THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ DINNER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5147, 21 September 1877, Page 7

THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ DINNER.

A dinner was given on September Bth at the Theatre Royal Hotel by the licensed vicuallers of Wellington to the Southern delegates. The dinner swaa, provided in thqNery best style, jand the wines did credit to Mr. Ur win. About one hundred gentlemen sat down to table,jthe chair being filled by Mr. B. J. Duncan, who had on his right: and le£t;hand Messrs.)lsaacs, Stansi’l, Baylee, and Morton, the delegate. After dinner had been disposed of, and so soon as dessert was placed upon the table, (the . Chairman read letters of apology from the Horisi Messrs. Bowen aud Reid, Sir George Grey, ;Mr. Macandrew, and several other membersof 1 the House of Representatives. ,Vi i The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were then honored. ;,’ ... ’..,. I

The Chairman proposed “ The Ministry.and Parliament of New Zealand,” saying that they, had been, and he hoped, always would be, a credit to the people represented/ .» j Mr. Rowe, in replying; said that the Ministry had' had' quite enough to' respond) .to lately, 'and had done -so bravely, j Hewould , content, himself.' by .saying | of them, that,, they, were,,-the. most - dble, honest,' and intelligent Ministry/thist’ {had existed since responsible Government had been introdnced into New Zealand.-Their character for honesty and integrity could: not be Impeached. As a member of, the House of .'Representatives he thanked those present. During, his thirty years in ,New Zealand as a, working man, during prosperity’and adversity, he had always hopedto be a member of Parliament, and now his desire was gratified, land he intended to do his duty to his constituents and the whole colony, which it should’be. the pride of all colonists to see a united country. Mr. Roxburgh : proposed .“ The Mayor and Corporation of Wellington.” He remarked that the city of Wellington was making enormous strides in progress, and was yet ,the worst lighted, worst drained,, worst kept city in the Southern Hemisphere. At:the same time he„ considered Mr. Hutchison an admirable Mayor. The Chairman then proposed the toast of the evening,—“ The Delegates,”—and said that at considerable personal: inconvenience and no little expense, they,.had come up to Wellington to perform a public duty, and as a resident of Wellington for thirty-six years, he felt proud that gentlemen came to the city in connection with a question of public interest. They would go, away satisfied that they had the good wishes of everyone present. For himself, as chairman, the interest he took in the licensing question was on public grounds alone. The Local Option Bill had been brought on by Mr. Fox without due and proper consideration, and was a mistake, the zeal of its introducer carrying him away. ; , Mr. Ddncan deprecated the fanaticism and violence which had characterised the supporters, of. the Bill outside . the House, and counselled the licensed victuallers to unite in conservation of their interests.

Mr. Isaacs briefly responded, and considered that the attendance of _ intelligent gentlemen that evening was a high compliment to the delegates. He pitied Mr. Fox, who was unable to enjoy such an entertainment as that they were partaking of. He vindicated the character of the licensed victuallers as citizens, as fathers, and as fulfilling all the duties of public and private life with credit. He expressed his surprise) at Wellington and its resources, which bethought destined it to become the Empress of !the Southern Seas. ; Mr. Beauchamp, in a humorous speech, proposed “ Prosperity to New Zealand. “ Success to the Trade” was proposed - by Mr. Knocker and responded to by Mr. Maoinity. The toast of “The Press” brought the proceedings of the evening to a conclusion.