DINNER TO MR JOHN GRIFFEN.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2254, 28 July 1870, Page 2

DINNER TO MR JOHN GRIFFEN.

La?t evening, the friends of Mr Griffen, the representative of South Ward in the City Council, gave that gchtlenian a dinner at Murray’s Rooms, Rattray street. About sixty were present. Mr Hepburn was in the chair, Mr Grifft.n being seated on his right hand. Mr K. Wilson was Vice-Chairman, at whose right was Mr H. S. Fish, the Mayor elect. 'I lie dinner was provided in Mr Murray’s be&t’ style, and deserves tho highest praise. After dinner, the usual loyal toasts were proposed and drank. Captain Stavoly briefly and pertinently responded to “ Tho Army, Navy, and Volunteers.” Mr" Reeves proposed tho “Provincial Council of Otago,” to which Mr Duncan responded. He made a few remarks relative to tho honorable position in which members of the Provincial Council were placed, and alluded in very handsome terms to the Interest taken by the Superintendent in every thing that was calculated to forward tho interests of the Province. Ho then drew attention to oar educational and material pros- ! perity—to tho University about to bo founded, to tho Graving Dock at Port Chalmers —and to the efforts made to acclimatise salmon; and concluded by expressing a hope that Otago would always have a Superintendent, executive, and Provincial Council as anxious as his Honor to benefit the Province. The Chairman, in a few words expressive of his regard for Mr Griffon, proposed that gentleman’s health, Ho reverted to his first acquaintanceship with Mr Griffen some eight nr nine years ago, and to the amicable business transactions that had since passed between them. He had uniformly found Mr Griffen an Upright and honorable _ man. Their friendship had never had the slightest interruption. He regretted that he had not sticcoidccl in his contest for the mayoralty, but felt assured that, though defeated this year, ho would be elected next, Mr GnirF.CN, who was heartily cheered on rising, very briefly acknowledged tho toast, and made a few allusions to the late contest. He considered that his friends had used their utmo’t efforts to secure h*s elcct’on, and he thanked them heartily. Mr Fish’s committee had worked splendidly, and the contest was fairly fought. H« proposed th* hsalth of his Commifrte. Mr Or soft responded. The V rcH-CnAißifan (Mr R. Wilson) proposed “The health of the Corporation,’’to which Mr H. S. Frsn (the Mayor elect) replied in a very appropriate speech. Tho Agricultural, Commercial, and Mining interests were proposed and responded to. Mr Copeland proposed tho " Educational institutions of Otago,” and drew a comparison between the advantages poesed by the colonies, and tho state of education at heme. Mr Park responded, and remarked particularly upon tho excellent educational system of tne Province, and the • prospective advantages of a New Zealand University being established in Dunedin. Several other toasts were given and responded to, so that what may bo termed the formal business of tho evening, however enjoyable, was somewhat protracted. Mens. Fleury and Messrs Martin and Reichardfc were in attendance, and played at intervals in excellent stylo and taste, and the proceedings were interspersed with several songs fhy amateurs, who proved more than usually efficient. It is seldom that a more thoroughly enjoyable evening has been passed.