BANQUET TO SUB-INSPECTOR O'DONNELL.

Kumara Times, Issue 704, 31 December 1878, Page 2

BANQUET TO SUB-INSPECTOR O'DONNELL.

A farewell dinner was given to Mr Sub-Inspector O'Donnell at the Kumara Hotel last evening, as a slight mack of the high estimation he was held in by the inhabitants generally, previous to his departure for Otago. Between thirty and forty gentlemen sat down to a capital table, reflecting the greatest credit on the caterer, Mr Rtitjg, and one that could not fail to please the most fastidious epicure. His Worship the Mayor (B. Blake, Esq) occupied the chair, and Messrs Seddon and Dungan acted as Vice-Chairmen. Au apology was read from M. Price, Esq., R. M., regretting gre.itly his inability to be present on the occasion, and bearing the highest testimony to the efficient services of Mr O'Donnell. A letter was al-o leoeiwd from P. A. P. Birch, Esq., who was unavoidably detaiued at Greymouth, apologising for his absence.

After the usual loyal toasts had been duly honored,

The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, said that he c- rdially endorsed the remarks nmde by Mr Price, anent their guest and as he (the

speaker) had known Mr O'Donnell for thelast thirteen or fourteen years, and always found that he discharged his duties, although at times unpleasant onsSj in a most efficient and satisfactory manner, he deeply regretted that they were now about to loose him after the many years he had spent in Westland, as he the speaker did not believe in a new broom, that swept clean at first; he liked the old one, which, although it might be hard, cleaned the place up thoroughly. He would ask them to drink a full bumper to the health of their guest and wish him " God speed." The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Mr O'Donnell, in responding, said it gave him the greatest pleasure to see so many friends about him, but he was at a loss to know why he had received such an ovation, as the position .he occupied was not one calculated to promote popularity. He had simply done his duty while amougst them, and re* gretting greatly having to leave so many old friends and go to a strange place. He might say that during hia long experience he had never seen such an orderly and well-conducted community as there was on this goldfield. This would no doubt account for the very little trouble he had encountered in discharging his duty.—(Cheers.) " The Parliament of New Zealand, coupled with the name of Mr Barff, M.H.R.," was then proposed by the Chairman.

Song : " The little German Band."— Mr D. Williams.

Mr Bakff, M.H.R., said that he felt inclined to speak more on the question for which they were met together than go into political matters. The past session had finished with .very small results, although it* had met with a grand programme, which he regretted the Government had not carried out. He was prepared to give the new Ministry auother chance, as, although he had not lost all faith in them, his had been greatly shaken. He must digress from this subject, and bear testimony to the very effective manner in which the gentleman they bad assembled to wish *» God speed" to, had done his duty as a public officer. Song by Mr Soddou : " Let me kiss him for his mother."

Mr Dungan, in proposing " The County Couucil of Westland, coupled with the name of Mr Seddon, M.C.C," said they would agree with him that the new body, created of recent date, had performed its public functions in a most Htisfaotory manner, and he thought it deserving public recognition, as it had done a great deal of good in the County. Song by Mr Davidson : " The watch on the Rhine."

Mr R. J. Seddon, M.C.C., in replying on behalf of the County Council, said that although they had done several works of great importance in the County there were several more required -, foi' instance, they wanted a road to connect this, place with the Christchurch road, without going through the Loopline. He found that the present Government persisted in putting every obstacle they possibly could in the way of County Council works. He believed in local Government in the true sense of the word, if the Acts were made to suit the g<*ldfields. He felt the greatest regret in parting with such an old friend as Mr O'Dounell, but this was always the case on a goldfield, directly you had a friend there was trouble in this respect. He felt certain that if their guest only stopped as long in his new appointment as he had done here, he would be as greatly regretted should he be again removed. Song, Mr O'Hara : « Black Bess." Mr Griffiths, in proposing " The Borough Council," said he thought the members of it were entitled to credit for the manner in which they bad looked after the interests of the ratepayers, and the works done since its formation. He coupled the names of the Mayor and Ex-Mayor with the toast. Song, Mr Williamß : " Grandfather O'Brian."

The Mayor and Ex-Mayor responded on behalf of the. Borough Council.

Song, Mr Dnngan : " The girls of the West."

" The Civil Service," proposed by Mr Seddon, whs briefly responded to by Mr Furby.

Song : " Ring the Bell, Watchman," Mr Bu-ron.

"The Mining Interests," proposed by Mr Barff," was responded to by Mr Dungan in a, most able speech ; want of space, however, precludes us from giving the remainder of the toasts and responses in detail. Song, Mr Pollock : " Just before the Battle, Mother." The to-sts of " Commercial Interests," " i he Ladies," " The Press," and " The Host und Hostess," concluding with "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem brought to a clo3e a most enjoyable evening, although the

occasion was the wishing " God speed " to an old friend.