COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1744, 9 May 1906, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL

TENDERED TO MESSRS HEBRIES AND CLAYTON.

There was a large and representative attendance at the British Empire Hotel last evening, on the oooasion of the com* I plimentary social tendered to Messrs Her» I ries and Clayton. Mr W. K. Chambers presided, and proposed the toast of the KiDg, wbioh was enthusiastically responded to. The Chairman read the following tele gram, whioh be had received that evening | from Mr W.F. Massey, Leader of the! Opposition: “At the cooeert tonight please thank and congratulate the Gisborne Oppositionists for the good fight I made on the last cccasioD. I hope they are preparing fer tho next opportunity, as I am confident that when both parties bettet understand eech other more satisfactory results will follow.’’ The Chairman proposed “ The Legislators,” coupled with the name of Mr Herries. the toast being reoeived with much enthusiasm. la replying, Mr Herries made a ohar acteristio speech, depicting in glowing terms the progress made by the Gisborne and Bay of Plenty electorates during tbe last three years. He paid a high tribute to the administration of the Government, but dealt at some leDgth in regard co what be considered reforms whioh should be instituted. He hoped in the future to see the Opposition consolidated, bo that tbeir reforms could be brought to a Buooessful iseue. (Applause.) The toast of "Mr Clayton ” was proposed by tho Chairman, who made a vigorous speech in rtgard to the excellent fight made by Mr W. L. Clayton at the last election.

In replying, Mr ClaytoD, who was received with great applause, thstkad ail those who had been instrumental in gaining him support at ths last eleet’on. He fully appreciated tho many kiodnesses which had been extended to him, and he hoped on a future occation to be a party in returning to Parliament a worthy Opposition member. (Applause.) At the last election he had done his best and made a good fight, (Applause). He was convinced that at the last election there was a great lack of organisation, and this he hoped to see remedied in the future. He was a young man with ideas] and these he hoped to see brought to pass. (Applause). Mr A R. Watson proposed the toast of Mr Herries, the member for Opotiki, and in doing so made an excellent Bpeeoh in which he referred to the exoelleat work accomplished by the member for the Bay of Plonty. After a song from Mr Woodward, Mr Herries replied thanking the gathering for the enthusiastic reception he had reoeived. He was much impressed with the Motu country, and he looked to see the GisborneAuckland railway progressing by leaps and bounds. He would do his utmost to push it forward. The Chairman, on behalf of the OpposD lion patty of tbe district, then presented to Mr W. Lissant Clayton the following address as a memento of the fight he had made in connection with the recent election :

Gisborne, N.Z., let May, 1906, To W. Lissant Clayton, Esq., Gisborne.

Dear Sir, — On behalf of the Opposition party of the Waiapu electorate, we have very much pleasure in expressing our great appreciation of the very able manner in wbioh you contested the late elcolion for the Honse of Representatives. Wo are fuily sensible of the great difficulties by whioh you were surrounded during the contest. The splendid organisation of the Government party, togethor with tho great po'sonal popularity of Mr Carroll, were no doubt great factors in the success of our opponents. The Opposition party, wo regret lo say, is not organised with the same nioety, and the very able manner in whioh you endeavored to overcome the insurmountable obstacles opposed to you, commends itself to our admiration. Wo feel that tho only hope of our party being represented in the futuro is to systematically organise, and prove to the electors that wo have the true interests, not only of the constituency, but of tho wbo’e colony at heart. In conclusion, we would ask you to permit us to tender our sincere thanks for the time and trouble given by you to tho oontost, and again to express our great appreciation of your services. We can only wish that the results had been commensurate with their worth. We are, dear Sir, Yours very sincerely, For tho Opposition party of the Waiapu electorate —

W, K. CHAMBERS, Chairman of Committee. Replying to the address Mr Clayton said that, a 3 far as possible, be had endeavored to carry on a fair contest, and right through the campaign he had intended no personal attack upon Mr Jas. Carro l. The party had suffered defeat through lack of organisation, and he hoped to see this romedied in the future, " The toast of " Farming and Com moroe,” was proposed by Mr Elliott, of the Motu, and responded to by Meßßrs A. H. Wallis and Morgao. Other (oasis proposed weie “ The Railway League,” ’’Farmirs' Union,” "Local Bodies,” “ Press,” and ‘‘ Chairman,” all of which were duly responded to. Tho toast of “ The Host,” Mr George Qman, was also drunk with enthusiasm, mention being mqde of the excellent spread provided.