Dinner to Mr Vile.
On Thursday evening some of the political friends of Mr Job Vile, the recently-elected member for this electoral district, invited him to a dinner at the Post Office Hotel.
The dining-room, the largest room in the house, was filled, and an exceedingly tempting repast was provided by Mr and Mrs W. F. Gray. The table was very prettily set out and the liquors were of the best brands. Everyone seemed to appreciate what was done, and the health of the host and hostess, at the end of the evening, was pronosed in laudatory terms by the chairman. At the request of the committee, Mr Fred Pirani attended and acted as chairman, and a very good chairman he made, getting through the toast list with despatch. Owing to the dinner being held in an hotel the proceedings had to be got through by fen o’clock to prevent their becoming dry. After the substantials had been attended to Mr Pirani called the company to drink the health of the King and Royal Family. He then proposed the toast of the evening, the health of Mr Vile.
Mr Pirani, on rising, said he felt the honor the committee had done him by asking him to take the chair that evening. He was gratified that Mr Vile was the member for the district, as he had succeeded in defeating the Government Whip. After the honor of defeating a Minister it was reckoned the next was the honor in defeating a Government Whip. He hoped that Mr Vile would prove a thoroughly good representative of the, district. For his part he never believed that a member in Opposition could not get assistance for his district if he attended to his duties, as the Government then feared him, but to one who was indifferent it might be so. He was gratified at seeing a member of the Opposition elected. Sometime back he believed the district had a thoroughly respected member in Mr J. G. Wilson, and he thought Mr Vile was capable of taking up the mantle of that member. He was gratified that the man the district sends to Parliament was a member ot the Opposition, as he was sure the Government required a live Opposition to keep it in order. Ha believed that as a member of the Opposition Mr Vile would do his duty to the district and the colony. He proposed his health. (Applause). Mr Vile, in replying, stated that he did not come prepared with any set speech, but he thanked them very heartily for the manner the toast bad been received. He was desirous, as tar as he was able, to help the district generally, though he thought it did not require much. Thera were one or two works which needed attention, and one was the Shannon bridge, which should get its share, and he would do his best for it. as well to help get the Onepuhi bridge. Pie thought the Government had gone a pace that needed a brake being put on to oppose the extravagances of which they had been guilty. He believed _ that the Opposition would succeed in getting the affairs of the country better regulated. He would do his duty to this electorate in every respect. (Applause). , Mr Vile proposed the prosperity of the district, and in doing so be said he thought the progress of the district was assured. He thought no other district, all round, had the ability to raise produce tor the wants of mao as this one. There was no electorate which could supply flax in the manner as was done here, and he was sure it could hold its own with any.
Mr Speirs, in replying, said he considered it was advisable for a district that all persons were not of the same opinion, but when a member was elected the whole district should acknowledge him until the next election. Foxton was in a very prosperous condition, owing partly to the flax industry. It was pleasing how Foxton had taken hold of this industry so as to make it looked upon everywhere as the home of the industry. Here flax was worked cheaper, and larger quantities turned out better than in any other district. In Foxton could be found men as capable as elsewhere, and in the work connected with flax he had sent away material to the South Island, Wairarapa and Wanganui. Ha would like to see connection with Levin by rail. There were many ways as to how Foxton could be pushed on, and he would like to point out that Foxton had succeeded in pointing out an improvement in the loans to boroughs, by which money could he obtained on easy terms for metalling roads, which had become law.
Mr Pirani shortly proposed the toast if “ Parliament,” which was as shortly replied to by Mr Vile. Mr Vile proposed the toast of his election committees, during which he said he felt they had done their very best for him.
Messrs O. Austin and B. Gower briefly replied. “ The Ladies,” proposed by Mr Hamer, was acknowledged by Messrs 0. Robinson and B, Gower.
Mr Noonan proposed “The Press," and Messrs Tbynne, Pirani and Andrew replied. Mr Vile proposed “ The Chair," and Mr Pirani replied. Mr Pirani proposed the “ Host and Hostess,” which was briefly acknowledged by Mr Gray. The meeting concluded by singing “ Auld Sang Syne,”' at ten o’clock.
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Manawatu Herald, 13 December 1902, Page 2
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905Dinner to Mr Vile. Manawatu Herald, 13 December 1902, Page 2
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