MR T. B. WILLIAMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19047, 26 June 1924, Page 5

MR T. B. WILLIAMS

A SPLENDID RECORD f TRIBUTE FROM CITIZENS. PRESENTATION TO EX-MAYOR. There was a large and representative gathering at the Rutland Hotel yesterday, when a remarkable public tribute was paid to the cx-Mayor, Mr T. B. Williams, and Mrs T. B. Williams. The Mayor, Mr Hope Gibbons, presided. The Town Clerk, Mr G. Murch, read apologies for absence from the Mayoress, Mrs Hope Gibbons, Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P., Councillors C. J. Sharpe, R. W. Green, Messrs 1L Meuli, C. F. Millward, J. R. Foster. The Mayor, Mr Hope Gibbons, said: “Wo have met this afternoon to do honour to our guests, Mr and Mrs Tom Boswall Williams. Mr Williams has completed his forty years’ service as a public man. The many different positions he has filled in the various public bodies, I will leave to another speaker to enlarge upon. Men of Mr Williams’ type, who devote so much time and attention to public duties, should receive the thanks of the whole community. It is immaterial, in many opinion, whether you agree or not with the views held on any public question, the fact that a man gives his time and his ability for the public benefit should ensure public respect. I have known Mr Williams for some 30 odd years, and have very fully followed his work, and I can state that he gave of his very best. Mr Williams and I were associated in war relief work from 1914 practically up to this date, and during that long period he was always on hand to work for the benefit of mankind. Mrs Williams has always been a splendid help in backing up Mr Williams, and has taken her full share of the many public duties. I have had as yet very little of what is termed public work, but my knowledge of the demands made on the Mayor of the City for the last three months enables me to recognise what a great debt of gratitude the public of Wanganui owe Mr Williams, and I regret sincerely the cause of his resignation. I wish that, with rest, his health will be fully restore'd, and that he and Mrs Williams will have a happy time. Those of us who have the health must take up his work, and we only hope that wc will be able to carry out our duties with a portion of the credit that Mr Williams has received for his.”

Mr A. G. Bignell, chairman of the Wanganui Harbour Board, said he had been associated with Mr Williams on public bodies for many years. Mr Williams had always given of his best unstintingly, and had always worked for the best interests of Wanganui. The speaker had not always seen eye to eye with him on public matters, but when it came to a question of friendship it was another matter. Nothing could ever occur to mar that friendship and respect that everybody had. Mr Williams did everything honestly and in the best spirit. Knowing something of the tax that public life was on one’s time, the speaker realised the strain that must have been on Mr Williams’ health and strength, not only during the war work, but the heavy burden as far as civic life was concerned. He hoped that Mr Williams would be restored to health, and still have many years of pleasant lift. Most of the men carrying on public life in Wanganui were getting fairly old, and it was a source of wonder that the younger men did not come along. Everyone fully appreciated the services that Mr Williams had give. He had a wonderful record of forty years, everyone was his friend, and he did not seem to have a single enemy. Mr Williams’ popularity was shown at the Mayoral election eighteen months ago, when there was evidence of the high esteem he was held in. The speaker wished Nfr and Mrs Williams many years of happy life. Mr A. D. Mackintosh, chairman of the Wanganui County Council, said he hoped Mr William would be spared for many years. Mr Williams had both the interests of town and country at heart, and gave everybody a.fair deal. He hoped that Mr Williams would be long spared to be amongst them. Mr E. E. Fletcher, chairman of the Wanganui Hospital Board, said it was great gratification to have Mr Williams with them. The speaker had known him for many years, a man who was always fair and open to conviction if he was wrong. Both Mr and Mrs Williams took a Keen interest in hospital matters.

Mr W. J. Treadwell said he could speak with intimate knowledge of the great services that Mr Williams had rendered to Wanganui, and he could say with all honesty that Mr Williams had discharged his duty to the citizens of Wanganui and the country to the best of his ability. He had a pure-minded object to promote the best interests of all. He had never the privilege of meeting a greater man, and he hoped that a kindly Providence would long spare both Mr and Mrs Williams to continue in the esteem and love of the people of Wanganui and the surrounding districts. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr C. Pearce, spoke of Mr Williams’ efforts to bring about Greater Wanganui, the difficulties that he overcame, until the foundation stone of the city was laid. The amalgamation was an accomplished fact before he laid down the reins of office.

Mr G. Murch said that during Mr Williams’ term he always extended help and consideration to the Borough Council staff. Mr Williams ’ one object was the promotion of the best interests of Wanganui and district. Mr J. H. Burnet, chairman of the Wanganui River Trust, said Mr Williams served the River Trust for a quarter of a century. Mr Williams’ work for the Patriotic Association would never be forgotten. Cr. J. C. Richardson said he never wished to work under a whiter man, who was always ready to assist and give advice.

Councillors G. Spriggens and C. P. Brown also added their tribute. Messrs W. Beswick, president of the Wanganui Ratepayers’ Association; D. McFarlane, chairman of the Wanganui Girls’ College Board of Governors; F. WebbJones, editor of the Wanganui Herald; J* Higgie, Allan Robinson, Lloyd Jones also added a few appropriate words.

To Mr Williams the Mayor (Mr Hope Gibbons) presented a solid silver plaque, handsomely engraved with, an

appropriate inscription, also a well-fill-ed wallet. He also received at tho hands of Cr. E. W. F. Gohns a handsome illustrated and autographed album.

To Mrs Williams was presented a silver tea and coffee service and tray, each piece and the tray being suitably inscribed, this presentation being made by Mrs Pearce, wife of the Deputy Mayor.

Upon the plaque was inscribed th< following:— “Presented to Tom Boswall Williams by tho citizens of Wanganui and district in recognition of his valuable services in public positions in Wanganui, in 1924.” The inscription on the silver tea* tray presented to Mrs Williams was: “Presented to Mrs Tom Boswall Williams by the citizens of Wanganui district, 1924.”

The monogram "T.8.W.” was inscribed on each separate piece of the service. The engraving was carried out by Messrs J. Williams and Sons, jewellers. The inscription in the album contained a record of Mr Williams’ career, and was as follows: “Presened to Tom Boswall Wil. liams, Esq., by the citizens of Wanganui and district upon his retirement from civic affairs after 40 years’ continual service—lBB4 first elected to Wanganui Borough Council; 1897, member of Wanganui Progressive Industrial Association; member of Wanganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Wanganui River Trust and Domain Board, and Wanganui Harbour Board, 20 years each; School Committee, Matarqwa School Committee; Regatta Committee; 1913-14 and 1920-23, Mayor of Wanganui; 1914-24, chairman of Wanganui Patriotic Association, member of Repatriation Committee, member R.B.A. Club; member of Chamber of Commerce, and six years president; trustee Wanganui Cemetery, member Wanganui Fire Board, member Wanganui-Ban-gitikei Power Board, chairman of carpenters’ and joiners* dispute, 1013.”

The album, which is bound in velvet calf, was beautifully illustrated with photographs of views of the city, and opposite each photograph was a page of autographs of representative publie men and citizens. Upon the first page appears the city’s coat of arms, and opposite to this is the inscription, beautifully lettered and illuminated. The design of the album and portion of the work was carried out by Cr. E. W. F. Gohns, the photographs were supplied by Mr Denton, the illuminations were the work of Mr T. W. Downes, and the binding was carried out by Messrs A. D. Willis.

After the health of the guests had been honoured Mr Williams returned his sincerest thanks. Ho said that community interest had been the one point of his life, and he still hoped to be able to do something for the best interests of the community. During his public life he had received great assistance from the community, and without that ho could not have accomplished what he did. Ho also thanked 'the Press. On behalf of himself and Mrs Williams he thanked all most sincerely for the presents they had received.

Cheers were given for Mr and Mn Williams, and at the conclusion of a very pleasant gathering the National Anthem was sung.