PRESENTATION TO MR E. R. WARD

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5310, 17 March 1884, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR E. R. WARD

A number of gentlemen met at the Rutland Hotel on Saturday afternoon, to present Mr E. R. Ward with an illuminated address and a gold guard and locket, prior to his departure for Melbourne. Amongst those present wo noticed Messrs T. Bush, Currie, Brennan, D. Ross, Evans, Kohn, Spurdle, Ballance, Cummins, W. Alexander, Kennedy, P. D. Hogg, Manson, McCaul, and J. Hogg. Mr Ballance, in making the presentation, said they had met to express their regret at the approaching departure of Mr Ward from Wanganui. They had known him during his residence here, and had found him a valuable citizen. He was sorry^they could not keep those townsmen they valued, but the attractions in Wanganui were hardly sufficient to reta n them. He hoped that things would take a turn, and that in the near future they might have the pleasure of welcoming him back again. (Hear, hear). Wanganui was at present under a cloud of depression, but if the goldfield turned out to be an accomplished fact, this place would soon be a large centre of population, and people would be attracted from all parts. (Laughter). He had always found Mr Ward a zealous public-spirited man, and a most excellent componion, and his loss would be felt by all. He knew from report that Mr Ward had discharged his duties in the Borough Council in a satisfactory manner, and that there was no more popular member in the Council. As a member of the Library Directory and Chess Club they regretted his loss. Mr Ballance then read tne address, and presented Mr Ward with a gold guard and locket, hoping he would live long to wear the latter. (Applause.) Mr Ward, in replying, confessed that the presentation had come unexpected. It was more than he had ever hoped for — more than he deserved. He had endeavored in the various positions he had taken up to do his duty in accordance with his ability. , Whatever he had done, he had endeavored to perform honestly and conscientiously without fear. If at any time he made a mistake, it had been an error of judgement, not intentional. Thanking them again for their kindness, Mr Ward resumed his seat amidst applause. Mr Ballance proposed the health of Mr Ward, wishing him prospcrty and success and hoping soon to hear of his return. Mr Ward, in reply said that if in the future it suited his purpose to return to Wanganui, he would do so. He would ever

cherish a warm regard for the business men of Wanganui, as also for many outside of business- He had spent six years here, and though be had lost his money, he had enjoyed himself. He thanked them again from his heart. Mr SpurJle proposed the toast of Mra Ward, a lady, who having been brought up in Wanganui, was well known here. Mr Evans responded briefly. Mr Cummins proposed " Prosperity to Wanganui. >- It seemed strange to them to hear of people leaving day after day for fresh fields, as they could not find scope for their abilities. He had been a resident of • Wanganui for 20 years, moßt of that time connected with business, and he had seen many ups and downs, and times quite as bad as now. He .thought that though at present depressed, things must improve, when the grand country at the back was opened up, and 'when the Murimotu country was tapped, and the traffic diverted here. He co'upled'the toast with the name of Mr D. R6ss. Mr Ross, ' in a few remarks, responded, hoping that the present dulness would soon pass. A discussion then took place on the present depression, Mr Ward advocating a system of national banking. Mr Ballance thought the subject rather au intricate one to discuss at a moment's notice, though there was no doubt that a monopoly in anything was bad. In the revival of Wanganui he Was deeply interested, and he thought that Wanganui had suffered much in the past, from the fact that while there had been a large expenditure in opening up, and settling people on Crown lands elsewhere, the interior of their own country had been kept closed to them. They had been confined to a small extent of coast line, and of even this their supremacy had ■ been .disputed by all the ports along the coast. The miserable track into the interior (which ought to be reached by good roads) caused hundreds of bales of wool to be taken, from a plaoenot 60 miles from town to Napier, which was 150 miles away. With regard to the harbor, all would be delighted to hear that the Heads Railway Company had secured the Governor's assent. He felt that the company would soon proceed with the woiks, and thus facilitate communication with large vessels. These he thoughtfwould be able to get alongside, as when they got the wall out 18 feet, the harbor would be materially deepened. He had incurred the risk of unpopularity by proposing a special rate, but that subject he would not .discuss, beyond saying that they needed £40,000, and he thought they had sufficient reserves belonging to the Harbor Board to pay the interest on thair sum without levying the rate, but lenders required the rate as security. He considered that the greatest cause of depression at the present tiaie was the over speculation in land which took place some time back. Many people had never been able to get over it, prices of land in Wanganui were much less now than 12 years ago, except in the business portion of the town, and the leading thoroughfares. People not noticing this have gone on investing in land, arid it has fallen, they expected it to maintain its value and even increase, but it bad not, and that had caused the depression, but he thought things would again find their level. In 1875-76 Auckland was so much depressed, that people were all talking of clearing out, one of the members of the House had told him that the place was nearly done for, and that if it were not for the 40 acre freeholders, and the money 'from' the Thames goldfields Auckland would have been sold up. Now Auckland is themostprosperous place in the colony, money is .there being spent, industries are being started, and Auckland is looked up to as one of the most prosperous places in the Australian colonies. With care, the starting of industries, and judicious enterprise he thought Wanganui would regain the prosperity it had once possessed,' and they would see Wanganui itself once more. Mr Spurdle said that the mention of Auckland had made him think of the central line, the Auckland people were all Mokau, but he thought that if the central ,line were 'taken, a portion of the large ' amount of money now spent by visitors in Auckland would firid its way down heve, and thus do the district goods - '

Mr Cummins made a few remarks relating to the existence of gold at Tuhua, after which the meeting dispersed.