COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO THE TRUST.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 223, 6 September 1878, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO THE TRUST.

Some seventy-five to eight}' peoplo sat down to this banquet, which was admirably laid out, and reflected, as we anticipated, great credit on those in whose hands the duty of providing was reposed. The hall was most tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens, and we were glad to see the district so well represented as it was. After ample justice had been done to the good things provided, his Worship the Mayor, who occupied the chair, having on his right Mr E. C. Latter, the Chairman of the Trust, proposed the health of Her Majesty the Queen, which was responded to with the the usual loyalty with which these toasts are ever received in New Zealand. The Chairman then explained that he had received intimation to the effect that the Hon. John Hall, Mr Montgomery, the Hon. Mr Macandrew, Messrs Saunders, Marshall, and the Engineer to the Trust were not able to be presentThe Vice-chairman, Mr Duxbury, proposed the health of His Excellency the Governor, which was drunk with musical honors. His Worship the Mayor then proposed the toast of the guests of the evening, the members of the Lakes Trust. He hoped soon to have some tangible intelligence of the progress of the Bill. The Trust had done its best under the circumstances, and in spite of difficulties he thought the Bill would pass. Mr E. C. Latter, Chairman of the Lakes Trust, returned thanks on behalf of that body, and thanked those present for the cordial manner in which the toast had been received, and for the invitation to the dinner, which was a graceful compliment. The Trust had met with a great deal of difficulty in carrying out the object for which they were elected ; perhaps not more than might have been expected.. The reclamation of the Lakes was a work to which none similar had been undertaken in New Zealand. The speaker then alluded to the difficulties experienced in the selection of an engineer, resulting in the appointment of Mr Johnston, who set about the work, and had been enabled to carry it out. The thanks' of the district were due to Mr Montgomery, without whose advocacy and aid the scheme would have been of little avail. In the course of his remarks, the speaker alluded to the Public Works Statement, and advanced Timaru and Ashburton as instances where railway communication had made a difference in the general prosperity of the district. He felt that there was not the slightest doubt that the Railway Bill would pass, although possibly shorn of some of the powers originally intended; and would urge upon the people of the Peninsula the necessity of in every way strengthening the hands of their member, Mr Montgomery, who had worked so indefatigably for the advancement of this great work. He would draw attention to the wonderful results achieved by the construction of railways in other places, and considered that, with the natural advantages possessed by this part of the colony, the ultimate commercial success of the district would be secured by the execution of the important work to which he alluded. In conclusion, the speaker returned thanks for the cordial manner in which the Trust had been receivecfc The Rev. A. P. O'Callaghan also responded, and said that it was gratifying to him to meet a community possessing a heart; that the people of this district,

unlike those of some parts of New Zealand, had, instead of overwhelming a public body such as that he had the pleasure to belong to, with abuse and unfair criticism, had shown that evening their appreciation of whatever public spirit had been evinced by the members of the Trust. He could hardly pay too high a compliment to their Chairman, whose energy and business tact had been mainly instrumental in carrying out their business in the efficient manner in which it had been. He would suggest that, although the tunnel through Barry's Bay, when made, would be tho first tunnel, it should be called the " Latter" Tunnel. Mr Duxbury proposed " The healths of the members of the House of. Representatives and Legislative Council," and regretted particularly the absence of any members on this occasion. The Chairman proposed " The health of the County Council," coupling the toast with the name of Mr Gebbie. Mr Gebbie. in responding, said that as yet the Council'had not been able to record any very great results, but hoped that eventually the actions of that body would be found to be beneficial to the district. Mr J. B. Barker, as a member of,the Council, made a few remarks. He could not help thinking that County Councils were at present superfluous. Mr Latter could hardly allow the remarks of the last speaker to pass without comment, and briefly ennumerated the more important business already transacted by the Akaroa County Council. Mr John Bell proposed "The Press of New Zealand," coupled with the names of Messrs Bridge, Bushell, and McGregor, which toast was acknowledged by those gentlemen. Song " The Edglishman," Mr H. Bridge. Mr Gebbie made a few remarks in reference, to the important work now taken in hand by the Trust. He knew that it was felt on many sides that he was opposed to the drainage of Lake Ellesmere. He could assure the meeting this evening that the probable loss to him of a few acres of feed would never counterbalance in his mind the necessity for the execution of a great and beneficial public work. He considered that the Akaroa Railway must soon be an established fact, and believed that the cost of drainage had been considerably over-estimated. Mr Duxbury proposed "The health of the Ladies," which was duly drunk, and responded to 'by Messrs Harlock and Wilkin. Mr Harlock, in responding, regretted the toast had not been placed in better hands. He felt proud on behalf of the ladies for the manner in which the toast had been received, for he hardly knew what we should be able to do without tbe ladies. Mr Wilkin also responded. He said that although Solomon (?) had said that ladies were deceitful and desperately wicked, begged to likewise return thanks on their account. Mr Murray proposed "The health of the Hons John Bell and W. Montgomery.'' He considered that the most hearlfelt thanks were due to those gentlemen for their services for the good of the district. He had, he believed, been looked upon as sn oppositionist to the Lakes Drainage scheme ; but he hoped that his actions as a member of the Trust would shew how thoroughly his views were in favor of the reclamation of the lakes. The toast was received and drunk in the most cordial manner. '" ' vi The following toasts were then proposed and duly responded to: —" The Army and Navy," " The Dinner Committee," •' The Agricultural and Pastoral Interest," " The Peninsula School Committees," " The Chairman." "The Commercial Interest," and " Our Visitors." The. proceedings were enlivened by some very good songs, and the party broke up at about 12 o'clock, after spending an enjoyable evening.