PRESENTATION TO MR W. ROLFE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1869, 10 February 1892, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO MR W. ROLFE.

A large number of gentlemen assembled at the Victoria Hotel on Monday evening for the purpose of bidding a formal good-bye to Mr W. Bolfe, and also to assist in the ceremony of presenting him with some tangible proofs of the public estimation of his conduct and demeanour during the many years that he has so worthily filled the position of station-master at Lawrence. Everybody, the travelling public generally, as well as the business people of Lawrence and the surrounding districts, will always cherish in kindly remembrance the many estimable qualities, the many quiet acts of kindness, the uniform courtesy and the unfailing readiness to oblige that they have experienced in their relations with Mr Bolfe. And all this, too, without in any degree infringing the regulations of the service, or impairing bis efficiency as a public officer. It was but natural under

such circumstances that his departure from here should be accompanied by a public expression of regret at losing so obliging and efficient an official, of good wishes for his future welfare, and also to mark in substantial form the general esteem in wnich he is held.

Host Montgomery, as usual, had prepared an excellent spread, Mr James Chalmers (Mayor of Lawrence) occupying the chair. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been disposed of, the chairman proposed the toast of the evening — " Our Guest." They had met, he said, to do honour to Mr Eolfe, and they would all agree with him that the manner in which he discharged his duties riot only to the department of the service to which he belonged but to the public with whom he was brought into contact entitled him to whatever honour it was in their power to confer on .him. He had himself known Mr Rolfe for the last twelve years, and had always found him most obliging and courteous. He discharged the duties of his position faithfully, and, he might add, fearlessly- and impartially to all, but he never allowed his hands to be tied by the proverbial red-tape, and was never behind hand in his quiet, unostentatious manner in obliging and accommodating those of the public who required his services. He had known Mr Rolfe intimately from the time he came to Lawrence, not only as an official but also as a citizen— socially as well as officially — and he had. great pleasure on such an occasion as the present to testify to the very high opinion he had formed of him, and which he was glad to say he had retained of him down to that moment. Many more, he was aware, would have been glad to show their appreciation of Mr Rolfe by their presence had circumstances permitted ; but though absent in the flesh they were present in spirit. A number of Mr Rolfe's friends and well-wishers had subscribed a purse of sovereigns, which, they desired to present to him, as well as a handsome gold Maltese cross. They were free-will offerings, he could inform him — the spontaneous offerings of the public — and he need hardly say that he felt sure they would be accepted in the same free and kindly spirit that they were given. They were given as a token of the respect and esteem in which Mr Rolfe was held by the people among whom he had so long resided, and, he was sure, had spent so many happy days, formed so many agreeable associations, and from whom he would carry away, he hoped, many pleasant memories. He was conscious Mr Rolfe fully deserved all the honours that had been conferred on him, all the proofs of respect and esteem of which he was the recipient, and on behalf of his friends and of all assembled he wished him a happy and a prosperous future. Mr Rolfe said he found a difficulty in finding words suitable to give expression to his feelings for the many complimentary things which Mr Chalmers had been kind enough to say of him, as well as for the generous feeling that prompted the public in making him the recipient of such solid proofs of their esteem. He felt he had not done anything to deserve so much kindness. He had merely done his duty and was glad to know that his efforts had been so highly appreciated. He could assure them he felt regret at leaving Lawrence. It was not his wish that he should bej^tran&ferred, but, apparently, the Department considered that better] use could be found for his services elsewhere. He was, at the same time, glad to know thai his removal meant a step upward en the ladder of promotion, and this, as they knew, was the goal that all were striving for. For his own part he preferred to settle in Lawrence ; he looked upon it as his home, and would always continue to do so. When first he came to Lawrence he did not expect that bis stay would exceed three months, but his stay had run into twelve years; and so warmly was he attached to the people and the place he could, look forward with pleasure, did circumstances permit, to another term of tiie same length. He had spent many happy years here, and would avail himself of every opportunity of visiting Lawrence. He again thanked all present for the kindly feeling displayed towards him, and said he doubted if he would be able to keep the contents of the purse to hand down as an heirloom to future generations of Rolfes. — (A laugh.) The probabilities were that it would very soon drift into circulation — go the way of all coin of the realm — but he would keep the purse and Maltese cross as mementoes of their kindness, and once more begged to thank them all heartily.

Messrs Oudaille, Woods, and Browne also testified to the high esteem in which Mr Rolfe was deservedly held; and, while regretting his departure, were pleased that it brought promotion with it.

"Other toasts having been proposed and duly honoured, a number of songs and recitations were given in first-class style, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close somewhere about the witching hour.