JAMES Rutherford was one of Bathurst's pioneers. He established Cobb and Co in Bathurst after arriving in 1862 and setting up a mammoth organisation of passenger and mail coaches from New South Wales all the way up into Queensland.
Mr Rutherford traversed through many years of a hard and rough life and was very civic-minded.
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On January 14, 1896, a large number of representative citizens assembled in the large room of Mr Hurley's Royal Hotel for the purpose of expressing, in a public manner, their satisfaction for James Rutherford's return to Bathurst. He had been on a trip to the old country in search of his health.
Some of those present were his Worship, the Mayor, Alderman W.P. Bassett; Aldermen F. Halliday, E.T. Webb, F. Crago, W. Tremain, Hurst, Ryan; Rev. Father Byrne (St. Stanislaus' College); Drs Machattie, Kirkland and Brooke Moore and others.
The mayor presided and referred to the representative character of the gathering, which had been hurriedly called together, having only been mooted the previous day.
Bishop Byrne had to send his apologies, saying there were few men, if any, to whom Bathurst and the Western District owed more than to Mr Rutherford. The police magistrate had also sent an apology for his absence - pressing official duty had prevented his attendance.
He mentioned that Mr Rutherford had only consented to the arrangement on condition that there should be no formality about it.
Several gentlemen were there to speak on behalf of the citizens named as Hon. E. Webb, Mr John Meagher, Mr A.G. Thompson, Dr Machattie and Mr Paul. Hon. E. Webb said he had not anticipated being called upon to speak, but at the same time it afforded him great pleasure to say a few words in reference to his friend James Rutherford.
Mr Webb remembered when Mr Rutherford came to Bathurst. Mr Rutherford had worked hard for the hospital, devoting a great deal of time and attention to that institution.
Mr A.G. Thompson, president of the Progress Association, was sure that if publicity had been given to the affair, all the city would have attended to take part in the welcome. He offered his sincere congratulations to Mr Rutherford on his restoration to health and his return to Bathurst. They had daily missed his presence from the street and every citizen would join in now welcoming him back to the city of his adoption.
Dr Machattie said he could not go back in memory so far as Mr Webb, but during his lifetime he had found the name of James Rutherford connected with every important movement in Bathurst. He had been prominently identified with every public matter during his recollection of 30 years. He had been most energetic as president of the School of Arts, and as president of the hospital, everyone knew what he had done in the interests of that institution.
As for beautifying Bathurst by the establishment of Machattie Park, Mr Rutherford had started the ball rolling by giving a subscription of 100 gold sovereigns. Bathurst could ill-afford to lose Mr Rutherford, if only for a short spell in Europe, although they did not begrudge him his recent trip.
Mr Rutherford replied he felt pleased to inform them that he was now in first-class health. He thanked them for their recognition of his efforts on behalf of Bathurst and its institutions and assured them he would have done the same for any other town.
The toast of "Mr Rutherford's renewed health and long life" was then given by the chairman and drunk in bumpers of champagne, the company singing "For he's a jolly good fellow".
Mr Rutherford, on rising to reply, was received with loud and continued cheering.
The final toast was received with favour of James Rutherford, after which the mayor, having briefly replied the proceedings, closed.
