FORESTERS' ANNUAL PUBLIC DINNER IN LYTTELTON.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 243, 20 March 1875, Page 2

FORESTERS' ANNUAL PUBLIC DINNER IN LYTTELTON.

This dinner was held at Mr Cole's, Lyttelton Hotel, on Thursday evening last. About eighty sat down to a really excellent dinner, served in first rate style. The room was decorated with flags. The chair was occupied by Dr Rouse, and the vice-chair by Brother H. Allwright,, P.D.C.R. Dr Rouse was supported by D* Donald and Mr H. R. Webb. The usual loyal toasts having been drunk, the Chairman proposed " The Superintendent, GeneraS Assembly, and Provincial Council,'' coupled! with the name of Mr H. R. Webb, M.H.R and M.P.C. He said they ought to be glad! that they were so well represented both in tha General Assembly and Provincial Council as they were by the gentleman with whoso name the toast had been coupled. [Hear.J He was sorry the Superintendent was not there, as he knew he was always glad to attend meetings of this sort, and that ha warmly sympathised with and approved of the great work done by friendly societies. His Honor worked hard for the welfare of the province, and had made his name a household word in Canterbury. Mr Webb, their representative alike in the General Assembly and Provincial Council, had worked hard and successfully for their benefit, and he hoped next session of the Provincial Council he would endeavor to procure a grant for the drainage of the town. The Borough Council would do all they could, but they had not the money necessary to carry out a complete scheme at their disposal. What he wished to see was the town doing its best, and the Provincial Council giving a supplementary grant. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that with the aid of M r Webb they would get enough money at the next session of the Provincial Council to make Lytteiton what it ought to be, a cleanly and wholesome little town, f Cheers."J Song—Mr Carroll. Mr Webb said that the toast he had to reply to was a very comprehensive one. In reference to the General Assembly he might say it was a credit to the colony, and would favorably compare with other legislative assemblies in the other portions of Australasia. He considered it a great honor to be a member of that body, and he hoped that during the next session he should still remain as their representative. The coming session would be an eventful one in the history of New Zealand, as probably great constitutional changes would take place. He thoroughly agreed with the resolution for abolishing the provinces in the North Island. When he first took his seat he was a staunch provincialist, but his views bad changed, aa

he saw some alteration was absolutely necessary for the government of the North Island, as a considerable portion of the General Assembly's time was taken up in raising money for bankrupt provinces, or settling matters with regard to land disputes. He would not vote for the abolition of the provinces in the Middle Island without he saw some provision made for an efficient body to take the place of the Provincial Governments. [Hear.] The Bill he had voted for had not been intended to affect the Middle, but only the North Island. Session after session Bills were brought forward to enable certain provinces to borrow, and these Bills were called " little pigs" by the members. They were aware that these Bills, after passing the Lower House, had been thrown out by the Upper one. It was evident that these bankrupt provinces must have money, and the Province of Canterbury was of course liable for its proportion of these debts, as it was a portion of the colony. He had voted for these Bills, thinking to put off the evil day a little longer. One Bill of importance—that relating to Forests —had been passed last session, and its object was to protect existing and encourage the planting of new timber. The Bill, he thought, was a great boon to the colony, and they should read, if possible, the able paper written by the Premier on this subject, culled from the length and breadth of the world. The Bill mentioned the appointment of a chief forester, who would have to be acquainted with botany, mineralogy, chemistry, &c, and be provided with an efficient staff. The Bill providing that a large portion of land should be set apart for this purpose had not passed, but one had, giving opportunies to the various provinces to set apart land, and no doubt did they not do so, the General Government would take the matter in their own hands. He was aorry his Honor was not present, as he was isure he would heartily have enjoyed meeting them. The Provincial Council would meet next month, and matters of great importance would have to be considered. He heard that there was great dissatisfaction about the management of the railways, but they must remember that they had only heard one side of the question yet, and had not heard the Government explanation. Of course the Government would be asked to explain the reason of the deficit, and he thought they would be able to do so. As to their chairman's remarks relative to the sewage, he thought that it was a matter of great importance. It would take a large sum of money to carry out the work properly, more than the borough could raise, and they must ask the aid of the Provincial Council. That body had hitherto responded liberally to such requests. The Council had voted the large sum of £II,OOO for the Lyttelton water supply, and no doubt if the case as to sewage was properly put before them, they would, if the funds were at their disposal, vote a liberal sum. He was afraid that the amount of money required would not be at their disposal, the land sales had been falling off, and he was afraid many works would have to stand over, There was a large demand for educational purposes, and that in a few years there would have to be a heavier tax for that object. They must not let their education scheme fall through, as it was considered the pattern of primary education to the colony. The higher branches were not yet so complete as in Otago, but in another year he hoped to see the necessary buildings already in course of erection completed, and the machinery in proper work. [Applause.J Song—Mr Hobbs.

Dr Donald proposed the health of " The Borough Council of Lyttelton," and thought tbey compared favorably with other municipal bodies. Every year they saw the advantage of Lyttelton being a municipality, as the funds were well spent. He would couple with the toast the name of his Worship the Mayor, whose first act was to assist in opening the Lyttelton Borough schools, of which they were all so justly proud. He thought he would have a very prosperous year of office, and thought they should be grateful to the Mayor and Borough Council for the interest they took in the public weal. [Applause.] Song—Mr Allwright. His Worship responded. He must take some little credit to himself in establishing municipal institutions in Lyttelton, as years ago the late Mr Crosbie Ward and himself had gone round to get sign itures for forming Lyttelton into a municipality. They got sixteen signatures, and like all originators, had to encounter a fair share of obloquy, people talked of taxes, thin end of wedge, workhouses, &c; but at last they came round. The Act was passed, and they had since been doing some good every year. All over the world municipal bodies were abused, and no doubt the Borough Council often deserved it, but they did a great deal of good. Lyttelton was growing more and more year by year, and when they asked for a Provincial Government grant they asked for no more than their right. There was a great influx of population, great harbor works were going on, and house accommodation was very scarce, and buildings consequently being constantly erected. Lyttelton was not a mere appendage, but a necessity to the province, and it was the duty of the Government to see to their well being. He was proud of having been able to take a part in opening the borough schools, and thought that their school children would be a credit to any town or any colony. [Cheers.] He hoped education would flourish ana go on, and that also in his year of office the water woifd be brought into Lyttelton, and that in a few months there would be no want of that invaluable blessing in their town. [Cheers.] He now begged to propose the next toast, which was " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers," coupled with the name of Mr Warne. After a song from Mr Baker, Mr Warne responded. Bro Carroll, P.D.C.R., proposed " High Court of Foresters," and spoke in terms of eulogy of Mr Shawcross. Bro Crooks, P.D.C.R., responded. He said that at the last High Court meeting there were more present than on any previous occasion—no less than 335 delegatea baing present, and it had been determined to bring a Bill into Parliament to allow friendly societies investing their money, so that they might reap the benefit of a high rate of interest. At present they were only allowed to invest in Government securities or freehold property. A splendid banner was expected from England for the Court Queen of the Isles. The Order numbered over 400,000. Their past chief ranger was going home, and would no doubt attend the High Court, and be well received as a representative from New Zealand. After a song from Mr Carder, # Bro Allwright proposed " Canterbury United District A.0.F,," coupled with the name

of Mr Ford, D.G.R. The district only comprised two lodges, Lyttelton and Christchurch ; the others had seceded. Both lodges were flourishing, and he was glad that £25 per annum had been offered for three years for founding a Foresters' scholarship for boys under thirteen. The Masons had done this previously, and he hoped the Oddfellows would follow their example. [Hear.] He thought they should also try to establish a scholarship for girls. [Applause.] Bro Fore!, D.C.R., gave a short description of the state of the society, and was of opinion that they might invest their money to greater advantage if the Government would remove present restrictions. He stated a new lodge was about to be opened at Bakaia. Bro Weybourne, D.P.0.R., proposed "The Court Star of Canterbury," coupled with the name of Mr T. Gapes, O.R. Mr T. Gapes responded, giving an account of the objects of the order. He stated they had £IOOO out on good security. Bro Crooks proposed " The Court Queen of the Isles " and spoke highly of its prosperity. Bro Slater, P.C.R., replied. The healths of " The Lodge; Surgeon, Dr McDonald," and of " The Sister Societies," were drunk and responded to. Dr Donald, in returning thanks for the Masons, spoke at length in favor of establishing scholarships for girls as well as boys. Mr Sowden, who responded for the Oddfellows, gave an account of that society, to which he stated 485,000 members belonged. Several other toasts, the " Press," the " Chairman," and " Our Host and Hostess" were drunk and responded to, and a very pleasant meeting terminated.