DINNER AND PRESENTATION TO MR. CRAIG.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 721, 1 August 1878, Page 2

DINNER AND PRESENTATION TO MR. CRAIG.

About fortv gentlemen sat dmni to tht .'•huvr ghvu lit the Atlmnavim, </':opo;>o : evening, '.o Air. W. C'ruig, on ;, : c • v his departure rr..iu tin? d,strict. Y!v o'.air was occupied by lur. T. tlvwit >.vho was supported by ib>> guest ot ' >• evening (Mr. Craig) and td.essr.-i." >\ iinrcutt and r. Bromley; ■>. C m mell acred as croupier. Aiuoiigst tnose present, wi'i's a largo number or a »-u..eme:. Yom (Jania.ru and districts a;u. •-.until. Full and am.ile jnatice .mvti.been done to tee excellent dinner provided by Host Diehl, of the Iloyai Hotel. Tjio Chairman brielly proposed tie <<>asts of " The Queen," and "The i'rinoa vid Princ-'ss of Wales and K-iyal .Farniny which war ; runic with ail honors The i -n»s «.f ''The Army, JSavy, and Volunteers," coupled with tiie names of Major Steward, and Captains Ainrcots and Diehl, was next- proposed by the Chairman, and was responded to by th gentlemen named. The Vice-Chairman proposed '' The Legislative Assemblies of iNetv /'ealaiid, coupling with the loast the name o; Air. Murcotr. Mr. jilmeott. in responding, said h< I bought the present Ministry were en titled to fair play, a,id he imped they •.vonld receive a fair trial. The measure? they were introducing were calculated to benefit the whole colony. Amongst tiles - measures he was pleased to notice one for extending the franchise. He expressed a wish that the Ministry's programme had included a redistribution of the seats, as such a redistribution was necessary &• far as this district was concerned. Though they had two members for Waitaki. they were practically both town members. It was high time teaf tliey had one member at least for toe country itself, arid he hoped they w.«ui 1 succeed in obtaining one before the next- election. As it was they were represented by two townsmen, and, however good they might be, they oouid not be expected to have the same interests as country ratepayeis would have. Speaking of the fiscal policy of the Government, he expressed a hope that the burden of taxation would be made to bear as lightly upon the industrial classes as possible, and that any deficiency would be made up by taxing absentees. He believed that the Ministry were desirous of promoting the advancement of the Colony, and he hoped and believed that their programme would be supported by the House of Repyeaentatives. Mr. Meming Song, " My Boy Tammy." fhe Chairman, ift proposing the toast of the evening, said it was with great diffidence that he approached a task which, although one of a pleasant nature, he felt himself tillable to perfoim satisfactorily, at any rate to himself. They were all well aware that they had met for the especial purpose of expressing their regret at the departure from their midst of a gentleman who had boon their ; neighbor for the last seven or eight years, and who had during that time scc-tivd 1 the respect of ali wiio had come in c-.ti- s tact with him. As a man, Mr. Cr.-.ig ' ad : been courteous to ali, and as a neighbor : he had been most obliging. Mr. Craig

had also done good service to the district, j by introducing into it. a superior class o£ stock. He had always lent a willing and" helping hand to the promotion of everything for the good of the community and die v.benetit of the district. H,e (the speaker) felt, sure that till present would join liitn in expressing regret at the'departure of Mr. Craig, and in the hope 'hat-his future might be prosperous and •- PPy? ami that that prosperity:and;happiuiV might be shared by all who ;wero :ie-' i dear io hint. (Applause!) Mr. rehiuiL'il—Song, ",My Own .Native Mr. ]>•'.■ miley said that, in the absence -f the gentleman np.hi ivaom the kink propeiiv devolved, he had liee.i clios..-n !,• | lot be aie- <,i gei- t I : a. of the eloquence iu.c ssar. 1 ' -Lie.' to the task. Hn r' | as a man of few words, s.ty wiiat he lev; j r o say sis briefly as po.-sibh'. H" hop,-.] I that the little presentation which he had j lo njrthe to Mr. Craig would be receiv. .1 j in tlie spirit iu which it was gi\v:i. ft' t : :at the recipient would !>;> as highly est.-eiin d ill the district to which io was go ag as he was—and deserve-llv so —in tee district which lie was l.wtviisg : lied that, in his new home lie would prov.as useful a member of society as he had j t'Oen iu that, district. The only thing he j (the speaker) regretted was taking his I

utile horse with him. That little horse (.Sir William Wallace) was like himself. :i tie. and perhaps, good (laughter); Inn he felt sure there was nothing in Wa-nganui or the Wanga-uni district that would l.eat him. He had to present to Mr. Craig a watch which, although the inscription on it set forth that it was jiresented by friends in Oamaru, was the gift of residents throughout t-hi.! district, both noiah and south as well as in Oamaru. He then handed, to Mr. Craig a handsome gold lever hunting watch, bearing the following inscription:—"William Craig, from • iis friends ill the Oamaru district, .I in y 12, 1878 " tie concluded in expivf-Hisr; a hope that Mr. Craig would long live io wear it.

Air. Craig said it gave him great pleasure to meet so many old friends. He regretted that he was not a speech-maker, and had never made a speech. Were he over able to make a speech he would, have done so that night. Tile Chairman had paid him a few higher compliments than he had deserved. If he lrid been a good neighbor, his being so had been an

easy waiter, because he liad been surrounded by good neighbours. It was true that lie had taken an active part in many public matters, such as the Road Board, School Committee, itc., but inhad done no more than his duty in this respect, for he considered it the duty of every man to assist in all public matters to the best of his ability when called upon to do so by his fellow-citizens. Among all his troubles—and lie admitted that hi' had had troubles —there had not been one to wear a gold watch ; but, he would wear the one which had been given to him proudly, remembering with pride ami pleasure tiie occasion of its presentation, lie would hand it: down as an heir-loon; ::o those who would prize it as a mark of the (.'.Htofcin in which their father was iielu

.vhile a resident ill the Otenopo district (Applause). Atr. Craig—S'.rg, "Begone, dull care, and encore 1. Lo'o ilasiv." Tito Vice-Chairman proposed '* TinAgricultural ami Pastoral Interests." c»nj>lcd wi, h the name of IvJr. Flumir.-:. ti ■ ".'ought tli-it it would be unuec war;, '■' i' ; i ,i.i io liiacu upon iiiis Kubjeei, a:Y '. jOiCiinng, who «.v;m im«.!.<.ii.it-.-ly "et:-;i . ien ooiii inv rests, wuiild reply o. Y rd.'i; rcf-j'<>".dcd to 'Ye to:y lia •.Viet oils in.mo.a:. lie s ;i;l * . oul it. would he parte;- if i lie ;ld ;;; :e Y r a.) vary the !;neiot"V,y. tie, ianve---.-r. '..privortchina more closely to the subject. tliat she Sertlei's uf t ite[iop > a• a ' Hampden wei'e some of the best men Ji>md ever i.iet with. Tli-rc might be bi.e them, but lie was gY.d that lie had not met with such. ti" ouild tali; ot ■igriciiitairal and pastoral pursuiti; ir.u ; o'clock in the. morning, bur, he knee th a f I'lev W"i'e all so col i i hat the v we a:. not thank him for doing so. Me x.ani'd ::ei'ef'■; .■ ii).,;• !y se.y t..i.t, so tar a.-' ailxperienec wear, agricnliural pmunii! .-oiuetiiiH'S paid and :-;oni"tiueeS ) iiey d ; :10b fu.uiid not: oeeuey their (ime ieae'. i'. hut- w'oilid siug tlieni 11 song. ?.lr. Fleming—Song, '"Tiie Old Comuiod.oi'e.:: Tho Yiee-( 'hairman proposed '• Tie (e'UiiMereiai Interests." coupled wit'n 11n* name o 1 'Yr. .B"c';nigsale. Mr. iieckiagsah:, in r"spondiag. siie tYiat he would Idee to have been a volunteer, so tint he npgtif, in the lan/rra nl a previousspe.aker, have straight n d iYI • • s"!f uu for the oceasie.n. lie coidd t" 1

.-■ay liuioii for tiio commercial interns rs «; ; (tepopo. All tlio money was in (ianri.rr. i:i tlio banks, The fact was that the railway had not done much iVi>• fchotn. !i. . however, hoped that, if they behaved themselves, limy would not bo turned "U in tho cold altogether. Mi'. Scott- • Song and encoreMr. [viicn.en proposed '' T11.• ]'c:i]|]i o : the ladies," coupled with tlio name o. Mr. Itu.sseUComic song—Mr. Falcon;')'. Mr. Stuart,- of Dunedin, on bah.nlf "f Mr. Ttusseil, responded in an interesting

speech. Mr. Darroch, at the invitation of the Chairman, also responded. Song—Mr. Gemmell, The Chairman, proposed " Tlie Press," coupled with the names of Messrs. Sty ward and Jones. He said that it was n very old toast ; in fact, he rei.uevnbered it GO years ago. His experience was that the Press was a powerful instrument for good or- evil. Without it life would be 'liionticonons.

I Mr. Steward (N.O. Times) said it was ! always a pleasure to reply on behalf of tiie | Fourth Esmte, especially in a prosperous district lirio this. He had had the pleasure and honour to he connected wit.li the i'l'css in the Oauiaru district for eleven years. or rather more, and hud witnessed a .jvelopjiient in agriculture and progress of ;ui kmcls which many of ihos" who v,•!.•!•» old residents likehimself, ci u!'i : e .re ' I'.vback, at u:«o .Usui* Si-.cn not only the Or'.p<>;>" district, but Oauiaru, which was n<;..v rapidly attaining the status a

city, ami the district north of it, extending their all directions, and ho^.believed.that' tHere was a groat future before future towards the realisation of which the etforts of the Press were not the ltiasfc'powerful means. He was glad tn have been able during the past few years |to i help, as a member of the 'Foiu-th K&tafce 1 , so far as in him lay, towards t.lie realisation of that future ; attd lie was also glad 1o neo that his '.ySljHirer'.(Jojitemporary in the district, towards ivfe'cK'ho fclt'no sort of jealousy, and which he was glad I" see prospering, was labouring in I " same cause, and telt sure wouhl earliestly assist towards the •am,' end, namely the advancement of the uist riot. Mr. .|o:-. s said that he 1 hanked the .my for having coupled his name i,ii tie.' to;; s '' of i in' Press. lie was glad tJ] :i i i u had !'■!• ;i relieved of the onus of r<*}»ivi:m :u le,;g ii 1 y Air. Steward. Asa I - 1i ji- : iie people oi' tile Colony could not complain of the character of the Press. Generally sneaking it was moderately in-<!i-i".'udei!!. " In tin' early days of the o..Hiiiy ii was ii:iiej-wi--e. Papers were, ; 1;>■ ii in the hands of cliques; hut since ! I".- poouiai am and wealth had increased isw fi.-ul I'aii.'U into the hands of the i]s'. Speaking fir iho section of the ;Y.-s he ivpri •!>:••<!, they had always their best !<■ iromote the interests i;he people, will. it essayed to represent. !!eing human. they had sometimes made misi.ikes. but if in the opinion of the people t iiey had iiiade any blunders he hoped that, they would take the will tor the deed. Song—Mr. Craig, " Scotland Yet." Song—Mr. Fleming, " Auld doe Nicholson's .Bonnie Isanuie." Mr. Falconer prop >:« ed " The Visitors," cm,pled with t.he name of Mr. Stuart, i I.e. said that, everybody was pleased to see so many present to bid adieu to Mr, Craig. He was sure that i.iioy all hoped thai ho might be as successful where he v.-u'N sjoinij as he had !>• en in the district S.uart, objected to being taken by sun .rise iu such a uiauncr. In the lirst iii;ic:-, iu order to deliver llr. Uussell out iii' a. iV.liicnily, lie had responded to tlui of '• The Li.li.-s" V..-T iiiin, and now lie Mas called upon quite unawares to ;■ ■(.l vto .-moti>el" toast. Ho might, now be almost considered a, resident of Otepopo. did not. wi.sli to Halle)' the people of ';. at, district, but he had travelled a great .led lately, and he might say that he had no. met with better people anywhere. While on his fee.t lie might say that lie ;.';d done well in his particular line in the ' district (laughter)—as they would till know. The. Chairman said that the meeting had cirawil pretty well to a. elo.se. Before separating he would propose the toast of " The Purveyors," Mr. and Mrs. Diehl. Ah*. Diehl said that he was gratified rie't the company wi'i'e s'lHsli'-il with, the spr aul. Ho iv,• i,s sorry it was not warmer, as it was diliicult under the circumstances fo pi-ovine, a hot s)iread. He hoped that on sonv future oectsion iie might lin.ve

i,■ •nullify i-f catering for them under more favorabl" circumstances. j>! i'. Fl' mtug prninx-"'! "The health of the Caa.irm >a.'' Y.'ie 1 1 of the Chairman w.-I,s SC 1 rcely sul>-l< 1 inl'V to any other ti.;i had in.'-11 proposed. There v. re a !m 1 lit. of people in Ofepopo, Tl-'iiih on had <!■ ti ■a, great deal •' 1 ' ei. !l is heart. and sre.il were in the . He could not he);, coupling the it in ■ ni ei"-. i !ondei' "'ii wit.ii Mm toast, tie; 1 i.ni -'i :■ K■.!. i.. in proposing th« ; : >• m > io'iil.-r :«>'i and hi:* good I'.i . . ,-.Y •.■■■• hospit 1.1/'' w,s well known Kr 1 e..-11 i 1; 11 1h" d :.-:t ;ael. iii- iiei.--..u v:n 'oathied for the ■-1 ■ 1;: r i,. •• Yeh th''V had drunk his . 1 i '« M't 1 uf nis wife. He was . . .. se ■ the people congregate : . •' w-s-s sorry that they had ■ • • >• «; 'i Mr. Craig good bye. He had .• ;»fi i;i'i;i,;,te xVi'jim t'or 14 yearn. He" .Mjiv <••••1 that 'hey would all miss him, ; ><p i-.ie ii have to do the best they • e > eaimstances. Y< ;•. W. >1 i'r. -.it. proposed " The health •>f i::e Vl-.v. -Chairman " Hi: must bo j 1 1 ■ mod if he •! i /rcs-ied. J.l.e had known V;". Crab.; for Hi years, lie had been ;;!\s' nt a: lw> banquets to hid Mr. Craig j Will 11 lie left Hampden, the I .«»•!; >r.s wive him a farewell dinner. It [ also v. as v.-ell attended, which was an v: l;'7,v.' of tiie respect in which he was . hi. lie had wnrk"d with hi in oil various 'U'.:Y ' O'ites. lie bad found him to bo . o in 11. an ! he '-.oped that wherever Y' ".-ei: 1 sea- s; v.'<mld attend him. But : it-el been called upon to propose " The Y>. 1 1 ;i. " I'., must be admitted !■ ■; i. ■ iia a ueeiipieil tiie position well. ( i i 11; 1; ell siid that he had been 1 i!;en mrp; is ■ in being put into the that lie !'••<! occupied, With re.,aid to Air. Craig. ..a had seen him and his father '..i"ine- to e inreh in the old e >untry. lb' was a great mail for pebiur-e. an 1 he believed that his was a jo .d one. His father was greatly beloved Home; quite as much as Mr. Craig . r.s appive: a r! in the district in which in- Yi.ii Jiv. d. lie 1 i 11) 1 igij t, 11 ;at the wives a.id s . "Ct he e'l«. .viio took as milch ill--1 -rest. a-I ne ntleiiu nin sucii matters as that ■, ).i■ ■JI '-at; •! them together that evening, should have been invited to attend. Had they been present everybody would have h id a much bet t.er time fit. They cold fie'u have had a dance oter the iiu.s'iu's; tiie meeting had been (ii a ~y 1 , f. A' Mr* i;iv!.,-i : i**ii 01 lie' Chairman, ATi\ I'"i ■■ 11:iu-_r l"d of;' '• \old filing Syne," mid a v .".se of ••National Anthem" coneluded the proceedings.