ASHLEY DISTRICT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2626, 7 September 1882, Page 3

ASHLEY DISTRICT.

On Tuesday evening a large and influentially attended complimentary dinner was given at Flynn’s Ashley Hotel to Mr J. Alex. Cunningham on his leaving the Loburn district for Napier. Cpwards of sixty were present, inclusive of several visitors from various parts of the northern district. Mr D. Oorr occupied the chair, and Messrs D. Dick and D. Brock the vice chairs. The toast list included “The Queen and BoyalFamily,’ "Army, Navy and Volunteers, ” responded to by Mr O. A.. Cunningham ; “ The Local Governing Bodies,” proposed by Mr P. Duncan, replied to by Mr H. Blackett for the County Council, Mr Good for the Bangiora Town Council, and also the chairman of the Ashley Bead Board replied. Mr J. Barker, in eulogistic and flattering terms, presented the guest of the evening with a handsomely illuminated and framed address, the text of which ran: —“ To J. A. Cunningham, Esq. Upon the eve of your leaving the Ashley district, in which you have been resident for upwards of twenty years, we the undesigned committee ere deputed by the residents of the said district to express their sincere regret thereat. By your well-known ability, attention, and activity in all public matters having for their object the advancement or welfare of the Ashley district, particularly as a member of the County Council, as an energetic member of the Boad Board, and chairman of the same for upwards of ten years, and chairman of your school committee and president of the Ashley Farmers’ Club you have rendered us indebted to you for your valuable and honorary services, and we beg to convey to you our highest appreciation of your integrity, and our esteem for your public spirited character. Our social gatherings have been greatly benefited by yourself, Mrs Cunningham, and family, and while thanking you for the same, we trust that prosperity may follow you and your family in whatever part of the world you may take your future residence.—Signed, on behalf of the residents of the Ashley district, by D. Carr, D. Brook, J. Banks, H. S. Carmichael, B. H. Brown, J. Barker, B. F. Croft, B. Hodgson, D. Dick, J. Duthie, D. Banks, T. Croft, B. Tracey, J. Judson, O. Wilson, W. Wilson, P. Danoan, rnd W. Free.” Mr D. Brock then called on the company to drink the toast of the evening, which was received with musical honors.

Mr Cunningham, in reply, said he could hardly find words to express his thanks for their kind sentiments towards his family and himself. While he could lay claim to hare been one of the oldest residents at Loburn, he should not, hare felt happy anywhere unless he had some public duties to attend to. He had passed the prime of life among them, and felt very much parting from many of them to take up new laud in the North Island. Again reiterating his thanks and expressing a willingness to give any information in hie power regarding the lands of the North, he resumed bis seat amid an ovation of applause. The toasts next given were by Mr Aherne “The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests,” responded to by Messrs Marmaduke Dixon, Free and Dunoan. By Mr Myles Campbell « The Commercial Interests,’’ coupled with the names of Mr W. Buss, Mr H. Blackett, and Mr W. Wilson. By Mr J. Duthie, “ The Press,’’ to which Messrs Aherne and Wilson replied. By Mr Duncan, “I’heYisitors” namin • Messrs Busch and A. H. Cunninghorn. By Mr J. A. Cunningham, “ The pro feesions,” coupled with names of Messrs Goodcve, Wilmot, M'lutyre, Banka and Qwinnoy, who replied on behalf of the scholastic profession. By Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, "The Colonial Educational System,” to which Mr Cunningham, member of the Beard of Education responded. By Mr Buss, “ The Ladies,” in whose interests Messrs Dick and Carmichael suitably respond* d. The concluding toasts wore the “Host and Hostess,” the “ Chairman,” and “ Vice-Chairman,’’ and “ Auld Lang Syne,” was then sung.