DINNER TO CAPTAIN BURCH.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 227, 2 December 1874, Page 2

DINNER TO CAPTAIN BURCH.

Captain Burch of the Queen Bee was entertained at dinner by a party of friends at the Albion Hotel last evening, to celebrate the arrival of the first wool ship in Poverty Bay. Covers were laid for 35 who assembled to do honor to the occasion, and to testify their respect for the gentleman who had already made many friends since his arrival in the Bay. The Chair was ably filled by J. Buchanan Esq. ; the post of honor on his right being assigned to the guest of the evening. After ample justice had been done to the sumptuous fare provided by those excellent caterers for the £ood of “man’s estate ” —Messrs. Bradley and Steggall—and the tables cleared, the Chairman, in a few prefatory remarks, requested that the company would exhibit that loyalty which characterized all our festive gatherings, by drinking towards the health of Her Majesty the Queen.

After a short interval the Chairman called for bumpers for His Excellency the Governor. He could hardly say uho the Governor really was; but although we were shut out from the world, we could only drink to his health, whomsoever he may be as the representative of Her Majesty the Queen. After which, Mr. Webb rose to propose the toast “ The Army and Navy. and Colonial Forces,” and said that the sagacity of the framers of the toast list, who knew his weak points in the matter of public speaking, had, fortunately charged him with a toast which required but little panegyric to make it acceptable. To know the “Army and Navy” of England, as two prominent institutions of our land, was but to recognize the chief characteristics of the greatness of the nation from which we sprung; as it was, also, an honor to live under the flag which it was their special mission to protect. He eulogised the C< lonial Forces, and had been a witness of their exploits during the many years in which war tribulations had devastated the Colony. He would couple with the toast the name of Capt. Porter. Captain Porter said he felt incompetent to reply to the toast in which his name had been coupled in so flattering a manner. He felt confident that every man would do his duty if called upon ; although he heard many grumble at the necessity for action. He returned thanks for the honor of associating his name with his toast. The Chairman said I have now to propose, Mr. Vice and : Gentlemen, the toast which we have all gathered together to hear; and to acknowledge the arrival of the first wool ship-from—England. I hope that next year be able to welcome Capt. Burch again, when we will be able to give him a bumper ship load of wool. He would call upon the company present to drink the health of their guest in full bumpers. Drunk with musical honors. Capt. Burch rose to respond amid loud cheers. He did not feel at home at public speaking, but he looked well upon Poverty Bay, and was very glad to be amongst the settlers. He gave the preference to this port over Hawke’s Bay as a shipping port, and he hoped sincerely that his owners would send him back next year, when he would have a full ship. He could only return his cordial thanks for the hospitable manner in which he had been entertained, and the handsome way in which the toast had been drunk. Mr. Graham gave the “Pastoral and Agricultural interests of Poverty Bay.” Mr. J. W. Johnson responded. Mr. Tucker proposed- the health of the ladies, to which Mr. H. Boylan responded in a few happy remarks. The “Owners and Officers of the Queen Bee,” “The Press,” “The Chairman” were severally given and responded to, after which the rest of the evening was spent in conviviality.