Complimentary Dinner at the Masonic Hotel.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1080, 30 May 1882, Page 2

Complimentary Dinner at the Masonic Hotel.

- 4 Ox Saturday, at 8 p in., a number of iilmin n a i-mmbled at the Masonie ib.lrl, Fur tin., purp.i.-e of entertaining Ilnar Honors Judges I‘uekey and Bro.riiield at a dinner on the close of the si 'Sinn of the Native Lands Court in (iisborne. About 41) gentlemen sat down to dinner. The chair was taken st 1 in* crown ol’ the horse-shoe table in ihe dining-room inthe Masonic Hotel, by His Worship tho Mayor; the Vicoehnir, at the end of tho table on lie Chairman’s right, being occupied by ;'.lr W. L. Bees. Mr Andrew Graham occupying the seat at I the end ot the table on the Chairman’s left. On the Chairman’s right sat Judge I’uckey, on the left Judge Brookfield. Tho utmost credit is duo to Mr Page, the proprietor of the |

Masonic, his staff and cook, for tiie way in which the dinner was turned out. The table was most tastefully laid, presenting, with its snow white linen, shining plate, glittering glass, and pretty decorations of fruit and Howers, a very inviting and pleasing appearance. The dinner was to all intents and purposes, a dinner: served, as all dinners should be, a la Jianse, it raised the cook sky high in everyone s estimation. The wines were good and well chosen, and tho combination was undoubtedly a good oue. The menu is subjoined:— Soups; Julienne, oyster. Fish: Floundersau. gratin. Bntrees: Pigeon pie, stewed sweetbreads and port wine sauce, mutton cutlets and tomato sauce. Joints; Boast sirloin of beef, roast lamb mint sauce, roast pork and applesauce, boiled ham, ox tongue. Poultry: Kuast turkey and bread sauce, roast fowl, boiled turkey and bechamel sauce, boiled fowl and egg sauce, roast pheasant, roast duck. Sweets: Tipsy cake, pound cake, cheese cakes, swiss roll, lemon cream, apple tart, stewed pears and rice, small pastry, Italian cream, German cream, orange jelly, lemon jelly, ribbon jelly, boiled custard, mange, lemon sponge. Dessert season. Wine Carte: Port, sherry, claret, llocheitner, Champague-Roe-derer, Seckbuch. Dinner being over, His Worship tho Mayor proposed the health of “The Queen,” “ The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of tho Royal hainily, ’ and “ His Excellency the Governor ’ These toasts having received the usual honors, His Worship proposed the toast of the evening, viz., “ Uur Guests.” His Worship drew a comparison between the native affairs in previous Courts and “the energy and aeumen displayed by the gentlemen who honour us with their presence to-night.” He could see the tide turning under the able management of J edges Puckey and Brookfield. This toast was received with three cheers, and “ They are Jolly Good Fellows.” J ndge Puckey returned thanks. He could honestly say that the Bench had endeavored to discharge their duties to the best of their abilities, and was deeply pleased if they had been suceessrul. Owing to the pleasing and generous hospitality shown him during his stay he should always look back upon tho four months he had passed in Gisborne as among the happiest hours of his life. J udgo Brookfield, iu returningthanks, 4 ' said tho duty imposed upon him had doubtless been an onerous one. When first told off for that duty in Poverty Bay, and recognizing the difficulties adherent to questions of legal simplification of Native title Lis heart sank within him. He thought there was n thorough system of laudsharking at work, and every man was scrambling for a good thing. He had been agreeably deceived. Another drawback ho 'mid experienced was that on first landing Judge Puckey had been laid up with the gout; he thought it was certainly a sympathetic attack because he had since had it himself. But by the aid of lodine, Blair’s pills, and Sedlitz powders ho had succeeded in effecting a cure. To return to tho subject, when they got to work instead of flnditrr, as they had been led to expect, opposition on all sides and a rapacious class of appellant, they had received the utmost assistance from all hands. Tiie natives themselves had assisted to tho utmost extent in furthering the work of the Court. Tie must not forget to mention tho able and patient assistance of Mr Hamlin, the Interpreter, whose aid to himself (the speaker) as a non-Maori linguist, had been invaluable ; nor must he forget to mention tho valuable assistance rendered to tho Court by Mr W. Grey, whose genial manner, urbanity, and kindly temper, had a great effect upon tho natives on both sides. Also, last, but not least, the aid which tho Bench had received from tho legal profession. They had come before the Court in a proper spirit, and assisted them with their advice and experience in treading comparatively unknown ground. If by their labours the Court had been successful in clearing away existent difficulties they were much satisfied. He thanked the company for their toast and could assure them that the few short months ho had spent in Giswould always have a warm corner in bis memory.

Here Mr Rees asked the Chairman's permission to diversify tho proceedings with a song, and called upon Mr C. D. Berry, who accordingly sang “ Simon tho Cellarer,” which was deservedly received with great applause. Judge Brookfield then proposed “ Prosperity to the District.” When landing, and looking around him at the material evidence of prosperity he could not help wondering why so little was heard, in other parts of the Colony, of Gisborne. Comparatively few people had any idea of the value of the district. On going inland and seeing the wonderful grass, the fertile lands, the herds of eattle and sheep, and tho whole evidence of the soil, he could not help feeling sure that a very great future was in store for this place. There were several things, two er three of them of very great, he might say vital, importance, required in the district, and the only way to get them was to stick to the Government till we did get them. Nail the cobrs to tho mast and not be afraid of importunity. A breakwater was sadlywanted. Waterworks were wanted, good drainage was wanted, and those things were all vitally necessary to the prosperity of tho district. Ho Had been warned,

previous to coming here, tint malignant fever was prevalent in Gisborne, and that he was sure to get it. He had seen nothing of it as yet. To attain the desired end all hands must pull together. He had heard a great deal of bickerings and cliqueism being part of Gisborne’s social system, but he had experienced nothing of them, lie trusted that on his return to Gisborne if such ever occurred, which he doubted, he wotdd see many and great improvements not only in the town but in the district generally. He Would propose “ Prosperity to the District.” Mr Pees said that he had been asked to respond to Judge Brookfield’s toast. His attempt might be a poor one, but he was actuated by a sincere desire for the benefit in which all here now, and all new comers might share, of the district at large. There were two great wants felt here; one was the simplification of titles to Native Lands, and the other the construction of a Harbor, as a means of safe and frequent communication with the outer world. He had yet hopes, and great hopes, that these things may be achieved. Every influence must be brought to bear in the direction of Harbor construction. Constant agitation must be kept up. He looked upon Gisborne Harbor construction not solely as a benefit to the town or district, but as an inestimable advantage to the whole of the Colouv. The thing must be forced on. Either the Government mast do it themselves, or find the money and entrust the expenditure to local bodies. He believed the Judges have pointed out the way to simplification of Native titles. In •aying this he spoke, not individually, but he believed, as the voice of the people of the district. This session of the Native Land Court had, without doubt, been more useful to the Colony than any preceding one. Patience, urbanity, and intellect, as evinced by the presiding Judges who were the guests of that evening, have undoubtedly shewn the way to clearance of great, but not insuperable, difficulties. No other Court has been so great a boon to New Zealand in ascertaining 1 he best and most honest mode of simplification of title. Due courtesy had been shewn to the Judges in return for their urbanity and hard labours. He would return thanks to the Press for their notice of these matters, and for sinking party differences and joining to help them to tbe desired end. He was quite sure that no names would be held in greater ..respect as benefactors of this district than those of the gentlemen presiding over the late session of the Native Lands Court, Judges Puckey and Brookfield. They have been right throughout patiently working to tiie accomplishment of the *'Prosperity of the District,” and he believed their labors would result in a great influx of wealth and population, tie hoped these rentlemeu would again preside in the Native Laud Court in its next session at Gi.-l.orne. cog-ni-ing, as we all must, the conduct of these gentlemen on the Bench, he must take it as a great compliment that we are invited bv them to drink t i the prosperity of our own district, lie sincerely hoped that Judge Brookfield's toast may be fulfilled in its I uttermost entirety. Mr A. Graham said that he had not I been brought into personal contact with the staff of the Court, but the | task devolving upon him, be had great pleasurein acknowledging the services rendered to the public by them. He thought their patience, good temper, and urbanity had been equally taxed with that of the Judges. He need only refer to the able energy, courtesy, and ability displayed by Mr AV. Gray, Clerk, and Mr Hamlin, Interpreter to the Native Lands Court, in their necessary daily contact with the outside public in support of the toast he would now propose, “ The Staff of the Court.'’ Received with three cheers, and “ They are jolly good fellows.” Mr Grey briefly returned thanks ; he had always endeavored to do his duty honestly, and would be glad to work double as hard under such gentlemen as Judges Puckey and Brookfield. Work under such circumstances was no toil, but pleasure. He had always been treated well, and should always be glad to do his duty. Mr Hamlin said he felt proud at the compliment paid to the Staff of the Court. Although one of the youngest of this particular staff, he was one of the oldest officers in the service. This district has been favored with one of the best Benches that ever sat in the Native Land Courts. He might say that the Interpreters all endeavor to do their duty. He would return thanks for the compliment paid him. Captain Porter proposed “ The Press.” He thought it would be to everyone’s interest to be on good terms with them. He thought he might congratulate the district on possessing two independent papers. They had always done their duty. He trusted they would not run counter to each other, but always mutually endeavor to do their best and utmost in the interests of the district. He would couple with the toast the names of Messrs. McKay and Kerr. Mr McKay would gladly return thanks to a toast given in so kindly a manner. He trusted that he had "always done his duty as a journalist. He was quite sure that in his advocacy A. he always had the interests of the district at heart, and had not been actuated by a single selfish motive. Prior to the present session of the Native Land Court he had been asked why he did not advocate better conducted ourts as a necessity. He did so.

' The lieraid wrote in rather severe 1 terms on the subject. Then one person said they had- gone too far, another said not far enough. But hi thought a happy result had accrued. He would always advocate simplification of Native Settlement. The Press would always be glad to welcome the guests of the evening to Gisborne. Captain Kerr of the Standard briefly returned thanks for the kind way in which lhe toast of “ The Press’’ had been received. Mr Gannon said he quite acknowledged the Press to be a great power for good or for evil. There was no part of New Zealand where the influence of the Press might be so productive of good. He hoped they would take up the question of Native Land Settlement most thoroughly. Hitherto the work had been comparatively easy. Now < ame the Gordian knot of individual settlement to be untied. The The Press was the power to bring about this end. Mr Carlaw Smith then proposed “The Ladies/’ lie looked on them as a vital necessity. No one would be here to-night without their assistance. The eloquence of the lawyer who would not take any fee, or the bank manager who beamed smiles when asked for an overdraft, was c! ar uing and deserve 1 a toast, but that was easy of proposal ami could be dispensed with, but 'he Ladies, never' They fairly took away his breath. In proposing lite Ladies he would add the name of Mr John Bo'.trke. Mr John Bourke had much pleasure in responding, the more so as the name of the Ladies was intimately associated with those of the Judges. The Ladies had doubtless tended greatly to the eradication of that gout of which Judge Brookfield complained so piteously. The Ladies were indebted to the Judges fora verveharming ball given some time back. They will all regret the departure of Judges Puckey and Brookfield, and will eagerly wish for their return. Captain Chrisp then sang, most admirably, “The Midshipmire.” .Mr Ratcliffe, “ Gallants of .England.’’ Mr Towsey, “My Pretty Jane.” Mr Greenwood, “There 8 a good time coming.” The guests rose at If o’clock, and the party dispersed after singing a couple of stanzas of “ God save the Queen.”