330 OPENING OF THE ESSEX MUSEUM, ETC.
He concluded by moving "that the best thanks of the meeting be given to
the Countess of Warwick for her attendance and for the admirable Address
which she had delivered." (Loud applause.)
Councillor W. Crow, on behalf of the West Ham Town Council,
seconded the resolution, and also referred to Lady Warwick's interest in the
important question of education. He was rather afraid that she would have
to make some allowance for the West Ham Town Council. The Council
had, however, done very useful work, and they were doubly pleased to know
that that work had received the kindly notice of her Ladyship.
The Countess replied that she was very grateful to them, for it had
afforded her a great pleasure to come among them. On future occasions she
hoped not to be forgotten by West Ham people, because she knew what an
active part they took in educational matters, In spite of all Councillor Crow
had said, she sat down with a glorified idea of the Town Council of West
Ham. (Loud applause.)
Alderman Bethell then moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Passmore
Edwards, and referred to the many gifts which that gentleman had made to
West Ham from time to time. Not long ago, said Alderman Bethell, he had
offered to erect a library in the southern portion of the borough, but the
burgesses could not see their way clear to accept the offer. He (the speaker)
was pleased to say that Mr. Passmore Edwards was still willing to carry out
his pledge on condition that the burgesses would support the library. A
slight increase in the library rate would do it, and he hoped that West Ham
would yet be able to accept the offer. He felt sure he was only expressing
the wishes of them all when he hoped that Mr. Passmore Edwards would live
long to continue the good work he had in hand.
Councillor Weaver-Smith seconded the resolution, and expressed the
hope that the burgesses would rise to the occasion and accept the offer of
Mr. Passmore Edwards.
The vote of thanks was carried amid much applause.
Mr. Passmore Edwards said he might say that had he known that they
would have had such a brilliant speech from Lady Warwick, he would have
set to work to make a better speech than he had done. (Laughter and
applause.) He had no objection to being left behind, but he refused to be
eclipsed. (Applause.) He could only say, in answer to their kind vote of
thanks, that the borough had been good to him. Some five or six years ago
when unknown amongst them he was asked to open the Canning Town
Library, and then the new wing of the hospital, and again was presented with
the freedom of the borough in a magnificent silver casket. Since then he had
done a little for West and East Ham. There were five institutions he had
assisted to work in the district, and probably there would be two more.
(Hear, hear.) Thus West Ham would have what he stated at one time of
Cornwall, seven sisters ot stone. He felt that they were more entitled to his
thanks than he to theirs ; and he would promise with Lady Warwick, that he
would occasionally come and give his services to his dear old friends in West
Ham. (Applause.)