TESTIMONIAL TO P. P. G. M. THOMAS McKENZIE, HON. SEC. WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND, I.O.O.F.M.U.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2658, 7 April 1868, Page 3

TESTIMONIAL TO P. P. G. M. THOMAS McKENZIE, HON. SEC. WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' FUND, 1.0.0.F.M.U.

Dukino the coarse of last year it was unanimously resolved by the members of the above Society in this city, to present their Hon. Sec, Mr Thomas McKenzie, with a testimonial in recognition of the many and valuable services he has rendered to the Society for the last eighteen years. In pursuance of this resolution, an order was sent to Manchester for s gold medal, bearing the emblems of " The Widows' and Orphans' " and a suitable inscription. By the last Panama mail steamer the medal arrived, and on Thursday evening, it was presented to Mr McKcnzie, after a supper party given in the Hall of the Order by the members of the Speiety. The arrangements for the plensant re- union were undertaken by Messrs S. Levy and Or. T. Bell, and others, all of whom deserve the greatest credit forthe manner in which they conducted them. P.P.G-.M. Bell officiated as chairman, G-.M. Smith, jun, occupying the vice-chair. After the usual patriotic and fraternal toasts had been proposed and duly responded to, The Chairman rose to perform tho pleasing duty that had devolved upon him of presenting to the guest of the evening, P.P.G-.M. Thomas McKenzie, proprietor of the Wellington Indepen* dent, the testimonial which had been so unanimously awarded to him by his brother members, who gratefully acknowledged, that to his untiring zeal and great exertions during a long course of years, was mainly attributable tho position, of security and wealth whioh the " Widows' and Orphans' Fund" enjoyed. He had, therefore, the greatest pleasure in presenting the guest of the evening with tho following AEDBESS S "To P.P.G-.M. Thomas M'Senzie, Honorary Secretary of the Widow and Orphan's Fund, Wellington District. " We, the undersigned officers of the Widow and Orphan's Fund, on bebalf of the members, beg most respectfully your acceptance of this gold medal, which has been unanimously and gratefully voted to you a 9 a small token of the very high esteem in which you are held ; and also itt recognition of the many and valued services you have so assiduously rendered to this fund, during a period of eighteen years, as its honorary secretary. " We deem it superfluous to allude to any particular act, but we feel it to be our duty to express our sincere convictions that the great success of this society is mainly, indeed almost entirely, to bo attributed to the earnestness, perseverance, and exertion which you have exhibited since its formation, and especially on occasions which hava been prepared for the increase of its funds. " Again, begging your acceptance of this testimonial, in the true spirit of Odd-Fellowship, and wishing you and your beloved family many years of happiness and prosperity, — We are, &c. t "William Connor, President, " Chas. Milis, Vice-President. "Wellington, March 19, 1868." Tho Chairman then presented tho above address to Mr M'Eenzie, accompanying it with the handsome medal, which bears tho following appropriate inscription : — " Presented by the members of the Widow ana Orphan's Fund of the Wellington District, 1.0.0.F..M.U., to Thomas M'Kenzie, P.P.GhM., as a small token of esteem for his untiring exertions as their honorary secretary for a period of eighteen years. Wellington, New Zealand, 1867." I The Chairman concluded by proposing "Tho health of P.P.&.M. M'Kenzie and that of hia I family," which was drunk with great enthusiasm and lodge honors. P.P.G-.M. M'Kenzie said that he could hardly find words to express his thanks for the hearty manner in which they had responded to the last toast. The kind expressions of the chairman, and the warmth of feeling exhibited by the brethron had quite overpowered him. He felfc that he did not deserve such high encomiums to be passed upon him for simply doing his duty. Ho considered that it wa9 the duty of every citizen to take a part in tho affairs of the community in which ho resided, and to endeavor to promote its interests. He saw around him brethren of 25 years standing who had taken part in the establishment of Odd-Fellowship in Nevr Zealaud ; but he regretted to say that he missed many old friends who had been taken from their midst. Ho was thankful that he had been an Odd-Fellow ; for the society had conferred great benefits upon the community.. In the early days of the colony it was the only insti tution of the kind here, and had dono a great deal of good. Heroes might value medals awarded to them for glorious achievements performod on the field of battle, but ho would prize the medal they Nad. given him as an equal badga of honor, as it would ever bring back bright recollections of the past. The Widow and Orphans' Fund was ono of the best branches of tho society ; and it was the joinfc efforts of its members that had led to tho success of that fund in this district. P.P.G-.M. MKenzie, evidently with deep emotion, concluded by thanking the members present. Several other toasts were given and responded to in the most hearty manner, and harmony enhanced the pleasures of the evening till the small hours, when the members separated, expressing tlemselvea highly delighted with tho pleasant reunion.