The Banquet.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 88, 26 June 1908, Page 5

The Banquet.

After the address Mr Massey was entertained at a banquet, tendered him by the people of Te Kuiti and surrounding districts, in Mr E. Kerr's commodious dining-room, when about seventy sat down to an excellent repast provided by Host Kerr. When full justice had been done to the nice things provided the tables were cleared, and a commencement made with the toast list.

Major Lusk was in the chair and proposed the toast of the " King," which was drunk with musical honours.

Mr J. Mclndoe proposed the toast of the " Army and Navy," and referred to the fact that if New Zealand was invaded by a foreign power we would have to look to our Volunteer forces. Mr Franklin, in reply, said he thought we should have compulsary training and that the Government ought to bring about legislation which would put volunteering on a better footing. Major Bell and Capt. Berry also responded. The Chairman proposed " Our Guest," and thanked him for the able address which he had delivered that evening. Mr Massey returned thanks for the hearty reception that had been extended to him, and mentioned his surprise at the progress that Te Kuiti had made during the past few years. As Leader of the Opposition, he said, there was plenty of hard work, great responsibilty and very little pay. Many difficulties had to be fought, and on more than one occasion the Opposition party had been the means of saving the money of the country. The general election was drawing near and the time had arrived when straightforward men were required by the electors. The remedy was in their own hands and he no doubt they would handle matters in the best possible manner.

Mr Massey then proposed the toast of the "Town and District,'' and in doing so said he quite understood the difficulties which both the residents of the township of Te Kuiti and outdistricts had to contend with. He said that the trouble would have to be overcome by some satisfactory form of local government, and nothingwould give him more pleasure than to be of some assistance to them. Mr Ormsby said that tc country was suffering from bad Native land legislation and that it was only within the last two or three years that it had been possible to get a lease through. It was no use blaming the Natives as the land had never been freehold and had never been what they might call their own ; the source of the trouble was bad legislation. He said they

had one of the best districts in the Auckland province, and this was borne out by the number and quality of the settlers who were arriving daily. He could not forget Otorohanga because it was similarly situated to Te Kuiti. When the Native race was asked to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakeha they would be found equally capable of managing their own affairs, thoroughly patriotic and ready to shed their last drop of blood for their native soil. Mr J. Hetet also spoke and finished up by giving a haka, which caused a good deal of amusement.

Mr E. H. Hardy, in proposing the toast of the " Parliament of N.Z." made a neat speach and trusted that Mr Massey would endeavour to remove the disabilities under which we were suffering. Mr Massey and Major Bell briefly responded. The Chairman proposed the " Pioneers," and said that the King Country to-day and when he saw it first shortly after the war was a very place. He considered the pioneer had worked wonders. Mr Pine, in responding, said that if it had not been for the bad legislation in connection with land laws he would have been here j-ears ago. He had been all over New Zealand and had seen no country like the land in the district, and it only required time to bring its wealth out. The Maori people had invited him years ago to settle but faulty legislation prevented him. Pie had great faith in the country, but they must put good men into Parliament. Messrs N. I. Hunt and G. Elliott also spoke. Mr Cashel proposed the "lLadies " and Mr Gresham rcponded ; " The Press " was proposed by Mr Darrow, and Mr Steel responded : and " The Host and Hostess " by the Chairman and.Mr E. Kerr responded. During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs Blackman, Trinnear, Creamer and Kerr, Mr W. Turner kindly playing the accompaniments. The singing of " God Save the King," " Auld Lang Syne," and three cheers for Mr Massey, Mr and Mrs Kerr and the Ladies brought a most successful and well conducted evening's amusement to a close.