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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2554, 25 April 1871, Page 2

INTRODUCTION of the TWEED TRADE INTO NEW ZEALAND, Mr John Smail and party, to the number of nineteen, left Innerleithen for New Zealand on Monday, January 23, to introduce the manufacture of Scotch tweeds into that Colony. The necessary machinery, which is all of the best and most approved kind, is being taken out with them. On the evening of Friday, January 20, four of the party——Mr Smail, Mr Thomas Dobson, Mr Walter Rae, and Mr James Smail—were entertained to supper in the Commercial Hotel, Innerleithen. There were about forty present. Chief-Magistrate Lennio occupied the chair, and Junior-Magistrate Shlell officiated as croupier.

The Chairman, after a few opening remarks, made the following presentation of books :—To Mr Smail, the “ History of Peeblesshire,” by Mr William Chambers, and a copy of the “ Scottish Minstrel ” ; to Mr Dobson, the “History of Peeblesshire,” and the “ Works of Burns” ; to Mr Rae, a copy of the “ Works of Burns ” ; and to Mr James Smail, a volume of the “ Scottish Minstrel.” In presenting the volume to Mr James Smail, the Chairman said, as he was the worthy son of a worthy sire, he hoped he would follow in the footsteps of his father. He also said that all tho company wished the party great success in the land of their adoption. (Cheers.) Junior-Magistrate Siiiell, in proposing the health of the guests of the evening, said it seemed to hipi but a very short time, yet it was thirteen years, since he was at a meeting in the same house for the same purpose as the . one for which they were then met, He (the croupier) referred to tho time

when Mr Haldane left for New Zealand, where be still was, and, he believed, near the locality where the g&ests nf that evening were going. In this shifting scene they could not always have the same neighbors and friends, but there were very few people who could leave Innerleithen avhom he would miss more than his friend Mr Smail. He had always found him a very agreeable and obliging neighbor, and he was quite sure all present would join with him in wishing him health and prosperity, and particularly as a member of the linn which would be the first to introduce the woollen manufacture into New Zealand. (Cheers.) Although it was with regret that his many friends were parting with him, they would cherish the hope that they would meet in future days, and renew their intercourse with their old friend—

“ Hope springs exulting on triumphant wings,"

Mr A. Brown said he had an agreeable duty to perform, and that was to present to Mr Small, for his wife, a copy of the life of Sir Walter Scott, and also a copy of the “ Best of Everything ” for Miss Smail; and that, in giving those small tokens of remembrance to Mrs and Miss Smail, they wished them much happiness in their new homes. (Cheers.)

Mr A. Tillie said he had been on intimate terms with Mr Smail for upwards of twenty years, and he could testify to his energy, perseverance, ami integrity. He understood that xMr Sunil's partner, Mr Burns, was a grand-nephew of our national bard; and from the favorable manner in which he had heard Mr Burns spoken of, he was sure he was a worthy, true man, who would do honor to the name he bore. Mr Tillie concluded by proposing great prosperity to the firm of “A. J. Burns and C 0.,” which was drunk with all the honors. Mr Smail thanked the company for their good wishes, and for their handsome testimonials to himself and family, and said he never would forget their kindness, nor the many happy years he had spent among them all at Innerleithen. He said he had asked their Chief-Magistrate privately to say as little about him as possible at this last and to him trying meeting, and that they must excuse him for making a very short reply. He trusted, however, that, in the foreign land where he was going, he would never do nothing that would disgrace his name or the land of his birth

Mr Mitchell proposed the “ Manufacturing luterct ” in all its branches, coupled with the name of Mr W. Dobson, clothier, who was once in the trade.

Mr Docson, in reply, gave some reminiscences of Galashiels thirty-six years ago. Mr Watson gave a short address on our Colonies.

At the close of the proceedings, Mr Smail, bookseller, proposed a vote of thanks to the Chief-Magistrate for presiding, which he had done with much tact and ability. The Chief-Magistrate said it had given him great satisfaction to meet as they had done, and do honor to the guests, and he was gratified to think that Mr Smail was to be a partner of the New Zealand firm. From the ability and energy be would bring to hear on the busiue s, he had no doubt but that ere long another batch of workers would be required from this good old country, for their manufactory in Otago. Songs were sung during the course of the evening by Messrs J. Simpson, A. Michie, N. MTtay, A. Lennie, J. Shiell, A. Eckford, John Smail, R. dagger, and C. Moncur, When Mr Smail and party left Innerleithen on Monday, January 23, nearly three hundred of the townspeople met them at the railway station, and cheered them heartily as the train moved off.

A correspondent writes as follows on the departure of the emigrants : —No small stir was created here last Monday evening by the departure of twenty persons, including a few children, for New Zealand. The railway station was quite crowded with th'se who had gone to see them away. Mr. Burns, a descendant of our national bard, is about to commence the manufacture of Tweeds in that new colony. The party have all been mill-workers, and are quite conve sant with the different departments of tweed making, and are to he employed in the new trade in that distant land. The ship in which they sef sail is the Helenslce, and she carries with her the machinery which the trade requires. The fitting-up of it is entrusted to Mr. John Small, whose long experience in the business fits him for the practical part of the work. He is the right man in the right plaae. The undertaking is new in that infant colony, and we fondly hope that Mr. Bums will reap the reward of his spirit d enterprise, and that the emigrants will have no cause to regret that they left their fatherland for their adopted home, into which, under a superintending Providence, they will, in a few months, be ushered. —Pechl sshirc Advertiser.