NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2010, 3 August 1880, Page 3

NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

The first meeting of the City Council in the new chamber was celebrated last evening in trne English fashion by a banquet. THh Worship the Mayor had issued invitations to over fifty gentlemen, including exmayors and ex-councillors, present oouncUlors, the officers of the council, the city solicitors (past and present), officers of the fire police and fire brigade, &c.

His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, having on his right ex-mayors Anderson and Sawtell and the Mayor of the Thames, Mr H. Ehrenfried ; and on the left ex-mayors Hobbs, Jameson, Ollivier and Gapes. The vice-chairs were occupied by Oapt. Mitchell (fire police) and Mr Supt. Harris. Mr Gee provided a very nice collation, and the tables were adorned with some pretty pot plants. The usual loyal toasts and that of the Governor having been given from the chair. The Mayor rose to give that of the “ Army, navy, and volunteers,” coupled with the name of Captain Hawkes. He felt sure that the services of the volunteers were duly appreciated by the people of the colony. {[Cheers.! The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Captain Hawkes responded on behalf of the Volunteers. He felt sure the army of England, though meeting with little reverses, would yet wipe out most effectually any little disaster. {[Cheers.] -A- 8 regarded the Volunteers, they had a ohiel amongst them taking notes who had been rather hard on the officers. He trusted that the officers would take the lesson thus read to them. He was very glad zo find that the inspecting officer had spoken highly of the component parts of the Volunteer force here. This he was especially proud’of; and if necessity required the services of the Volunteers they would bo found ready and efficient to defend not only their own city but any part of the colony. They saw that from every corps that men had volunteered for service in the North, and now what they wanted was a recognition and help on the part of the public of Canterbury. They had incurred a large indebtedness on account of the late review, and they looked to the citizens of Christchurch to recoup it, because they had brought a large number of people into Christchurch. What they intended to do was to give several entertainments in their drill shed, and they asked the citizens of Christchurch to put in their shillings to get them out of their difficulty. [[Cheers.] Ha asked the citizens of Christchurch to follow the example of Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington, and treat volunteers as men and not as automatons. [Cheers.] Ex-Mayor Jameson rose to propose the next toast, that of “ The General Assembly of New Zealand.” The present Assembly had no doubt many sins, hut still on the whole they ought to congratulate themselves that Canterbury had so many members in the Cabinet and supporting the Cabinet. Ho coupled with the toast the names of two gentlemen who were aspirants for the honor of representing them in the General Assembly— Messrs E. Hobbs and B. Cass. The toast was drunk amid cheers. Ex-Mayor Hobbs said that he was surprised to find himself put down to respond to the health of the body in whose hands the destinies of New Zealand were placed. They had a moat difficult task to perform to square their expenditure by their income. He trusted that the Government would see their way clear to replace on the estimates the salary of the Provincial Auditor, in recognition of services ably and faithfully rendered. [Hear, hear.] Their old friend he thought should, instead of being disrated, be requested to go to Wellington to place the Audit Department on a proper footing. He had taken a very warm interest in the last elections as a supporter of Messrs Richardson and Stevens, and should always have the courage of his opinions. Both these gentlemen were admirable representatives —the former especially so as Minister for Public Works and chairman of the Harbor Board. Mr Stevens also was a hardworking member, and so also was Mr Andrews, though he differed in politics with himself (Mr Hobbs). He trusted that their members next year .would be enabled to relieve them of some of the burdens which it was impossible to avoid imposing now. Mr Casa was not present.

Ex-Mayor Anderson proposed “ His Worship the Mayor and City Council.” [Cheers.] He proposed this toast as the oldest exMayor present, and he did so with great pleasure, as the present Mayor filled the position with credit to himself and honor to the city, a fact which had been recognised by the citizens by re-electing him. [Cheers.] The Councillors were doing their work well, and had the confidence of the citizens—[Hear, hear] —and he trusted to see the affairs of the city always in the hands of men so thoroughly competent as those now acting as members of the City Council. [Cheers.] The toast was drunk with musical honors, and one cheer for the Mayoress. His Worship the Mayor, who on rising to respond was received very warmly, said he desired to thank the gentlemen he saw around him for the way in which they had responded to his invitation that evening. Ho had hoped that during the term of his office he should have been enabled to invite them to a larger building than the present; but still the building, as now arranged, was a great improvement. [Cheers.l The officers had had great difficulty in doing their work in the old place. No doubt most of those present had met in that room before —[laughter]—or if they had not they deserved to do so. [Renewed laughter.] He hoped, however, they would often meet there under happier auspices. [Hear, hear.] The success which had attended his Mayoralty was due to the foundations laid by his predecessors, the excellent colleagues he had around him at the Council Chamber, and last, but not least, the able staff of officers with whom they were surrounded. [Hear, hear.] He begged now to thank them for the manner in which the toast bad been drunk. [Cheers.]

The Mayor then Rave the health of their gneat that evening, “ His Worship, the Mayor of the Thames.” [Loud cheers/] He trusted his Worship would take back to the North a good idea of the city of the plains. [Cheers.] The toast was drunk with musical honors.

The Mayor of the Thames briefly responded, expressing his great admiration of the progress made by the city, particularly in the public buildings of Christchurch. Ho could assure them that if his Worship or any of the citizens of Christchurch found their way to the Thames, they would endeavour to receive them in the same hospitable manner that he had been that evening. Ex-Mayor Thomson proposed the next toast, “ The Trade and Commerce of Christchurch,” coupled with the name of Mr L. E. Nathan. [Cheers.] Mr Nathan responded in a few well chosen words.

Song—Mr F. Hobbs. Mr Ollivior then proposed'the next toast, that of “ The Bar,” coupled with the name of Dr. Foster.

Dr. Foster responded in a speech evoking roars of laughter.

Song —Mr Frank Hobbs. Mr G. L. Lee proposed the next toast, “Ex-Mayors and Ex-Councillors,” coupled with the name of Mr John Anderson, who briefly responded. Mr Alport referred with pride to the fact that the first chairman of the City Council was the Hon. John Hall, who was followed by Mr John Ollivier. Ex-Mayor Sawtell proposed the health of the City Solicitor, coupled with the name of Mr E. J. Garrick, who responded. Song—Mr A. Cuff. Or. Gapes proposed—“ The Town Clerk and officers of the Council,” paying a tribute to the admirable manner in which the work of the city was carried out by them. The Town Clerk and City Surveyor briefly responded. Cr. Taylor proposed the next toast “The Eire Brigade and Fire Police,” coupled with the names of Mr Superintendent Harris and Captain Mitchell, of the Fire Police, who responded. The other toasts proposed were “ The Hon. John Hall,” “ Our Host, the Mayor,” “ The Press,” “ The Ladies,” &0., and the company separated after spending a very pleasant evening.