MAYORAL BANQUET.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2407, 22 December 1881, Page 3

MAYORAL BANQUET.

His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. G. Ruddenklau) gave a banquet on Wednesday at the Odd fellows’ Hall to celebrate the occasion of his installation as Chief Magistrate of the city. About 180 invitations had been issued, and at about half-past two o’clock nearly that number of gentlemen sat down to an excellent dejeuner a la fourchctte, served in Mr J. W. Morton’s best style. The tables were tastefully laid, the menu most recherche, the wines good, and the whole of the arrangements such as to give unqualified satisfaction. 'Xho gallery was occupied by a number of ladies, most of whom remained to witness the proceedings until the list of toasts was nearly exhausted. An efficient baud was stationed on the platform, which was ornamented with ferns and foliage plants. The following was the menu : — Booh do mer, dindon galantine au truffes, pate a la Francaise, iangue de beuf aux aspic, petit pate de huitres, poulet roti game, galantine de volaille au truffes, jambon decoro, mayonnaise au truit, canard roti, oorevisse, Belle d’agneau, creme a I’ltalienne, gclee au vin madere, trifles, gateau Savoy, pattisro d’amandes, Genoese glace, tourtes au cerise, petit ohoux, meringues au creme, biscuits. The chair was occupied by bis Worship the Mayor, on his left being his Excellency the

Governor (sir Arthur Gordon), his Lordship the Primate (Bishop Harper), Mr John Studholme, Mr O, 0. Bowen, and Mr John Holmes, M.H.B. To the left of the chair were—his Honor Mr Justice Johnston, the Rev. O- Fraser, Mr H. J. Tanored, Mr Thomson, M.H ft., and the Hon. H. B. Gresson. Mr John Ollivier, Mr James Gapes (ex Mayor), and Mr W. P. Jameson filled the three vice chairs. Captain Enollys, A.D.0., and Mr Murray, his Excellency’s private secretary, were also among the guests. Grace was said by the Primate, and after dinner thanks were offered up by the Rev. 0. Fraser. The viands having been discussed, The Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were drunk with enthusiasm. The Chairman, in proposing the next toast, said—Tour Excellency, my Lord, your Honor and gentlemen,—l hope you will pardon my shortcomings should I fail to do justice to this important toast. Not having had the honor to know his Excellency personally, I can only repeat, with his Excellency's permission, what I learn from history. I am proud to know that his Excellency is a worthy descendant of an ancient noble house, whoso ancestors have rendered great and brilliant services to their sovereign and country, and that they are one of those families who have been the mainstay of England’s glorious constitution, of which every Englishman is so proud. I myself have lived under it over thirty-one years ; though only a naturalised Englishman, I feel equally proud of it as if I was a born one. lam also pleased to know that bis Excellency has rendered important services to bis Queen and country in various parts of the globe with distinction. Although his Excellency has only been a short time amongst us, I am happy to believe that he has gained the confidence and goodwill of the people of Now Zealand. lam sure his Excellency is anxious for the prosperity and welfare of this fine country, and I do heartily wish his Excellency a peaceful reign as our Governor. With those few remarks I have the honor to propose the health of “His Excellency the Governor.”

The toast was drunk with musical honors and three cheers ; the band—“ A fine old English gentleman.” His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon, who on rising was greeted with renewed cheers, spoke as follows : —Mr Mayor and Gentlemen, I have to thank you, Mr Mayor, for the kind manner in which you have proposed, and you, gentlemen, for the kind manner in which you have received the toast which has just been drunk. I have lived too short a time in this colony, and—l say it with some self-reproach—too little in other parts of the colony than tho capital, to have become as well acquainted os I could wish with the people of New Zealand. But I know that, in all places, the representative of the Sovereign among you is received with tho respect |whioh -his office, however unworthy the individual who holds it, entitles him to receive, and with the welcome which your own kindly feelings have prompted you to give me. [Cheers ] I am very glad that my presence in Christchurch should have coincided with this festivity, for it affords me pleasure to be present at this dinner, and to see the citizens of Christchurch gathered together to do honor to their first Magistrate. [Cheers ] I hope I may say, without offence to any other part of the colony, that the associations connected with the foundation of this province, and the innumerable reminders which one receives in it of scenes, of things, and of men one has been acquainted with before, give to it an interest, in my eyes, which is not equalled in the case of other parts of Now Zealand, the natural beauties of which possibly may exceed, and the prosperity and progress of which perhaps may rival those of Canterbury. [Cheers ] It is not many months since that, in this very hell, and, probably, in tho hearing of a large proportion of those who aro guests here to-day, I had tho honor of returning thanks to a similar toast. On that occasion 1 expressed at some length my views with regard to the position which I hold as Governor of this colony, I feel that it would be bad taste and out of place were I now to repeat at any length, or in detail, the remarks I then made. I said on that occasion,—to resume in one short sentence what I then enunciated in very many,—that notwithstanding the fact that for many years past I had exercised, in various parts of the world, power which had no narrow limits, I most fully understood, and most thoroughly recognised, the obligations of a constitutional governor : —[Cheers] —that I was bound in the administration of the affairs of this colony to act upon the advice of Minister* possessing the confidence of the Parliament and the people of New Zealand. [Cheers.] To that one sentence I have nothing to add. That is as much my belief now as it ever has been. Ot course the Governor of such a colony as this has a responsibility, and it is sometimes a grave one ; —the responsibility of ascertaining whether his Ministers for tho time being do represent the feelings ot Parliament, and whether that Parliament reflects the feelings of the country. But when once that is ascertained, his course is clear —ho has no alternative but to accept the advice which is tendered to him, whether it be advice with which he concurs or from which in hi* own individual opinion he dissents. [Cheers.] Of course that responsibility in tho days of long Parliaments might be considerable, hut in these days, when Parliaments are of such short duration as they are, it is almost impossible for a Governor to be in doubt whether that Parliament has or has not the confidence of the country, because it is so frequently going back to the country to be returned, and it is still more impossible for him long to doubt whether his Ministers have or have not the confidence of Parliament. Therefore the Governor’s responsibilities, which, as I said before, are simply those of ascertaining these facts, are very much diminished ; and I hold that once he has ascertained what I have pointed out, his duty, so long as he holds the office of Governor of the colony, is to act upon the advice tendered to him. In most cases, of course, he will really agree with his advisers; in others, where he is in doubt, he will probably conclude that, as better acquainted with the country, they have reason; but even if he is clearly of opinion they are wrong it is his duty to accept their advioe, no matter what his opinion of that advice may be, and oven if it be in opposition to his own views of what is just, equitable and moral. [Cheers.] Of course I say nothing as to ~what the man may deem to touoh his own conscience, or how far he may choose to go along with such courses —that is his affair, and ho has his own remedy. But I say that tho duty of a Governor, so long as ho retains his office, is to comply with the advice tendered to him by those who enjoy the confidence of the Parliament and the people. [Cheers.] And that responsibility, that duty, so long as I hold the office —be tho time longer or shorter —it is my intention scrupulously to fulfil. [His Excellency resumed his seat amidst loud and continued cheering.] Mr H. J. Tanored had to propose a toast •which be was sure they would all drink with great enthusiasm —" Tho health of the Legia lativo Council and House of Representatives.” [Cheers.] Ho was sure from what hia Excellency had just said that they would feel that these were two very important bodies. He had had the honor to belong to both branches of tho Legislature, and so far as hia experience had gone could testify to their strong feelings of duty, and in their desire to perform that duty they wore unexampled in the Australian colonies. The care and attention which these bodies paid to the interests of tho country were beyond all praise, and ho was sure their efforts!,in this respect had been appreciated in Canterbury and Now Zealand generally. They had lately seen that a change was coming over one branch of the Legislature, namely, the House of Representatives. They had now triennial Parliaments, residential suffrage, and a variety of other alterations which had been made in the constitution of the House. They were also told that changes were impending over tho upper branch of the Legislature, These changes and alterations, whether they were in e. right or wrong direction, were always, at all events, a sign of progress, and so far they were very good. Change was natural to us all, even from our earliest period of infancy. Tho great joy wo then hod in tho possession of a toy was our power to break it up and get a now one. And so it was with all sublunary affairs —change was tho great object. Ho was persuaded that whatever change came over us tho sound heart of the people of New Zealand would always send men to legislate for us who would study our good and taka care ot our interests. [Cheers.] He begged to propose the health of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives. Tho toast was drunk with musical honor*. The Hon. J. T, Peacock responded on behalf of the Legislative Council. In his opinion this branch of the Legislature, as at present constituted, had in times gone by and at the present day done very great service to

the colony, and the enthusiastic reception which this toast bad met would seem to endorse that view. Prom the Ultra-Liberal announcements that had been made by gentlemen who formerly held purely Conservative opinions, it might perhaps be predicted that some trouble would arise during the next session of the Assembly with respect to the Upper House. But he was not going to discuss that question, even if the occasion was a suitable one. Before sitting down, however, he would like to ask ore question with respect to the point raised, and that was —that if we were going to have two branches of the Legislature, should they both be popular ? That was the only reference ho would make to the subject. He had every confidence that after this question had been carefully thought out and considered during next session, the Legislative Council would come out of its trial with credit, and be even more highly appreciated in the future than it had been in the past. [Cheers.] Mr John Holmes, M.H.R.j in responding for the House of Representatives, said he had not been honored with the task on account of any personal qualifications or of fitness which he possessed, but because his mistress, Christchurch South, had done him the exceedingly great honor, and placed the great confidence in him, of making him her representative in Parliament, | Cheers ] He saw around him members and ex-memhers of the House who could more fitlyand more ably respond to the toast, became they could tell of the doings of the House in the past, while he could only speak of the promises and the hopes which may be entertained for the future. There was one thing of which New Zealand could boast, and it was this, that amongst all the colonies she could point to the fact that her people sent members to Parliament who were men of self-restraint and self-control—men who oould act like men when they met together—who could have their disputations and their differences, and never descend to personalities or fisticuffs, as members of Parliament in other colonies sometimes did. [Laughter and cheers.] After the way in which they had fought the South Christchurch election, the new members could promise that they would go to the House with the single desire to advance the welfare of New Zealand. [Cheers.] He spoke not only for himself, but also for his fellow representatives, relying upon the expression of their opinions on the hustings; and if they were to take those expressions on the hustings, every one of those gentlemen, like himself, was prepared to be a Lord Lovat and cry, Dulce et decorum ext pro patria mori. [Laughter,] They were prepared to say, "It is sweet to die for one’s country,” The men whom they had sent to the House would go there anxious, and no doubt able, to do what was best for the welfare of the people of New Zealand, And with respect to Canterbury, and Christchurch in particular, as be happened to know most of the members personally, ho believed he oould say this for them—that however they might differ in their opinions about general politics—however his friend Mr Thomson might ft el inclined to be a very high Tory, and he (Mr Holmes) on the other hand be disposed to be an out-and-out Radical—yet there was one thing in which they could all go hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder, and that was in an effort to advance the welfare of Canterbury, and keep it where it was—in the forefront of the provincial districts of Now Zealand—[cheers] — until it became what he hoped to see it before he died—the Manchester and Birmingham of Now Zealand. [Loud cheers.] Mr A. W. Wilson said he had been called upon to propose the next toast, that of the “Army, the Navy, and the Volunteers.” That army that had carried our flag on every shore. That navy that had borne it on every breeze, and those volunteers whose deeds were written in recent history—although not written in blood —unless perchance it be their own, and by themselves poured out. [Cheere.J Time would fail him to do justice to the theme. The self-sacrificing conduct of our citizen soldiers in at once leaving their occupations and homes at the call of duty, had been viewed with admiration. The deeds of the Army and Navy had often stirred our youthful ardour, and might time fail ere the dwellers in New Zealand, the Britain of the South, ceased to teach them to our descendants, and to narrate them with increasing pride. The spirit of patriotism pre valent in the colonies, had seen with sadness our loved flag withdrawn in the hour of victory from Cabul and Oandahar, and practically withdrawn in the hour of disaster from the Transvaal. Treasure spent and noble blood spilt without return. The spirit of the officer and private soldier still remained unbroken as of old, although governments might err and fortune for a while prove unkind. He had much pleasure in proposing the toast, and did not doubt but that it would be received with enthusiasm. [Cheers.] The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, the band playing ‘‘The Bod, White, and Blue.” Major Lean, in responding, said he was sure the Army and Navy appreciated the compliments which had just been paid them. He know the Volunteers did so, especially in a country where they bad in a great measure to rely upon the support of the public to enable them to carry on their organisation in a proper manner. Volunteering in New Zealand had proved to be something more than a manly recreation. It had been of some use to the State, for at a coat of a few thousands it had probably saved the expenditure of millions. [Cheers ] The men who went to the front recently deserved well of their country—[Cheers]—and they were but the advance guard of those who would have followed them had there been any occasion. [Cheers.] Mr O. O. Bowen, in proposing the next toast, said it would be acceptable to all of them in the broadest and most comprehensive sense of the term. It would ill befit him on an occasion like the present to expatiate on all that society owed to the Church ; but it was very pleasant to remember that in this country the fact that Christians had been unable to agree upon questions of Church Government had never sown any dissension or un-Christian animosity among the various denominations into which we were divided. [Cheers.] In coupling with the toast the name of the Bishop of Christchurch, he was sure he spoke the feelings of all present when he said that his venerable presence among them for so many years had done more than that of any other person to put aside religions animosity and to promote peace and goodwill among men. [Loud cheers ] He begged to propose the toast of " The Church,” coupled with the name of the Bishop of Christchurch. [Cheers. ] The toast was drunk with honors, the band playing “ The Vicar of Bray.” The Primate, who on rising was received with loud cheering, expressed his sincere thanks for the manner in which his health had been proposed in connection with the Church, and for the very kind manner in which the toast had been received—a manner far beyond hie deserts. One could not but feel great satisfaction and pleasure on an occasion like the present in the reflection that the importance of religion and the religious sentiments which pervaded the whole community were so largely recognised. Without claiming to himself or to the Church to which he belonged any pre eminence or any authority over other religious bodies, there was attached to that church and to himself a peculiarity which bound him, and he hoped would bind his successors, to Christchurch and its citizens, and make them forward in promoting its welfare. When ho first arrived hero in 1858, Christchurch oould hardly be called a town. It had not been divided into streets except on paper, and there were no housoo to mark the division of one street from another. When he landed, ho came with a document in his hand which had some reference to Christchurch as well as to himself. It was a document which emanated from an authority they all recognised and venerated —our Sovereign Lady the Queen — and it declared the township of Christchurch to be a city, and at the same time a See ot the Bishop. So that the church with which ho was connected had been peculiarly identified with Christchurch and its citizens. This gave them no pre-eminence, and no greater claim than that of other religious bodies, for hero we stood on a different footing from the old country, and one denomination was on the same level as another. But they all strove together as far as they could to promote the good of Christchurch and of the community with which they were connected, and ho trusted they would maintain, to the utmost of their power, that unanimity of feeling and that harmony which had hitherto subsisted among them. [Cheers.] The Hon. E. Richardson proposed the health of “ The Bench and Bar. ” The purity I and independence of the Bench and the Bar formed one of the great safeguards of our liberty, ard in no part of the British dominions did the people look with more

respect than was the case in this colony to the gentlemen who occupied seats on the Bench. It would be invidious to mention names, but were he inclined to do so, he would not have to look far for a gentleman who had long held a position on the Bench, and who had earned for himself universal respect. [Cheers.] Now Zealand was also fortunate in having a very highly educated and respectable bar. The toast was drunk with honors, the band playing “The Englishman.” Mr Justice Johnston, in responding for the Bench, said it was unquestionably true that British tribunals could compare with those of the rest of the civilised world in respect, at all events, of independence, if not of ability and other qualifications. In respect of independence and a determination to do their duty with fairness and impartiality, he believed that the representatives of the Queen on the judicial Bench might challenge comparison with those of any other country. [Cheers.] During the quarter of a century that he had been in the colony it had been his good fortune to be associated with men of the highest probity and intelligence, and he was glad to have the opportunity once more of alluding to his late colleague, who was now present—the Hon. H. B. Q-resson —[cheers] and whose sympathy and advice had assisted him to discharge the very important and not always easy duties which had devolved upon him. [Cheers.] Mr Joynt responded on behalf of the Bar in a humorous speech. His Excellency, in proposing the health of “The Mayor and Council,’' said it was perhaps only right that the Chief Executive Officer of the colony should on the present occasion propose the health of the Chief Executive Officer of the city. [Cheers.] There was another reason why he might ask them to drink the health of his Worship—he appeared before them not only as the Chief Magistrate of the city, but as their magnificent host. [Cheers.] Ho had already said that Christchurch had for him a peculiar interest among the cities of New Zealand. They would, therefore, readily believe him when he said that he was glad on behalf of those present to convey to his Worship an assurance of their interest in the success which might attend his high office, and in doing honor to the gentleman whom the citizens of Christchurch had placed at their head, [Cheers.] In saying that there was one thing onjwhioh he would like to dwell, which he hoped would not—and from what had fallen from that gentleman himself he thought it would not—give any offence to their worthy host. His Worship had himself called attention to the fact that though he had resided here for thirty-one years, ho was not by birth a British subject. Ho was now, no doubt, as true a citizen of New Zealand as any man who bad come from the old country. [Uheere.] And it was greatly to the credit not only of the city but of the country that those who came among us and obtained the right of citizenship were just as likely to attain to high offices of responsibility and trust as those who had been born under the British flag. [Cheers.] He trusted that his Worship’s year of office would be distinguished by progress and improvement. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, the band playing “ He’s a jolly good fellow," His Worship in returning thanks said— I thank your Excellency for the honor of proposing my health. I also thank you, gentlemen, for the hearty manner you have responded to it. 1 am much gratified that through his Excellency’s opportune visit to Christchurch, we are honored by his presence at this assembly of citizens, all of whom are leaders, and have taken a leading interest in the advancements and welfare of our city, either socially, commercially or politically. I very much regret that for the want of space I could not extend my invitations further. I feel a great many worthy citizens had to be overlooked. I have so far as possible included all the chief representatives and heads of our city institutions. It is my desire, and I hope I shall succeed during my term of office in furthering the good feeling and confidence between the citizens and civic body with a view to make our city an attractive home for all classes. I thank the citizens of Christchurch for the great honor and confidence they have conferred upon me in electing me to this honorable office. It shall be my earnest endeavor to make them feel that their confidence is not misplaced. [Cheers.] Gentlemen, believe me I was qnite content to remain in the cooler shades of retirement, but my friends would not hear of it; they would persuade mo that I, who always had been used to an active life, would rust away and die soon. This made my blood circulate rather freely. [Laughter.] I do not care to die just yet; I am only fifty-two, and should like to enjoy life a little longer; and this decided me at once to enter into the contest, and I won the battle, and hero I am for better or for worse. Permit me, gentlemen, to draw your attention for a minute to city matters. You no doubt are aware that the present Municipal Ordinance will not permit the Council to enter into any extensive public works which require to be carried out with borrowed capital, except by the special sanction of the ratepayers, which has to be given by ballot. You are also aware that several schemes for important city improvements have been submitted to the ratepayers for their sanction, but all of them have been rejected. I do not wish to find fault with this exactly, but it appears to me that too little interest is shown by our leading citizens in those matters. It is, consequently open to any one who chooses to obstruct the progress of city improvements to do bo. I would therefore wish to impress upon you to investigate more closely any scheme the Council may bring before you; should it meet your approval, then to give your influence and support to the Council in carrying it out. [Cheers.] You must admit it to be very disheartening to the Council, when time after time, after spending their time and abilities in propounding schemes for city improvements, these should always be rejected. Tnis will stifle the energies of any public body. In a higher Assembly it would mean a vote of want of confidence. Perhaps the Council may some day take it as such. [Laughter and cheers.] I alto thank you on behalf of the City Council. Of course, I have not had any experience in working with them, but as they all are personally known to me, I can confidently say that they are men of business habits and energy. I am sure the city interests will not suffer under their charge. As Christmas is so near, allow mo to wish you all a merry one, and a prosperous New Year. [Loud cheers.] Mr E. O. J. Stevens proposed—“ Prosperity to the Agricultural, Pastoral, Commercial, and Industrial Interests of Canterbury.” They must all agree that a moat satisfactory development had taken place in the first of these branches of progress within the last few years. The extent of our shows, and the number of excellence of our exhibits, had been the theme of favorable comment by many outside the colony, »s well as by the moss experienced residents. In regard to commerce it was evident we were making rapid progress in that direction also. In proof of this it was only necessary to point to the admirable harbor arrangements at our port and to the extent of the buildings and other improvements which were going on with great vigor and success The last portion of the toast was one of peculiar interest. Of the events of the last few years nothing was more satisfactory than the rapid rise and increase of new branches of industry, not only in this part of Now Zealand but throughout the colony generally. This should be a subject of groat congratulation, as providing new channels of industry and fresh outlets for capital. [Cheers,] This toast was drunk with honors. Mr J. T. Matson responded on behalf of the agricultural and pastoral interests, Mr W. Ohrystall on behalf of the commercial interest, and Mr J. P. Jameson for the industrial interest. The Bev. C. Fraser proposed the health of the “Ex Mayors and Ex Councillors,’’ which was responded to by Mr James Gapes, who referred to the satisfactory results of the labors of the City Council during the lest fifteen years. His Honor Mr Justice Johnston proposed the health of the “Freemasons and Benefit Societies,” which ho referred to as exempt;fying the fact ti at oo operation was the great bond of society, and as political educational institutions. They not only had great social advantages, but acted as correctives of the possible undue tendency of democratic freedom to run wild. [Cheers,] Mr H. Thomson, M.H.B, responded, and in his remarks alluded to the establishment by the Freemasons in London of benevolent institutions for boys and girls and old men and women, at an annual cost of £50,000. Mr J P. Jameson proposed the health of the “ City Fire Brigade and Fire Police.” Mr W. Harris responded on behalf of the former. He mentioned, as illustrating the liboral manner in which the public supported the Fire Brigade, that in two days nearly

£6OO had been collected in the shape c£ public subscriptions. Mr Alport returned thanks on behalf e£ the Fire Police. Mr John Ollivier proposed “The Press,’’ which was responded to by Mr K. A. Lougbnan, of the “Lyttelton Times.” Mr Ollivier also proposed “ The Health of the Officers of the City Council,” and Mr Walkden returned thanks. Mr Charles Clark proposed “ The Health of the Lady Mayoress and the Ladies of Canterbury. The toast was acknowledged in a humorous speech by Mr A, Loughrey. This concluded the list of toasts, and the proceedings terminated with the National Anthem,