As sven as it became known that Mr. 'T. Gardner, 0.M.G., was about to leave this port for Amoy our community determined that steps should be at once taken tu show the great esteem in which he is held here by all classes, The necessary committee was immediately appointed, and 'a subscription list sent round. No' one was allowed to give more than Tls. 5, and the fact that in afew days, from of limited number of residents, T's. 260 was contributed by 56 gentlemen shows how highly popular ow> Consul Tt was resulved to present him with a piece of late and with an address un the eve of his departure, which presentation was made in the Council Room of the Municipal Buildings at 6.30 p.m. to-night.
jete were upwards of forty of the subscribers present, and the proceedings were of the most hearty character. The Rev. Griffith John, D.D., was requested to take the chair, and spoke as follows Gentlemen, the object of this meeting, as you are aware, is to present Mr, Gardner with an address on his departure from Hankow. The address has been drawn up by the Committee appointed for that purpose, and the honour of making the presentation has been conferred on me. This may be ascribed, I suppose, to the fact that Lam the oldest British resident in_ this Eendner's friends. Te would be easy to lace, and one of the very oldest of Mr.
make a long speech on this occasion, but it is hardly necessary. The address itself expresses, in a few words, the sentiments cherished by us all with regard to Mr. Gardner personally, and the signal services he has rendered to' this community, both as a private friend and a public officer. There is one point, however, to which I would like to make special reference, namely, to the splendid service rendered to this community by Mr, Gantner during the late disturbances. Ido not think that we realised it at the time; I do not think that we fully appreciate even now the greatness of the danger to which we were exposed during the crisis. The riots of 1891 have passed into history, but it will be a long time before some of us can forget those weary and anxious days. It will be a long time also before we can forget the deep interest. shown by Mr. Gardner in the welfare of the foreign re-idants in these parts, and his earnest efforts on their behalf. Tt is my firm conviction that matters would have reached a disastrous climax had it not been for the sleepless watchfulness, the untiring energy, and the great tact and ability displayed by Mr. Gardner during those eventful months, As a missionary T should like to make special mention of the great sympathy and kindness shown by Mr. Gardner to many of my brothers and sisters in the peculiarly trying circumstances in which they were placed at the time, both here and elsewhere. Mr. Gardner has proved himself to be the friend of all, and we are all glad to avail ourselves of this opportunity to express to him our deep sense of obligation. 'Then addressing Mr. Gardner he said: "Dear Mr. Gardner, in the name of the Committee, and on' behalf of your many friends in this community, I present you with this address, and beg that you will accept it asa token of our sincere' esteem and affection."
The address which was printed on satin and handsomely mounted in a silver frame read C.T. Gansen, Esq.
H.B.M.'s Consul, Banke Sre.—It is with much regret that we the residents of Hankow have received the announcement of your approaching departure from amongst us.
You live been mere or less closely connected with the Port since 1871, and during the trade of the place, and/all matters that this period you have taken groat interest in concern the welfare of its residents.
Duriog the late disturbances in your Con: sular district, we were placed in circamgtances of imminent danger, and it was mainly owing to your prompt an energetic action that the safety of the community was maintained, and that serious complications were averted.
We have known you not only as H.B.M.'s Consul, but as a true friend, and a warm sympathise with us in all our sports and recreation.
We desire to record the sense of loss we suffer in the departure of Mrs. and Miss Gardner, and we assure you that in leaving Hankow you carry with you our best wishes for the health and prosperity of yourself, Mrs. and Miss Gardner, In conclusion, as a token of our esteem and regard, we beg that you will accept a piece of plate from us as a souvenir.
We are, Sir, Your sincere friends, 56 names.
Tt was with manifest emotion that Mr. Gardner rose up to reply. He said:—Dr. Griffith John and friends, I cannot but feel, on this occasion, that you are kind and generous to me far beyond anything I deserve. In leaving you I am, more conscious of nian defects than any merit. I have had a very deep interest in Hankow, and all its affairs, and the only merit I can lay claim to is that I have endeavoured to do my duty; and not always to my own satisfaction by any means, for I am only too well aware of many faults. Still, it has been a great satisfaction to me to know that when doing my duty to the best of my ability, whether wisely and well or otherwise, I could always depend on the support, and the xympathy of my fellow-countrymen, and that the members of the various Christian nations. would regard my efforts with appreciation. We have had many happy times in Ha kow, and we shall leave behind us very many dear friends. I do not know if ey: T was in any place before where privileged with the friendship of so many It is specially gratifying to me that my wife and daughter are associated with me in this address. I may be allowed to say that they have both done their utmost, not only to assist me, even sacrificing self for my sake, but to befriend all, and to cultivate friend-lines with all (applause). They also are leaving many friends behind them here, some of whom we hope to be permitted to meet again in England and some with whom we can only have intercourse by letter. I thank you all for your overnervous kindness to us during the eight years T have been Consul here, for your cordiality*to me as a personal friend, and for the hearty sympathy T could always rely upon. On' such an occasion one cannot help being deeply moved, and Ido not pretend to any eloquence at any time, nor is it needed. "In this as in all other respects you must please make allowances for me (loud applause).
Led on by Mr. Alex, Price the meeting sprang to its feet and gave three hearty rounds of "Hip, hip, hurrah" for Mr. Gardner, with an extra round for Mrs. and Miss Gardner, which brought the proceedings to a close.
The piece of plate," namely a silver salver, and a silver inkstand are being made in Kiukiang. The time has been too short to get them ready so they must follow, but no such token is required to show that when Consul, Mrs., and Miss Gardner leave by the s, Nywudin on Monday evening they carry with them the respect, the affection, and the earnest good wishes of this community.
Hankow, 8th April.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.