After acknowledging the mihis of the various speakers, and thanking the donors for their gift, the guest of honour spoke as follows in English: […]

I prefer to paint in oil

One man has the ascendant over another.

Evidently he did not mean to be a mere figurehead, but to carry on the old tradition of Wilsthorpe's; and that was considered to be a good thing in itself and an augury for future prosperity.