COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO CAPTAIN FRASER.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 177, 16 May 1874, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO CAPTAIN FRASER.

On Tuesdayevening, a banquet was given inFrasers Ball, by officers and men of the late Ist Waikato Regiment to Captain Fraser, R.M.,and Warden at the Thames, one of the most popular officers of that corps', which, in reality, did nearly all the active military service when the colonial forces were engaged during the late war. There were not fewer than sixty two persona present, betides invited guests. The tables were abundantly and elegantly supplied under the care of Mr Jas. Tadhunter, whose reputation as a provedoreand chefd» cuisineis established. Shortly after the hour named in the advertisement, the viands, if not "smoking on the board," were jready for consumption, and the guests equally ready to engage fa their consumption. The chair was occupied by Captain. Turner, Besident Engineer, en whose right hand was the guest of the evening, and on his left Mr W. Kelly, M.H.R., and Mr C. N. Roberta* Manager of the Branch Bank of New Zealand; The Chairman stated he had received letters of apology for non-attendance from Major Roberts Captain Foster, Mr Martin, and Mr XianghrxdgeL After discussion of the delicacies of the table" the Chairman proposed the health of the Queen * which was drunk enthusiastically and loudly cheered. Th& toast of the " Rest of the Rejai Family" was equally well received. The healths of the Governor, the Sisperiotondent, and Provincial Council were well and cordially drunk.

The Tice-Cbairman- (Captain Teats-) proposed: the Army, Navy, and Colonial Forces, which toast was received with loud cheers.

Captain Crapp responded, speaking in glowing terms of the bravery and endurance of the nial troops, who bad effected pacification of the country with fewer numbers and smallerresoorcesthan the Imperial army imported for the purpose bad succeeded in securing. He eulogised the various colonial heroes who had earned laurels in the battle field, and closed an eloquent speech, with an appropriate tribute t& those who had fought and fallen in the defence of their hearthsand homes-

Mr E. M. Edgecombe, J.P., replied on behalf of the Navy, which he described truly as the pride and glory of old England. It was true ho said, that the English nation had ceased to compete with other great European powers in being able to place large armies of land forces oa the field, but in her Navy she was at the present! moment invincible, (load ebeers) He was, beyond measure, pleased to have the duty of acknowledging the compliment paid to the most formidableservice in the world, (long continued cheering). Captain Norris, on behalf of the Toltmteer forces, made a short and appropriate speechwhich was much applauded. *"

The Chairman said he very sincerely rejoiced in the opportunity afforded him of proposing thehealth of the guest of the- evening. Captain Fraser, (loud applause) Captain Fraser had fought with his regimen! on many occasions with distinction. He had lived in Tauranga several years, he had been identified with the early struggles and ultimate settlement of the district and had now recently come amongst h» old comrades to a place where he had long been deservedly popular. (cheers) He had had occasion to leave a place to which be was much attached, and now filled a high and honourable oifice in which he gave universal satisfaction, (hear, hear). Some short time ago, when he visited this place, he entertained the old inhabitants in an extremely hospitable manner and the recipients of his hospitality were now desirous of expressing their personal regard and admiration. He (the Chairman) could safely say there was not a single military settler in the district who did not fully and heartily concur in such an assertion, (loud cheers.) Drank with musical honors. Captain Fraser, in reply, said be could assure all present that few events in his experience had given him more pleasure than be bad received o» that occasion. He was there that night as their guest. He was delighted to return to th© district after an absence of sometime, and to find the settlers all doing well. Me took a deep Interest in the prosperity of Tauranga. A ll the property he possessed in the district he had endeavoured to retain, (hear, hear). He had in former times always been told that he was mad about Tauranga. (laughter). But he had always had from the commencement, a faith in the rescourcea of, and admiration for the natural advantages of the district, which time and experiencehad not diminished, (cheers). There was doubtless a great future before Tauranga. The industry and enterprise already evinced by a comparative handful of settlers, was a proof that the advantages and resoourcea referred to would not be long suffered to remain dormant, and now that these had become better known and appreciated, and had attracted the attention of settlers possessed with capital, and communication with the interior on an extensive scale had been completed, it was reasonable to believe that the tide of prosperity bad turned permanently in favour of one of the most splendid districts in New Zealand, (loud cheers). The trials early settlers bad had to endure were all disappearing. Obstacles with which they had bad to contend were now overcome. It was their duty to shake hands with any and every white man who came amongst them, for the time was when white people were scarce in the place, and the native element predominated. That time had passed away, and it was clew that real prosperity could not* exist until the indolence and neglect of a savage race were supplanted bv the enterprise, skill, and sustained industry of a European people, ’(loud cheers). Certain influence had been at work for several years in Tauranga - an influence which bad been, and would continue to be, directlv opposed to the true progress of the district. He need hardly say that influence owed its growth to the native department. (hear, hear— applause). Ho was glad to see that settlers were having their eyes opeued in various social matters, amongst which he might mention the establishment o f a lodge of Quod Templars. He considered this was a movement in the right direction, and he would ask all present to endeavour to help an association which commanded the respect of all right thinking men. He reprehended the practice of jeering at Good Templars, and

thought, on the other hand, that all members of that body, were deserving of much consideration and respect at the bands of their fellow men. (cheers). It was clear to him that the population of the district wag bent on progression, morally, socially, and politically. All the money spent by the Government on public works in the diatnot, earned by the settlers, had been spent ky them in the improvement of their farms, and so the works, besides conferring a permanent on _ tbo Place, materially benefited the TVw-t. He ha 4 alwa J» bad the interest of the Ist Waikato Regiment at heart, (cheers). They knew that he had invariably supported the interests of the Regiment and the district, and he telt glad, not on account of anything he had done, that not only men of his own regiment, hot ft so his fellow settlers, had met for the purpose of doing him an honor which he highly appreciated. All that he had got to impress on tae people of Tauranga was comprised in the words, Stick to your lands, (hear, bear) cion t part with any of it, for hereafter it may become of immense value.” (load and sustained cfaeermg, during which, Captain Fraser resumed liis seat).

Vice-Chairman (Captain Tanks) then proposed the House of Representatives and ProCouncil, coupled with the name of William Jtelly, Esq., M HR, whom he was rejoiced to welcome there that evening. This toast was enthusiastically drunk. Mr Kelly remarked, that as he was the only member of the Provincial Council present, it fell on him to reply to this last toast, and to return thanks in recognition of the public services of that body. After the excellent, and, he might add, eloquent manner m which Captain Tanks had spoken, it was impossible for him to do more than briefly acknowledge the compliment to that Council and Assembly of which he had the honor of being an unworthy member. As regarded the opening up of the land, he could say he had done his utmost with the General Government, with a view of scouring a system of deferred payments, (applause) He had always been of an opinion, that if the lands in the district should be allowed to be made use of on the system of deferred payments, surrounding waste lands would be enhanced in value inconsequence of population being attracted to locality. That was the view which had been adopted by the Hon Mr Vogel, and was likely to receive large support in the House of Assembly, (hear, hoa j. He was gratified beyond measure by the hospitality which hod caused him to be a guest that evening at their festive board, (cheers) , G. N. Roberts proposed the Press, enlarging on the advantages secured to a community by the possession of a free and independent press, honestly and fairly conducted, (cheers). He had great pleasure In proposing the. Press, coupled with the name of the bay of plenty times. Mr Little, said, that in consequence of the unavoidable absence of the Editor of the bay of plenty times, the duty had devolved on him to acknowledge the toast now proposed. He would take the liberty of reminding some of those present, of a fact, that this district was originally indebted to Captain Fraser for the introduction of a newspaper. That newspaper, through the native disturbances in the district and other unfavourable causes had not a very long life, but, during its career received invaluable support from Captain Fraser, both pecuniary and otherwise. He again returned thanks to them for the cordial manner in which the toast had been honored. Captain Fraser said that as Mr Little had mentioned his name in connection with the fourth estate he might perhaps be excused for again occupying the time of those present. He well remembered the Christmas before last, when on a visit to Tauranga, be entered the office of the Bay op Plenty Times, and asked his friend, the editor of that journal, “Is your paper going to live twelve months ?” “ Yes,” replied the editor, “ I hope so;” and, gentlemen, so it has, and its life has been a very respectable one. He (Captain Fraser) desired to bear testimony of the highly creditable manner in which tha local journal was conducted. He considered it was the duty of every settler in the Bay of Plenty to support a newspaper which had consistently, temperately, and ably advocated the interests of the district it represented, (cheers.) “ The Ladies ” was proposed by Mr William Kelly, and responded to by Captain Crapp. Mr Bod ell, in an appropriate speech, proposed the health of the Chairman, a toast, it is hardly necessary to say, that was most heartily responded

In proposing the health of the Yico-Ohair, Mr Edgcumbe said that the toast he was about to propose was in connection with one of the oldest soldiers In the British Army. Wherever the British Sag had been unfurled there Captain Tanks, with his late regiment, the 68th, had been to the fore. He had fought In the Crimea and in India—in fact he did not know where the gallant captain had not fought. (loud and prolonged cheers.) Without more preface, he begged to propose the toast of “ Bong life and prosperity to Captain Tanka.” (loud cheers.) Mr Carty proposed Mrs Fraser, to which Captain Fraser suitably responded, and the meeting was after addressed by Mr Kelly, Messrs Eedmond, Walsh, Duncan, Kinsley, and others. The remainder of the evening being devoted to conviviality. Messrs 3 ravatt and Grant contributing excellent songs. The whole meeting was exceedingly pleasant, and it is gratifying to know that the honored guest was particularly pleased with the reception which his old friends had given him. Captain Fraser left by the steamer on Wednesday morning en route to the Thames.