BANQUET TO A. McDONALD, ESQ., M.H.R.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1184, 25 October 1882, Page 2

BANQUET TO A. McDONALD, ESQ., M.H.R.

About 100 persons were present last evening at the complimentary banquet given to Mr McDonald by his supporters and friends, and it was clearly proved that he possessed many personal friends even if their political ideas were in opposition to his. Throughout the evening it was made evident that Mr McDonald is a great favorite with all classes, and has by his sterling worth, strict integrity, and capacity for hard work in the interests of the district, proved that in him we have a popular, as well as an efficient member. The influence he possesses with members of the House, and as was aptly described by one speaker last evening, the power he has of making friends, and having made them, retaining them shows clearly that he is a most valuable representative, and one who is always a powerful champion of the interests of the district. The great feature of the compliment paid to Mr McDonald, is the fact that the banquet originated with the working men, who were desirous of showing their appreciation of his services whilst representing the interests of ’ the district in the House, and not by any clique or party. It was a spontaneous exhi- | bition of the esteem in which Mr McDonald j is held. The tables were arranged in the I form of a T, and every item according to the j menu published by us yesterday was present. The waiters, though few in number, were , particularly attentive, and supplied all re- : quirements with pleasing alacrity. The ; viands were well cooked, and tastefully . served, and reflected credit upon Mr Erskine, . the caterer, whom we must also compliment - upon the excellence of the wines provided. Mr Carlaw Smith occupied the chair, hav- ; ing on his right the guest of the evening, | Mr A. McDonald, and on his left Col. Sir ' George Whitmore, M.L.C.; Mr W. C. Walsh i occupied the Vice-Chair. After ample justice had been done to the ' good things provided, The Chairman in a brief speech proposed

“ The Queen and the Royal Family,” and in 1 doing so dwelt upon the affection which all 1 English speaking people felt for Her Most Gracious Majesty and her children. The Band, “God Save the Queen.” Mr C. D. Bennett (the Mayor) proposed the Governor and Houses of Parliament, coupled with the names of Sir G. Whitmore and Mr C. A. DeLautour in a very short speech. The toast was enthusiastically received. The Band, “ Auld Lang Syne.” Sir George Whitmore responded on behalf of the Legislative Council, and spoke of the value of both Houses existing. Mr DeLautour, in replying, pointed out that now the Parliament was now the reflex of the manhood of New Zealand, as each man possessed a vote and had the power to return as his representative any one he chose. By this grand concession gained by the Li- i beral Party all classes were represented and 1 all interests. He, although responding for 1 the compliment paid to himself, could not i forget that they had met to pay a compliment to one of the members of the Liberal Party, and to do honor to the guest of the evening, Mr McDonald. He believed in the platform of the Liberal Party, which was j was advance and progress, and the party was strong in both Houses. There was one thing in connection with Parliament he would like to see, and that was that measures brought forward should not be put off, but that the House should sit until the business was ended. There could be no doubt as to the ultimate prosperity of New Zealand with a Liberal Government in office. It was, however, necessary to wait until the time was ripe, not to do as hud been done—start too soon. It would, however, eventually be the Liberals who would hold the reins of Government, and he longed for the day. The speaker paid Mr McDonald a very high comfniment, and congratulated the electors upon laving a member with such a character here or elsewhere, for straightforwardness and truthfulness. The House as at present composed was a good one, and he would also add that there was not a single member of either the Upper or Lower House but respected the principle and spirit of the member for the East Coast. There was never any doubt as to which way Mr McDonald would vote. He supported his party through thick and thin, and that was the Liberal one. (Cheers). Mr Towsey then sang “Come into the Garden, Maud ” very sweetly, and was loudly applauded. The Vice-chairman briefly proposed the toast of “ The Army, Navy and Volunteers,” coupled with the names of Sir George Whitmore, Captains Porter and Winter. The band : “ Rule Brittania.” Sir George Whitmore, in a soldier-like speech, responded for the Army, and in doing so, quoted many instances of the skilful generalship of the British Army, as well as of the pluck and endurance of the men. This grand feature in our troops was one which had caused the “ greatest soldier in the world” to exclaim “ These English never know when they are beaten.” He thanked those present for the manner in which they had received the toast. Captain Porter said he had some little difficulty in knowing for which branch of the service he was called upon to respond. He mentioned that in a few days notices would appear showing that the Government intended to establish more stringent rules in connection with the volunteer forces throughout New* Zealand ; but, at the same time, the volunteers would be placed upon a much better footing. In the absence of Captain Winter, Major Pitt was called upon also to respond, and, in doing so, he paid the Gisborne volunteers a high compliment for the manner in which they had stuck together although they numbered but a few. He did not think there was a corps in New Zealand more deserving of credit than the Gisborne volunteers. Tho Chairman then proposed the toast far excellence of the evening, “ Our Guest.” u doing so, he said that Mr McDonald no doubt felt gratified at seeing so many of his friends gathered together to do him honor, but it must be even more gratifying to him to know that the expression of their good feeling towards him was sincere, and a voluntary and spontaneous exhibition of the regard and estimation in which they held him. In speaking of Mr McDonald personally, he said that either as a man in his Erivate capacity or a member in public life, e had always gained admiration for his courage and determination. If he sat his mind to attain some end, it mattered not what the obstacles in his way were, he wont

straight ahead, and by his dogged perseverance, secured some prizes which another man would have looked upon as being hopeless of attainment. There was one other quality possessed by Mr McDonald, which was a rare one. He bud the happy uack of making friends, he always retained them. It was by this Mr McDonald exercised so powerful an interest in the House, as he possessed friends in the south, and in the north, each and all of whom admired him as being a man on whose word reliance could always be placed. The name of “Mac” in Poverty Bay was a household word. The speaker referred to the election when Mr McDonald was first returned upon the Grey ticket. His friends advised him to retire as they did not think he bad a show against Mr Morris, but to every request the reply was the same, “ I’ve started for it and I mean to stick at It,” and he did stick at it j and at Opotiki,

Mr Morris’s stronghold as it were, “bearded I the lion in his den, the Douglas in his hall,” | and succeeded. (Loud cheering.) He also I , has stuck to the “ticket” upon which he | obtained his seat, and he (the speaker) felt i convinced would ever do so. lie felt con- I fident in saying that if Mr McDonald were j now to desert his party there was hardly a , man in the room who would continue to sup- I port him. A letter had a few days ago appeared signed “ Policy” urging on Mr j McDonald to go over to the other side on the j ground that it would be beneficial to the dis- , trict, but he thought that the writer could not have known our member when he penned such a miserable effusion. The present occupants of the Ministerial Benches were not always in power, and when the Liberal party came into office there could be no doubt but that the adherence given by Mr McDonald j to it would prove of very many benefits to the East Coast Electoral District. The demonstration that evening proved conclusively Mr McDonald’s popularity, and he felt assured that in the future as in the past he would always have the confidence of the people. Ito concluded by proposing the health of Allan McDonald, Esq., M.H.R. The Band, “ For He’s a Jolly Good FclI low,” and three ringing cheers were given as j only the British can give. I Mr McDonald, on rising, was vociferously | applauded. He said whilst in the House he I had endeavored to the best of his ability to 1 do justice not alone to his constituency but also to the whole Coluny, but although he ! had worked hard he never for a moment

thought lie would be entertained as he was that •-■veiHU-. Ihe remi.rks whi- h hud fallen from the Cii .i’ <nn;j were quite correct as to Jris contest in ih.- first election. He had bee;; r -ked by the Liberal Party to stand on the vv» <•;’ his dep 'rture for England, and had pr.imisvd iiv would. Many of his friends had endcL'.vuied to dissuade him, but he said having commenced he would fight it out. Letter after letter was written to him telling him he had no show, but he was determined to go in, and immediately proceeded to address the electors at Opotiki, Tauranga, and Gisborne. Throughout he had stuck to the Liberal ticket, and what is more intended still to do so. He believed it was the right, and nothing would induce him to depart n om it. He was convinced that at no short distance hence the Party he supported would j be in power. As to the letter signed “Policy” ' he could assure all present that nothing was ! farther from his intention than to follow the ' recommendation contained in it, namely to I go over to the other side. There was one J thing he could safely assert which was that i there would be no change in his policy and that he would stick to his constituency. , (Ijoud cheers). It was right also that be had influence with Southern members, and in fact they always supported him. So had Mr DeLautour in the Lower House and Sir G. Whitmore in the Upper House (Cheers) in everything he hud ever done towards benefitting the District. However, as this was not a political banquet he would not inflict upon them another political speech. He felt proud to sue around the table the faces of so many well-tried and trusty friends. He would, however, assure them that he felt confident that with another leader than Mr Montgomery the present Ministry would have been ousted and the Liberal Party have been in power. He heartily thanked them for their kindness towards him and concluded by saying that as long as his name was Allan McDonald he would remember that evening. The speaker sat down amidst a perfect furore of applause. Mr J. R. Scott then sang “ He turned tho Gas off at the Meter,” and was loudly applauded. Mr C. A. DeLautour then proposed “The Commercial Interests of Poverty Buy,” coupled with the names of Messrs A.Graham, W. Adair, and H. Shelton. These three gentlemen briefly responded, the former pointing out that if the Government would give an endowment to the Hur* bour Board and a breakwater were made the exportation of frozen meat might become a source of wealth to the district. The Bund, “Cheer Boys, Cheer.” In the absence of Mr R. Hill Fisher, the Chairman proposed “The Agricultural Interests of Poverty Bay,” coupled with the name of Mr Samuel Locke. The Band, “ Cheer Boys, Cheer.” Mr Locke in responding said that Poverty Bay could boast of as good soil as any part of New Zealand, and there could be no doubt had before it a grand future. Although be had contested the honor of representing the East Coast District with Mr McDonald, still he and that gentleman were personal friends and he was pleased to see that gentleman ! held in such high esteem. (Applause). Mr M. H. Smith, in a clever speech, proposed the “Shipping Interests of Poverty Bay,” coupled with the names of Messrs A. D. Frazer, and R. G. Gibbons. Band, “ Rule Britania. ” In the absence of the two gentlemen included in the toast, Mr Shelton shortly responded. Mr Ratcliffe then sang Emmet’s “ Lullaby,” which elicited hearty applause. Captain Porter, in an eulogistic speech, proposed “The Press,” coupled with the names of Mr Morris and Captain Kerr. The Baud, “Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot.” The former gentleman replied in person, and the latter was represented by a deputy. The Chairman next proposed the “Borough and Cook County Councils,” coupled with the name of Mr C. Ferris. Mr Ferris replied, and in response to a very general demand Mr H. Lewis also responded. Mr J. R. Scott then sang a very interesting song of a pathetic nature, and given with that fulness of feeling and lesthetic appreciation of pathos for which he has earned for himself untold fame, “My Maria’s a Fairy Queen.” Mr Matthewson proposed “The Strangers and Visitors,” coupled with the name of Mr Danvers, who briefly responded thanking those present for their cordial reception of the toast. On the motion of Mr McDonald a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Bund playing “ They are jolly good fellows.” We had almost omitted to mention that the J Battery Band, uudei* the leadership of Mr T. Faram, assisted gieatly to the enjoyment of the evening, and also to accord a word of praise to Mr Towsey who very kindly consented to preside at the piano. To the Committee, the Secretary, and in fact to all connected with the undertaking tho greatest credit is due for the success achieved.