OTAHUHU.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 400, 22 April 1871, Page 2

OTAHUHU.

DINGER GIVEN TO MR. J. B. WAY. Yesterday evening a dinner wns given to Mr. J. B. Way, at the Criterion Hotel, Otahiilui, by bis friends, previous to his departure for Chrisfcchurch. The dinner was provided by Mrs. Rogers, of tlie Criterion Hotel, and when we have said that we have said enough, for everyone in Auckland knows the way in which she can get up a dinner. There were sixty two gentlemen present., the chair being occupied by Joseph May, Esq., who had Mr. Way on his right hand, and Mr. W. Buckland and Mr. A. Buckland on his left, 'ihc Vice-chair was occupied by Mr. J. Waliace, Flat Bush. Dinner was sewed at half-past six o'clock, and after justice had been done to Mrs. Rogers's viands, the cloth was drawn, and then

The CHAIRMAN proposed tho usual loyal and patriotic toasts: —"Tho Queen," "The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," " The Governor."

The CuAimiAN next gave tho toast of "The Members of the General Assembly." He trusted that they would for the future look after the expenditure of tho money, and he trusted that, whatever they voted, the money would be as well expended as the £12,400 which was handed over to the Road Boards.

Mr. Swan SON was called upon to respond, which he did in a very few words.

Mr. W. Buckland, in responding, said he hud no faith in the borrowing principle. He had no hopo for the country till they ceased borrowing, aud paid their just debts out of their own pockets.

The Chairman proposed, " His Honor the Superintendent."

Mr. HuiiST responded on behalf of his Honor tho Superintendent, and regretted his absence in consequence of some exceptional circumstances. He took exception to this toast being put out of its usual place. It should have followed immediately after that of the Governor. He was sorry that such an oversight had been made. Ho thanked them on behalf of His Honor for tho manner in which they had drunk his health.

Tho Chaiuman next proposed the toast of tho evening, " The Guest, Mr. Way." He felt unable to do justice to it, but would do his best. They all admired Mr. Way as a smart, business man, who bore an honest, straightforward character, which would carry him through wherever he went. He and his son had in England received many kindnesses from Mr. Way'_ father, and in consequence he had consented to take tho chair that evening. Ho could prophecy that Mr. Way's talents, business abilities, and sterling honesty would carry him through wherever he went, and if ho lost some friends in Auckland he would be sure to make more in Christchurch.

Mr. Way, in reply, said he thanked them, with a feeling of sincere regret at parting with so many old friends, and with a feeling of satisfaction at having made so many friends during the time he was conducting Mr. Buckland's business. The foundation of the prosperity of Auckland had been based upon very poor grounds—the native and war expenditure ; but now that there were such largo and steady returns from the goldfields, and such an increase of immigration, he had no doubt the future prosperity of the province was assured, and the farming interest would proportionately benefit. He thanked them for the kind manner iv which they had drunk his health.

The Viojs-Chaieman (Mr. Wallace) then proposed the " Commercial Interest," but in doing so, he thought the commercial portion of Auckland preferred ship-borne produce to the produce carted in by the settlers. (No, no !) He would point to Mr. Buckland's sale on Saturday last, when any old brute of a horse from Poverty Bay fetched a far better price than any the country settlers sent in. (Mr. Swanson : Did the merchant buy it ?) He would reiterate, tho preference was given to ship-borno gojds ; but notwithstanding that, he asked them to give a bumper to the "Commercial Interest of Auckland."

Mr. Htras_ replied .* He said, after the very curious way in which the toast had been proposed, they could not expect him to respond very cordially. In the course of a long speech he spoke very much in favour of localising the Government, and thought the Highway Boards wero calculated to do a vast amount of good in the province, as the parties interested were then able to check all the items of expenditure ; whereas, the relations between the General and Provincial Governments were such, that many an item for sugar, flour, and ther things, was sent in and paid for by the General Government, but charged against the province, and the province could not help itself, as these charges were stopped out of the revenue of the province. He thought that the province had got into a fictitious position by having bought land at such a price that the interest on the money borrowed was so high that the farmers were paying rents far higher than they could afford to pay. This was the real cause of the nonsuccess of the farmers in this province. It must be remedied by the throwing up of the farms, or by compelling the capitalist to lessen the rate of interest. When this took place, farmers would succeed. He did not believe in inter-provincial protection, as he thought the present duties were protection enough. Mr. Stewakt. C.E., i_roposed, " The agricultural and mining interests of the province." This was a toast whioh required very little advocacy. He would only refer to the close alliance which ought to exist between the commercial, the agricultural, and the mining interests, in this colony. It was fortunate that this great yield of gold had been produced to meet in some measure the depression alluded to by Mr. Way, but he believed that this must eventually give way to the agricultural interest. They must look to the soil for their ultimate prosperity. He proposed, " The agricultural and mining interests of the province."

Mr. Bassett, in reply, thanked the meeting for the manner in which they had drunk the agricultural interests, and trusted they would all see better times.

Mr. W. Hay returned thanks on behalf of the mining interests of the province. He believed it was now a realitity. He had taken a part in it at an early period, and could not say he had been one of the most successful. He had lost a good deal of money one way or another, but he trusted now that he could get a good deal of it back. He believed the whole province would ultimately reap the benefit of the present success of the goldfields.

Tho "Ladies," the " Press," and the " Chairman" were then drunk, after which the evening was given up to conviviality.

We understand that some ten or twelve people took tickets for the dinner in addition to those who sat dowu, among whom were his Honor the Superintendent ; so that, altogether, the affair may looked upon as a decided success, and as was frequently expressed during the evening, it is to bo hoped that these social meetings, which were of such frequent occurrence previous to the war, may again be resumed, as they tend in a great measure to the dissemination of good fellowship and interchange of ideas among the settlers, which in themselves are of vital importance to the prosperity of a country district.™