COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

Patea Mail, 26 July 1882, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

About twentj' settlers and friends of Messrs W, and G. Balmforth sat down to a dinner last evening at Mr O’Sullivan’s hotel, Kakaramea ; as a farewell compliment on the occasion of M>ssis Balmforth leaving the district. Having lived about midway between Kakaramea and Manutahi, the settlers at both places wished to get up a dinner in their honor ; but as one township or the other must be chosen for the gathering, some disappointment had to be caused either way. Those who could not attend from Manutahi may perhaps arrange another gathering. Host Sullivan managed the dinner handsomely. The appearance of the table was a compliment in itself, and the hostess superintended her part with a success- which could be only expected in a large (own. Mr R, E. M’Rae occupied the chair ; Mr C, Symes the vice-chair. Mr William Mr George Balmforth were the guests of the evening ; and there were also present Messrs John Burke, H. S. Peacock, R. B, Pearce, J. Ross, P, Wilson, Ginger Brothers, W. Cowern, G. F. Sherwood, ,W. Dixon, Houghton, R. T. Brown, A. Young, and J. O’Sullivan. The Chairman proposed a loyal toast, and Mr C. Symes sang a cheery song by way of opening. Mr Cowern proposed “The fanning interests of the County of Patea saying that this is destined to bo the leading district of the colony ' that, the unquestionable success of the meat-freezing will alone make it so ; and that among the settlers who have best done their duty to the district by promoting every movement, beneficial to it are the brothers Balmforth, who will probably find, after looking around, that the Patea district is after all the best place for their money. (Applause.) Song by Mr Dixon. Mr Pearce and expressed some hearty farming sentiments in his old-country style, while not forgetting to have a fling .at the increasing army of commission agents. Mr Sherwood proposed (by request) the toast of the evening, “Prosperity to Messrs W. and G. Balmforth.” They, he said, have been sterling settlers ; not too much wrapped in their own interest to neglect public matters* of importance to the district. Mr William Balmforth has in fact been one of the best politicians on the coast; straightforward and manly ; indeed a very demon to tackle a candidate with questions that must be answered Settlers of this class can ill be spared, and he hoped they will, like the dove, “return to the ark ” of the Patea district, not finding ground to rest the sole of their feet elsewhere. . nl:trla. mixed w-irli-Jtrnah and the whale, but Jonah swallowed the whale, which settled matters.) Meat from the Patea district will ere long make Patea known in the London market for the excellence of its meat against all the world. . Hops too ane being sent Home to an extent which frightens English growers ; and no district is better suited for the growth than thisOil and fibre manufacture will do much to enhance our prosperity. Tobacco growing is especially suited to the bush country here. With such prospects, and with so many warm friends and good neighbors,, it is to be hoped the Messrs Balmforth will return to the Patea district. (W. Balmforth : We havn’l left it yet.) Well, that is a good sign that they to go far away. Let us hope won’t. Toast drunk with musical honors. Mr C. Symes, as a neighbor, said he could not have bad better neighbors than the brothers Balmforth, and they will be missed most by those who have known them best. (Applause.) Song by Mr W. Cowern. Mr W. Balmforth responded to the toast. It was a pleasure and a compliment he appreciated to see so mariy good friends and kind neighbors round the table on this occasion ; and if he left the district, they would not be forgotten. Better neighbors, more kindly and sociable, he could not have had ; and he said this especially of bis nearest neighbors, Mr Bnrke, M> X>eacock, and Mr Symes. He thanked them heartily for the kind manner in which his health had been toasted ; and if speechmaking were in his line, he Would like to say much more in response to so much . kindness.

Mr (i, Balmforih responded in a few words, and finislied witli a song. Mr Peacock proposed the “ Trade and commerce of Patea district.” As one of the earliest settlers he could not help con* trasting the state of the district ten years ago with the signs of progress now. He particularly regretted losing such good neighbors as Messrs Balmforth, but hoped they may be fortunate in their future ventures. He coupled the toast with the name of Mr G. Balmforth,

Song by Mr Ross, and a Scotch song by Mr Peacock.

Mr J. Burke proposed “ The ladies,” and ventured the opinion that we could not do without them. Somebody said “ God bless ’em,” and the toast was drunk to the chorus of “ All good lasses.” Song by Mr Sherwood. Mr D. Ginger responded for the ladies, his difficulty being to know exactly how ladies would feel after such a compliment. Song by Mr Symes. Chairman proposed “The press,” with some kindly references to the Mail ; and Mr Houghton responded. Mr W. Balmforth proposed the health of Mr Cowern, saying he was one of the most straightforward business men that could bo met with, and that was the opinion of the district. (Hear, hear.) Mr Cowern responded. The Chairman’s health was proposed in more than complimentary terms by Mr Sherwood, and was suitably acknowledged. Mr A. Young’s health was proposed by Mr W. Balmforth, who responded, and regretted that more settlers from Manutahi were not present, os be knew they wished to pay a proper compliment to the Messrs Balmforth. The health of Mr Burke, Mr Peacock, and Mr Symes was proposed by Mr Balmforth as bis three nearest neighbors. They each responded. Mr Pearce’s health was also proposed by Mr W. Balmforth, who responded, and proposed the health of Mrs Balmforth. This toast was drunk with -musical honors. Si>ngs were plentiful, and the champagne did infuse extra liveliness towards midnight. The health of Mr and Mrs O’Sullivan was toasted, and acknowledged ; and the genial gathering broke up with “ Auld fang -syne.”