AN EVENING AT THE ROYAL HOTEL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 278, 3 July 1874, Page 3

AN EVENING AT THE ROYAL HOTEL.

On Friday evening, the 19th instant, a very enjoyable social meeting was held at Horswell's Royal Hotel, JNaseby. Anum' ber of gentlemen had asked Mr. de Lautoin* to 'meet them on his return from Dunedin, to.welcome him back again, and to show how thoroughly they appreciated his services on behalf of the district. Accordingly, a little, after, eight p.m. Mr. Busch was voted to the chair, from forty to fifty gentlemen having assembled in the Royal Hotel billiard room, which was gon up by the host with that creditable taste which is looked for from himnow-a-days almost as a matter of course. The large tabic was completely covered with good things, which, before the evening was brought to. a conclusion, were amply done justice to.

Tlie Chairman briefly stated llie object of tlie meeting, which, was purely a social one, got Tip by a few friends and well-wishers of their local member.

. After a capital song, the toast of the evening was drunk with all the honors. Mr. de Lautoub briefly replied, expressing liis very sincere thanks for the en riable position in which he stood that evening. He excused himself from making a political speech that evening, as of course he was sheltered from criticism by rites of hospitality, and as he hoped to give all au opportunity to meet him publicly at an early date. After n few other brief allusions to matters of local interest he again thanked those who had so kindly met him for the very hearty reception he had received: Toasts and songs were then the order of the night —Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Bremner, Mr. Grumitt, Mr. Glenn, and Mr. David Stewart contributing especially to the general amusement.

Mr. W. G-ufFiE, of Clark's, replied effectively and well for the Mining Interest." "

Mr. J. Cogan, of Serpentine, was not backward in returning thanks for the ladies.

" Our local Doctor " brought Dr. Dice to his feet in a humorous speech. Mr. G-eumitt responded for the banks. Mr. de Xiautoue responded for thePress, more especially in connection with his absent partner, Mr. Wilson, who, he said, had been well eulogised by the proposer for his good nature. So much, so was this true, that he (Mr.deliautour) had found it necessary to let Mr. Wilson do the good nature, while he himself did theoilier thing.—(Laughter.)

At about twelve o'clock the toasts of "The Chair" and " The Host" brought a very pleasant evening to a close, though, a few, ooimvially inclined, sat on into thajSmall hours. ' We .never remember a more pleasant evening Naseby. Certainly Mr. de Lautour; had every, reason, to be pleased .with, the: very hearty, "reception given to him.