RAHOTU.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 121, 30 August 1895, Page 3

RAHOTU.

>z A FAREWELL DINNER. (Our own Correspondent.) Last night (Thursday) Messrs Collins and O'Di'imell were entertained at a dinner given at Rahotu by the settlers of the district. The night was an extremely rough one, but about thirtysix sat down to an excellent table, provided by Mrs Simeon in her usual wellknown style. After the cloth had been removed those assemb'ed spent the evening in a convivial way and cveiyone seemed to enjoy himself thoroughly. Mr McGloin occupied the chair, and Mr Stronge the vice-chair. Mr McGloin said that they were all gathered together for ths purpose of paying this last tribute of the regard which all felt for Messrs Collins and O'Donnell. Personally, he had known Mr Collius for tha past 15 years, and during the whole of that time he could say he had not known him to do a dishonorable act and had found him perfectly upright and honest. The same applitd to Mr O'Donnell. To start with he would propose the toast, " The Queen and the Royal Family." Then came the toast of the evening, " The Guests " proposed by the chairman. This was drunk with musical honors. Messrs Collins and O'Donnell made suitable responses.

The other toasts were : " Commercial Interests," proposed by Mr Stronge, and responded to by Messrs Scott and Swinuerton ; " Farming Interests," proposed by Mr Morrison, and responded to by Mr Malcolm; "Local Bodies," proposed by Mr Stronge, and responded to by Messrs McCul'um aud Dew ; " Local Industries," proposed by Mr Lusk, and responded to by Mr Rothery ; " Lsdies," proposed by Mr Bradley, and responded to by Messrs H. Harrison and Gilhooly; " The Press," proposed by Mr Knowles, and responded to by Mr Morgan ; " The Chairman," proposed by Mr A. T. Mills, and " The Vice-chair," proposed by the Chairman ; both drunk with musical honors. The Chairman replied. At this stage the ladies appeared, and the toast, " The Ladies," was drunk again—with musical honors.

Songs were given at intervals by Messrs Webbe, Simeou, E. Hansen, Swinnerton, F. Harrison, Wiley, J. Lusk, Dougherty, J. Miller, Dew and Coffey. Tb.o last toast was '• The Host and Hostess," proposed by the Chairman. Drunk with musicai honors. The gathering terminated at an early hour this morning. August 30.