MAYORAL BANQUET AT ASHBURTON.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2632, 13 September 1882, Page 4

MAYORAL BANQUET AT ASHBURTON.

On Monday evening his Worship the Mayor of Ashburton (Mr D. Williamson) entertained at a banquet the members of the Borough Council, the officers, and a number of friends. The company met at Quill’s Hotel, where a mo t excellent spread was provided in a manner which reflected the highest credit on Mr Qa 11, The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor, Mr T. Bullock filling the position of vice chairman.

The Chairman proposed “ The Legislative Council and the House of Bepreaentatires.” Very little interest, he thought, was taken as a rale in the*prooeedings of the Upper House; but with regard to the Lower House, the case was different. Great progress was being made of late in legislative matters, and the proceedings of the House of Bepreseniatives were watched with great interest. Speaking of the new loan, ho thought there was great diversity of opinion existing on the question, and though he was afraid no great share of it would come to Ashburton, ho was pleased to say that Mr Wright and Mr Ivess bad been instrumental in obtaining a vote of £SOOO for a bridge over the Rakaia at Dobbin’s ford, and a vote of £4OOO for the construction of a traffic bridge over the Ashburton river. fOheors.] In replying to the toast, Mr Ives* said the lack of interest in the proceedings of the Upper House was due in a great measure to the fact of the Legislative Council being a nominated body ; but the time would arrive when greater interest would be taken in the t deliberations of that Chamber. Under the extended franchise greater interest had been manifested in the proceedings of the Lower House than formerly. The present session had been of a protracted character, but a number of important Bills had been passe , and ho was sure much good would result therefrom. Wh nthe time came ho hoped members would be able to give a satisfactory account of their stewardship to the various constituencies.

In responding to the toast of " The County Council,” Mr Bullock said he was glad to hear that the funds of the Council bad been spent in a way that met with the approval of the settlers in the various districts. Many useful works had been carried out, and a number of bridges oomtruoted, and the water-race was a great boon to the settlors between the Bakaia and Bangitata. In all something like 600 miles of water-races had been constructed.

The Chairman then proposed the healths of the “Betiring Councillors.” He was sorry Mr Bullock had decided not to seek reelection, but he hoped Messrs Priedlandor and Parkin would bo again returned. The toast was responded to by Messrs Bullock, Friedlander and Parkin. Mr Bhury, in a somewhat brief speech, proposed the health of “ The Mayor,” the toast being enthusiastically received and dmnk with musical honors.

In responding, his Worship thanked Mr Shnry for the short speech he had made, remarking that the least embarrassing way of proposing a man’s health to his face was to say very little about him. Since his connection with the Council ho had always endeavored to do his best for the interests of the borongh generally. Much good work had been done by the Council, and in carrying out their plans the parts of the town most needingj attention had been seen to first, and what work bad been done was done thoroughly. Much had been lately done on the west side of the town, and it was now the intention of the Council to proceed with improving the north side. He hoped, whoever formed the next Council, that they would show no partiality, and that the burgesses would have nothing to complain of. Mr Zouoh proposed the “Borongh Council,” and spoke of the creditable and impartial manner in which the work of improving the town had been carried out by the members of the Council.

The toast was duly responded to, after which

Mr J. On proposed the “ Commercial and and Manufacturing Interests of Ashburton,” briefly referring to the importance and benefit likely to accrue to the district by the starfcisg of the cheese and butter factory and the woollen factory. In replying to the toast Mr A. On said there was abundance of faith and hope in Ashburton, and he had once heard a gentleman tay |he thought the inhabitants seemed to live on two things — ll faith ” and “ hope.” He (the speaker) thought the woollen factory wee the most important institution ever started in the place, and all who had a £5 note to spare should take shares in the company. He thought the goods manufactured in the colony were superior to many English-made goods, and it was time the imported goods were done away with, sad the heavy duty now paid on them saved. The directors of the Ashburton Woollen Factory would benefit by the dearly-bought experience gained in the starting of the other factories in New Zealand, and the mistakes made by others would be avoided by the directors of the Ashburton Company, 'xhoy had a most energetic man at the head of affairs, and there was abundance of faith in the future prosperity of the company. Mr Friedlander also replied to the toast, and said it only wanted unity of purpose to make the new industry a thorough success, A number of other toasts were duly honored, amongst them being that of the “ Council’s officers.” In proposing this toast his Worship the Mayor paid a high compliment to the officers of the Council generally, and especially to Mr Braddcll, for the efficient manner in which he had always discharged his duties as clerk to the Council.

The compliment was suitably acknowledged by Mr Braddell, and Messrs Fooks and Davidson responded on behalf of the officors generally. Some capital songs were rendered at intervals by Messrs Branson, Harrison, Daun, Dolman and Fooks, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent, the party breaking up at a late hour.