DINNER TO MR. CLARKE, C.E.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5322, 17 April 1878, Page 3

DINNER TO MR. CLARKE, C.E.

Last evening tl>e Mayor of Wellington entertained Mr. Clarke, the eminent hydraulic engineer, and about 80 other gentlemen, at a sumptuous dinner at the Club. Amongst those present were the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, M.L.0., Sir William Fitzherbert, M.H.R., A. De B. Brandon, Esq., M.H.R., G. Hunter, Esq., M.H.R-, H. Buuny, Esq., all the members o£ the City Council, the Town Clerk and other corporate officials, and a number of professional men and other leading citizens. M The usual loyal toasts, “The Queen, ‘The Prince of Wales,” and " The Governor,” were given from the chair.and duly honored. The Town Clerk (Mr. Graham) next gave “The Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces, coupled with the names of Colonel Whitmore, Mr. J. C. Crawford, R.M., and Major Pearce. The toast was warmly received, and responded to by those gentlemen very appropriately. Colonel Whitmore, in speaking of the army, referred to the past services of Bntifch soldier?, and to their present state of efficiency. He expressed his warm attachment to the service to which he formerly belonged, and said he was certain that if their services were again required in the field they would do their duty as they had done in the past. In responding on behalf of the navy, Mi. J C Crawford alluded to the fact that the material of which warships were made in his early years had considerably changed; but although the material had been altered, the men were of the same stamp now as then, and would give as good an account of themselves as their predecessors had done, if called into action to-aay. Mr. Pearce, m replying on behalf ot tne reserve forces, remarked that he had lately been in England, where he had seen what the reserve forces were there, and how this, amongst other things, had contributed to enable the country to take the firm stand it had lately. The Chairman then rose to propose the health of the guest of the evening, Mr. Clarke, and dwelt at some length upon the advautages which would result to the city from that gentleman’s visit. He expressed a hope that whatever suggestions were made by him in reference to the carrying out sanitary works here would be adopted, in order that the evils which it was admitted existed here should be removed. Mr Clarke replied in an able and eloquent speech, which everyone present regretted it was not possible to have reported fully, no reporters being present. Mr Clarke pointed out the difficulties which would attend the preparing of a scheme for an efficient system of drainage for a city like "Wellington, composed as it was of one or two extensive flits surrounded by hills of every size. The death rate in Wellington was not as heavy as- in many other cities of like size, but the evils re ferred to.as existing must not be permitted to continue, for the longer time'they were allowed to continue the more they would grow and tend to increase the death rate. He said the great difficulty he had to grapple with was the want of a proper plan showing the levels of all the streets in every part of the city. Until he was furnished with this it would be impossible for him to prepare any report that would be satisfactory to the City Council. He should remain in Wellington for some weeks,’and before leaving hoped to be able to he prepared with such a scheme for the drainage of the city ns if carried out would confer a lasting benefit upon the place. He deprecated in most powerful language the discharging of any portion of the sewage into .the harbor, pointing out the evils which had been made apparent from the adoption of such a plan in older cities, and instanced Sydney as an illustration. ’ He expressed his great satisfaction at his visit to the colonies, and said that on his return to England he should have great pleasure in pointing out the advantages which men of sober, steady, and industrious habits would derive by emigrating to these colonies. He had been very much struck by the appearance of comfort and prosperity which seemed to be enjoyed very generally by all classes of the OWmmunity. The Chairman next proposed “ The Health of her Majesty’s Ministers,” remarking that politics were excluded from the topics to be discussed at the usual gatherings of the Club, but still he thought everyone present would be glad to drink the health of the Ministry, with which toast he would couple the name of the Hon. Colonel Whitmore.

Colonel Whitmore, in responding-, said he deprecated the introduction of political topics at these social meetings, and approved of the rule of the Club on the subject. He regretted that he was the only member of the Ministry able to be present. His colleagues would gladly have availed themselves of the opportunity of being present if they could. On behalf of the present Government he could say that it had the interest of the colony at heart, and he hoped whenits policy was fully explained to the country, that if not wholly approved of, the Ministry wonld at all events obtain credit for goad intentions, and for having worked hard in their various positions. He referred to the fact that the Ministry and the Governor were on excellent terms, notwithstanding what had been said to the contrary, and which had appeared in some of the publications which they could not help seeing, He certainly did not think the Government required the services of any Cashmere watchman. Mr. Pea ecu proposed “ The Health of the Members of the General Assembly,” and referred to the able who had labored in the past in forming the laws under which we now live. He considered that the New Zealand Parliament would favorably compare with that of any other Legislative body in the colonies, and even with the Imperial Parliament. He would couple with this toast the name of Sir William Pitzherbert, , whb i had been one of the leading politicians of the colony from the commencement of Constitutional Government here, and who now occupied the high position of Speaker in the House of Representatives. Sir William Fitzherbekt replied very ably and at some length, touching on a great variety of topics. He deprecated the habit many people had of undervaluing themselves and their representatives, and referred to recent proceedings which had taken place in the British House of Commons. He expressed great gratification in hearing what had fallen from Mr. Clarke, and hoped that it would bear fruit. The City Council bad a serious duty to discharge, and they must do it well, and without fear, favor, or affection. In early life he himself had studied the science of hygiene under some of the ablest instructors of the time, and there could be no doubt that Mr. Clarke’s views on the subject were sound. If people sowed poison they must expect to reap death. There was great credit due to the Mayor for bringing together so large an assemblage to hear Mr. Clarke’s views, and they must support the City Council in taking energetic measures to remedy the evils so ably pointed out by Mr. Clarke. Mr. J, Woodward proposed “The Health of the City Council” in a few complimentary remarks, and coupled with the toast the name of Councillor Hunter, whose father, it was well known, was the first Mayor of the city. Mr. Hunter replied on behalf of the City Council, and said he hoped, as their duty had been pointed out to them so clearly by Mr, Clarke, that they would not fail to discharge it.

Mr. Clarke asked leave to propose a toast. Ho said since ho came to the colony he had been privileged to take up his abode at the Club, and he found himself very comfortable in it. He congratulated its members on possessing such a fine building, situated in such a beautiful situation. He could speak with some knowledge on the subject, as he had been staying at various Clubs in the Australian colonies. He again spoke of the kind reception he had met with in the colonies at the hands of Governors, Ministers, and Municipalities, and concluded by proposing The Health of the President of the Wellington Club.”

Mr. Hunter acknowledged the toast, and said he was pleased to hear Mr. Clarke speak in such a satisfactory manner of this Club and its management; i ■ This concluded the speeches, and the guests shortly afterwards separated. ■ The above is necessarily only a brief report of the proceedings, as it had. been agreed beforehand that reporters should not be present,

they not being, as a rule, iuvited to social gatherings of this kind at the but we believe the account furnished to us will be found substantially correct, as we have it on reliable authority. ’