FAREWELL TO MR W. SUTHERLAND.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 893, 25 February 1879, Page 2

FAREWELL TO MR W. SUTHERLAND.

The complimentary dinner to Mv. AY, Sutherland took place last evening at Livingstone, at the Victorian Hotel. The Committee, consisting of Messrs. John Oliver (Chairman), T. Smith, Farquharson, M'Kay, and Stronach, attended to the arrangements. A capital spread was provided by Host Gallagher in his diningroom, where accommodation had boon provided for thirty guests; After waiting till 0 o'clock p.m. to enable all to assemble, the repast was served. Mr. Farquharson occupied the chair, supported by Mr. T. Smith on his left, and Mr. W. Sutherland on his right. Mr. Prydo acted as croupier, supported by Mr. John Oliver, sen., and Mr Stronach. After a hearty attack on the creature comforts, The Chairman proposed " The health of Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family." A song followed from Mr. Wilson—" Be kind to the old folks." The "Army and Navy" was then proposed, coupled with tho name of Mr. Spence, to which that gentleman briefly responded. Mr. Oliver sang "Yc Mariners of England." The toast of " The guest of the evening, Mr. W. Sutherland," was next given, and drunk with musical honors. Mr. Piydo said that there was not the slightest doubt that the commission with which Mr Sutherland was entrusted had devolved upon the right man. Mr Sutherland would be able to secure for the district a standard of Labor very much required, namely, a good class of shepherds, ploughmen, and laborers, not forgetting lassies, of whom Mr. Sutherland was a particularly good judge. He (Mr. Pryde) wished their friend God speed. Mr. Sutherland, in response, said he felt he could not express tho sense of his feelings towards those present, who had bestowod such a mark of esteem upon him. He would do his best to merit the confidence which had been reposed in him, and they might depend that the men and lassies he selected would bo of a dilibront class from those we had hitherto been getting. He would again kindly and heartily thank his friends for their support and syihpathy. Song Mr. Carline : " Erin, my country." " The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests " was next disposed of, coupled with the name of Mr. Kinnear, who responded. He pointed out that if the land scheme of the Hon. the Minister for Lands could be carried out in its entirety it would put the Agricultural and Pastoral interests in the best position they could possibly occupy, as it would allow of the safe investment of small capital in either of these important interests. Mr. Gallagher gave the " Shamrock of Ireland." " The Mining Interests " was responded to by Mr. T. Smith, who stated that there was a better average of gold obtainable on their field- than on any other in Otago. He als*) stated that the New Zealand goldfields had produced in tho last 14 years no less than 14,000,000 ounces, equal to the sum of L 37,000,000. Song Mr. Osterbergh : " Maggie dear." Mr. Walls followed with the song " Music's power," and in answer to a-well-merited encore gave " Eileen Alhmnah." Mr. T. Smith was called upon to answer for the lassies, and in this instance found himself in a difficulty. With his checks suffused with blushes, ho said ho had always made a " hamdash" of his life among the lassies. He would, however, acknowledge the toast. " The Press ", was next given, coupled with the name of Mr. Walls. That gentleman regretted that the duty had devolved; on him. It should have been st,;sc-»ined by his brother reporter, Mr. Kir\v»ear, who, had the right by seniority. However, ho would say for both papers, that they had the interests and welfare of the miners at heart, and would do all that lay in their power to advance them. Mr. Sutherland gave a song in original Celtic (a language which, he assured his friends, was vastly superior to that taught in Cambridge or Oxford). The health of the chairman and croupier were drunk with musical honors. Mr. Pryde proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs. Walls and Kinnear for their valuable assistance on the occasion ; and " Auld Lang Syne " and " God Save the Queen " terminated one of the most successful reunions which has ever taken place at Livingstone.