BANQUET TO MR S. S. REVANS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1437, 23 January 1885, Page 2

BANQUET TO MR S. S. REVANS.

The large attendance at the banquet given to Mr Revans at the Commercial Hotel last evening, on the eve of his departure from the district, testified to the general esteem in which that gentleman is held. The gathering, in addition to being a large one, was thoroughly representative, and we have seldom seen more genuine enthusiasm displayed on any similar occasion. The catering reflected the very highest credit upon Mr Quill, and his efforts earned him well deserved expressions of satisfaction. The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Friedlandor), supported on his right by the guest of the evening and Mr Thomas Bullock, J.P., and on his left by Mr Enabling (the Inspector of the Bank of Hew Zealand) and Mr Joseph Ward. The ex-Mayor (Mr D. Williamson, J P.) filled the vice chair, and the company included nearly all the leading commercial and agricultural gentlemen of the district. Letters of apology for non-attendance were read from Messrs Holmes, Hardy Coster, MaiuWaring, Dowding, Clayton and Thomas, Ample justice having been done to the good things provided, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts which were duly honored.

The Vice-Chairman proposed “ Our Legislature, the two Houses of Parliament.” He congratulated. the town of As .burton upon having secured an eminently efficient representative iu the lower House.' He was sorry that air VValker was unable to be present, but he would couple the torst with the name of another gentleman well known in politi cal circles —Mr Purnell. Mr Purnell said that he cordially reechoed the wish expressed by Mr Williamson that one of their representatives had been present, as doubtless either Mr Walker or Mr Grigg could have spoken with more fervor and with more appropriateness than he could, upon the particular institutions to which Mr Williamson had referred. Ashburton certainly had no cause to be ashamed of its representatives, but in view of the new and important questions which must shortly occupy the attention of their legislature, he hoped that at next general election even increased [interest would be displayed in the choice of representatives. The Government had recently developed a foreign policy, a matter of very grave importance to the inhabitants of this colony. Neither New Zealand nor Australia could stand quietly by and see other nations annex the adjacent islands. A section of the colonial* press had affirmed that Britain had no pre-emptive right to the islands of the Pacific. But he contended that they had a pre-emptive right to those islands. It was a British navigator who had discovered them, British missionaries had partially civil : sed them, aud British commerce had pioneered their trade. They, therefore, had a - pre-emptive right, and the very instinct of self-preservation should induce them to assert it at the present crisis. He trusted the Government would maintain the attitude they had assumed, and that they would receive the cordial and hearty support of the House and the country. The relation of the colony to the mother country was another important question which would shortly demand the attention of their legislators. Mr J. Ward proposed “The County 'ouncil,” coupling the names of Messrs Bullock and H.Friadlandar with the toast. Mr Bullock, in briefly acknowledging the compliment, referred to the importance of the traffic bridge, the construction of which, thanks to the efforts of the local bodies and the ex-M!ayor (Mr Williamson), would shortly be undertaken. Mr Friedlander said they heard a very great deal in commendation of the works effected by the County Council, but there the outward indications of appreciation ended. He thought the early Councillors —of whom ho was not one—those who initiated their water scheme, were entitled to some more tangible recognition of their great public services. Dr Leahy proposed “ The Borough Council,” whose public record, he submitted was nothing inferior to that of the much-extolled County Council. They had provided footpaths, the Alford Forest road, a road to the Hospital—(laughter)— and many other, much-needed conveniences, and the Mayor had recently promised them a swimming bath, in reference to which he would like to remind His Worship that the present bathing season was rapidly passing. He congratulated the Council upon the resumption of amicable relations with the Fire Brigade —(laughter)—and coupled the toast with the names of the Mayor and the Councillors present. The Chairman (the Mayor) said that Dr Leahy had omitted to enumerate one very important improvement effected by the Council—the road to the Cemetery. [Dr Leahy—That was before my time—loud laughter ] The Mayor briefly referred to the works and propoaa's of the Council. Crs J. Orr, A. Orr, R. Bird, S. Nelson, and G. Jameson also acknowledged the toast.

The Chairman proposed “ The health of our guest, Mr S. S. Revana.” He said that he wished very much that the toast, the health of their old and much esteemed friend, had fallen into more capable hands, as he realised his own inadequacy for the duty. During Mr Revahs’s six years’ residence amongst them he had shown himself to be a gentleman in every way qualified to fill the important position with which he had been entrusted, but it was not in that capacity alone that he had won the sincere regard and esteem of a large circle of friends. Their guest had always been ready to do anything or everything calculated to advance the interests and well-being of the district. He had associated himself with their local industries, and had worked arduously and judiciously for their advancement ; any undertaking having for its object the good of the district had received his cheerful

and disinterested support; and he (the

Chairman) was sure that he was only reechoing the sentiments of Mr Revans’s many friends when he stated that his departure was regarded as calamity to the town and the district, and would be a matter for very sincere and general regret, He (the Chairman) deplored that the exigencies of the banking business demanded these occasional changes, but that unfortunately was a matter beyond their control and to which they must submit He asked them to drink the health of their guest with all the honors, and to wish him a very large measure of success in his new sphere of action. (Loud and prolonged cheers.)

The toast was drunk with musical honors, and was followed by repeated cheers for Mr Kevans. Mr Revans said ha thanked his friends sincerely for the kindness they had ex-

tended towards him. As he looked around the table and saw so many friends with whom he had been associated, socially and commercially, in Ashburton, he could but feel great regret at severing his connection with a district in which bis sojourn had been so pleasant. The Mayor had kindly referred to what he (the speaker) had been able to do for the district, but he could not claim to have done anything more than his duty. If the execution of that duty had awakened kindly feeling, the knowledge would be a source of very great and lasting gratification to him. He could not but feel that many of the flattering things said of him were really evoked by the character of the important institution to which he belonged ; an institution which bad always shown itself ready la extend a helping hand towards any struggling do serving enterpiiae- Ho regretted that he was not an orator; be could but

poorly express what he felt oa the occasion, but he deeply thanked them for their kindne o, which he would remember with pride at;d gratitude wherever he might be situated. (Loud cheers.) Mr Purnell proposed “ The Mercantile and Banking interests.” He said the two interests were inseparable, and their representatives in New Zealand reflected the greatest credit upon the colony. He spoke hopefully of the speedy removalof the pn sent depression, and the ultimate expansion of Ashburton and the success of its local industries.

Messrs John Drr, McGowan, Tribe, and Jameson appropriately responded. * Mr Bullock proposed—“ The Agricul- 1 tural and Pastoral interests,” coupled with the names of Mr D. H. Brown H. H. Secretan, and Mr M. Friedlandor. Mr D. H. Brown said that one of the great bug-bears to New Zealand farmers had been the Indian wheat. He, however, had no fear of it supplanting their own cereal : it was of too harsh a character to obtain a largo degree of favor with English millers. But New Zealand wheat would not establish itself as a favorite until some very salutary changes were made in the method of shipment. He had now had considerable experience in the trade on both aides of the world, and could speak with some degree of authority. Their wheat was shipped unclaased and it was impossible for a London buyer to secure a line according to sample. This he could assure them was a very grave objection in the European markets, although apparently not regarded as of the same importance here. The varieties of wheat grown in the Colony, too, were not the best adapted for the voyage Home. The large mercantile companies, having the interests of the producers at heart, should import other varieties, such as Scotch Fife and Manitoba, which could be delivered in better order, and distribute the seed to their clients. He was the representative of a manufacturing interest which, he was pleased to say, was a success, and for the future of which and that of the farmers of Ashburton he was sanguine. Messrs Secretan and M. Friedlander also responded.

Mr H. Friedlander asked to. be allowed to refer to the Mr Brown’s com ments uponthe English character of New Zealand wheat. He had the highest esteem for Mr Brown as a miller and ex* pert, but he strongly dissented from the views he had expressed In reference to their grain. The first wheat sent from the district realised from fid to Is more than Adelaide, and until the damp sea* sons they had now experienced for two years in succession. New Zealand wheat was highly valued in London. Their wheat required to be thoroughly ripe and dry, and under those favorable conditions would, he was sure, recover its high character. Mr Brown while in some measure dissenting from Mr Friedlander, said his main contentions were, that the samples were exhausted, and the method of shipment faulty. Mr Oaygill proposed “ The Ladies,” and Mr Farley responded in a humorous speech. Dr Ross proposed “ The Press,” and Messrs Saunders, Paul, and Kay responded. The Chairman apologised for its omission at an earlier stage of the evening, and proposed “ The Tinwald Town Board," coupled with the name of Mr M. Scott. Mr Scott briefly responded. The Chairman proposed “ Our Host,” and highly complimented Mr Quill upon the arrangements he had made for the banquet. Mr Quill acknowledged the toast. The Company having sang “ AuldLang Syne ” a very enjoyable evening concluded.