BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS’ DINNER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5335, 3 May 1878, Page 3

BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS’ DINNER.

Tho annual dinner iu connection with the Builders and Contractors’ Association was held in the large dining-room of the Metropolitan Hotel, Molesworth-streot, last evening. Tho table was laid out moat tastefully, and the creature comforts of all sorts were served up in host Beatty’s usual liberal stylo. Thera wore about fifty gentlemen present, among whom wo noticed Mr. George Hunter, M.H.R., Sir. G. B. Barton, M.H.R., Mr. Bunny, M.H.R., his Worship tho Mayor, and Messrs. George and Mills. The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Whiteford, and the vice-chair by Mr. Greenfield. After the dinner had been done full justice to, and tho usual loyal and patriotic toasts had boon duly honored, The Vice-Chairman proposed “The Health of tho City Members." Mr. George Hunter, M.H.R., as the senior member, responded, and commenced by saying that he only intended to make half a speech, as he thought tho duty of returning thanks should bo divided between Mr. Barton and himself. He then expressed the very great pleasure he had experienced at meeting so many of those around him year after year, and hoped he would be spared to meet them again for many more years. He spoke of the rapid progress Wellington had made during the last few years, and acknowledged that tho prosperity was in a great measure due to the energy displayed by many of those sitting before him. He was, as most of them knew, one of the old identities in Wellington, and felt proud of being so, and of the distinction that had been conferred upon him by his fellow citizens. Ho hoped he had the good sense to recognise the advantages derived from the many new comers he saw round about him. The last census returns showed that the city of Wellington was only a few thousands behind the largest town in New Zealand. He was sanguine enough to believe it was only a question of a few years, and then it would be at the head of them all. Nature had done much for them, and they were now beginning to recognise their duty in seconding her efforts and making the most of the port and its great natural advantages. He had only further to thank them for inviting him to the entertainment, and called upon Mr. Barton to make up for any of his shortcomings. Mr. Huntsr then sat down amidst loud applause. Mr. Barton, M.H.E., the junior member of the city, said it was very kind of Mr. Hunter, the senior member, to have left a portion of the speech for him (Mr. Barton). He felt it was a kindness in one sense, but not in tho other. He was not. so competent to deal with the toast as their old and tried member Mr. Hunter. He hoped, however, before the next session was over to have gained some amount of confidence. On seeing the city of Wellington the first time, he was struck by the number of buildings going up, and this reminded him of a little anecdote. A sailor was once shipwrecked and cast ashore on a strange land, and the first thing he saw was a scaffold. When he (Mr. Barton) came to Wellington two or three years.ago, he noticed the number of scaffolds that were erected and being erected in tho city, most of them probably by members of this association. Wellington was without a doubt the capital of New Zealand in every respect. Mr. Barton then referred to the natural beauties of the city, saying that it was one of the most beautiful iu New Zealand. He was glad to see that builders were now commencing to build with more solid substances than wood, and he hoped that they would follow it up. Because the town had iu the past been a little uneasy under their feet, it was no reason why it should always be so. On the contrary, like the gentleman on board a man-of-war in action, who felt very uneasy if he did not know where to go for safety ; at last he put his head through a hole made by a cannonball, and was safe throughout the battle. Mr. Barton thought that those little uneasy feelings had done no harm, and he hoped they never would, but that they would go on building with brick and stone. The speaker next referred to the notice that Australia, America, and even England, were talking of New Zealand. In one portion of the South Island th e farmers were producing large quantities of grain—enough to send a ship of a thousand tons away every day. This was a fact showing the coming greatness of this colony. He thought there was ■ a great future for New Zealand, and a very great one for Wellington. He hoped the senior member of the city would yet live to see its population 40,000, instead of 20,000, Ho hoped, also, that Mr. Hunter in ten years hence would be’able to remember the present night, when he would be able to speak of still greater improvements to the city and the increase of her population, when he still hoped that Mr Hunter would occupy his position at the head of the poll. Mr. Brown proposed “The Health of the Mayor and Corporation." The Mayor, in responding, said he was very grateful for the confidence the citizens had placed in him. He was proud to be able to say that the present Councillors were always desirous of doing anything they could for the good of the town—a more zealous set of men: he never met. His Worship then referred to the progressive works of Wellington, and hoped the city would go on improving. Mr. Bunny, M.H.K., proposed “ Prosperity to the Contractors and Builders’ Association,” and referred in most complimentary terms to the good the association had done. He was glad that the association had not forgotten him, although he had left the city, and again hoped that he would not he forgotten iu the future.

Mr. W. Wiiitbfobd, the president, in responding, assured Mr. Bunny that he would not be forgotten at their next gathering. Mr. Greenfield, the vice-chairman, proposed “ The Architects and Engineers of the City.” Messrs. Turnbull and George responded in suitable terras.

Mr. Halley proposed “The Mercantile Community." Mr, Mills, in responding, said that he had no hesitation in saying that Wellington would very, shortly be one of the most prosperous cities in New Zealand. He arrived here twenty-four years ago, and he then predicted what would take place, and he was glad to see that the prediction had came true. Mr. Mills, juu., proposed “ The Health of the Ladies,” coupled with the name of Mr. Goodfellow, who replied in a humorous speech. The toast of “ The Press” was proposed by Mr. Samuel Shown, and responded to by Mr. McCredt, as the members of the Press had retired from the room.

“The Health of Mr. Brown,” the honorary secretary to the association, was proposed by Mr. Dransfield, who mentioned the many services that he had rendered to the association, and the valuable assistance ho had been in keeping them together. He was the originator of the society, which had been of great service to Wellington. Mr. Honteb proposed “ The Health of Mr. Whiteford, the Chairman,” and referred to the services he had rendered to the city on many occasions as superintendent of tho Eire Brigade.

This concluded tho programme. During tho evening a number of capital songs were sung, and tho company broke up shortly before midnight, having spent a very pleasant evening.