The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1868-08-18 00:00:00

THZ PRLSENTATION

took place on Saturday evening list, at tho Townball.
Blandford. About GO gentlemen were present, and
their numbers would no doubt have been considerably
augmented had it been more generally known that the
testimonial was then to be made. The Right Hon.
Lord Portmen presided. On entering the room Mr.
Fiber WIWI loudly cheered, and all present evinced the
greatest interest in the proceedings.
Lord Portman said: Gentlemen —You have been kind
enough to desire use to express in your name your feel-
ings of respect and esteem to nor venerable and
excellent friend who rite near me, and I do so with very
great pleasure. It is to me a new position to fill, for
though I have been called upon to act as chairman on
almost every public occasion, it has not before fallen to
my lotto act as such at a presentation of • testimonial.
I am not therefore well up in soft sayings, and but
little versed in polite phrases. But I believe, gentle-
men, you will agree with use that on the present occa-
sion I shall beat carry out your views if I proceed at
once, an plain language, to express my own feelings on
the subject. If I had been called upon to present
merely a testimonial, or • writing which one man could
sliew to another, giving a flattering description of him-
self, I should certainly have declined, and I am quite
sure that such • testimonial would have been quite as
far from your thoughts and feelings as my own. As I
understand your wish this presentatior in your name,
and not in your name only but in the name of all who
have affixed their signatures to it, is to be looked upon
as • thatik-ottering to Mr. Fisher for his past services—
(hear, hear). I recollect, and some few of you who are
present mill recollect when the New l'oor Law wes first
established. Mr. Fisher was the first guardian you
elected, and from that time he has been the guardian
you have annually chosen for this parish. But Mr.
Fisher has not only honourably filled the office of
guardian, bet as vice-chairman of the board he has very
ably assisted the chairman in carrying out the law.
Whilst he has ever been anxious to afford to the poor
honest man every protection and relief which tho law
allowed, he his at the same time done all in his power
to protect the interests of the ratepayer, by not allowing
out-door relief to the indolent and drunken man, reduoed
topoverty by hisown miscouduct, but on the other hand
has insisted that he should become an inmate of the
boase—(loud cheers). Some of you will remember that
Mr. elapcott was the first vice-chairman of the Blandford
Board under the new Poor Law, and when
be gave it up it became a question who should
be our vice-chairman. So evenly divided was the voting ,
that it became my duty, as chairman, to give the casting ,
vote. Now there is not a more unpleasant duty for a
chairman than to be called upon to give a casting vote.
It is felt so by the speaker of the House of Commons,
but the casting vote which I then gave in favour of Mr.
Fisher is proved to have been a correct one by the result
—(cheers). It is to use a great pleasure that, having been
the promoter of Mr. Fisher's election, after so many
years I should have the duty, rather I would say the
happiness, of being called upon in your name to acknow-
ledge his long and honourable fulfilment of the duties
of his office—(applause). And it is still • greater
pleasure and satisfaction in peeing not only Mr. Fisher
present, but his co-temporary, Mr. Farquharson. Ills
pleasant to pee two men going on together, I will not
say in couples, but hand-in-hand for so many years.
There is one other view in whioh • presentation of
this kind may be taken, and it is one of the greatest im-
portance. It is well that the young men of England
should have oonvincing proofs that the English people
are grateful for public service, and that the upright un-
wavering discharge of such duties are sure eventually tc
be acknowledged. Mr. Fisher (pointing to the testi-
...6,f about to be presented) will bend that down to
his son and their posterity, and show that be had net to
go out of the beaten path of duty to gain such a pledge
of esteem as Fain now about to read. Addresing
Mr. Fisher, his lordship concluded by saying—we desire
to present this to you with all our hearts as • public
acknowledgment of our appreciation of you epnst services.
Long may you be spored to look beck with joyous feel.
logs on the prooeedinp of this day —(loud applause.)
His Lordship then real a copy of the sddross, the
original of which was written on parchment in old
English text, with illuminations, and surrounded by a
handsome border :

To Malachi Fisher, Vico-chairman of tbortlandlord Board of
Guardians.

"We. the underaigned elected and ex-ollcio members of
the presort Ward of Guardian, of the flaudford Union, ex-
guardians •nd others, being mtepaters of the mid union,
impressed with • deep sensed gratitude for the long-continual
service you have rendered as Vice-chairman of the Board, and
the attention you have given to every natter connected net h
the local administration of the poor law beg you to accept this
our public &arrow kdgment of Ure valuible aid you have thus
afforded to those who have had to act with you officially, and
the watchful vigilance you haveever shown over the interests
of the ratetayers of the union. It Is no small mums of
graumes.iou Co us tints-our advanced ago stUl nods you ready
and able to continuo that attendance which dated Its com-
mencement from the era altUng of the Board as then con-
etituted under the new poor taw, thus affording to
Its members all the results of an experience which has been
gained by long and prsetical &connection with Its business.
o Whilst we humbly trust that it nay pima God to preserve
you in the health and strength which will permit the con-
tinuarree of your connection with us, we can moat truly assure
you that whenever the time shall arrive, at which you may
foci it right to reek retirement from all public duty, you Is ill
carry with you. measure of respect and esteem from all with
vrhom you have acted, or who have been in any way familiar
with thls portion of your public life, of which the present ex-
pression of our gratitude and hearty good will Ii but a faint
9"' We W
are, Sir, with every feeling of affectionate respect,
yours sincerely..

The address vras signed by about 300 of the principal
residents of the district, and included the following
gentlemen's ormes :—The Rev. IL Farquharson (chair-
man of the Board of Guardians), J. J. Farquharson,
Req., Lord S. Godolphin Osborne. the Lord Portman,
IL S. Bower, Esq., F. T. Johns, EN. (Mayor of Bland-
ford), Rev. J. R. Quirk, Rev. B. Gray, Rev. E. L
Stuart, W. C. Finchain, 569.' Am., lie. Alter reading
the address, his lordship said: Before I sit down allow
me, Mr. Fisher, to wish you every happiness and comfort
in this life, and everlasting joy and felicity in the life to
come —(applaose).
The Rev. It. Farquharson said it was a rule that all
propositions should ho seconded. It gave him very
great pleasure to endorse all that Lord Portman had
said of their excellent friend Mr. Fisher. As chairman
of the Board of Guardians, he bad experienced the very
able assistance which Kr. Tuber, from his long
acquaintance with the routine of the poor law, could
give him, and he had ever worked with him with the
greatest pleasure. They had, as guardians, ever felt
that however imperfect they might be—and all things
human were imperfect—that when Mr. Fisher was
present they had no fear of erring in their law, and It
was a source of great satisfaction that the poor law
commissioners never had occasion to end any fault with
them as guardians—(hear, hear). He did not Utile
credit to himself for that, but believed it was chiefly ta
be attributed to the able courned and advice of Mr.
Fisher, who had made himself thoroughly acquainted
with all that related to the administration of the poor
law—(applause).
The Bev. Lord EL G. Osborne (who was well received,
but whose remarks were indistinctly heard, his lordship
being apparently in but feeble health) was understood
to my that at the wig of the committee and in the
name of the subscribers, be begged to present for Mr.
Fisher's acceptance a piece of plate which might remain
in hie family as proof of the great esteem in which
they held him. Lord Portman had pointed out the

difference between • tribute of esteem and • thank-
efferielt- It might be coilidered both of these, but be
looked upon the pine of plate as • local expression of
acknowledgment for services rendered, and than Mr.
Fisher bad done his duty to his country. Addressing
Mr. Fisher, his lordship said : It is now my duty to
present to you, air, in the name of the subscribers, this
pieces of plate, and though / cannot speak of having
known you for so long • time as Lord Portman, yet it
Is now about a quarter of • °cattily lino wefint met at
the Board of Guardians for this union. I have no doubt
you found me a disagreeable guardian then— (laughter)
—but be that 114 it may, this I can truly affirm, that we
have never found one who took Bach noting to be
thoroughly acquainted with and master the Acts of
Parliament relating to the poor as yourself, and I have
ever found, and my brother guardians also, that you
gave us advice worth more to us than anything we can
present to you. Though at times your judgment might
not coincide with our views, yet you had the manliness
to express your opinion in • kind w.y with firmness,
neither wishing or fearing to offend, nor courting the
smile, of eng one—(ho4r. hear, and cheers). Permit me
to say. I trust your son and the rest of your family
will follow in that honest and upright course of life
of which you have set them the example. There are
many wayelo( gaining testimonials, and it is easy to win
popular applause, but how few are there who gain
them in old age. Too often testimonials obtained afford
any but pleasing reflections to the possessor se he looks
upon them in old age. They only remind him that he
was not deserving of them—that what he did for the
public good was not done with • pure motive, but rather
to satisfy his own undo and ambition. Such, sir, will
not be your case. You have sat week after week at the
board, studying the various changes of the law, and
giving to your brother guardians the benefit of your
matured experience. I do trust you may be spored
many yearn, and that this !pointing to the epergne)
may serve to call to mind that it is a grateful gift of us
all to you for your long continued kindness and ex-
cellent advice. It mot, I know, oftenhave been a heavy
task to you, as vioe-chairrnan, to do your duty at your
time of life, but what you have done has been most
willingly performed, Lodes gratefully accepted, as proof
of your earnest desire to benefit your fellow man. and I
believe that in yoer long tours, of public duty you
have never justly made • fur, and, what is better still,
never justly lost • fliend— (applause).
Mr. H. Fookes said he was requested by the com-
mittee to second the remarks of the noble lord. With
those remarks he perfectly agreed, for no man could
have more readily or heartily given up his time or
devoted greater attention to the question of the Poor
Laws than Mr. Fisher—(hear. hear). It. only apoke as
&ratepayer. and most heartily thanks Mr. Fisher, in
the name of the ratepayers the district, for the very
kind ir.anner in which he had supported every chairman.
They hail ever received the best advice and counsel
from him, and if it ever happened that Mr. Fisher was ,
not quite prepared to answer • question, the hand went
into the pocket and brought out the little book—
(laughter) and then all was made plain. He (Mr.
Fookes) was sure that every ratepayer would join with
him in expressing • hope that Mr. Fisher would continue
his services as long as he was able with comfort to
himself, and when be could no longer assist them, he
would have the happiness of looking back on his past
, life with the feeling that ho had done his duty—
(applause).
J. J. Farquharson, Esq., who was greeted with loud
cheers, said: I hope I shall not be thought wrong is
making • few remarks—(cheers). I cannot but rise to
say that I most heartily concur in all that has been
, said by the preceding speakers respecting Mr. Fisher.
lain sure that no man ever went into aboard-room with
, • greater desire to do his duty than Mr. Fisher. Lord
Portman lon been pleased to say that we ate all three
in the same race, bet I congratulate Mr. Fisher that he
has the advantage of me in that he can get along
better. I heartily wish you (Mr. Fisher) may, as long
; as God may seem fit to sears your life be able to
act as vice-chairman to the Board of Guardians. We
! have at tines acted together, and when we have been
; in any difficulty we have looked to you to set as right,
and I trust you may yet do the same again, and that we
shall have the benefit of your advioe and experience—
(cheers).
I The present, which accompanied the testimonial, eon-
, misted of • very handsome epergne, or silver °entre-pie°e
for the table, composed of three finely modelled classic
fieures, supporting a silver basket of lattice work,
enriched with roses, convolvedus, &a, for a cut glass
dish, the whole standing on a massive triangular
silver base, with richly /chased shields for arms and in.
scriptions, aid r,sting on a plateau. It bore the follow-
' int inscription :

" Pre.ente,l tit Mr. Malachi Fkher, as vice-chairman of the
Blandf.,rd Board LlGuardi.to., t,wether with an edam,* from
the ratepa3cre of the illandfonl Union, on the 15th Aug.t,

The epergne, which was of the value of between £7O
and 1:811, was furnished by the Goldsmith's Alliance
Company, London (late A. B. Savory & Sons).
Mr. Fisher, in acknowledgment, said: Lord Portman,
and gentleman,—l rise with overpowering feelings of
gratidude to return you my sincere thanks for the very
kind expression of your feelings towards me, and I not
only thank you for this handsome present, but more
especially for the kind way in which it has been
given. The cxprcosion of your esteem end favour
has not been all at once, for year by year when I have
been elected as guardian for this parish, it has proved
to me that I lived in your esteem, and this has been to
me a stimulus to greater exertion, and to seek to qualify
myself as well as I could to discharge illy duty. Can I
at my lifetime, in accepting that piece of phite, promise
that! will continuemy servioesto you? I can only say that
I will do seas long as loan - (loud cheers). And after this
expression of your goodwill and kindness I think you
have a right to expect this of me— (" no, no.") What
hive I done to deserve this! I have only done my
duty, and in the discharge of that duty! have been
greatly assisted by your kindness and co-operation, and
probably the reason why I enjoyed these was because
I endeavoured to do icy duty. Itefereace has been
made to my long connection with this office. My !rat
acquaintance with the operations of the poor-laws was
to hold office under what was then known as the
"Gilbert Act;" and to give you some idea of the state
of things then I may mention that the total expense to
this parish in one year was no leas than £2,500. The
grandfather of thwiate Mr. Okeden, who was one of the
commissioners appointed to enquire into the working of
that Act, told me that the operation of the poor law
as it was then enforced was so bad that in the course of
• few years, if no change was made, the whole of the
land would be mortgaged to support the poor. However
imperfect the present law may be in some particulars I
think you will agree with me it is a great improvement
on the old one. Mr. Fisher then referred to the opera-
tion of the new poor law, and said that although some
of the parishes under the Union Chargeability Bill were
not so heavily burdened as others, yet in tinie all would
be nearly alike, and he therefore urged upon all
guardians regularly to attend the meetings of the
Board, reminding them they were chosen, not simply to
represent their rown parishes but the whole union.
Mr. Fisher concluded by saying: I wish heartily to
thank you for the kindness which you have shown me
this day. When I look at this pion of plate, and read
tho accompanying address, I shall always be
moves' to feelings of gratitude, and I trust also that
not only my owa son but others will see, by what I have
received, that there Is no men in till. country who
endeavours to fulfil his duty to the public, bat may
justly expect to meet with some acknowledgment of
his services. Gentlemen, I again most sincerely thank
every one present and all others who have testified their
goodwill towards me, and I wish you all every
happiness—(applause).
The proceedings then terminated.