The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-01-06 00:00:00

TESTIMONIAL TO THOMAS HOLYOAKE,

JUN., ESQ., AT IC/NVER.
On Monday afternoon there was a large and fashion-
able assembly at the Grammar School, Kinver, for the
purpose of witnessing a presentation to Mr. Thomas
Holyoake, jan„ on the occasion of his marriage. Mr. J.
P. Morgan presided.
The Chairman said that being the first day of the new
year. lie heartily wielied them one and all a Happy new
year." He had such a touching duty to perform that he
could hardly express himself, bat he could assure them
he was very much pleased to meet them there on suds all
auspicious event. It was not the duty of a Chairman to
make a long speech, and he should therefore content
himself with the business of the aftereoon, and that was
namely, to present Mr. Thomas Holyoake with a testi-
monial in commemoration of his marriage. They thought
it a very suitable occasion to test the very high respect
and esteem in which Mr. Holyoake and his family were
held in the neighbourhood of Einver, and it was resolved
to call a public, electing to consider the best way of doing
80, when it was unanimously resolved to present him with
a silver tea and coffee service should sufficient funds be
raised. A committee was elected, and subscriptions
opened, which were very successful. He was sure the
committee were much pleased with the way their wishe I
had been complied with by the subscribers, and by such a
large sum at their disposal, which would have been much
more had not intimate friends given him private presents.
They had selected the very best articles from an original
design, by one of the first manufacturers. The commit-
tee begged to thank the subscribers, the Rev. W. Holton
for the use of the school and gas, Mr. Edwards for au-
diting the accounts, and the ladies who bad decorated
the room so nicely. The Holyoakes were held in high
esteem, as would be seen by the subscribers list, which
was beaded by the names of the Earl and Countess of
Stamford. The address was written on paper, but they
hoped it would not be any the less thought of. He thee
called upon
Mr. Ryland, the Secretary, to real the following
address:—

"To Thos. Holyoake, Jun., Esq., M.R.C.S.E., and L.S.A.
" Dear Sir,—Permit us, at as early a date as possible
after your marriage, to congratulate you and Mrs. Holy.
oake, upon that hitt-reeling and auspicious event. Con.
nected as you are with a family whose long and honour-
able career in the parish is well known, everything that
concerns the happiness of its members Is shared in by
all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. How
fitting then that your numerous a,lunrers should avail
themselves of this opportunity to pay their respects to
to you on this, one of the moss momentous periods in the
life of man. _

" In addressing you our object is two-fold, namely, to
express the great esteem and regard we bear you, and the
family of Rolyoake in its entirety.
" Your respected father has, after many years' residence
amongst us—by his gentlemanly deportment, kindness of
heart, devotion to his patients, and diligence in his
calling—won all hearts. May the mantle of the father
descend upon the son, and ma, he prove himself in every
way worthy of the trust.
"Your dear mother is knows, to us as a lady of unas-
suming address, and of a retiring disimsition, affection-
ately devoted to the welfare of her family, and in her
acts of charity, not permitting 'her left hand to know
whet her right hand doeth.' Blessed with such parents,
may we not predict a brilliant and happy future for their
children.
"To yourself, personally.. W 3 offer our respects and
respects and best sofa 'lls. our urbanity. zesloos attach-
ment to the science of surgery, dexterity in its apt lieu.
tion, and your tender and benevolent conduct in the sick
room, are calculated to secure continued honour to the
name, and respect and love from a host of true and last-
ing friends.
. . . .

" To many of UP your dear wife is at present a stool
ger. Report speaks of her u a lady endued with Ciirni•
Sian principles, ant ' given to good works.' With this
assurance we bid her welcome, and God speed, for on.
isolsicsi parish is in need of many suck ladimi.
. . .

And now the Committee, in their own mime and thy;
of the subscribers, beg your acclitanee of laid tea Ind
coffee service. It ie a token of the great respect aid
esteem in which you and your family are held by the.
inhabitants of Kinverand neighbourhood , but hoodionie
as it is ita worth sinks into insignificance when co.updred
with the good and heartfelt whales which accompany it.
Much care and anxious deliberation have ben brought
into requisition to make the testitnondil a fitting oue.
We tru,t it will be received in the same kind spirit with
which it bus leen subscribed. To the Committee, the
whole in connection with it, has been ' a work and labour
of love.'
_ . .

•May that Providence, which has conferred upon yon
talents of a high order, and permitted you to enjoy a
large experience in the exercise of your profession, guide
you with wisdom in their disposal ; and may you and
your dear partner, with every member of the family to
which you are related, be surrounded with ail the tie-
sings this world can afford, and also those in ' that which
is to come.' "

Sinned by the members of the Committee, the Tres.
outer, and the Hon. Sec.

Mr. J. C. Morris then presented the testimonial to Mr
Holyoake.
Mr. Holvoake, jun., in responding, said of course on
such an occasion as that they would not expect him t,
make a long speech, after hearing the address which Mr.
Ryland had so kindly read to them, especially addressed
to himself and family. The address had touched hint
more than anything had ever done. Most of those pre
seat knew that the liolyoake family had been resident in
Kinver between 30 and 40 years. He himself was born
in Kinver, partially educated there, and after his edu-
cation was completed he commenced to practise there a
practice which he bad chosen in his native place. 11°
was glad to say he had no reason to regret his choice
He bed everywhere been met with courtesy, kindnes.
and good feeling, whenever he had been called upon to
exercise his professional calling. They would all know
how his father before him had been in the habit of ex r-
rising his profeooionsl judgment, and no doubt the
would all agree with him when he said it was a difficul:
thing for a son to follow in his footsteps to have such a
handsome testimonial presented to him. He could ae
sure them he was very grateful and thankful to every one
for the kindness of the inhabitants of Kinver and the
surrounding neighbonthood, for having thought so much
of his family as to pretent him with the testimonial. It
would be his endeavour to try to please anyone in his
professional calling, and he should try to exercise what
little skill he possessed for the benefit of any person
lie was sure they would excuse him for not making a
more lengthy speech, except than to again thank them
one and ail for the kindness they had showed himself '
and family, and also thanking the committee for the kind
manner in which they had got up the testimonial.
Mr. Thomas Holvoake, Ben., said he thought they all
knew him sufficiently well to know that he was not a
speaker, but as the testimonial presented to his son had
fallen on him unexpectedly he would say a few words
He was sure be himself and his family had since his resi-
dence in Kinser received a great deal of kindness from
the inhabitants. It was just 32 years that day since he
commenced his professional career among them. During
that time he might say he had received universal kind-
ness. He had endeavoured daring the whole of his
career to do the most good he possibly could, and in the
place where so mach kindness and respect had been
ahown him he hoped to end his days
Mr. Bmlock, of Handsworth, next rose and said he
was very much pleased to think they had called upon him
to speak that day. He was exceedingly sorry his wife
could not he present. but she met with an accident last
Sat tirday, and in conseont nee was Unable to leave home;
and he again thanked them for mentioning his name.
The Rev. W. H. Hodgson eyicar), Mr. T. Y. Lee, and
Mr. B. Williams also addressed those present.
The following is the iie.eript..in on the testimonial,
which wee read hy the s, eretaly :—" This service was
presented to Mr. 1 homes Holyoake, jun., M.R.C.S. and
on his marriage, by 166 subscribers, se a token
f the respect and esteem ill which he and his family are
held.—Kinver, January Ist. 1872."
The proceedings were terminated with a vote of thanks
to the Committee, and the National Anthem.
The service was manufactured hy Messrs. Elkington
and Co., and the tray was supplied by Messrs. McCollum
and Hodson. j ipanners, of Eummer-row, Birmingham.
The room was very nicely decorated, and great credit is
due to the ladies who took such pains to beautify the
school-room.