BANQUET.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2665, 21 October 1882, Page 3

BANQUET.

A banquet to celebrate the recent reduction in the rates of insurance and the establishment of the Australian Mercantile Union Fire Insurance Company was held in the Gaiety Theatre last night. About fifty gentlemen sat down to a very excellent spread laid out most tastefully by Mr Warner, the tables being prettily decorated with pot plants and vases of flowers. A capital string band under Herr Bunt occupied the gallery, and discoursed some excellent music during the repast. The chair was occupied by Mr W, Pratt, and the vice-chair by Mr 11. N. Newby. Ample justice having been donetc> Mr Warner’s bountiful providing, the usual loyai toasts were proposed and duly honored, the chairman prefacing the proposition by apologising for the absence of Messrs Ick, W. Strange, Boherts, England, and others. # The Chairman, before proceeding to tjie toast list, said that he thought he expressed their opinion when he said they had met for conviviality and to celebrate a success which had been gained. Though the occasion was one which might lead .to a little crowing, he trusted that temperance would prevail in word as well as otherwise. But though the victory was won the company which had so boldly stepped into the breach deserved the hearty support of the community. [Cheers.! Having thus explained in some way the object or the gathering, he would ask them to drink the toast of “ Trade and Commerce of Canterbury.** Such a toast as this was intimately connected with their gathering that night, as the progress of Canterbury during the past thirty years had been so marked and rapid. He would couple the toast with the name of Mr A. G. Howland. The toast was drunk enthusiastically, the band playing ** Let us be happy together.** Mr Howland said that though trade was a little depressed now, the country was still in a thriving state. The establishment of the company would, he felt sure, be a great benefit to trade, because the rates were reduced. They had also a promise of a reduction of 20 per cent on the rates of carriage on the railways, and this, with 25 per cent, for insurance, made 45 per cent., and if they could only get the West Coast Bailway they would save another 50 per cent. The conviction of the West Coast railway would, he felt sure, do more to advance the interests of trade and commerce than anything else. He had heard that day of a project to establish an East and West Coast Bailway League, by enlisting the aid of Municipal Councils and Boad Boards, The work of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, in providing so excellent an harbor as that of Lyttelton, facilitated the operations of trade and commerce, and captains trading here had said that the facilities offered for loading and unloading were equal to any port in the world. He thought that the country owed a debt of gratitude to the promoters of this company for having effected so important a reduction in insurance. [Cheers.] Becitation—Mr Wilmor.

Mr G. Coleman rose to propose the next toast, that of the “Australian Mercantile Union Insurance Company."' [Cheers.] He thought they owed a debt of gratitude to the company for having come forward to assist in reducing the rates of insurance. The list of shareholders of the company in Melbourne comprised gentlemen who were men of great property in Victoria, and if they in Canterbury trusted these gentlemen they would never regret it. It hod been said that the people of Canterbury were apathetic, but when they signed a bond representing £1,400,0 0, he thought they could not bo called apathetic. [Cheers.] Once touch an Englishman’s pocket, and he would come out. [Cheers.] Ho gave them the “ Australian Mercantile Union Insurance Company. [Cheers,] The toast was drnnk enthusiastically. The Chairman said that it was very gratifying to hear so enthusiastic a reception of the toast, but he trusted that as well as this enthusiasm the company would receive a hearty and wide-spread support. [Cheers.] They had won for the public a great victory, but to ensure the fruits of that victory they must receive at the hands of the people a generous support. [Cheers.] Mr H. S. Hobday rose to propose the next toast, “ The Docal Manager, Mr McVey Baird." They had destroyed, and he hoped for ever, an oppressive monopoly, saving the Province of Canterbury at least £1G,003 a year. Mr Baird bad contributed in no small degree to this result. He had no trifling difficulties to contend with, but they bad been surmounted by his tact, zeal and ability, and last but not least his indomitable courage. [Cheers.] The toast was drank with three times three and musical honors.

Mr Baird responded briefly, thanking those present for the kind manner in which the toast bad been responded to. They had broken np a monopoly which was an incuhns. Now the company was here ready to do business, and it remained with the public to show that the movement was a genuine one, and had the support of the people. If they did this, there was no fear of the company not being a permanent and assured success. [Cheers.] The other toasts propesed during the evening were as follows : —“ The Committee,” 41 The Subscribers to the bond,” “ The Independent Fire Oflices.” conpled with the names of Messrs Ollivier and Ward; ‘‘The Press," and ‘‘The Ladies.” Daring the evening some good songs were snug, and the band played a number of selections, which were much enjoyed.