Award of the Golden Cross of Merit to Mayor Valentin Haller

Austrian Monarchy.

Meran, 4 Oct. Following the solemn church service and Te Deum held today on the occasion of the name day of His Majesty our Emperor, attended by all imperial-royal authorities, the magistrate, the teaching staff of the upper gymnasium, etc., they proceeded to the council hall of the honorable magistrate, where the solemn presentation of the Golden Cross of Merit by the District Captain to the Mayor of the town of Meran, Valentin Haller, took place. The hall was very tastefully decorated and filled with attendees and friends of the deserving man. Among the foreign dignitaries, one also noted the Royal Prussian envoy to the Bavarian court, who attended the ceremony adorned with his decorations, among which was that of the Iron Crown. District Captain Kopp then set forth in a forceful speech the merits of the Mayor, who has served with distinction for 28 years, and subsequently pinned the decoration to the chest of the honored gentleman. This solemn act was marked by the band of the town Schützen corps, which had assembled in front of the municipal building, with the sounds of the imperial anthem. The Mayor then delivered a warm, heartfelt address in reply, in which his noble, loyal disposition was admired just as much as his modesty amidst so many merits. At noon, the District Captain hosted a grand banquet at his residence in honor of the festive day. (Schützenztg.)