The Banquet.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 213, 2 December 1909, Page 5

The Banquet.

In tbe evening a banquet was given by the local branch of the N.2L Farmers* Unto, and Mr Ortrsfey's commodious dining room was taxed to the utmost, wry great interest being taken in the function. Mr John Onasby, President of tbe Branch, occupied tbe chair. After the many good things provided had been discussed, tbe chairman proposed tbe toast of "The King." Tlw Coast of tbe "Post and Telegraph De- , parturient," which followed, waspro„M.d by Mr C. 3. Jotaw. W j *ponded to by Mr Hotdswortfe. wbo stated that be was glad to hear so many expressions! of approval in connection with the new post office. He asked those present to realise that in a department tike tbe Post and Telegraph, where millions of tetters are handled, that possibly sometimes mistakes might occur, bat he assured them the Depaferment gave the best

satisfaction possible, and hoped any defect would be let down lightly. The chairman in proposing the toast of "Our Guest, "said that Mr Jennings was not only well and favouroblj known in the King Country, bat throughout the Dominion also, and w».» looked opon as being one of the hardest workers in the House. He considered that the Taotnantnoi electorate was one of the most difficult electorates to represent. The opening of the Post office that day he considered a red letter day for Otorohanga. He had only to think of days gone by to realise the difficulties they had gone through in the past, and thought that now progress was being shown on all sides; that consequently the district must go ahead. Whenever Mr Jennings was asked to be with them at functions of Chit kind he came readily be fort them, and he <el6 sure Mr Jennings would carry away with htm the best wishes of all. The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Mr Jennings, in reply, stated that he felt extremely gratified at the remarks passed by the President. Mr Ormsby. and he was always glad to know that he had secured the esteem and respect of bis fellow men. To a polictieal roan there was nothing more gratifying than to know that one's efforts were appreciated, and it was that which spurred one on to do one's best. He bad known Mr Ormsby for eighteen year:?.and it was,he knew, a name that was well respected. During the time he had represented them in Parliament.he had never wavered in doing what he considered to be bis duty t'* further the interests of the electorate. He considered the King Country had a very great future, taking into consideration the large amount of land tying idle at the present time and he looked upon the district aas yet only in its infancy. In conclusion Mr Jennings said that if his efforts, during the period he had represented the people of the King Country had been appreciated that was to him a great plea tare, and rewarded him for his efforts. He wished one ar.d all full success and prosperity. Mr J. B. Teasdale, in proposing the toast cf "Local Bodies," stated that he had for the past 15 years taken a great interest in local body work. He, with Mr W. A. Graham and Mr J. Primrose, had chosen the site of the Waikato Hosiptal, and had seen that institution grow to its present state from a very smalt beginning. In JSS4 he had been elected to theTe Awsmutu Town Board and was still a member of the body. The speaker stated that he had known the King Country for many years, and he considered Otorohanga had a great future before it. He looked upon the toast of "Local Bodies" as a most important one. as. for any district to go ahead they must have roads and bridges. He urged upon those present to assist their local bodies in every possible way in order to further the requirements of their district. They had in thetr district fine country, and their future prosperity largely depended upon their individual efforts.

MrSchol-s, chairman of tb? Waitomo County Council.in replying to the toast returned thanks on behalf of bis Council. He stated that possibly the Waitomo County Council were not proud of their achievements; they had much to do and little money to do it with. Their great troublr was the amount of land in their County from which no rates were collected. He considered the Native Land Question was one of vital importance In them, and was undoubtedly a great stumbling block. The speaker considered that the present fjrstem of Government grants was a failure, and that he favoured subsidies on loans being given, in the place of grants, and urged upon settlers the advisability of going in for loans and making their own roads. Mr R- G. Matthews proposed the toast of "Agricultural and Pastoral Interests." The speaker said that of late years the district bad made great strides and he considered it to be one of the finrst districts in the Dominion. He considered that before long Southem men would flock into the King Country; the price of land being higher in the South than locally. He wa* satisfied that in Mr Jennings they had the right man looking after their interests in Parliament, and would say to him give the people roads and bridges, and they would do the rest, and would in the near future make their district one of the finest. Mr Teasdale in responding to the toast stated that he had worked hard to start dairying in the district, and considered the benefit to the district to be derived from dairying was marvellous. He urged those present to put their shoulder to the wheel, and said that after 33 years knowledge of the King Country he felt satisfied that it was, in his opinion, the finest country he had seen in the Dominion. Other toasts were, the Press, proposed by Mr H. M. Quinn, the visitors, and the ladies.

The toast of the Host and Hostess was proposed by the Chairman and enthusiastically received During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs Odbury.Foratcr, Denison, Johnson, Worthington, Syraons, Newton and R. G. Matthews, and recitations were given by Mr Jennings, M.P., Messrs McDonald and Ross. Mr Roontree kindly officiated at the piano during the evening.