BANQUET NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1839, 13 June 1918, Page 3

BANQUET NOTES.

At the banquet tendered, to Mr Hennessy on Tuesday night, one speaker referred to the now defunct Foxton Chamber of Commerce. He said the Chamber was responsible for laying the foundation of the Harbour Board, as the agitation commenced with this body. The defunct Chamber brought forth “twins” —the Harbour Board and linking up the Main Trunk Line between Marlon and Levin. The Harbour Board baby took all the nourishment and vitality from the parent and other offspring, resulting in their death. The speaker hoped that a new body would arise which would resuscitate the railway question, and with the hearty co-opera-tion of local governing bodies would force the hand of the Government to carry out this work of national importance. , « ■» * *

The Mayor of Palmerston, Mr J. A. Nash, was in good form. He made it clear that Foxton’s progress was dear to his heart. It was the place of his birth, and, further, he Avas a ratepayer, and claimed the right to express an opinion on Foxton affairs. Years ago he had advocated a Town Hall and sewerage scheme. He Avas glad to know, despite adverse criticism to his opinions at the time, that the Town Hall bad been erected, but it avus a, disgrace that a toAvn of the size of Foxton did not possess a sewerage scheme. There Avas no reason Avhy the I’iver water should not be used for this purpose, and for certain domestic purposes as Avell. He paid a line tribute to Mayor Chrystall, and referred to him as one of the most progressive Mayors Foxton had yet had. He urged the Council to apply to the Government for an inscribed loan for water and drainage. * » * *

“I look upon myself as a New Zealander, and I am proud to say my sons are Ncav Zealanders,” said Mr Hemiessy. “I left my native country because I could not get a living there, and came out here and did well. Therefore it is my duty and pleasure to do all I can for the country of my adoption, and the district in Avhich I have spent the best part of my life.” » « » *

“Foxton is unlike many other municipalities,” said one speaker’, “in that it does not possess endowments to assist the ratepayers in carrying' out necessary municipal undertakings.” He instanced other toAvns with valuable endowments which relieved the ratepayers, and in time to come would cut down the rates to a bare minimum. The Government Avas parting with national endowments by granting (he freehold, and Foxton should put in a claim for an emhnment from this source. Further, there should bo an amendment to the Municipal Corporations Act, Avherchy State assistance should he given to municipalities such as Foxton, Avhich are removed from a good Avater supply soumv

Mayor Nash’s humorous description of the ways of Parliamentarians during session avus received with much merriment. He compared' jbe businesslike methods of localgoverning bodies when at work lo 1 ho somnolence and easy method.-, of iM’s.P. He said it avus not an unumuil sight lo see member-- a-deep, and to hear them snoring, or for others to retire for casual relrcshments. Such doings were unheard of mi the part of member-- of local bodies.

Dr. Mandi's eloquent reference io onr boys at (he trout was in keeping with the occasion. He paid a line tribute to those who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the cause of liberty and freedom.

Mr Linklater (Kairanga Comity Council’s representative on the Harbour Board) referred to himself as the baby of the Board.” From his remarks it avus quite apparent that in this member the Board has a Avorthy representative, and one who will be heard of in its future administrative affairs.

Mr W. H. Field, M.P., received a fine reception on rising to respond to the toast of Parliament, which he handled in a very masterful way. He paid a graceful tribute to the late Mr John SteAnms, M.P., Mr NeAvman, M.P., and Mr John Robertson, ex-member, for the assistance they had given the Board in Parliament. As for Mr Hennessy, the Chairman, he had been an “intolerable nuisance!” (Laughter and applause). He had never been free from him. Even the quiet of his home Avas interrupted by calls to the telephone from Mr Hennessy on Harbour Board affairs. Mr Field said he was one of those who believed that the Board should not; have paid one penny for the Avharf, but that the Railway Department should have been compelled to disgorge portions of the revenue it had received from the port back to the Board. (Applause.) * « * *

Mr Field made a strong plea for enthusiasm and agitation by local bodies in connection with forcing the hand of the Government in connection with the Mangahao hydroelectric scheme, Avhich Avas of the utmost importance to the future prosperity of all industries in this district

Among those present at the banquet Avas one of Foxton’s earliest settlers, in the person of Mr A. S. Easton. Mr Hennessy referred to an encounter, he had Avith one of Mr Easton’s bullocks about 40 years ago. » 9 9 9 Another juvenile present Avas Mr

C.-Spring, aged 82 years, and still going strong. The old gentleman is as active physically and mentally as nmnv men half his years, * ‘ * ■» •

The returned soldier has an ardent champion in Mr W. 11. Field, M.P. He said it avus no!-only (he duty of the Government to see (hat our hoys were avoll cared for at the front, hut on (heir return it avus. the duty of the Government to see that they were avoll settled on the land. * $ # $

The Hon. W. IT. Berries, Minister for Railways, telegraphed an apology.

The Hon, D. H. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, Avired: “Kindly apologise for my absence, and convey to Mr Hennessy my hearty congratulations on the result of his consistent} advocacy in the interest of Foxton and district for the Foxton wharf.”

The Mayor of Levin (Mr Blenkhorn) Avired compliments to the guest.

Sir James Wilson, Chairman of the MaiuiAvatu County Council, Avrote as follows: —

Regret very much that I am not able to be at the dinner given to Mr Hennessy to show the public appreciation of his Avork in first securing the Bill through Parliament, then in getting reasonable terms from the Government of the

sale of the Avharf, and then by

his appeal to the public to support the loan and bring all to a successful issue. I should like to have expressed the appreciation we all have for the persistence and tact: Avhich Mr Hennessy has shoAvn during the long negotiati-

ons, covering many years. Few men Avould not have been discouraged long ago, yet Mr Hennessy fought on in the best of temper, and never lost heart, and it is very fitting that he should have some public recognition made to him to mark the event —an event Avhich I am sure Avill be greatly in the interest of the toAvn of Foxton as well as to the County of MnnaAvatn and the district generally. The dredging of the river Avill make an immense difference to the class of vessel coming up to the Avharf, and this Avill mean cheaper freight, and more regular sendee. Will you be good enough to express my regret at not being able to express my feeling of grateful recognition of Mr Henncssv’s Avork?

The lion. T. W. Wilford, Minister for Marine, wrote; —

I regret that it Avill not bo possible for me to be present at the function. I have to leave for Port Chalmers on Monday night next to preside at the silting (here of the Waterside Accidents Commission, otherwise I should have boon delighted to visit your district and luke part in the function yon mention. 1 think the services rendered In the district by Mr Hennessy and Mr Field, M.P., are Avnrthy of every recognition, add it is u pleasure to me to note lliat the work of those (avo gentlemen is not being overlooked.

The Secretary of the Hoard to-day ceived I lie following telegram from Rotorua from Mr E. Newman, M.P.: —“Received invitation for Mr Heiinossy’s banquet last night, too late, to attend. Regret exceedingly that I have been unable to join in doing honour to a man whose splendid public service to the district well deserves the fullest recognition.”

Daring the course of his remarks, Mr Hennessy said at present he appeared to be “the hero of (he hour,” but it avus possible that in the future administration of the port.- ho would (rend on some one’s corns, hut he intended to do his duly withoiit fear or favour, and all could rest assured that Avhatever he did he would endeavour to further the interests of the port to the best: of his abilitA’.

Special mention Avas made by, several speakers of the very valuable services rendered by the Board’s secretary, Mr W. Bock, who had continued in office at great inconvenience to himself, in order to assist the Board in getting control of the Avharf.