Banquet to Mr F. Y. Lethbridge

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 14, 17 July 1894, Page 2

Banquet to Mr F. Y. Lethbridge

A pleasant ceremony took place in Mrs Hastie's hotel last evening, when a number of friends and political supporters of Mr F. Y. Lethbridge who stood by him during his recent contest for the Rangitikei seat met for the purpose of tendering him a dinner and presenting him with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns, as a token of the respect and esteem in which he was held by them,' and in recognition of the honourable and able manner in which he contested the late Rangitikei election. At 8 o'clock about twenty-four gentlemen sat down to an excellent spread, which reflected much credit on the hostess of the Feilding Hotel. Mr J. J. Bagnall occupied the chair, being supported on his right by the guest of the evening, and on his left by Mr T. Mackenzie, the member for Ciutha. After justice had been done to the good things, and the health of " The Queen " having been toasted, the Chairman proposed "Our Guest," and in a complimentary speech referred to tbe able and straight-forward L manner in wbich he had contested the : late seat. The task which his (the chairman) had before him was a pleasant, although difficult one, as he felt unable to express properly his feelings or the respect and regard in which their guest was held by his many supporters. The speaker referred at some length on the political abilities of Mr Lethbridge, his estimable character, and the profound regret which was felt by his friends on the result of the election becoming known. However, although they were not successful, it was not their fault, nor the fault of the candidate. On the night of the election a large number of Mr Loth-* bridge's supporters, who had congregated together, decided to take some means of showing him theii* appreciation of the manly and straightforward manner in which he had contested the seat, and, their high esteem for him, and the outcome of this was they had met together that evening to make him a small presentation in th-e shape of an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns; and he would now ask Mr Lethbridge to accept the same.; The address ran as follows:— "To Frank Yates Lethbridge, Esq., Sir, — ■ We, the undersigned, beg to ask your acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a token of our respect and esteem, and in recognition of the honorable and able manner in which you contested the late Rangitikei election in opposition to principles which we view as mischievous to the colony, and especially to the interests of those pn whose behalf they are professedly advanced. Wishing yon many years of * health, - happiness, and prosperity, we beg to subscribe ourselves your sincere friends :---J. J. Bagnall, A. C. Bruce, D. D. Mackenzie, L. Holden, J. J. Bryce, H. P. Lance, J. Saxon, E. Goodbehere, A. R, Atkinson, S. Strachan, H. Atkinson, D. Laing, E. 0. Buckley, E. J. Kelleher, A. Richmond, O. Cooper, D. Downes, A. H. Haynes, J7 Oldham, F. S. Goodbehere, F. F. Hockley, G. F. Bishop, C. E. Bryce, J. Hicks, P. Burrell, Henry Burrell, HughßurreiL/ C. Campbell, L. Bartholomew, D. Johnston, J. Sorley, H. L. Sherwill, H. J. Booth, W. A. Sandilands, C. E. Halcombe, and J. C. Halcombe." The address, which' is handsomely illuminated, and mounted in an oak frame, with gold beading, was executed by Mr A. Harding, late.of tho Colonists' Land and Loan Corporation, Feilding, and at present in Auckland. In responding to the toast and accepting the presentation, Mr Lethbridge made a neat little speech. He felt quite unable to express his feelings to his friends for their kindness and good wishes. He sincerely thanked them all for their generous gift, and he assured them that he would keep and value the address tlie whole of his life, and in handing it down to his children they, too, would highly value it. Mr R. Bruce proposed " The Parliament of New Zealand," and in doing so dwelt for some time on the political position of the colony, and the actions of the so-called Liberal Government. He reviewed their extravagant' transactions since the election of 1887 ; and the efforts of the late Sir Harry Atkinson and his colleagues to relievo the colony from its vast amount of indebtedness. He referred in the highest terms of praise; to Sir Harry's past career;, he devoted his life to the welfare of the colony, and died in harness. In 1890 the great Liberal party practically rode into office on the crest of a wave of industrial strife, and although they wer« to be the heralds of a new era, and a non- borrowing economical Government still they had landed the colony in about 2 millions more debt than when they took office. The philanthropy of a New Zealand Liberal begins and ends with himself. (Applause.) Mr Bruce concluded along and very interesting address by stating that the result of the recent election was, of course, a matter for very great regret, but he was absolutely surprised at the polling in several centres of this constituency, but he could say that the Paraekaretu people gave their guest the strongest Vote which he had in the electorate. ' He would couple the toast with the name of Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H. R., jind in doing so referred to that gentleman as one of the ablest as well as one of the most straightforward men in the House. (Applause.) In response, Mr Mackenzie made a capital speech, and expressed the pleasure it afforded him to be pre. sent to witness the presentation tQ Mr Lethbridge, It was jneQ sucli as he that the colony greatly needed at the present time to sed to t^e proper administration of affairs. Al? though lhe Government had a majority this year it was no criterion that they had the confidence of the colony. (Ap. plause). He spoke in high terms of prajsp qf the Stirling qualities Qf IVf*f Bruce, whose name was honoured throughout the colqny, (Applause), Mr Sandilands proposed " Our Lady Supporters," coupled with the name of Mr E. Goodbehere, who suitably responded. . "fS Othec toasts were « Our Hecretarv^ "Mr A. F. Halcombe," « The Chairman," and the "Press," all of which were duly responded to. During the evening songs, &c, were given by several of those present, and the gathering dispersed shortly after | midnight, a very enjoyable evanine hanng been spent. *