PRESENTATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 13, 20 July 1883, Page 23

PRESENTATION.

(From the daily papers.)

A large number of citizens met at Baxter's Pier Hotel yesterday Wednesday 11th, for the purpose of presenting a handsomely •illuminated address, executed by Mr. Thomas George, of the Octagon, and purse of 80 sovereigns to ex-Sergeant M'Namara, who hns been for twenty years an officer in connection with the Dnnedin Gad. Among those present were Messrs. Robert Wilson, (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce), H. M'Lean, B. J. Schlotel, J. H. Gay, A. Mollisoa, J. Liston, G. Baxter, Spring, Medway, Stephenson, Burt, Yates, Anderson (of Anderson and Harvey), Proctor (of Proctors, Jones, and Co.), Bradsbaw, W. G. M'ffenzie, Simpson. The Chairman (Mr. R. Wilson) had been asked to perform a very pleasant duty, namely, to present Mr. M'Namara with an illuminated address, and also with a purse of sovereigns, as some Blight tokens of the esteem and regard in which that gentlemen was held by his fellow citizens. He felt certain that Mr. M'Namara could not feel otherwise than pleased when he saw so many of the citizens' signatures to the address. He had known Mr. M'Namara for nearly twenty years, and w?>s able to testify ti the uprightness of his char, acer, in spite of all that bad b^en and was being said against him by witnesses before the Royal Commission, who also tried to cast reflections upon the character of our late worthy gaoler, Mr. Caldwell. He thought the public were too apathetic in the matter, and should not allow some of the evidence given to pass unchallenged. All preBent knew Mr. M'Namara, and would heartily join in wisbiag him many pleasant days in the future, as no doubt he must have bad many troublesome days during the past twenty yeara. A gaol warder or a policeman had often most unpleasant duties to perform, and he hoped that Mr. M'Namara would long be spared to look npon the testimonial, which showed that in the opinion of tbe .citizens he bad earned their esteem for the manner in which he had performed his duties. Mr. Mollison said he mu3t add a few words to those of the Chairmain in recognition of Mr. M'Namara's good qualities, being specially qualified to do so in consequence of his having resided close to where some extensive works bad been carried out by a prison gang under Sergeant M'Namar«'s charge. The way in which he managed the men under him and the uniform courtesy he showed to the many residents in the vicinity of the works could not be surpassed, and he was very glad to be able to testify to them. Mr. Gay considered that the Government were losing in Mr. M'Namara a man of tact, ability, and courage. He well remembered Mr. M-Namara's leaving Sandhurst over twenty years ago, ana" that hia departure therefrom was a great source of regret, shown by his being then, as now, presented with a purse of sovereign?. Mr. Medway spoke in similarly complimentary terms, adding that he had had many opportunities of seeing the way in which Sergeant M'Namara conducted himself when carrying out his duties, had noticed that in dealing with the men under him he combined -^■judicious proportion of kindness and firmness. Mr. Joseph Baxter said he could endorse the remarks made by previous speakers. Their friend had spent twenty years— the best portion of his life— aa a gaol warder at the Dunedin Gaol. He had leen a comrade of Mr. M'Namara's as a warder in the gaol, and a more straightforward, honest, humane, and withal a firm man, it would be difficult to find. He (the epeakeT) served only a very short time as an officer in the gao!, and yet thought the time rather long, for he could assure those present that there were very few present whose temper or hearing would allow them to stand 20 years of such an isolated life. When he thought of how on several trying occasions Mr. M'Namara had acquitted himself, he felt proud of his old comrade, and was glad that a number of the citizens had shown Mm this mark of their esteem. Once their guest had at the risk of his lue, saved that of his (the speaker's) brother by shooting one runaway prisoner at Anderson's Bay aad apprehending the other. For that and for other deeds, Mr. M'Namara had been rewarded by the Government then in power, and he only felt eorry that the gaol department should allow him to leave the service, and trusted they would reward him in accordance with his merit.

Mr. M'Namara said he was indeed very thankful to them for the handsome gifts. He could not say that that was the proudest moment in his life, as he had had prouder moments, perhaps, but certainly lie should never forget that day. Up to a few days ago he had not the slightest idea that a public recognition of his services by the citiseni of Dunedin was to be mada. He concluded by again expressing thanks to the gathering. The health f the Chairman and several other toast? having been proposed and duly honoured in bumpers of champagne, the proceedings terminated. The address, .which is one of the most handsomely got np we nave seen reads aa follows :—: — " To Mr. Thomas M'Namara. " Dear Sir,— We, the undersigned, for ourselves and on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, hereby desire to express our sincere regret that after a residence of twenty years. among us you are about to sever your connection with us, and to remove to another part of the globe. •' We cannot allow you to depart from our midst without acknowledging the many valuable services rendered at all times by you, and now ask your acceptance of this address and accompanying parse of sovereigns^ remembrance of old times. " Wishing you every happiness and success wherever you maybe,— We are, dear sir, yours very truly— Robert Wilson, Thomas Bracken, G. L. Dennistoi), Michael Meenan, James Daly, B. J. Schlotel, James Oaldireil, Joseph Baxter, Francis Meenan, ftT. Fagan. J. Hislop, 0. Fraaer, John H. Gay, J. Yates, James Liston, N. Moloney, P. Keiigher, G. O'Driscoll, William Beattie, M. Brophy, R. Stout."