MAYORAL BANQUET.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 892, 15 May 1903, Page 3

MAYORAL BANQUET.

PROGRESS OF GISUORNE AND

DISTRICT.

At the banquet tendered by His Worship the Mayor on Wednesday evening at his residence to the Councillors, ex-Counciliors, and officers of the Gisborne Borough Councii, to cclebrato his fourteenth installation as Mayor of 'the Borough, soino excellent speeches wore made, the settlement and progress of the borough and district being reviewed from the earliest stages to the present time. In proposing ” The Progress of Gisborne and District,” His Worship said his memory carried him back that evening to the time when there was only one local body in the district, the Poverty Bay Highway Board. At that time there was not a road in the district. One often heard the municipal authorities blamed at the present time for not pressing the claims of the district on Government, but lie could remember the occasion on which the then Mayor (Mr W. K. Crawford) and the speaker attended Wellington as a deputation from the local Highway Board. On dial occasion they did their best to induce | jove/miient to take over the through ro 1

from Gisborne to Opotiki, in order that the district might have an outlet, but their representations were unavailing to move Parliament in the matter. On that occasion the deputation also sought the assistance of Government in forming and improving the harbor. The speaker and Mr

uwlurd iufonuad the Ministers that,

Government would undertake) to see that the interest was paid and the capital refunded, Captain Held was prepared to advance £50,000 to form and improve a harbor in order that the district might have an outlet for its produce. When unsuccessful in inducing Government to avail themselves of this oiler, they tried to extract a promise that they would take it up later on, hut nothing came of their appeal. His Worship remembered that on that occasion they were taken in hand by Mr Sutton, of Napier, who took them to the House and introduced them to the late Hon, Mr Swanson, to whom they preached their tale of woe. After listening patiently to their representations, Mr Swanson, with uplifted hands, exclaimed : 11 Boys, don't preach justico hero ! If you can buttonhole members, and get them to promiso to do what they can for you, well and good ; but, for heaven’s sake, don’t speuk of justico in this House.” (Much laughter.) His Worship then explained that on their return tboy had selected 1500 acres at l’atutahi, and eudoavored to luduco Government to set it apart as an endowment for the Gisborne Harbor Board ; but in

[ this they wcro also unsuccessful, though they had sanguine hopes of succeeding later on. However, clespito much discouragement in the earlier days, the members of the local bodies had diligently kept their hands to tho plough, and the condition of tho borough and district at tho present timo was ample reward for their labors. lie thought they could fairly congratulate themselves on the marked progress that had been mado. They had much to thank their representative in Parliament for. The lion. Mr Carroll had, in and out of season, kept tho requirements of tho district before Parliament, and backed up their representations for assistance in developing tho resources of tho district. In sooing that this district was not neglected by Parliament, Mr Carroll had to play a lono hand, as not a single Auckland member had yet advocated tho development of Poverty Pay. It was all “ North of Auckland 1 North of Auckland ” with them, His Worship paid a very high tribute to the manner in which tho Hon. Mr Carroll had safe-guarded thoir iutcrest3. The duty of tho residents of tho district now was to advocate the pushing on of tho railway as speodily as possible. It was to all their interests that this should bo done. Interested politicians often referred to the interior of Poverty Bay as barren and rockyi but the photographs Mr WLiinray had showed them that evoning of tho Motu district were proof of tho first-class quality of the bush land, which only required opening up and settling in order that countless herds might paaturo where now was primeval forest. The speaker compared our railway with that in the FortyMilo Bush in Hawko’s Bay when first running, and caused amusement by relating an adventurous trip ho made on the Hawko’s Bay lino through tho Forty-Mile Bash on a train composed of an engine and one van, which hroko down at frequent intervals, and reached its destination tho day after it should have dono so. Wo had a much better service hero, and should bo proud of our railway. The photos Mr Whinray had showed them of tho Motu proved that the country was very similar to tho Forty-Mile Bush. Look at tho progross that had taken placo in that district. Twenty years ago what was deuso forest was now some of tho finest country in tho colony. And so, he felt sure, it would bo with tho interior of this district. Development was going on at a rapid rate, and would increaso ; nothing could retard it; and it was their bounden duty to push it along by every means in their power. With regard to the Borough, it had boon kept back for a timo by people going across tho river to escape tho harbor rate, but increased population bad righted this. In conclusion his Worship said : “ I know of no placo healthier or bettor than Gisborno in the colony. Let us all strive together to mako it tho prettiest and pleasantest.” Ilis Worship coupled tho names of Crs Whinray and Bright with the toast, and resumed his seat amid hearty applause. Or J. W. Whinray, in responding, said the prosperity of Gisborno and district was a theme on which ho had often dwelt, and it was - a pleasant one for men like his Worship and himself, who had almost seon tho dawn of settlement and progress in this district. They bad had a hard struggle to start tho placo. Ho hold -ast I to the theory that if you wanted peoplo to help you, you must first thoroughly convince them that your estimate of your assets and resources is a correct and true one. On this principle ho had always advocatpd gating members of Parliament, and Ministers particularly, to _ visit the placo and mako themselves cognisant with tho marvellous wealth of the country behind Gisborne. Ho had recently spent a week at tho Motu. The fallen timber was lying thick on the ground, but the sun had been let in and was doing its work. It almost broke bis heart to see tho magnificent timber that had been ruthlessly destroyed. Ho intended to take the earliest possiblo opportunity of reminding tho Premier of on important speech ho (Mr Seddon) had mado in Dunedin twelve months ago, in which ho strongly advocated tho setting aside of forest reserves. Judging by the recent sale at the Motu tho Premier had forgot all about this speech. Sections containing valuable timber had been leased for 25s per acre. On these sections were trees tliroo, five, and seven feet through, which would Yield from £l2 to £ls per 100. Tho asset the district possessed in tho Motu timber had been urgod persistently through tho press ami local bodies. When the Hon Mr Duncan, Minister for Lands, had visited Gisborno ho agreed that tho Motu land should never have been pavteu with until the asset in the timber had been made use of. Ho believed a little persuasion would have induced tho Minister for Lands to have visited the Motu on the occasion of his last visit, and ho cortainly thought effort should he made to get the Hon. Mr Duncan here and make him acquainted with tho district. Spooking of the improvements in roading, Mr Whinray said that 26 years ago it was quite impossible to find a stone near the town with which to throw at a dog. It was a common sight to see half-a-dozen bullock-drays stuck in tho mud on the tracks between town and Waccenga-n----hika. Tho speaker thought they had duties outside municipal matters, and should do all they could to give assistance m the settlers in the back-blocks who were doin' 7 so much at- such great disadvantages to really settle and develop tho district He deprecated tho selfish spirit which made people think that their wholo duty was to run a shop and attain a competence. and let tho country and district „ 0 bang. The Chamber of Commerce was, perhaps, tho proper body to carry out this duty, but it appeared to bo oead of late. Ho hoped to seo more, vim and zest infused into tho public spirit of the place, and more assistance given to those who had made the placo what it undoubtedly was at present—one of the most progressive and cortainly tho finest pastoral district iu tho colony. (Warm applauae.)

Mr W. Gibson recited 11 Tho Geebung Polo Club.” Mr J. W. Bright said ho felt very much like one of the spectres referred to in the recitation at this festive board. His Worship’s kind invitation to ho present that evening had addressed him as “late Councillor.” 0 He could assuro His Worship that he was by no moans dead yet (laughter), and would still, though not in the Council, do his best to further the interests of the borough and district. He had often been called on to sing the praises of the district, which was one of tho best, if not the host, in the colony. He had been in many places in the colony, and there were none to which he would exchange from Gisborne. (Applause.) He had had sixteen years’ residence, and the progress which had taken place during tnat period was simply astounding. If the changes which had taken place during his residence seemed great, what justifiable pride must fill the heart of His Worship, who could look hack over the evolution which had steadily gone on during his thirty years’ residence. “ Look at the place now, and what it was then,” exclaimed Mr Bright. “ Great as has been the progress which has taken place during the past thirty years, Your Worship, I feel confident that the progress during the next thirty years will he even more marked than in

your recollection, sir,” continued the speaker, amid warm applause. At the luncheon on board the Gothic the day previous, the captain of that vessel had assured tho speaker that the Gothic was the finest vessel alloat in the world to day. He asked the captain to repeat this statement, and was ussurod by his host that he knew perfectly well what he was saying—tho Gothic was the best-appointed and finest vessel afloat to-day. It spoke volumes for tho importance which was attached to tho port when vessels of this class

considered it worth their while to corno here, and they had soven almost as equally

lino steamers hero within tho past few months, Tho speaker had had something to do with fostoring tho frozen meat industry of tho district. Tho returns showed that there wero 1,500,000 sheep in tho Counties of Cook and Waiapu, and about 057,000 of a 001 b average would be put through the two local works this year. Our neighbors looked with eyes of jealousy upon tho progress this district was making. The dairy industry was also making rapid strides, and was also becoming of importance. 110 estimated that forty thousand acres of bush laud would bo knocked down in tho district this yoar. The stock requirod for tho new country oponed up would bo considerable, and tho return would swell the output. Altogether, they had reason to exorcise tho deepest foelings of congratulation on tho progress in all commercial branches which tho district had made of roccnt years. Ttic place had been delayed in its progress by Native troubles and the difficulty of access to it, but it had a magnificent climate and tho soil was the most fortilo in the colony. Recently, his firm had sold 1000 acres to a settlor with 12 years’ experience in othor parts. This gentleman was somewhat sceptical of the speaker’s assurances of what tho land was capablo. Not long ago, this purchaser came to tho speaker and asked liirn to guess what his gross return

was for tho preceding twelve months. Ho hazarded £ISOO, and was assured by the delighted purchaser that that was very closo to his gross return. Thoro was any amount of country in the district to equal that. He thought they should endeavor to improve the lightering service and shipping facilities generally. Mr Bright concluded by thanking His Worship for coupling his name with the toast, and resumed his seat amidst long and continuod applause. “ Tho Now Councillors ” was proposed Ilis by Worship. He regretted that Messrs Kennedy and Bright had not seen their way clear to como forward. Had thoy done so, it appeared as if the old Council would have been returned. However, they had tried men in Crs Somorvoll, Johnston, and Morrison, and ho wclcoinou them back to tho Council. Cr Somervell, in responding, gave some most interesting rominisconces of his career in the early days of the colony. It was 48 years since ho landed in Aucldand, which was not nearly so largo then as Gisborno is now. It always appeared as if he wero one of tho leaderless legion who wero in tho forefront of civilisation, breaking the road for tho rest. He carried his hearers with him through tho Maori War, in which he served as a voluntoer, over the Otago goldfields, and at last, in 1868, found himself in luvercavgill, where ho saw a notice in Kelvin street bearing the words: “Mud six feet deep, and rising fast.” From Southland he went to the

Thames, and from thence to Kurnara, and from thero to Eivorhead, Auckland, and finally landed in Gisborne, where ho decided to permanently cast his lines, as it was by far the best district ,he had seen. Since arriving here he had seen the place progress by loaps and bounds as no other placo in the colony had done. This district could not help progressing. Tho soil was bore, and that would nover give out. He instanced the Thames, whore at one time thero wero 12,000 mon on tho field, whereas now thero was about 700. Tho staple product of this district could nover bo dug out as was boing dono there. He hoped to sco all work togothor to shovo tho district ahead.

Cr T. Morrison said ho felt highly honored in being returned to tho Council, and intended to do his best to retain the confidence of those who had elected him. Although the youngest man on tho Council, ho had boon a resident of the district

for 27 years, and could romomber whon it was a common sight to see drays and waggons bogged botween town and Waerenga-a-hika. He had always taken a keen intorest in municipal matters, and whon on tour with the local firo brigade ho used to assist His Worship in examining the water sehemos and municipal systems of tho various towns thoy visitod. While all wore anxious to see progress, it must be remembored thac they had only a limited amount available with which to carry on improvements. Somo people complained because grass grow on their streets ; in tho part of the borough in which ho lived thoy would be only too glad to seo grass on the streets. “ Tho Retiring Councillors ” was proposed by His Worship, coupled with the names of Cr Bright and Cr Lysnar (on behalf of tho absent gontlemen). Both Crs Bright and Lysnar made happy speeobes, the former declaring that he would offer his services again, and the latter referring to tho excellent spirit which had prevailed in tho old Council. *• Tho Ladies," proposed by His Worship, was ably responded to by Crs Harding and Jones. •• Tho Press ” was proposed by His Worship. He said the press did excellent work, but ho was rather amazed to notice by that evening’s paper that tho borough overdraft was .£42,000. If that were correct all he could say was that they were paying a very cheap rate of interest for it. The toast was responded to by the representatives present. “ The Officers of the Council ’’ was proposed by Cr Jones, and responded to by Mr It. D. B. Itobinson, Town Clerk. Mr Bright, in proposing “ The Mayor and Mayoress," paid a very high tribute to the worthy helpmate of His Worship the Mayor, and said that all the complimentary things which could he said of Mr Townley could be magnified tenfold in the case of Mrs Townley. (Hearty applause.) The toast was drunk with musical honors, and was responded to by His Worship.