CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 695, 13 August 1875, Page 3

CROMWELL.

Saturday last will long bo remembered by many of the residents of Cromwell and sursounding district, on account of tho numbers that assembled at tho Athemoum to do honor to the memory of tho illustrious Daniel O’Connell, tho great Irish Liberator, and not amongst tho least pleasing feature was the attendance of all classes and creeds, some of the disciples of Confucius being among the guests, and who apparently seemed to have a co-equal appetite with their neighbors as they were not unfrequently to bo seen dissecting a fowl, which they invariably pronounced “ welly good”, while the way in which they smacked their lips after imbibing of the sparkling wines, might be taken as evidencing tho fact that John was, at all events, cosmopolitan, and had made up his mind to make a jolly night of it. Doubts were at first entertained as to the affair being a success, owing to the promoters having delayed so long in ge'ting the matter under weigh, but from tho moment it was decided to celebrate it by a banquet, all did their best to make tho affair worthy of the occasion and of the district. I. Loughnan, Esq., being in the chair, with Messrs Hazlett and B. LI. Baird, respectively, right and left hand supporters, while the duties pertaining to the vice chair were entrusted to the able hands ofjThomas Fergus, Esq. Tho Rev. B. Drake asked the divine blessing, after winch tho Cromwell Brass Band discoursed melodious music ; and the good things of this life were called into requisition by one hundred and thirty visitors. The first toast from the Chair was “ The Queen and Royal Family' 1 , followed by “The Government and ParliaLament of New Zealand.” The vice Chairman then proposed “ The Superintendent and Council,” coupled with tho name of Mr Hazlett, and in doing so he gave a very lucid account of the rise and progress of Provincial Institutions. Ho was not ashamed to own that he was a servant of tho Provincial Government ; to be associated with such he accounted an honor rather than a disgrace. It had been said by many that Provincialism bad seen its day, but be fondly dreamt—it might bo a dream, but still he clung to it—and it was this that, taking into consideration the rapid progress made by the various towns throughout the goldfields, at any rate, the opinion could not carry much weight or importance when applied to the public purse in this rich and prosperous Province. Ho thought they had reason to boast of the debatable power possessed by the Council of Otago, and not amongst the least would be found the member for Kawarau—and the gentleman whose name he had associated with the toast. For his own part, diffidence precluded him from referring, at greater length, to the question, but lie m’ght claim for the Civil Service that they tried to do their duty faithfully, not only to the Government they served, but to the people and themselves. (Applause). Mr Baird sang with taste “ Should in this cold world, be found”. —Mr Hazlett, who, on rising, was greeted with applause, said :—H» could not be unmindful of the kindness evinced by the hearty way in which the toast had been received, and he begged to thank them most cordially for the courtesy extended to him and the Council, of which he was a member. but he was compelled to admit that be would have been much better pleased if their valued Provincial representative, Mr MacKellar, could have been present, who would have done much greater justice to the subject than he could hope, one who had—though on some occasions voted against him ■ -shown himself well fitted to represent this important constituency. He might intimate that their member and himself had often been found in the same lobby, and he trusted they would again he found there. (Hoar, hear). While ho (Mr Hazlott) was in the Provincial Council he would vote in accordance with his conscientious conviction, but it was hot for him to read a lesson to them. They did not require that. He was no great admirer of Provincial institutions, bat would be found a strenuous opponent to their abolition, unless the General Assembly was prorogued, and an appeal made to tho country. To bis mind, it appeared monstrousjto Sweep such away until they were assured how they were to he replaced. So far, much good had been done byJProvincialism, and until tho public were informed more definitely upon the question of centralism, whether greater encouragement was to be afforded to the prosecution (of public wooks, greater encouragement extended to local industry, and a less expensive system of local Government adopted, a more direct way of controlling the local revenue suggested, he would give bis warmest support to insist upon prorogation of the Assembly, and the right relegated to tho colonists at largo to be permitted to have a say in th n consummating of such organic and groat constitutional changes. (Applause).-Song by Mr Sams, f 1 iwed by “ Tara’s Hall,” executed by the Baud.—The Chairman then rose to propose, what they all knew' to be, the toast of the evening. _ He felt that he labored under the conscientious conviction of being unable to do justice to tho subject. They were aware that they had assembled to honor the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the illustrious and immortal O’Connell, but he was proud to state that he felt encouraged when he looked around the festive board and learnt the fact that Irish, Scotch, and English held a corresponding fecluigrespecting the ashes of the Liberator. It tended to show that in all that the illustrious departed had taken a share, we, of the present time, Wt that he was one of the few, and that we, one and all, were convinced that he was exclusively cosmopolitan. He would be bold to assert that Englishmen could never be too grateful to the man who had pointed out the Emancipation Act and tho exponent of the principles of “ moral force”. The speaker then gave an outline of O'Connell’s life, referring in feeling language to the annual subsidy he received, and to his trial conviction, release, and death. Possessed of the inborn gift of eloquence, with heart glowing with human kindness, a will irresistible and as firm as a rock, a combination of robust self confidence, and a delicacy of perception regulated by keen sensibility, a fond and affectionate husband and father, his death so sudden and premature seemed almost unaccountable, and there v ere but few Irishmen who could forget the example he had set, and tho glorious benefits he had bestowed, not only upon those of his own time, but upon posterity. (Applause.) In his eternal life what suffering and misfortune ho endured on account and on behalf of that country for which he felt so warmly. Above all, how much he suffered in witnessing. for a long time, thatstrenous opposition in Parliament to tho passing of those measures which tended to the amelioration of suffering masses, and to tho dawn of a better and happier state of things. One almost feels tears of sorrow mingled with those of joy in dwelling upon the memory of such a benefactor. Ho was one who knew full well the weakness and strength of the people who, goveined by an idea, are easily led, and who, at times retrograde with equal rapidity. It must, to all present be highly gratifying to see tho vast enneonrso, all animated by tho one : thought and inspired by the same hopes. ! I feel more than ever that the principle by which we are hound together this nieht is one that unites us as a living force that it

at no distant time, destined to prevail over national prejudices and class jealousies, and to command the consent of inankii d- " Such was tho man who swayed one nation, defied and checkmated another, lived admired, and died respected by both. Yes— a Inver of peace lie was, the earnest and unflinching champion of civil liberty, and for which oven the dungeon had no terrors. By his acts, two great countries wore brought into closer union, and hv the free exchanges of mutual respect they wore united more firmly, a union cemented by tho strong tie of mutual interests and reciprocal rights.—His mind was too gigantic—too elevated to bo fettot od by small tilings, hut lie was ever tho advocate of human rights in the fullest acceptation of the term. He was in short a citizen of the world, and the world is entitW to claim a heritage in his nam“, and in his labors. Gentlemen, will you doubt this when I add that if O’Connoil did love Ireland more than any other spot his mind was at least too broad—too expansive, too lofty to bo circumscribed in its action by national honmhiries, His themo was far more comprehensive—it was a voluntary sacrifice in defence of the liberties of Christi m civilizatisn. In conclusion I ask yon in solemn silence to toast the memory of the illustrious O’Connell (Cheers). The other toasts wore the Mayor and Corporation, and Agricultural interests, Commercial interest, Press, Ladies, and Chair, hut want of space prevents our noticing these at length. Mr Janies Scott was the caterer and pave general satisfaction, and the Hall was tastefully deernted hyMrWebh of Clyde. The proceedings wore enlivened by several excellent songs. On tch whole I feel I am warranted in aocnrding’the great prahse to the gentlemen who worked so zealously and carried out the programme so satisfactorily! Mr Starkey deserves a word of commendation on account of the manner in which lie discharged his duties as Secretary. In the language of tho Bard I close this report with the appropriate lines descriptive of the great orator, barrister,' and statesman, and. of his end. His was : “An age that in nnperoeived decay, And glides in spotlessinnoceneeaway.” On last Monday evening at Kidd’s Hotel, a very harpy gathering of some twenty-five or thirty’gentloinen took place for the purpose of presenting Mr Reginald A. Snook, la'c of the Bank of New Zealand, with some small token of remembrance on the occasion of his severing from many strong friends by reason of his leaving theJdostrict. Tho Rev Mr Dewc was called to the Chair, and in very appropriate and feeling terms alluded to Mr Snook and tho uniform kindness and assurance he had invariably received from him. The Rev. Gentleman then handed Mr Snook a purse as a gift from the Church Committee and others. Mr WMn Icefield a spoke eulogistically, and in giving Mr Snook a valuable Pin purchased by the Sunday School Children, reminded him that ho felt satisfied that one who had taken such a deep interest in their advancement and welfare would ever cherish it. Messrs Fergus, Talboyg, ami Cololongh also made excellent speeches. Mr Snook replied thanking for the honor conferred, and assuring them that ho might justly say he severed himself from them with d“op regret, hut he believed that his duty dictated the necessity of returning to the Horne Country. He had been eighteen months in the Bank of New _ Zealand under Mr Gudgeon, and it was inexpressibly pleasant to him to he able to affirm that they had always agreed, and that, in short they found each other “ first rate fellows.” He in very appropriate words referred to the gift of the little ones, and in a few valedictory words, resumed his seat. It is a matter of regret that this presentation partook so much of a private character as many of the Citizens would have liked to have shown that they were not insensible of their indebtedness. Mr Snook was the first in promoting manly exorcise—active on the cricket-field, an export swimmer, and a highly finished elocutionist—a gentleman who delighted the public by his finished reciting—a gentleman always ready and foremost in supporting Charities, no matter of what character. We might truly say of him, his was “the generous friendship that no cold medium knew.” Cromwell has lost a highly prized citizen, and in common with others wish him well.

On Monday last the election of a Councillor for Macandrew Ward, vice Mr Whotter resigned, took place and resulted in the return of Mr G. Aitken, heating his opponent Mr Brown by four votes. The Good Templars announce a grand performance by the Arrow Amateur Dramatic Club for this evening the 13th instant, also, a tea-fight, oil’to he followed by a -dance. Admission, single tickets, 7a, 6d.. The balance of the proceeds, after paying expenses to be handed over to the Hospital. As the sum of L3O is I hear guaranteed to these quasi Amateurs, the balance lam afraid will he small- It is probable the 1.0.0.T’5. will secure sufficient tickets to make the affair a financial success.