MR KYNNERSLEY.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 397, 7 November 1868, Page 2

MR KYNNERSLEY.

The late Chief Officer of the Nelson | South-west Groldfields has reason to! be proud of the general feeling of pathy and regret called forth by/ the occasion of his retirement from office, it is ui't given to every official to win at one and the same time the praise of tho Government, the goodwill and estceiri of his subordinate and the applause of the general public. "Vet Mr Kynnersley stands in the happy position of having accomplished! this feat. As Cornmis.uoner, he enjoyed the fullest confidence of the ;■'•'! |fe r-ui ten dent and Executive Council, and ids conduct during a late critical period of our history won high praise even from the Premier, Mr Stafford, who is not often found paying compliments. The general regret expressed from one end of the Coast to the' other on the Commissioner's retirement, and the testimonials and addresses which have been showered upon him are convincing proofs of the public's appreciation of his administration, while the two independent presentations yesterday from the officers who have served under him on the goldfiolds are sufficient indications of the regard in which they hold their iate chief Our columns have already made mention of the various banquets, addresses, and purses of sovereigns, presented to Mr Kynnersley by the inhabitants of Charleston, Brighton, and tho Grey district. We have now to record three presentations of the some nature which took place yesterday in Westport. The first consisted of a purse containing fifty sovereigns, the gift of some of the residents of this town and Addison's Elat, which was handed over to the presentee, in the long room of the Post Office Hold.* Only the Testimonial Committee, and a few others were present on the occasion, and the whole proceedings partook more of a friendly than of a formal character. After Mr Martin, who acted as ehainnau, had fulfilled his task and a bumper of champagne had been drunk to Mr Kynuersley's health that gentleman acknowledged the compliment in very feeling terms, and expressed his gratified sense of the many kindnesses lately heaped upon him*. In the very few remarks lie made he spoke chiefly in reference to the affair at Addison's Elat, and observed that though many of the inhabitants of Westport disapproved of the way in which he had conducted that business, it was after all but a difference of opinion: In that emergency he had simply striven to do his duty, and had considered that duty to be, first and foremost, the preservation of the peace, lie secured that and believed that in.

so doing he gained the approbation of all those whose good opinion was worth having.

Immediately after the above meeting, a piVsen'tafcien of a very valuable watch and chain was made to Mr Kyunersley by Inspector Frauklyn and the various officers of the police. FAREWELL Viy^Eß. All entertainment, •which, though more of a private than a public character, deserves distinctive notice, was given in honor of the above named gentleman, on Monday evening, at the Post-office Hotel, by various officers of the Government, who were desirous ol parting with their late chief in the most friendly and hospitable manner. The invitations were, with the exception of those to the Press, confined to Government- officials, about sixteen of whom sat down at ten o'clock, to what was moderately styled a supper, though in reality it was a dinner, the details of Svhich would not have reflected discredit on the London Tavern itself. Indeed, the cookery was so excellent as to raise the idea of'a second Tide or Soyer, or other swell chef having come on a visit to Westport incog. The party being, as we have before said, a i'rendly re-union rather than a public gathering, we shall not make more than passing allusion to some of the speeches. Their general tone, as might be supposed, was one of unqualified praise of the administrative abilities of the late Commissioner, and of the sterling qualities of head and heart which made a personal friend of every one with whom he had come in contact. In addition to an emblazoned address, a well filled purse of sovereigns was presented to the guest of the evening, and acknowledged by that gentleman in He said "that any success which might have attended his administration of the gold-fields was in a great measure owing to the efficiency of the officers -who served under him, and that in many cases credit had been awarded to him which more properly belonged to them." During the evening, in proposing " Prosperity U> the Mining Interest," our respected Warden, Dr. Giles, spoke very hopefully of the mining prospects of this district. He remarked j

'' that in the face of so many disappointed diggers returning from Auckland it was satisfactory to know that there was auriferous ground in the district on which thev could set to work with advanlSfs} iioth to themselves and tho public." Of tSferound recently opened to tho northward lie had received very favorable accounts, and he had faith in the reuval of tho Addisous flat as a pavaUeg&ldfkld. It was casually mentioned by. one of.lhja :peakcu's that. it. was Mr Kvunersley's intention to leave Westport by the steamer JohnPeim, then hourly expected from Grreymouth. That gentleman v> r il no doubt carry away with him u pleasant recollection of the social gathering of Monday.night; in truth was one ef tho happiest affairs it has been our good fortune to attend. The watch and chain presented to Mr Kynnersley on Monday, by the members of the police and gaol departments, was of a very costly description; in fact, it was- the. best that could be procured in the colony, being purchased in Dunedin at a cost of about £BO. The presentation took place in private at the Camp, the gift being handed over by Inspector Eranklyn, who spoke as follows :—" On the eve of your departure from the Nelson South-west Q-oldfields, tho members of the police and gaol departments have selected me to present yon with a small tribute of the esteem and affection felt for you by the members of both departments. I am particularly desired to thank you sincerely for the kind and impartial manner in which you have at all times acted towards these branches of the service. All of us unite in a sincere prayer for your future wellare and success, and only wish that a happy chance may again place us under your charge. We have one favor to ask of you—that on returning to Nelson you will allow MiDavis, the photographer there, to take your photograph, when, if you saythat you will allow us that privilege, I am directed to write to Mr Davis and obtain from him. a portrait in oil colours for each station on the goldfields, so that we may be reminded at all times of our best friend, and that those who come after us may have a lasting souvenir of him who has been the founder of the Nelson South-West Goldfields Police Eerce."