Village Life
PERPETIAL SOCIETY
The presentation was made on Wednesday evening last, and a large number of the members of the society were present at the headquarters The Old Sportsman,” where ■ the pleasing ceremony took place. Mr. Dodge on his arrival was cordially received, and numerous were the congratulations for the event of Saturday. After the transaction of the formal business, Mr. William Hawes, the Secretary, rose to make the presentation. He said he had been requested by the members to undertake on their behalf a duty of a very pleasant nature, and the pleasure which he felt in carrying out this task was only equalled by the readiness with which the members had been delighted to promote it. He did not think there could be a more appropriate time to afford to their President a mark of recognition of the honour he had done the Society in presiding over its affairs, and they felt that the present time was the one when they could indulge in grateful recollections of their President and his work, and whom, as pleasant anticipation of the interesting event on Saturday, they wished to offer him a little memento of their fellowship and goodwill (applause). He (Mr. Hawes) had, on behalf of the Society, to ask Mr. Dodge’s acceptance of the liquor stand, which they hoped would convey to him not only their hearty congratulations upon his forthcoming marriage, but also the best wishes for his future happiness and prosperity (applause) The members were grateful to their President for the willing help he had always given them and for his good counsel and advice. They realised that he had the welfare of the Society at heart, and they had therefore taken this opportunity of asking him to accept this little memento their esteemed regard (applause). The high respect in which he was held by all the members was not indicated solely by the mere monetary value of the gift; but though their tribute was small and of lowly value, he (Mr. Hawes) could give him the assurance that it was accompanied by feelings of right goodwill (applause). The name of Dodge had long been connected with this and the old society, in fact it was a name which had always been first in anything appertaining to the welfare of the village. (Hear, hear.) It was with many happy memories that they looked back upon the festival days of the old club over which Mr. Benjamin Dodge presided for over 40 years,— (loud applause)—and it seemed only due to his name that they should offer a few words of admiration for that venerable and esteemed gentleman. He (Mr. Hawes) had had many opportunities of becoming acquainted with Mr. Benjamin Dodge’s unassuming and kindly acts of charity and benevolence amongst the aged poor, and even now, with the great age of 90 years upon his shoulders, he took a deep interest in the progress of their Society (hear, hear). In connection with the inauguration of the new Society, very pleasing incident occurred to his mind. The Club was formed on the permanent basis, as its name implied, and when their President was acquainted of this fact,(he immediately replied with a letter of sterling and practical encouragement, announcing that he would double his subscriptions (loud applause). But that was only one of a multitude of generous acts which were attached to the history of Mr. Wm. Dodge’s presidency. The members desired to express their feelings of gratitude to their presi; dent, and he (Mr. Hawes) had also to convey to him the hope of the members that in the comfort of his married life he would be able to devote his great abilities to the conduct their Society, as he had done since it began its career (hear, hear). They hoped that he would long continue to occupy the presidential chair, and they wished him to accept this little souvenir of the past as being accompanied by their hearty congratulations upon the approaching event. Their fervent hopes and wishes were that a life of unclouded happiness and joy was in store for the two hearts that were shortly to be joined together in holy matrimony, (loud applause.)— Mr. William Dodge made a most suitable reply, thanking the members for the handsome present. He said of all ‘the presents which he had received, he would most highly prize this one. He added that he hoped to continue to hold the presidency of this Society for some years, and he looked forward to the day when the interest on their invested capital would not only meet the sick pay but also allow something for old age (applause.)
Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press – Saturday 16 December 1893
