VALEDICTORY DINNER TO MR BENNETT.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3625, 23 February 1883, Page 3

VALEDICTORY DINNER TO MR BENNETT.

Mr John Bennett, of Omarauui, who, with his family, contemplates an early visit to the home'eountry, was entertained at dinner at the Grecnmeadows Hotel, Taraclale, last evening-. About thirty gentlemen were present, and had it not "been for the severity of the -weather there would undoubtedly have been more than double that number. The chairman read an apology from Mr Philip Dolbel, who had come down to Taradale for the purpose of attending the banquet, but had to return home ag-.-iin owing- to illness. Apologies were also tendered on behalf of Mr J. N. Williams and a number of others, who had been kept away either through press of business or the state of the weather. Mr McCartney is entitled to no small praise for the very excellent dinner provided by him. and the quality of the wines and spirits. The chair was occupied by Mr F. Sutton, M.H.R., and the vice-chair by Mr G. Rymer, the guest of the evening occupying a seat at the right hand of Mr Sutton. The toasts of " The Queen" and "The Governor of New Zealand" having been duly the Chairman gave "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," coupled ■vrith'ths name of Captain Blythe. Captain Blythe, in responding, said he was proud tobe in the position to respond to so popular a toast, one that, next to the toast of '-The Queen," was always the most favorably received. After referring to the courage "and fighting ability of the British soldiers and man o' war's men, Captain Blythe proceeded to speak of the volunteers. He felt now, us lie had felt all along, despite the gloomy predictions of a few, that the new footing upon which volunteering had been placed in this colony was altogether favorable to the movement. The now regulations would strengthen the hands of the officers, and secure greater efficiency. The loudest complaints seemed to be about the regulations relating to drill, but Volunteers, to be fully efficient, must be thoroughly acquainted with their drill and with the use of the weapons with which they were entrusted. The arms of the present clay were arms of the greatest precision and longest range, but unless a man knew howto vise them he might as well have inferior aims. He hoped greatly for the future of volunteering, and could already notice a feeling being brought about, as one result of the neAV regulations, that young men woidd regard with pleasure their connection with a company or battery that was well drilled and thoroughly efficient. Song, "The Gallants of England," Mr J. Liddle. In proposing the toast of the evening— the health of "Mr Bennett—the Chairman said that, although they had met to say good-bye to Mr Bennett, it was not going to be a final good-bye, but only a temporary one, and he felt sure all present would heartily join in wishing Mr Bennett a pleasant voyage and a safe and speedy return. He had known Mr Bennett for twenty years, and during all that time had ever found him taking an active and intelligent interest in all matters connected with the welfare or advancement of the province. He believed lie was safe in saying there was not one member of the Comity Council, of which body Mr Bennett had been a prominent member, that would not miss him and regret his absence from their meetings. MiBennett was not one of those persons who came to New Zealand, and after amassing a fortune go home to spend it. He was going home on a well-earned holiday to return again in a few month's time to the colony where lie had so successfully fought the battle of life. He hoped Mr Bennett would thoroughly enjoy his trip, as lie well deserved it. When in England he would go among those who knew him as a boy, and who would see his success as a man, and that vras a practical illustration of the advantages of the colonies worth a great many lectures, however able they might be, or worth twenty books, however well written. The toast was drunk in bumpers of champagne, with musical honors. Mr Bennett, who, on rising, was greeted with applause, said he must first of all thank the company for the very cordial manner in which his health had been drunk. It was exceedingly gratifying to him to be present that night on the invitation of esteemed friends, of whom he felt there wouid have been a much larger gathering but for the inclemency of the weather. However, the rain would do more good for the country than the attendance of some of those he would have liked to have seen present at the dinner, and he must say he was glad to see it. As for the part he had taken in local affairs, he considered it a great honor to bo chosen as a representative man, and he had always done his best to justify tho confidence reposed in him. He could, too, look around him with pride when he saw what had been done in Hawke's Bay. When he arrived here there was no township of Taradale, and he lived in a tent near tho site of the English Church. In those days, if a settler wanted to go to Napier, he had to go by Alley's crossing and plunge through the swamp by Papakura, or round by Farndon to the beach, while now there were good bridges and metalled roads in all directions. It did not require him to tell them of the good work that had been done by tho County Council, as the people in the various districts could nee it for themselves. Referring to his proposed temporary absence from New Zealand, Mr Bennett said he could not leave Hawke's Bay without many regrets, even though ho intended to return again before the end of this year. He certainly could not complain of want of success in New Zealand. He came here with the determination to advance himself in the world, and though he started at the bottom of the ladder, if he had not made a very large fortune, sufficient to enable him to scatter money ri»-ht and left, he had amassed sufficient to justify him in indulging a wish ho had long felt to visit his native place once more. When he returned he would always be willing to do anything he could for*the welfare of the district in which his lot was cast. (Applause.) Tho remaining toasts were "The Parliament of New Zealand," proposed by Mr Ncal, and responded to by Mr Sutton, member for Hawke's Bay; "The County Council," proposed by Mr Speedy, and acknowledged by Mr G. Byiner; "The Host and Hostess," proposed by Mr McVay and responded to by Mr McCartney ; '' TheHealfi of Mrs Bennett,'' proposed by Mr Rymer and acknowledged by MiBennett ; and '' The Press proposed by Mr Close. During the evening the proceedings were enlivened with songs, See, given by Messrs Liddle, Wilson, Smith, Dryden, McCartney, Tracy, and others, Mr George Garry presiding at the piano. A very pleasant evening was brought to a close in the usual orthodox fashion shortly before midnight, when the most of the guests separated.