COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1284, 9 July 1886, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

A complimentary banquet, wa’ given to Mr G. B. St Hil>, who is about to leave the district for Western Australia, at the Somerset Uoui' lait evening. His Worship the Mayor presided, and the vice-chair was occupied hy Mr D. Williamson, an ex-Mayor. There was a very large 1 attendance, comprising nearly all the Bor- 1 ough Oouneellors and many other leading residents of the town. The more material part of the entertainment having been disposed of, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, which were received with enthusiasm. The Vice-Chairman proposed the I “House of Representatives.”—Mr E. Dmiant reaper ded. Mr H W. Felton proposed the “Army and Navy."—Messrs W. B. Moss and S. B. Nelson responded. Mr T. Sealy proposed the '‘County Council.’’—The Vice Chairman responded. ( Mr W. B. Moss proposed the “ Borough , Council” —The Mayor, and Councillors Bird, Sealy, Keidaud Williamson responded.

Tho Chairman said he had been in trusted with the toast of the evening, the health of their guest, Mr St. Hill. He (the Chairman) was sorry that the pleasing task had not fallen to more competent hands, but Mr St. Hill’s many excellent qualities, his generosity, integrity and thoroughness, were so widely known in that district that anything he (the Chairman) might unlit to say would suggest itself to every individual of the large company present. He bad Mr St Hill for a great many years. Ever since his arrival in Ashburton he had been associated wLh him in a number of private and public matters, and he had no hesitation in saying that their guest was a gentlemen, and a townsman who had deservedly won the respect and esteem of a very large majority of bis acquaintances. It was impossible for a public man to please every one ; public man such as Mr St Hill, who had no regard for more popularity and expressed his opinion with a freedom which did him Infinite credit, were bound to make enemies of soma small minded Individuals, but those who hid opposed Mr St Hill on public matters must, if they have any honesty about tbem,adm t that his opposition is as generous as it is determined. As a business man and as a private citizen Mr St Hill set an example to them all. His kindness of heart and his disinterested zeal for the cause of the weak, were almost proverbial. His word was as reliable as his bond, and he (the Chairman) felt he might confilen/ly state that tho district would be practi- ' cally unanimous in expressing iegret at the loss of so excellent a colonlstm. Whatever ight be MrStHil/s lot in his new home, he might always remember that a hearty welcome awaited him In Aahburton, when his return would ' be hailed with pleasureby a very large circle of sincere friends. He(theChairman) might i say very much more but if he detained i them all night he would never do justice to his subject, and he would merely ask them to drink in bumpers..the health of the guest. | The toast wai received with loud and » prolonged applause, and was drunk wilh musical honors, and followed by cheers > for Mr and Mrs St Hill. Messrs fCneeu, Hughes, Mos?, Chapman, Oimant, Felton, Cambridge, Zouch and 1 Williamson, whose aqualntancs with Mr ■St Hid had varied from f our to seventeen years, added their testimony to the ' private worth, business capacity and i public wor:h of their guest. Mr St Hill, who on rising was greeted with loud applause, said he was quite at a loss to find words with which to express bis feelings. The unanimity of those present had quite taken him aback, but he hoped he would be believed when he eald that i he appreciated, and appreciated deeply, this evidence of goodwill, He had an awk’-.rd habit of speaking his own mind, i per aps o freely, and ho had had dllf rencis wi h almost every one of the gentlemen who now loaded him with compliments. Ho deeply regretted leaving Ashbui ton, bi t Mrs St Hill’s health imporative'y dem uidod some change, and ho had determined to make a change which would ho hoped bring other advantages with it. But whati ver might be the result of his venture he hoped to return t> Ashburton In the course of two or three years. He would always look back with pride and pleasure to that evening, and his many friends, and his . manly opponen's, would ever occupy a place In his affection and esteem On Mr St Hill resuming hia seat ho was again loudly applauded. At this stage the chairman announced that he had received apologies from a number of gentlemen nnable, in consequence of prior engagements to attend the gathering. Mr Hnghes in a humorous speech proposed—“ access to the Tie wald and Haketera Town Board?.”—Mr J. Sealy responded. Mr Knnen proposed “ tht Ladies,” and Mr Joseph Sealy responded. Mr Bird proposed “ the Press,” and Messrs Saunders, Paul and Dunn responded. The Press representatives referred in highly eulogistic terms to the public character and eervicas of Mr St Hill, The proceedings wore brought to a close shortly before midnight by the company I singing “Auld Lang Syne.” |