POLITICAL BANQUET.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 403, 9 December 1876, Page 3

POLITICAL BANQUET.

In continuation of our report of last Week, which w> wore compelled to omit, we append it summary of the speeches made, during the evening:

The Rev. E. Udykk, who upon rismg "Was received with great cheer*, said that he was most huppy to be present on an occasion of this kind. Ho begged to thank, in his own name and in the name of all those with whom from his position he was so closely connected, Mr. de LaUtour for his hqneiit, energetic action in the House of Representatives. As one of the oldest residents in the district, he often felt much annoyed at not being able to tnko a more ncMve part in the various public n.ovements initiated and followed out in the interest of the district. The reason of this was however, he believed, Well known to them all. He was constantly engaged in mission work throughout a very large district. His occupation required lira, whole attention, almost day and night; but, if often absent, they should always remember that his heart and sympathies were ever true to the best interests of the people of Mount Ida. The Vick-Oba.irka.n then rose, and, in a few well-chosen'word*, proposed—"The health of his Honor the Superintendent, Mr. James Mtieandrew," coupled with the name of Mr. Williamson. The Rev. J. M'Oosk Smitr said : I nm very glad to see so many here, to show honor and respect to Mr. de Lautour, our member in the House of Representatives. 1 am sure he well deserves all the honor we can show him. I have known him from the first of his political career. I am glad we'have not a representative who goes up, rind, taking refuge behind some great man, confirm.-) all his statements thus —" If you will give me this bridge, this mad, or that, I will just sny as you say, sir." We have a representative who sees and speaks for himself. I hardly thought he had the stuff in him. I knew he had literary power, but I now see he has doggedness and determination as well —to 'choose his course and to follow it up. 'I may sav, in one word, that our Representative came forth a full-fledged politician all at once, and he lias continued on tlie wing ever since, risen high, and I hope will rise hisrher still.

Mr. Williamson said he felt himself highly honored in having to reply for his Honor the Superintendent. II there was ■anv man in Otngo who deserved support it was Macandrew. It was not possible for any of them to know the sacrifices he had made for Otago. He believed that if he had not been so intensely Otagan he would long ago have held the highest position in the Colony. If the people would back him up he would pull Otago through .yet—he would at least help. "Mac" ■was not done yet. For the way he had •stuck up for Otago, even for the last two years—which shewed the stuff that was in him—he was to be put aside, and another put. in his place, as if he were a traitor. Folk said Sir George Grey, too, ■•whs mad. It was a great pity that (here were not more such mad people. If the people would only support Macandrew he would put. all right— at least he would help. It was wrong for the people of a great Province to lay down and allow their leader to be kicked, and another put in his place, whether we liked it or not. Who was this M'Lean, to mrn him out, and receive deputations and such like. JMiicnndiew had been true to Otago from the very first. He h>td not much more to say ; perhaps the less said the better. (Great cheering.) Mr. Dillon : In the absence of a gentleman who was to propose this very important I'.asf, at the special request of the ■Committee he hart undertaken to propose it. Having some 21 years experience of miniu<>' in the colonies he had had oppor •tunilhs of witnessing the progress ninde '■in the interest of nil classes by that, gieat interest mining. He. had seen Melbourne {•row from a mere villuge in two and amll years to be a great city by the impetus given to trade and commerce, brought on by the discovery of gold. Dunedin in 1863 was also « ) etiy village, with the native flax growing in the streets, and in two or three years it also grew to be a city of ni reliants' warehouses by the same agency. He might ask. What has that industry received in return from the Slate? Nothing; except laws of a very obstructive nature. The very room they "were assembled in that evening was evidence of what mining had done for this •district. Fourteen years ago this district was '. wilderness, inhabited by about four of the so-<-uMed pioneers, and was known by the nanw of Hogburn. Droves of wild -pigs roamed over the district to the great personal danger of'tisose few pimeers and their limited flocks.

Mr. Shannon, in responding said : I helieve I am about as old * miner as there •is present, h.-ivmg followed it in all its different branches as an occupation for the last 23 years. In that time I have had an opportunity of jud.'ing som what of miners waysofviewtug things generally. «ud have found as ti rule they are quick , to grumble and slow to act. " Sufficient : for the day," <fec., seems \o l<e the motto, ! that the existing order of things, however ; grievous they may be, w']J do their turn ! •until they find out their mistake by mat- ! ters becoming too hot, then mart a fresh \ growl at the powers that be., and even look ' with suspicion at any jx-rson who would ! attempt to rectify matters with thei aid, and all but accuse him of having some ulterior ol.j< ct of his own in view. There oan be no doubt that mining is one of the first industries in the rofony, in fact has been the making of this one aud all others in which gold has been found. I consider it has been the means of advancing all of them 100 years at least, and is, therefore, wor'hy of consideration for tlie past, aud encouragement for future prosperity. Willi regard to the proposed County sys* tern—should we unfortunately bo compelled to accept, it—l consider that, by miners in particular, it ought to be under the strongest protest. If inaugurated, the miners occupation will be like Othello's—gone. Powerful though the mining interest may be when unanimous the interest will still go to the wall, while mining taxation supplies ways and means for the Council. Touching the Government works, ever 3' person must admit in this locality that mining generally is in a very languishing slate at present for want of water. When we consider the works in question have occupied three years to do what has been done at them, when the •whole t-chimc was to have been completed iu one. a person naturally thinks those in power are, to ay the least of it, longwinded. JNow, according to the Engineer's notion of affairs, the works BTe all but completed, which is true enough, though only so far as flushing purposes are con* eenu'd. As they stand at present to -y «o(Din«nd but * very limited quantity of

ground that is* likely to be worked, and how are to pay even interest on the cost let alom: being rcmu nerative except water is sold? Another year or ho of deferred hope, I suppose. We have had a surfeit of that, I'm thinking. J here is one subject in connection with these works* which I consider those in authority ahould see to as beiug very important tofuture mining welfare, which iB that the different outlets and watercourses between this and Hill's Creek be reserved for mining purposes. ' I firmly belieTe there is more gold lying between the points specified than baa ever been obtained in Naaeby proper, (Applause.) Mr. B. Gdbdow proposed " Tne Agricultural and Pastoral Interest." Among the squatters of Naseby he had many friends. At tb« same time he was always an advocate for the opening of land. There was room for all. In the course he had taken t the last elections he had been actuated by no ill-feeling to the pastoral interest. He would call on Mr. Glenn to reply.

Mr. R. GlENic said : Agriculture was to him like a visit from an old friend. He had spent 25 years of his life on farms ; but at Home farming was far different trom what it was here. Taxes there were innumerable, aDd to pay these aud make a living besides required a great deal of tact and judgment. Farming at Home was not ail that it appeared to be, Naseby was sadly in need of local farming. The town had boen supplied for a very long time with flour from Palmerston and Queenstown; they should not rest till locally grown flour was in the market. He remembered well the first occasion that anything was attempted to be grown near JNaseby, abont a mile from the town, by i gentleman in the room. Most exhorbitunt prices had to be paid for vegetables, and this gentleman determined to make an attempt to grow something, even if it was only a cabbage or a potatoe, and he succeeded. It was quite a novelty to go down the Flat and look at the pioneer garden. Opinions were plentifully given that it would grow nothing ; but vegetables were grown, and good ones too. If any one, who had gone away from Naseby ten years ago, were to come back, the place would hardly be recognised on account of the gardens, paddocks and farms, which had sprung up. By means of these men were in an independent position who before were unable to keep out of debt. They knew whom they had to thank for the means of settlement being afforded. When the idea of throwing open the land was first mooted, everyone said it would be no gpdto do so. They said—look at Currie aud Law, who had large paddocks on the hill they could make nothing of, and would give them up. But they had not done so, nor was it likely they would. Again, they asked—who would take up the land? It was found that ihere were nlenty of men to do so. Those men who had gone to the Plain, to the Sowburn, and to the foot of the Houndburn Hill knew vi hat they were about. They were securing comfortable and permanent homesteads. These sections would be profitable speculations for these quiet thinking men. There was not a single man in the place who knew anything a out farming, and who had money, but was anxious to find land to settle upon. Farming would tell a tale when they could could produce their own Hour. Now their money was going to Queenstown. He heartily wished for this time to come, and he had only to say, " Sperd the plough."

Mr. W. H. Ash, in appropriate terms proposed "The Ladies," coupled with the name of Mr. B. Gordon, the energetic Secretary to the Banquet Committee. Mr. Go'tDON was sorry to reply to the tea si of the ladies, speaking as he always diJ, without preparaiion. He knew very little about the ladies. He was sorry they had not done away with the silly barrier, which kept ladies away from such entertainments as the present. Mr. Dillon proposed "The Press,' coupled with tlie name of Mr. Hertslet. Mr. Hertslet said that the honor of responding to .Jiis toast was the legitimate right and privilege of the gentleman who was the guest of tlie evening. As, however, he was aware that that gentleman would have euough to do in the speaking line in reply to another toast, he (Mr. HertsleO as an old journalist, claimed the right of being for tlie nonce his substitute. He said honor becatts" he felt it to be an honor to be associated with a profession which had become an admitted and recognised power in the State. The Press, to be of a really uselul character as a power, must be free aud untrammelled—free to criticise the acts of public men and bodies without let or hindrance, and without dread of the iuterfer ence of the censor. A free press made a free people, and where the press was free ihe foot of tyranny and despotism won hi never succeed in establishing a foothold. The Press educated the people, and brought them to the know ledge ol'tlieir poHlieal rights, and taught them the way of preserving their political freedom- in the words of the great Brougham—" By education man becomes easy to lead, but difficult to drive—easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.' Mr. Hertslet then in very generous language referred 16 his candidature against the guest of the evening, and the opinions bo had expressed, winch, he was glad to say, were completely shewn to be erroneous. He would ask to be allowed to propose a toast—'' Sir George Grey, Mr. Stout, and the other members of the Opposition." Three cheers for Sir George Grey and the Opposition were vociferously given. Mr. dk Lautoub Tjsc to propose the health of the Chairman, Mr. L. W.Busch. There was, he thought, no one in tlie room but who could point to some unos tentatious act of kindness perfonmd by Mr. B.isch. (Voice: That's true.) Acts that singly were known to individuals, but to the public were unknown. His public zeaf was known to them all.

Drunk with applause. Mr. Boscnr eelingly replied. Mr. Gl<-nn -proposed the Volunteer Committee, coupled with the nam:: of Mr. Ptnder. Great credit, was due 10 that gentleman, and also to Messrs. Horswell and Hall.

Mr. Gokpon proposed tlu " >Taseby Brass Band, ' coupled with the name of Mr. J. Martin, who replied. Mr. Williamson proposed the "Commercial interest," coupled with the name ot Mr. Hjorring, who briefly replied. Mr. Glenn proposed the 'Fire Brigade," to which Captain Hall replied. Songs were sung during (he evening in capital style by Messrs. L. Kore, W. H. Ash, Sandow, Morrison. Johnstone, M'G egor, Ladd, S. Hore, and Webber. About seveuty sat down at. the banquet. A little before two a.m. tne meeting broke up. everything having gone off most satwnctorily.