BANQUET TO MR. C. G. RILEY.

Kumara Times, Issue 412, 21 January 1878, Page 2

BANQUET TO MR. C. G. RILEY.

On Saturday evening a number of the miners of Dill man's Town entertained ! Mr Riley, la*e manager of the now defunct local branch of the Bank of Australasia, to supper in the large room of Isdell's Hotel; and the high esteem . in which Mr Riley is held was evident j from the fact that many of those present i had come from distant parts of the dis- I trict. The invited guests were Mr Barff I \ M.H.R., Mr Barron manager of the ; Union Bank of Australia, to whom Mr Riley's business has been transferred, and the editor of this journal. The catering for the banquet was excellent, the wines especially being of good : quality. Mr Barff occupied the chair, j and after .the-, usual loyal toasts had [ been disposed of, proposed that of '* Tin .• Guest of the evening," Mr Riley, in ! warm -and complimentary language. The toast was received with Celtic enthusiasm, and when the miners had emphatically asserted that " Riley's a jolly good fellow" until they were hoarse, Mr Riley briefly but eloquently and feelingly replied. Other toasts interspersed with songs* followed, and altogether a most enjoyable nigliG was spent. Mrßnrr.m, in responding to the ; toast of "Thi Commercial Interests,"! took occasion to explain that it was not i because of failing business or any want i j of faith in the'prospects of the district \

that the Bank of Australasia was withdrawing its agency, but in pursuance of a policy to which be could not more definitely refer—a statement which Mr Biley confirmed. The toasts of " The. Mining Interest;" " Parliamentary Institutions, coupled with the name of Mr Barff," and " The Press," were enthusiastically received; and ** the weesma' 'oors" had far advanced when tho party broke up.