MUNICIPAL DINNER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 567, 20 December 1881, Page 2

MUNICIPAL DINNER.

Last night his Worship the Mayor entertained the Borough Council and officers, the member for the district, Mr W. Montgomery, and Ihe Resident Magistrate. Mr J. Aylmer, at a dinner at WagstafFs Hotel,

The company assembled at 9 p.m., ami enjoyed a very heart}- dinner, which was iftid in Host Chamberlain's best sly If. The (able was well arranged, the floral decorations being profuse, and reflecting tho greatest credit on Mrs Chamberlain and her assistants.

After every ona had heartily enjoyed tho good fare provided, the cloth was cleared, and the worthy giver of the feast, and chairman, proposed " The prosperity of Akaroa and success to the Borough Council."

This was responded to by Messrs Cullen and Bruce, who spoke in eulogistic terms of the great services rendered to the Borough by the retiring Mayor.

The Chairman then proposed " Tho Mayor-elect, Mr Thos. Adams. The speaker referred at length to Mr Adams' long residence and kindly conduct amongst them, and hoped his year of office would prove both a prosperous and agreeable one ,

Mr Adams responded in due terms, stating his intention of working hard for tho borough with which he had been so long connected, and. trusting that tho kindly feeling which had prevailed during Mr Garwood's term of office might continue, and that the prosperity of the borough might increase during his term oi office;

Mr Gullen then proposed the officers of the Council, coupled with the names of Mr Sims, theTWn Clerk, Mr Wilkins the Borough Surveyor, and Messrs S. Watkins and Nicholls. the Borough Auditors. In doinj; so lie testified to the excellent elliciency of the stair generally. The Town Clerk had worked hard for the good of tl>e Borough. He had all information required at his lingers ends, and they always knew under his able management exactly how they stood both in financial and other matters, (applause.) Their kindly mr-

veyor, Mr WilKfnsj was always ijeady to hop them, and the a*nditors hid. fulfilled heir duties most conscientiously. Mr Sima in'responding thankel the Oouncil for the trust they reposed in him. It was their contenance thaf had enabled collect th» rate's so well. He might mention that in making up the rate roll he had omitted one property, belonging to,his Worship the Mayor and that had told him of this and given him the rates (Applause.) The result was that he had collected the rates, with one exception and he fully expected to show' a surplus of tha amount instead of a deficiency. He thanked the gentleman who had proposed his health and hoped that Irs services would always he appreciated in the kindly manner shown that evening.

Mr Wilkins referred to the extreme kindness that had always pervaded his negotiations with the Council. They had shown their wisdom by letting him alone when they had entrusted work to his care, and he had thoroughly appreciated their thorough confidence in him (Applause.) Mr Watkins said that, thanks to the efficiency of the Town Clerk, the duties of the auditors were very easy.

Mr Nicholls, while thoroughly agreeing with Mr Watkins, spoke of the necessity of supervision.

Mr McGregor then proposed "The House of Representatives," coupled with the name of their member, Mr Montgomery. That gentleman had, he be lieved, done his best for the colony nnd the district. He was sorry that such a large per centage of new members had been elected, ns he thought the great majority would have much to learn before they could be of use to the community. For the same reason he objected to triennial Parliaments, as ho thought that it gave too short a time to gain the requisite political knowledge, before they were again forced to face their constituents, fie rereferred to the many services rendered to the district 'by Mr Montgomery in most eulogistic terms, nnd thought the people' of Akaroa had shown great discernment in returning an old and tried politician with fixed political principles. (Applause.) Mr Montgomery said that lie agreed with Mr Mi-Gregor in the matter of a constituency, returning the same member unless they had something serious to complain of. Some years ago he had been promised a seat in another place unapposed, but had preferred to contest the election for Akaroa, which he had previously rep esented. The) , must recollect, however, that he represented colonial intcrewts as well as local ones. He did not wish to i>e one of those who only sought to obtain money for his own district, and he sincerely believed that those representatives who studied the good of the colony at hirge weie the best friends to their constituents (applause). He might mention that he had received a telegram from Chmtchurch that day from Mr Back, the traffic manager of the railways, stating that ho intended to run passenger trains to th ■ end of the present Little River Line every Tuesday and Saturday, nnd that Mr Leo had been written to asking him if he could arrange f.ir a coach to meet tlm train. This was a step toward-* communication being easier between ChristchurHi and Akaroa (applause. He had met with great kindaens on the Peninsula, nnd thanked heaiii y both Mr McGienor and the other gentlemen present whe had so kindly drunk his health (applause).

Mr Cullen then proposed "The MagiV tra-y" comp'ied with the name of Mr Ayiiner, of whom he spoke on eulogistic term?.

In reply, Mr Aylni'-r said he hnd always been ;ni enemy to litigation, and had endeavored to stop it as much as posMMe. He thought that Mr Garwood had set an admirable example in initiating these annual gatherings and hoped they won! ] he kept up (applause). Mr Adams then proposed " The E.x. Mayors." Those gentlemen had done a grent deal of work in the earlier days of the Borough. Mr Waeckerle responded in fitting terms. Mr Mpech proposed the retiring Mayor, and in doing so paid the highest compliment to Mr Garwood who had spared neither time or trouble in fulfilling the duties of the office. Mr Garwood who was applauded on risinff, said he had tried to do his best for the Borough, and thanked the Councillors for their kindly co-operation He thought the time had now arrived when the Council should show their sociability, and with that object had asked them there that evening. No doubt future Mayors would follow the same course.

Mr Black then proposed "The Press"' which was duly responded to by Mr Jacohson.

The lo\st of "sweethearts and wives' was then given from the chair.

Mr 0. Brown proposed the " host and hostess." which was duly responded toby Mr Chamberlain.

Tin's concluded the toast list and the party soon after separated afler a very pleasant evening which was much enlivened by a number of songs eung by the gentleman present.

That the system of having an annual meeting on the retirement of the Mayer has shown by the interest taken to be a good and laudable one we feel thoroughly convinced, and hope Akaroa will be gladdened by many such.