Complimentary Dinner.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 417, 16 May 1902, Page 2

Complimentary Dinner.

At the Gisborne Hotel, on Wednesday evening, Mr and Mrs J. H. Martin gave a dinner to the workmen who were engaged in the construction of the hotel. There was a large gathering, from seventy to eighty members of the building, plumbing, and painting trades being present, also Mr Quigley, architect, and Messrs Mackrell and Colley, contractors. An excellent spread was provided, and after full justice had been done to it a number of toasts were proposed. Mr W. J. Quigley presided, and proposed the health of the King, which was drunk with enthusiasm, A capital song, entitled “ The Hero of Mafeking,” was given by Mr T. Holdsworth in good style. “ The Architect ” was proposed by Mr J. H. Martin, who stated that the new Gisborne Hotel was Mr Quigley's masterpiece.

Mr G. Goldsworth contributed a recitatation, which was received with loud applause. The toast of “ The Contractors ” was proposed by Mr Quigley, who referred to the fathful manner in which tho work of building the hotel had been performed. He thought Messrs Mackrell and, Colley were deserving of every credit for the excellent job made. The hotel v a oredit to Gisborne and to the men who undertook its construction. “ Sons of the Sea” was sung in an excellent manner by Mr Kay. Mr Colley, in replying, made an excellent speech, the ohief point of which was that credit was not so much due to the contractors as to the proprietor, who had to find the means. He thought that Mr Martin was to be complimented on the class of building erected. ’ Mr Mackrell pointed out that no matter how good the contractors were, unless they had good workmen on the job . the work would be no good. In this ease,* ; tho proprietor had decided on having a good house, and the work had been faithfully carried out. Mr Martin deserved great credit for his enterprise in building such a house, when there was the question of prohibition coming up at at early date. For his own part, he thought it was a

shame that publicans should be asked to build houses, and then have them shut up inside of three years. He hoped that Mr Martin would have a good innings in his new house during the next three years; then at the expiration of that term he could retire, and hand the house over to

the prohibition party, for them to keep a model lodging-house.—(Laughter.) The toast of “ The Workmen ” was proposed by Mr Colley, and responded to by Messrs Williams, Kay, and Wade.’ Mr Mackrell gave a fine rendering of “ Dolly Grey.” Other toasts honored were “ Local Industries,” proposed by Mr Goldworthy, and responded to by Mr Quigley. 11 The Press,” proposed by Mr Georgeson, and responded to by the Times representative. “ The Ladies,” proposed by Mr Williams, and responded to in a most happy manner by Messrs McKillop, F. King, and Wallace.

Mr A. Wade gave a pleasing interpretation of “ As Your Hair Grows Whiter." The concluding toast was that of “ The Host and Hostess,” which was acknowledged in appropriate terms by Mr J. H. Martin. The singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ” terminated a very pleasant gathering. The piano used during the evening wag supplied by the Piano Dresden Company, of which Mr 0. F- Lewis is the local agent,