A.cub ..of .the dub, made the presentationj ly.'aiidin doing so. said they wished, to, show Iv'their appreciation of the many valuable ser- ' vices rendered to the club by their Pte'si--4 - dent, and to express their esteem for him. : Mr M'Kendry also asked the company to drink the health of their President, which -.. -was done with three times three. Mr .'■■ .M'Lean thanked the company for the honour they had done him, and for their . handsome present. He had a keen appreciation of the many kind things the Chairman had said, and the feeling of the members of the club. What he had done .for the club was a work of great personal pleasure. If the Colonial Secretary only - knew the class of men who formed the club he would not refuse to grant a twoday permit. The club was not maintained >; for 'the purpose of money-making by anyone. A pleasant ceremony was closed with the usual loyal toasts. ... At the meeting of the Canterbury Chess Club at' the Chamber of Commerce this evening a presentation will be made to Mr A. Cant, who has held the office of secretary for some years, on the occasion of his approaching marriage. Members of the Lancaster Park Cricket Club met at Warner's Hotel at five o'clock yesterday evening, for the . pur- , pose of making a presentation^fo Mr A. "; Cant, one of the oldest playing members of ■ ; the club, on the eve of his marriage. The president, Mr W. D. Meares, in making the . presentation, referred in feeling terms to \ the energy, tact and industry invariably displayed by Mr Cant during the many ■ years he had been an officer of the club. i On behalf of the club, the President wished Mr Cant and his future wife every success and happiness, and prophesied that the guest of the evening, would yet be found •>; in the first eleven. Mr Wilding said he i would go further than the President, and : ■ prophesy that Mr Cant would yet be found in the Canterbury eleven. In any case Mr Cant ; had proved himself to be a born treasurer, and the club owed him much on that account. The healths of Mr Cant and his intended wife were drunk amid applause. The presentation took the form of a purse of sovereigns.