BANQUET TO OUR CRICKETERS AND VOLUNTEERS.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1206, 5 December 1873, Page 3

BANQUET TO OUR CRICKETERS AND VOLUNTEERS.

The Choral Hall last night was the scene of much festivity and rejoicing on the occasion ol the return of the victorious Auckland cricket team on their return from the South and in honor of the return of the representatives of the rifle corps from their successful struggles in Sydney .and Melbourne. The room was tastefully decorated with j'la^s kindly lent for the occasion by Captain Goauch, of the Skimmer of the Waves. The thanks of the public are due to the indefatigable secretary, Mr W. P. Clifton, for the manner in which he exerted himself to make the welcome to our cricketers a success. The banquet was in every respect Avorthy the welcome. The "spread" was most satisfactory, and highly creditable to the good taste of the caterer, Mr Charles Burton, of Parnell; the wines, also, were of excellent quality, and were supplied by Mr H. S. Meyers. Nearly two hundred persons sat down to the banquet, and evidently enjoyed themselves to the fullest extent. His Honor tho Superintendent presided, and his Worship the Mayor occupied the vice-chair. Each gentleman was supported by the leading cricketers and volunteers. At the conclusion of the repast his Honor the_ Superintendent proposed "the Queen," which was drunk with musical honors, and in the most enthusiastic manner. The next toast was the "Prince of Wales and Royal Family." His Honor referred more especially, in proposing this toast, to the Duke of Edinburgh, who, by this time, might be a benedict judging from the latest intelligence from England. He also been amongst us, and won the good will of the people of Auckland, and was still the president of the Choral Society. The band then played "God bless tho Prince of Wales." The next toast was "The health of His Excellency the Governor," whom His Honor characterised not only as a good Governor and administrator, but as a good soldier and patron of many sports. Band—"The Queen." The next toast, the "Ministers and Members of the General Assembly," proposed in a neat and appropriate speech by his Worship the Mayor, was drunk with due honours. The Hon. G. M. O'Rorke responded, and said that he felt proud to be among those who had met to honour those who had made Auckland ring with their praises throughout the country. He was much gratified in being able to take part in the ovation to the "knights of the willow," who had done so well. Mr T. B. Gillies also responded in a very humourous speech, and compared cricket with politics. Those who would succeed in either field must possess a cool head, a clear eye, and a steady hand. He thanked the company for their compliment to the members of the General Assembly. Mr W. L. Rees proposed His Honor the Superintendent and the Provincial Council in a neat speech, saying that he trusted Mr Williamson, who had the honour of being Superintendent, and who honoured the province by being Superintendent, and those who were associated with him in the government would, during the four years of their term of office, do as much honour to the province as. the Cricketers and Volunteer had done. _ His Honor, in returning thanks, observed that in entering upon the office of Superintendent he claimed for himself no particular mark of their favour. Much had been done for the colony by Provincial Councils, and much remained to be done. The local administration of the various provinces rested very much in the hands of those who might be placed at the heads of the various province. Looking at the result of the elections which had just taken place he believed that they would have in the Provincial Council intelligent men, who would discharge their duties faithfully and well; and he was sure that when the time came again, as he believed it would come, before provincial institutions were entirely abolished, they would make a wise and good choice of the officer who would succeed him. M.r Beveridge also responded to the toast of the Council, remarking that the Council just about to assemble was probably one of the most important that had yet been formed in Auckland. There was a good deal to be done, and, unfortunately, very little to do it with. He hoped however that the most sanguine hopes would be realised with regard to the future. Mr G. M. Reed proposed the next toast, "The Mayor and City Council," saying that he did not know why the toast was placed in his hands unless it was because he had abused the Mayor and Corporation better than any other man in Auckland; but now it was impossible to speak in any other than complimentary terms of them. It had been common to abuse the City Councils down South as well in Auckland, but of late the Auckland City Council had been growing so respectable that there was no room for attack, and he was sure that for intelligence, respectability, and everything that could distinguish a Corporation, the Mayor and City Council of Auckland compared exceedingly favourably with any administrative body throughout New Zealand. The Vice - Chairman and Mr Hurst responded. Mr Rees then proposed the Army, Navy, and Volunteers, which was responded to by Major Green and Lieut. Shanaghan. His Honor the Superintendent gave the toast of the evening, " Tho Team," including umpire and scorer. They were met to do honor to those who had done honor to the province. (Loud cheers). Those young gentlemen had gone forth upon a bold adventure, and they returned covered with laurels. Their actions were the subject of general observation. As that brilliant Star shone forth each evening everybody was running for the ne\ys, and ladies even were foremost in the race. (Cheers). He remembered in the early j days the Hargreaves and the Harrises and the Whitakers walking out to the field to see the young people play the game of cricket; (Cheers ) The game had grown in interest from year to year, until it now became at last not a subject of provincial interest,

but was raised to the rank of colonial importance. (Cheers.) He congratulated the captain of the Auckland team (on his right hand), to whom the result was «> a great measure due. (Loud cheers.) He thought the thanks of the community were due to the cricketers for what they had done. They had proved that the men of Auckland could defeat the hardy men of the South upon their own ground. It was the fashion down South to believe that the climate of Auckland was enervating, but see what these effeminate young men from Auckland had done. (Loud cheers.) He hoped that was nothing to what they would do to-morroM\ They were on the morrow to play a match with those who were reputed their compeers. If they should be successful there would be another reason for giving them honor, but if they were beaten that would shew that the South had not been beaten by the best Auckland team. (Cheers and laughter.) He had much pleasure in proposing "The Team," including umpire and scorer, coupled with the name of their captain, Mr Robinson. (Loup cheers.) Mr Robinson, captain of theteam, responded, thanking them for the manner in which the toast had been drank, [and for the splendid reception accorded to himself and the other cricketers. They had won their matches by pulling together, and ho was sure that if the cricketing community of Auckland would pull together and get a good ground, they could not only beat New Zealand, but even Sydney or Melbourne. (Cheers.) Mr Buckland also responded. Mr Coupland, umpire, also returned thanks, as did also Messrs Mumford, Dufaur, Cotton, and King. Mr Richardson then proposed, "The Unsuccessful Teams of the other provinces." Mr Binney responded. Mr W. Buckland proposed success to the noble game. The Hon. Mr O'Rorke proposed the .tune Representatives." Mr Hoskins responded, observing that they had not been so successful as the cricketers had been down South, but they would try to do better next time. (Cheers.) \ olunteer Partington, of Ko. 1 Ride Company, also responded. Mr Buckland, jun., proposed " The subscribers to the expenses of the teams and the Reception Committee."

Mr Sheehan, M.H.R., and Mr Stone responded.

The Hon. Mr O'Rorke proposed •' The 1 ress, to which Mr D. M. Luckio and MiBrett responded, Mr J. Sheehan then proposed the ladies, for whom Mr A. E. Isaacs returned thanks. This concluded the list of toasts, and the quests separated.