CORPORATION DINNER.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 84, 19 May 1843, Page 2

CORPORATION DINNER.

By the Mayor and Aldermen of Wellington, to M.M-. Le Commodore Berard, and the Chief Officers of the French Corvette L’Rhin. This splendid affair came off on Wednesday evening in the very best style, at Barrett’s Hotel, when about forty gentlemen sat down to the banquet, the Mayor being in the chair, supported on his by the Commodore, and on the left by the New Zealand Company’s Principal’ Agent, Col. Wakefield, the other officers of the Frigate, according to their rank, to the right and'left of the Chair. There were present, besides eight of the Aldermen, including three Justices of the Peace, G. S. Evans, Esq., D.C.L., J.P.; Capt. Smith, J.P., R.A.; Mr. Mernon of Sydney, Major Durie, Mr. G. Moore, Mr. White, J.P., Mr. Smith, Manager of the Union Bank of Australia, Mr. Park, Mr. Ludlam, Mr. Mocatta, Mr. Bannatyne of Sydney, Mr. Kelham, Mr.Tyser, Mr. J.M.Taylor,&c.&c.&c., Messrs. Aldermen Lyon and Fitzherbert acting as croupiers. The St. George’s ensign was tastefully intertwined with the French national tri-color fiom the Corvette, and placed over the Chair. At the bottom of the room tbs Union Jnck the flag of New Zealand displayed with fine effect; the ceiling and °* *7® * oom being decorated with the liveliest and most beautiful evergreens? Every delicacy of the season, and the richest wines and liqueurs, were Supplied in profusion ; and it is but justice to Mr. Suistea to announce, that the entertainment was served up m a style which formed a very favorable contrast with many public dinners we have had the misfortune to attend in London. The toasts were few, but much to the purpose, and received with all the honors. lsf. Victoria, Queen of England. 2d. Louis Philippe, King of the French. 3d. Perpetuity to the Friendship now existing between France and England. 4th. M.M. Le Commodore Berard, and the Officers of L’Rhin —health, long life, and happiness to them. All passed off with the utmost harmony, the members of the Corporation wearing the tri-

color at their left side button-hole, and tji.e expressions of respect find esteem between the natives of the two nations were reciprocated with the greatest cordiality. The guests did n ot separate until a late, or rather an.early hour; several of the French gentlemen were excellent singers, and exercised their talent with a vigor and enthusiasm quite enchanting, while the fine band from the man-of-war exhilirated the assemblage by the performance of the principal national pieces of France and England. Now, gentle readers, we must allude to a curious circumstance. How many of the ten or a dozen Government stipendiaries whom we are blessed with here, were present, think ye, to pay their respects to these distinguished strangers ? Tell it not in Gath : Publish it not ] in the streets of Askelon! But let it sound I through France, England, and the sister colonies of this hemisphere! not one ! no one person to represent the authorities at Auckland, to whose extreme liberality, the settlers at Port Nicholson are now, and have been from the first, so deeply indebted. It was cruel to deprive the meeting of the opportunity of shewing their deep-seated gratitude. Another party, thinking and calling themselves the aristocracy, joined by some magnificent and wealthy imitators, kept aloof, but we are informed they have decided upon clubbing together the price of the tickets, one guinea and a half each—to form the nucleus of a savings’ bank, the money to be presented to the Mechanic’s Institute, for promoting the education and comfort of the working classes, for whose interests the said party have always manifested the liveliest concern.