FAREWELL BANQUET TO MR WILLIAMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 577, 24 January 1882, Page 2

FAREWELL BANQUET TO MR WILLIAMS.

The complimentary dinner to Mr F. W. Williams was held at Bruce's Hotel on Friday evening. About thirty gentlemen were present, but many more would have attended had the weather been fine.

The County Chairman was to have taken the chair, but wrote a letter of excuse, and his place was most worthily occupied by that veteran conductor of feasts, Mr J. D. Garwood. Ho was supported on the left by our member, Mr Montgomery, and on the right by the guest of the evening. The vice-chairs were occupied respectively by Messrs E. S. Cbappell and A. I. McGregor. Tho billiard-room was tho place in which the dinner was held. It was most tastefully decorated with ferns and flowers, doing great credit to the designer, and the good things provided were not only of excellent quality, but were put on the table i:i excellent style. The dinner seemed to be much enjoyed by rill present, and, on the removal of the cloth, the Chairman, before proceeding with the toast list, read letters of excuse from Mr T. S. Baker (the County Chairman), the Mayor of Akaroa, and Messrs G. 11. Saxton, If. C. Buchanan, and J. B. Barker. The letters all expressed great regret at the loss the district would sustain through the absence of Mr Williams, and spoke in the highest terms of the many services ho had rendered the Peninsula.

The Chairman then proposed "The Queen," " The Prince, of Wales and the Royal Family," and " His Excellency the Governor," referring in terms of high praise to Ihe sensible speech recently made in Christchurch by His Excellency. These toasts were most heartily honored.

Mr Ilk S. Cbappell then proposed "The Ilosses of Assembly, coupled with the name of Mr Wm. Montgomery." There had been other toasts proposed, but no one had been present to respond to them. He was sure they were all much pleased to have their member present with them, ou that occasion. It showed what an interest he took in all matters connected with the constituency he represented. (Applause.) The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Mr Montgomery said he was much obliged to them for the manner in which they had received the toast. He thought ho had better be merciful, and not inflict a long speech on them, as they were not motto hear addresses of a political nature, but to say farewell to a vaiued friend. He believed that the members chosen at the Lite elections fairly represented the people, and would do their duty. They must remember that their representatives, being only men, were fallible, and could not consequently satisfy everybody. Rcprc-

sentatives had some agreeable and some | very disagreeable duties to perform. His attendance there that evening wa-i one of the agreeable duties, and he attended there partly in his public capacity as their member, and partly as a private friend of the guest. He had the greatest respect for the energy and ability of Mr Williams, and had the distance been double he would have attended. (Applause.) He was sorry to think that the occasion of the gathering was to say farewell to one who bad been of such use to tbe district, but as he was going—a fact, they all regretted —(hear, hear)—it was their duty to hold out the right hand of fellowship to him, and wish him God speed. (Applause.) He thanked them again sincerely for coupling his name with the toast of the General Assembly, and had difficulty in expressing the gratitude be felt at the warm sympathy expressed by the people of the district. (Applause.)

The Chairman said : Gentlemen, I must request you to fill your glasses to the brim, for I have now to propose the toast of the evening, " The health of our guest and friend, Mr Williams." (Applause.) I did not anticipate this honor, as another gentleman was expected to be present to propose this toast, but in his absence I will do as well as my ability will allow me. I will not use the stereotyped phrase that I should have been glad had it fallen into other hands, for I am egotist enough to acknowledge tbat I am glad of this opportunity of expressing my esteem and regard for Mr Williams. (Applause.) It is now many years since I first knew Mr Williams. It Was in the beginning of 1858, and about thievery time of the year, some 24 years ago, that I saw Mr Williams land on Akaroa' beach. I cannot say more in his praise than to say that from that time to this he has been a good and able citizen, a kind father, and a wise and estimable member of society. (Cheers.) I do not wish to flatter; I merely give my experience of Mr Williams, and should say it behind his back as Ido before his face. I believe he has always given an upright and conscientious vote as a member of the Road Board or the County Council, and I am sorry indeed that lie is going, for we cannot afford to part with a man like him, who knew what he was doing. Instead of less, we want more men to take interest in our petty affairs, which are not petty to us, but of great moment. Gentlemen, whatever else I could say would not prove one atom more the respect and esteem in which we hold our guest—the friends who are seated round the table prove it. Let us drink his health and that of his wife in bumpers, wishing them all prosperity in the future. (Drunk with loud cheers and musical honors.) Mr Garwood said he had yet another pleasant duty to perfor.n, which was to present Mr Williams with an illuminated address. He would read it. It was as follows: — '' To Frederick Walter Williams, Esq. " Dear Sir, —This address is presented to you by the residents of Banks Peninsula on the occasion of your leaving them, to make a home in the North Island. The services you have rendered to the public in this county are gratefully appreciated, and your many private friends will regret your absence. That your future career in your new home may be a happy and prosperous one, is the earnest wish of the donors of this slight remembrance

"Akaroa, January 20th, 1882." iMo words of his could add to what the address stated. (Applause.)

Mr Williams, who was received with cheers, said:—Mr Chairman and gentlemen, the manner in which you have drunk my health has deeply affected rue. It is indeed a pleasure to me to be greeted in this manner by so many old friends, but the thought that one is about to sever so .many old associations tends to mar the enjoyment. All you who know I have been here nearly a quarter of a century can understand my feelings. (Applause.) The Chairman has dwelt on my past actions as a public man. I have doubtless committed many errors, but I have endeavored to do what was right and just, and for the benefit of the district and mutual advantage of myself and other settlers. lam afraid considerably apathy is shown by many in public matters. Gentleman, you have got a fine district and great natural resources, and if you work together you must prosper. As I before said, your kindness has almost upset me, and I hope you will accept these few words I have spoken. (Great applause.)

Mr 10. Lelievre then proposed "The County Council and its members present coupled with the name of Mr Joblin."

Mr Joblin s-cid be felt quite disconcerted at having his name coupled with this toast as he was quite a new member. Mr Coop had had far more experience on that body than he had. Like Mr Coop, he bad come there that evening from Little River to testify his respect for Mr Williams and his regret at his going away, for ho had known and appreciated him for years. Though as yet he knew little of County Council matters he would not decline saying something about them. He was not satisfied with what the Council had done in the past. They appeared to him to have been in a state of coma, not dead but at the same time not alive. These domant powers might bo of great use to the Peninsula settlers, might even do more than their highly respected member could. The functions of the County Council were most important, and when he heard the idea mooted that they should meet once in three months be considered it preposterous. Had such a resolution been carried he should have voted for discharging the cierk and letting the Council Chambers. There was lota of work for them to do which they had left undone. They talked of their political liberty, had great powers granted to them and did not exercise them, but wrapped them up in a napkin as it wer *. He was sorry to see that more of the County Councillors were not present to testify to their high opinion of Mr Williams. He had frequently met that gentleman in public life and hr.d often disagreed with him, but ho had always respected him, for he was sure that he did what he thought best to promote the prosperity of the district. (Applause.) Mr Piper proposed " The Borough Council and members present."

Mr McGregor, in responding, said, that he might almost say he was the foster father of the Borough. He congratulated tho Borough on its good financial position, and thought they had been lucky in having his respected friend, tho chairman, at the head of affairs. lie thought their management of their d v lies would oompare favorably with that of other public bodies. They

had many difficulties to contend with, but their worst enemies were their contracted idea'-. Why, not only the publio bodies but the whole colony was fret ling without cause, and lauding a policy of cheese- * paring. Ii was a great colony and had a great future. They had no historic battle fields, no waters of blood, but they had the glorious duty of carving out the future of a country greater than ancient f Greece or Rome. The responsibility was immense and should influence all their actions. He had a toast to propose the Local Road Board and member present. He would not go into polities. He believed the Road Board had done well in the past and would do good in the future, and he thought they would he more efficient by abjuring small barber and postage « stamp views and taking wider and vaster ones. They had sp.mt the large sums at their disposal fairly well. He thought the propositions in local government bills giving pawn-broking, borrowing powers * on 2_d security a fallacy. Tbey should leave all these details to the present local bodies. Let the borrowing and larger *w works be in the bands of the County Council, and the administration in the hands of the Road Boards. Road Boards had been the schools in which many New Zealand politicians, notably the present premier, had received their political education. They were the fitting bodies lo do W& parochial and vestry work, and. if they ▼ kept to their own functions would always bo exceedingly useful. Mr Chapped responded, as Chairman of the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board. Mr Williams and Mr Piper had been most useful members of the Board. There were complaints against the Road Boards, but he believed members acted to the best of «t their judgment for the general good. (Hear, hear.) The main roads had been made, but few back ones, and he was afraid there had been some waste, for the few thousands to the credit of the Boards might ** have beeu spent to greater advantage. They had learned experience, however, and were, he believed, most useful bodies, and he thought it would be a bad thing if they were merged into County Councils. Mr Thacker also responded. Road Boards had done go»d, but he thought that after the first works in tho district were done, they and the County Council were not both necessary. Tho country was good, ** but the people were not good in managing it. If the Road Boards did their duty, the County Council could be done without. If, on the contrary, tbe County Council did their duty, he was of opinion the Road ** Boards could be done away with to the benefit of the community. Mr Williams proposed "The Pastoral and Agricultural Interests of the County." He thought there was no part of the Colony where there was such good pasture. Their natural resources were very great, and, in the interests of the people, should be kept ,_.. before them by means of the Agricultural and Pastoral Show. These things had done a lot of good, but petty jealousies had been in the way. He was glad to see the revival of the Show was being ventilated, ,+ and that they were going to return to the old state of things. (Applause.) If Akaroa only looked after its own interests, it mnst be very prosperous in the future. (Applause.) Mr Piper, who respoi-ded, said the pros- V pects of the county were much better than last year. Depression, however, had its uses. The formation of the Farmers' Club was a grand move, and he did not believe it would have taken place if it had not been for the depression. It had started men thinking ; not on:y the farmers, but the mercantile community ; and the result had been that vessels had been fitted to carry their meat and other produce, in a frozen state, to a market open to the world. He bad been one of those who waited on members of the leading firms in Christ— chinch on this matter. In conjunction with MeosrH Garwood, Gebbie, and other members, they had offered to subscribe £4000 towards a trial shipment. They had * waited on R. Wilkin & Co., Matson & Co. and others, but he had since thought they had gone to the wrong people, as the produce, if sent to England direct, would not n go through these firms, as at present. He was glad to see a company started for this object, and was glad that that well-known Peninsula gentleman, Mr Hay, was a director, as it would give them confidence. Once the company was in full swing, they could depend on a set value, which would be an immense benefit. He had taken a great interest in the Agricultural and Pastoral Show. He believed that Messrs Hay ' Bros, and himself had been the largest prize takers. On one occasion, when they had determined to give as great publicity as possible, getting up the Show bad cost £4. or £50 too much, and Messrs Williams, Thacker, Hay, himself, and, he believed, others, had given up all the prizes they had taken. A show was not merely to decide whether a man had a better pig % than he had, but was a centre of education. Their children must be educated to judge stock, aud they must see the animals to do so. More could be learnt in this way than from reading books on the subject. He /v was glad to see the Farmers' Club moving in that direction. They should strain every nerve to get the best class of stock to produce meat for tho English market, and the ■Show was the best thing to educate farmers up to the standard. They should get the best outside men as judges, so that there should be no local jealousies. There were other industries to be fostered—sericicul- | ture, for example. They should not depend en butter, cheese, and meat $lone; the disastrous effects of putting air their eggs in one basket had been experienced elsewhere. He should like to see the * children in the schools instructed, if it were possible, regarding such matters as i serieiculture, growing hops and walnuts, j and producing honey. He thought, again, 77 thot the small holders paid too much, and $*■ believed to a certain extent in cooperation. He felt as if Mr Williams were leaving them in the cold, (file did not like parting with a:i old friend whom he had known over 20 years. It was easy to make acquaintances, but not friends, who were only too (easily to be counted. He was glad, however, to be present to wish him farewell, and hoped he would have a very prosperous future. (Applause.)

Mr Joblin proposed " The Mercantile Interests of Akaroa, coupled with Mr Garwood's name." Mercantile Interests wero most, important, in fact at the present time they predominated throughout the globe.

In response Mr Garwood said that they all more or less had Mercantile Interests. The Mercantile Interest had all they could do to hold iheir own and move on with the times. They were not exactly drones, for tircy had m show csnterpris*.;, and there was no moro fallacious idea than that they were coining money. They wore not

laggards either, look at James Daly and other really good fellows with whom he was proud to be associated with. When the railway was projected, the Mercantile Interest bad been prominent, and he had been chosen to head the movement. He was glad to see from the letters in the Mail that their member was doing all he could to get the line on toward Little River, which meant nearer to Akaroa. They must not be apathetic and leave all to him, but back him up to the utmost of their power. They must remember that however much their member exerted himself they as constituents must aid him to make his efforts effective. There would probably be another loan, and if bo the County would have its share, and they should not be laggards, but work hard to get the line as near the port of Akaroa as they could get it. (Applause.) Mr Thacker then proposed " The Press, coupled with the names of Messrs Jacobson and Aherne." In doing so he spoke must kindly of this journal. Messrs Jacobson and Aherne responded.

Mr W. Curry proposed •' Tbe Ladies," which was responded so by Mr R. Birdling.

The Chairman regretted that, the bad weather had kept away some of Mr Williams' friends. In spite of the rain however Messrs Joblin, Coop, Thacker and Priest had come very long distances to be present.

Mr Spurr said that Im had heard Mr Williams praised as a public man and he wished to r*peak of his social qualities which had endeared him to many, he thought his departure a great loss to the district.

Mr McGregor had much pleasure in proposing their host and hostess, Mr and Mrs Grange. Mr Grange hrvd come forward when they were rather in a difficulty and undertaken the dinner and had gone to much trouble in clearing out the Billiard Room for it. He had made them all very comfortable and given them a spread fit for Kings and Emperors. Mr Grange suitably responded.

Mr Coop proposed "The Chairman " whom he complimented highly on the conduct of the feast.

Mr Garwood said he thought these meetings were of great advantage in making them know each other better. There was nothing like communication of heart and mind.

Tbis concluded the toast list,

During the evening songs were sung by Messrs Chapped, Aherne, Grange, Checkley, B. Lelievre, Garwood, Jacobson and other gentlemen.

Nearly every toast was awarded musical honors, and " Auld Lang Syne " brought to a conclusion a very pleasant gathering.