FAREWELL DINNER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2019, 2 March 1907, Page 2

FAREWELL DINNER

AT THE PATUTAHI HALL. A dinner was given last night to Mr A B. Carmichael, who is leaving for a trip to the Old Country ;lie leaves Gisborne on Sunday week. The dinner was locally catered for and is described as the biggest and most important affair of that nature which has taken place in Patutahi. Among those presont were: Messrs. W. K. Chambers (chairman), G. Elliott, and A. F. Kennedy (vice-chairmen), J. C. Woodward (secretary), W. Lissant Clayton, V. Pyke, J. Al. Gonldsmitli. Stock, H. McKenzie, J. Roberts, Fraser, O. Monckton, C. Fenwick, Ewen Cameron, Steele, Heggarty, C. Keenan, J, Caesar, Waclismann, Knight, St. Leger, Fairweather, Lyons, Graham, J. Patterson, Ellis, R. Colebrook, Brunton, Gillespie, Barlow, Rougher, A. ’Thompson, Mclldowio, Bradley, Hall, The loyal toast being honored, Mr. Woodward favored the company with a song. The chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, said it was a great privilege to have the right of proposing the toast of Mr. Carmichael, whom lie had known for 1G years, and know nothing but good of him. He had made his way by sheer industry, and after 16 years of every sort of life, he well deserved a holiday. In parting with him they could only hope he would come back and buckle to for another sixteen years. He thought that such a representative meeting was quite sufficient to show everyone in what honor he was held by the community. (Applause.) Mr. Carmichael had taken part in public affairs (another great point in his favor), only doing his duty to the State as every man should; in that respect Mr. Carmichael had been very popular. He would have their wishes for a good trip and future prosperity. Song, Mr. Rougher. The chairman called upon Mr. J. Caesar, who in responding, said that the chairman had taken the words out of his mouth, hut) he thought he would tell tho company about an incident that occurred in the pioneering days (not in B.C. 55 —laughter), but in the old days when Mr. Carmichael employed him and one day told him to take some of this stuff, and this flour, make a firo, tip the mixture in, and let it rip. Mr. Caesar carried out his instructions to the letter, building a big fire. lie was not sure liow long to let it stay, but to be on the safe side loft it an hour and a half. (Laughter.) Then the men came home to the camp and the lid was lifted, and a small black ball was discovered! He expected a funeral, hut it did not come oil. That black ball was chopped and Mr. Carmichael ate a piece from the centre. (Laughter.) He endorsed what tho chairman hail said, and congratulated the guest on getting on well in the world, and sincerely hoped ho would have a good trip and see his (Mr. Caesar’s) people in the Old Country. (Applause.) Mr. Barlow gave a song and was heartily encored. Tho chairman called upon Mr. Kennedy, who rose and said that he felt highly honored in responding us his friend, Mr. Bright, was unable to bo present owing to an importv.it Hospital meeting, and he apologised on Mr. Bright’s behalf. He eulogised Mr. Carmichael, and said lie knew that gentleman’s brother, who was a friend of his (Mr. Kennedy’s) people at Home, and when coming out aero he told him to see Mr. Carmichael. The latter took up land at AVaeren-ga-a-hika, which was thought to ho very poor. Mr. Carmichael’s experience told him that the reverse was the case, and ho soon turned it into a success, and now the AA’aerenga-a-hilca people were very glad to have him for a neighbour. Mr. Carmichael would keep his eyes open, and if lie saw anything would tell them about it when he returned. The toast of the evening was drimc with musical honors. Tlio chairman proposed that Mrs. Carmichael's name bo coil pod wit h her husband’s in the toast, and this was heartily agreed to. Mr. A. F. Kennedy was next called upon for a song, but as he had i:o music with him, bo gave some iiiuresting reminiscences of Patutahi. Air. Carmichael, in rising to respond, was heartily cheered. Ho thanked tho company for their toast, and said that he had a speech prepared, but liis feelings overcame him at the critical moment. However he proceeded to thank Messrs Chambers and Caesar for their kind remarks. It was, he said, an honor to know them for so long a time. He f.‘U quite unable to express his feelings as he would like to in thanking then for their kindness. A voice: AYc will take tho word fir the deed. (Applause.) Mr. Carmichael: <: I can only than* you for the way you have spoken tonight.” The chairman mentioned the fact that it was intended to give a presentation and an address, and ho asked Mr. AA’oodward to make the presentation to Mr. Carmichael. (Clitecrs.) Mr. AA’oodward, in performing the pleasing duty, s.aid they had chosen for tlicir present a good old pipe. The pipe was associated in tlio minds of all smokers with peace, goodwill, and love. They had chosen this small present that it should remind Air. Carmichael of his friends present. “Presented to A. 13. Carmichael, Esq., by bis Poverty Bay friends, on the occasion of "his departure for a trip Home, March Ist, 1007.” Air. AA’oodward then read tho address: “Dear Carmichael, AVe, your friends meet here to-niglit to say good-bye to you. AVe are anxious that you should take some tangible offering of the esteem we feel as a token of goodwill. It will remind you of our best wishes for a good trip and a safe return to ns.—Yours sincerely, AA’. K. Chambers, Chairman of the Farewell Dinner Committee.” Believe me, I have very great pleasure, in the name of the gentlemen assembled, to hand you this token of our goodwill. I know you are a smoker, and you will appreciate this present, not for its intrinsic worth, but as coming from us. Air. Carmichael, in a short speech, said feelingly, that ho was taken completely l>y —-.prise, and he could only thank '' ,i - mors again for their handsome present. Air. Elliott apologised for Mr. Morgan, who was unavoidably detained.

Mr. Elliott also apologised for Mr. llarding. Mr. AA’oodward road a number ot letters, apologising for tlio absence of the writers. Air. T. AV. Billiam wroto regretting bis absonco owing to ill-health, and wished Air. Carmichael a pleasant trip. Letters from the following gentlemen apologising for their absence wore read: Messrs. J. B. Kells, AV. A. Barton, D. B. Watt, G. Faulkner, Parsons, Tombleson, Dalrymplo, Alc'Loughlin, Neil, AA 7 . Maxwell, Sherratt, Cyril AVliitc, T. Craill, and H. Evans.

The chairman called upon Air. AA’. Lissant Clayton, who entertained the company with a whistling solo. Being heartily encored, be gave another, which was enthusiastically received. Air. Elliott proposed the toast of the Rimu House Station, coupled with tlio name of Air. AA’. Fairweatlier.

Air. Fairweather, in replying to the toast, made tho statement that although one side of a man’s character was seen by his. friends, liis employees usually saw a diffront side. Air. Carmichael had only one side, ho was white all through. (Applause.) Recitation, Air. Woodward. Ho was encored, and gave “The Native Born,’ and proposed the toast of the “Native Born,” coupled with tho name of Air. Stock.

Air. Stock, in replying, said he was glad to see so many admirers of that imperialistic poet, Rudyard Kipling, who had written most to instil the imperialistic spirit in the public mind. He was thankful to Kipling for dealing with the imperialistic policy of Empire. Alost of those present were native born. A voice: Question. The Celtic Isle evidently was the homeland of many present. They looked upon it as an inferior possession of tho British Empire. (Laughter.) Colonials were immensely proud of their country, and ho was sure that Air. Carmichael would defend tho fair name of New Zealand should occasion arise. Air. Barlow favored the company with a song, which was encored. Air. A. F. Kennedy again pleased the company with several recitations, and Alessrs. Caesar and Ellis songs. Tlio chairman called upon Air Fyke io propose tho toast of tho ladies. iVLr. Gouklsmith replied on their behalf. Air. Barlow was again called upon for a song. Recitation: Air. AA’aclismau. • Air. AV. Lissant Clayton, in proposing a vote of thanks to Air. AA’oodward ,said that it was entirely due to that gentleman's energy that the dinner had taken place, lie was just the man to do Mr. Carmichael honor. That versatile genius (Air AVoodward) sings a racing song, recites an imperialistic poem, and recounts exciting episodes. All were indebted to Air. AVoodward for bringing the entertainment to a successful conclusion. He wished Air. Carmichael Bon Voyage. (Applause.) Air. AVoodward, in replying, said he felt highly gratified to receive the toas of his health in such an enthusiastic manner. AVliile thanking iVIr. Clayton for his kind words, he would tell the truth and not take , all the praise, Air. J. Patterson having worked very hard and to him much of the praise was due. He called for a toast to that gentleman. (Applause.) The toast was duly honored. Air. Alonkton proposed the toast of the chairman. Mr. Clayton supported the proposed toast with some eulogistic remarks, Air. Chambers said that he had done his best. The toast was then duly responded to. The Chairman called for a vote of thanks to Air. Air. Ellis, who not only accompanied the singers but sang himself.

The company separated about midnight, joining hands and singing Auld Lang Syne.