Dinner to Mr. L. Hart.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1084, 8 June 1882, Page 2

Dinner to Mr. L. Hart.

A large number of friends assembled at the Masonic Hotel last evening in order to entertain at dinner Mr L. Hart tho recent popular manager of tho Union Steam Ship Company. Mr Hart during his sojourn in Gisborne had made many friends who determined he should not allow him to depart from their midst without exhibiting to him a proof of their appreciation of his many sterling qualiC'cs. The appearance at which about 50 guests sat down, reflected the highest possible credit upon the resources of Mr 1). Page. The viands were of the choicest description, whilst tho menu, which we publish, could not have failed to satisfy tho veriest epicure. Captain T. W. Porter occupied tho Chair. Tho chef de cusine had evidently “ stretched ” himself, the caterer excelled every previous effort, the waiters out-waited themselves, and tho daylight almost put to shame the very many friends Mr Hart was, by inexorable destiny compelled to leave behind. The jHenu is as follows :—• Soups.—Oyster, Giblet. Entrees. —Fowl& Ham Pic, Stowed Sweetbreads, Oyster Patties. Joints. —Roast Sirloin of Boot, Roast Sucking Pig, Fillet of Veal, Roast Saddle of Mutton and Red Currant Jelly, Ham, Tongue. Poultry.—Goose and A pple Sauce, Boiled Turkey, Boiled Fowls, Roast Turkey and Broad Sauce, Roast Duck. Sweets. —Josephine Cake, Plum Pudding, Savoy Cake, Currant Tart, Custard Tartlets, Stewed Apricots, Vanilla Caeain, Lomon Cream, Dutch Flummery, Syllabub, Lemon Jelly, Wine Jelly, Ribbon Jelly, Blanc Miaugo, Boiled Custard. Dessert in Season. Still Wines.—Port, Sherry, Claret, Hocheimer. Champagnes.—Roedorcr, Sparkling Burgundy, Seckbach. After the inner man had been satisfied, the Chairman proposed “ Tho Queen.” Tho Vice-Chairman, “The Prince of Wales and the Royal Family.” Mr C. D. Berry, ‘‘HisExcellency the Governor.” Tho Chairman, in calling for a song from Mr Berry, apologised for the

unavoidable absence of Mr Clarke. Mr Berry sang “ Darling Flo.” A handsome set of plate, consisting of coffee pot, tea pot, cream jug, and sugar basin, elegantly got up, was then presented to Mr Hart, with tho following address “ Presented to Lavington Hart, Esq., by a few friends on his leaving Gisborne for Napier, 7th June, 1882.” Chairman : The toast of the evening. We have met to bid Mr Hart farewell. He arrived here some time back when shipping facilities were not so good as now. He (the Chairman) could not answer for Mr Hart’s share in the improvement, but acknowledged his courtesy, and hard work, fair weather or foul, at all times. Mr Hart’s exertions have done great good for the community. lie had detained steamers for the benefit of mercantile men here. This is not a public meeting but a slight recognition of Mr Hart’s valuable services by a few friends. He would couple the valued name of Mrs Hart with that of the gentleman who was leaving our society. Chorus : “ Jolly Good Fellow.” Mr Hart roso in response. He had simply carried out his duty. He hoped if any offence had been given in the conduct of business, that tho hatchet wouldbe buried. Hereturncd thanks on behalf of Mrs Hart aud for the handsome present. Song, “The Tar’s Farewell.” Mr Johnston, for Capt. Chrisp,proposed “Tho Union s.s. Co.” All would agree that it was ono of the finest fleets this side of the lino. Mr Hart returned thanks ou behalf of the company. MrDufaur then sang “Tom Bowling,” and sang it as only Mr Dufaur can siug. We wish Captain Chrisp had been present, but unfortunately bo was away on duty, and wo consequently missed a treat. Mr Ward, in the absence of Mr Brassey, proposed tho toast of the Mercantile aud Banking interests. Wo wore indebted to those interests, inseparably from the 121 per centage of old days to the present common welfare. We have now como from 121 per cent, to 8 per cent. Ho had great pleasure in proposing tho toast in connection with the names of Messrs Matthews and Tabuteau. Mr Fisher briefly returned thanks for the New Zealand Loan aud Mercantile Company. The guest of the evening had said ho had only done his simple duty, au contraire, he had exceeded that in acts of courtesy. Ho entered at length into export statistics. He thought a breakwater was necessary, but wo did not use sufficient exertion to that end. Ho thought members would require data to go upon. Ho would impress this on the members of the Press. Mr Matthews said wo all met for goodfellowship purposes, still some remarks were necessary. The Uuion Company’s shares were at higher rates in London than the P. and I), shares. Tho N. Z. Loan & Mercantile Agency Co.’s shares wore high, and tho general rale of prices shewed us to bo equal, if not superior to our sister Colonies. He would acknowledge the truth of Mr Ward’s remarks as to the Bank being of use, and also the great service of the legal profession: Mr Tabuteau briefly returned thanks on behalf of tho Bank of New South Wales. Mr Gannon roso to propose “The Legal Profession.” His own opinion was lost in his admiration of the sentiment enunciated by Messrs Matthews am! Fisher. “ Where the carcase is there will the Eagles be gathered together.” The legal profession was always to tho front. The “Herald” had stated that His Satanic Majesty was the patron of lawyers. He doubted it. Mr Ward returned thanks. Mr Gannon had tried to bo funny. He picked the profession up with one hand and knocked it down with the other. Mr Gannon was unfortunate in his remarks. There was another plagiarist, the landseeker. He would thank Mr Gannon for his toast, and would propose the toast of “ Native Interpreters,” coupled with the name of Mr Ferris. Captain Porter completely vetoed the toast. Mr Scott then sang the “ Worthy Old Scotchman." Mr McLean said tho party alluded to in the song was a Mr Peter McLean. He repudiated the transaction. Mr Lance then proposed “ Tho Oil Industry.” He was sure it would be one the grandest of Gisborne’s foundations. Coming up here as a stranger he had been struck by tho general features of tho district—pastoral, mineral, and agricultural. He had never seen finer land in any part, not excepting the United States. Ho was invited hero by tho Southern Cross Company, to report on tho prospects of tho Company. Ho unhesitatingly said Sir C. McMahon’s statements wore false, and was quite sure that all engineering difficulties can bo easily overcome. There is an almost inexhaustible field of wealth in the Company’s ground. Aaraffin matter was everywhere. It was a question of time as to striking oil. lie thought when the papa rock was got through oil would be struck in solid rock. There was every indication. He was quite confident that a grand future awaits tho oil enterprise. The Company are going the right- way to work, and the utmost energy is being used. There appears to bo a lino, or load of oil, from East Capo I Jupiter Pluvius was not favor-

able to his purpose, and he would not be able to visit the South Pacific Company’s Works. Regretted it, and was quite sure that the South Pacific Company’s works had good prospects. He had interested himself in these matters since he had come into the district. He thoroughly believed in them, and would couple the names of Messrs. Stubbs and Bourke with the toast. Mr J. H. Stubbs rose in response, he said he had worked hard in the interests of the company, thoroughlybelieving in it. It was now 7 years •since the company started. Oil is worth more in the long run than gold. American exports amounted to close upon £30,000,000. Mr P. Bourke said he thought the picture he had seen of Gisborne in 1886, would fulfil its promise. He would now ask Mr Davis to say a word or two. Mr J. R. Davis said he could not say much, but he wished the Company every success. Mr K. McLean then proposed the “ Press.” Mr Kerr of the Standard returned thanks, and Mr McKay of the Herald followed. Captain Porter sang, “ The British Lion.” Captain Porter then called upon Mr M. H. Smith to propose the toast of “ The Ladies.” Dlr M. H. Smith advocated extension. He thought Mr Carlaw Smith and himself were rather sat upon in these matters. Mr Malcolm McDonald would respond. Mr McDonald in a brief speech responded to the toast.