DINNER TO MR C. C. BOWEN.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2358, 24 October 1881, Page 4

DINNER TO MR C. C. BOWEN.

A public complimentary dinner was given by the cleotors of the Ksiapoi to Mr O. O. Bowon, tho represtnUtiro of that electorate, who retires with the effluxion of the present Parliament, at Roberts' Junction Hotel, Bangiora, on Friday evening. The affair was a fully reprosen'.ativo gathering of tho princical men of the district. Tho dinner was kid in a superior stylo, and tho table was elegantly furnished in add:;ion with an artistic display of fbwers, vases, s;_id glassware. Tho cateriug was complete.' in every respect, including the delicacies of the eoaaon. Mr J. Johnston, Mayor of BangiorH, occupied tho choir, supported on his right by the guest of the evening, Hon. H. B. Gresson, Messrs Marmuduka Dixon a.ui P. 0. Threlkeld, aid on hij left by Mr Blackwell, Mayor of JKaiapoi, and Mr Wilson, tho viae char: Being filled by Mr Blackett. Tho dessert ■being put o;:, the chairman proposed tho toasts of "The Queen and Royal Family," ""The Governor," and "The Army, Navy, and Volunteors," to whioh Mr J. H. Lso Teplied as a navy officer, and Mr Lilly on behalf of the Volunteers.

The vice-chairman, on rising to propose tho ■ toast of the evening—tho health of their respected guest and representative—said ho did so with feolingß of regret that they were about soon to lose the services of Mr fiowen. Daring three hard Fought contests h<3 had been elected at tho hoad of the poll, and the electors at the forthcoming elections he felt certain would have returned Mr Bowen almost unanimously. [Cheers.] His retire, meut would prove a loss to the colony and tho district, for he was ona of tho men who hf;d kept up the credit of Parliament, and who, from his experionco, gro.it knowledge, and talents, had been one of the most useful in aiding the intoduc!ion_ of -good measures and in effooting boneficial improvements in the law of the land. [Cheers.] When he said that personally he was sorry to lose Mr Bowen, he felt that he re-echoed the .general fetliug of the district. He then gave the toast, which was drank with muaioal honors and cheers.

Mr Bowen on rising received quite an ovation. He said that wbile it was a very .pleasant thing to him to reoogniao the good feeling prompting no many of his constituents to invite him to dinner, there was, however, -something which made any one sad in coming among them for the last time. They had many times heard him make speeches before them on a variety of question*, but this was a more difficult task than to talk on politics from the platform. In addition to the many courtesies ho had received, the presence at this dinner of several gentlemen who had opposed him in the contested elections of the district was an evidence of their good will. [Cheers,] Always ho might say that after a good upstanding fight he found that all the electors of this district, whether they had fought for or against, gave him their loyal support, and ho had as loyally done his best for all of them. It was hardly to be expected that he should talk politics at a party like this, but there were important interests identical with them to which ho might allude without thinking of what was past or of the present. It had become almost the fashion in certain oiroles to talk of men who had helped in the former government of the country as holding obsolete and bigoted -views, and that they should rid them of suoh in favor of others possessing more liberal blood. While he believod in trotting the oolts out, those who could fairly judge the Tunning of the oolts were still the boat judges of the paoes of the old ones. When they looked back and saw the marvellous progross of their young country, it ill became anyone to lightly criticise the actions of those who had assisted in thoso measures which affected the destinies of a now oountry. Whon thoy looked on the names of those who had gone before, who had almost passed away in the service, he maintained that they possessed qualities for political, social, or general government of the people. Whon they looked to the future, the same kind of men were to bo forthcoming who would not be afraid of crude talk and reckless conduct. In fact the sense of the people would weed out what was sound and sensible, and when the talk was over there would be still a substra- - turn of sound Benae prevailing. They ought, at old Dr.. Johnson said, set their faoes against oant. Besides cant of a religious kind there was social cant and political cant. It must be «onfessed that when they saw one set of men making professions which they would never bo able to fulfil it indeed looked like cant. What as Englishman they wanted, was a fair field and no favor; a fair start for the prizes of life and the duties of society to promote their welfare and protect thoir industries ; without any desire to set up one set of people against another—whioh was cant. There should be overy desire to promote sincerity of purpose, and the example set by Dean Stanley, the late : Sean of Westminster, a man of sterling qualities and firm opinion, with broadness of character and charity for the opinions of others, waa one whioh was worthy of their study. The Dean had done much good by his example at home, and it was their duty to emulate his example. It was not right to enter into politics now, bnt there was a matter pressing on the country whioh t ught not to be ■ looked on as a party question, to which ho must, for a moment, refer—the position of Native affairs, the question whether now there waa to be a final peace or war. Any reference to this matter, he thought, should bo with all due consideration to those who had the serious subject in hand, and opinions ought to be as carefully expressed theroon, and with as much unity of opinion as any declaration of war by Great Britain against any other nation. The difficulties of tho Government in office should be shared by all. [Hear, hear.] Looking at tho Native question, it was to bo believed that tho Government had used tho utmost patience with the desire to avoid war. To tho minds of eorae, they had gene b-ryond wliat seemed right;. [Hear, hear] They had, in hi 3 opinion, by their delay actod rightly and with & due regard for the protection of soi tiers on the West Coast. [Cheers.] They would remember that the West Coast Commission, elected by the common consent of all parties, had, afto'r carefully weighing the whole Native question, laid special atross on tho fact that a limit should be placed upon the time within which the Natives should elect what they would do, and when, after proper notice given to the Natives, the Government deoided that tho time had come for aotion, it behoved the people to wait the issue and excrcioo duo caution on the words whioh might be said at this time. [Cheers.] He had one word to -say on this grave matter also. They all knew that when tho Ministry of *hioh Mr Weld was. Premier—a chivalrous chief—[chocrs], — -and to whom thoy wore indebted for the policy of self-relianco, the colony had entered into a bargain with the mother oountry that they would do without the troops; that thoy would pay no high mms of money for prob.ut would take the responsibility of the Natives, and, having dono so, he thought the people of New. Zealand were not disposed to brook any interference with their plans from an outside person, however high his position might be. [Continued ohoering.] Ho concluded by expressing regret at thin separation from the district. Expecting to be culled to England on business and family affairs at short -notice, he had concluded that it would not be fair to .seek election for a session during part of which ho would possibly bo away. He waa not intending to take rest, not having arrived at an age when ho could claim political or other rest. Having spent a certain amount of timo in the public service, he felt that so long as health and strength allowed ho ought to assist in their local matters. [Cheers.] Whatever part ho took in public matters in future he should always remember hio former district, and feel that it was not only a duty but a pleasuro to do all ho could to assist that district. [Loud oheero.] He gave the toast of " The Kaiapoi Electorate," coupled with the Mayors of Kaiapoi and Bangiora, tho Chairmen of the Boud Boards, and the school committee.

The toaßt being then honored, Mr Blackwell, Mayor of Kaiapoi, responded. He -expressed tbe regret which his part of the district felt at parting srith Mr Bowen, and hoped that a gentleman who would acquire the usefulness and reapscfc ho had attained would be found to represent them. While one end of the district had bacomo a Leeds he hoped soon to hear that a Belfast had beon established at that, end, and so colonial industries would spread, prcspor, and promote the bettes. - unity of the district. Mr Johnston, Mayor of Bangici'a, Baid they had felt proud of their gueat's integrity and influence, and were likely to sustain a loss on his retirement.

Captain Parsons, chairman of the MandoTille Koad Board, in reply to the toast, thanked the company, and urged that the Counties Act should be adopted by compulsion if the distriot refused to take it any other way. Mr E. Mulcoclt, chairman of the Maudeyijle drainage Sonyd, briery K3 ponded.

Mr A. H. Cunningham, chairman of tho Bangiora school committee, in responding, referred to the suocess of the eduoation systom, which Mr Bowenhad aßßistod to build up, and the successful efforts made to establish the Rangiora High School. Tho Hon. H. B. Greaaon proposed tho toae!, of " Our Colonial Industries," referring to tho fact that they had apparently received or, impetus to their promotion by the period or deprcsjicn which recently passed over tho ejuotry. He alluded to the success of tho local monster exhibition, and trusted th» country, by means of its industries, would beoome prosperous, its people finding employment and comfort to their families. With tho toast, whioh was heartily drunk, he attaohed the name of Mr Isaao Wilson. Mr Wilson, as chairman of directors of the Eiiapoi Woollen Factory, roplied, roferring to some of the difficulties attending the starting of industries. He stated that in a year his factory would consumo £40,000 worth of wool, 3COO tons of nalive coal, a largo quantity of oil and soap, made here, as well as other local products. They made point to purchase oil the requirements whioh were wanted in the colony. The factory employed 200 hands and 100 at the clothing factory in Qhristohurch, whioh in three months would be doubled. He referred in torms of praise to the manufacture of the engine for the factory, which was made in Ohristohurch and delivored at the faotory £25 cheaper than the cost of a similar engine in England. Mr J. H. Lee gave the toast of "The Merchants," to which Mrßlaokett responded. Mr B. Ellis proposed "The Farmers," coupled with the names of Messrs Stevenson and Guild. Mr M. Dixon gave " The Pastoral Interests," and Mr P. O. Threlkeld replied. Mr Guild gave " The Professions," coupled with the names of Dr. Ovenden and Mr Nalder. The toast of " The Ladies" was proposed by Mr Blaokwell, and responded to by Mr Buckham. The final toasts were " Tho Press," " Tho Host," " Tho Chairman," and " The Vice-Chairman." The Bangiora brass band, stationed outbide, played several lively and suitablo airs during dinner.