SUPPER TO MR. W. RATCLIFFE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 4, 3 November 1883, Page 2

SUPPER TO MR. W. RATCLIFFE.

On Thursday evening one uf those social gatherings which tend so much to refresh and cement the cordial relations and good fellowship which, we are pleased to say, largely underlies the hustling business relations between those engaged in the worldly struggles of Gisborne existence, took place iu tne Albion Club Hotel. Among cnose present were Messrs Ragge, Ward, .4uir, Cooper, Bloomfield, Common, Hanna, Lucke, and about twenty-five others. Thu occasion of the gathering was to wish “ Many Happy returns of the Day ” to a gentleman whose urbanity and genial good leilowship haw justly earned him the firm friendship, grateful esteem and respect of all Louse who liuva been fortunate enough to be admitted within the wide circle of his acquaintance—we refer to Mr Ratcliffe. Tne first part of the evening was spent iu convivial enjoyment around the board which groaned beneath such a generous display ol beverages as to meet the most varied tastes and Epicurian or Bacchanalian proclivities. At 11 o’cloca the gathering proceeded down stairs where au appeasing cold spread met Lhe gaze, laid out m a style which is at once the Honour and delight, no less than special leuture uf the establishment which Mr 8. M. Wilson presides uver. The least we can say is that the Albion Club fully asserted its right to the high reputatiou which it has gained, shortly after supper Mr Ward rose and, adniidst applause, proposed the toast uf tne evening—“ Ttiu Health aud happiness of Mr W. Ratcliffe on attaiuiug his 28lIi Birthday.” The toast was received most enthusiastically with cheer upon uiic-er, followed i»y “ He’s a jolly Good Fellow.” The toast was responded to in Mr Ratcliffe’s usual jolly style. After a number of other toasts, such as the Benedicts, &c. ( hud beeu drunk, Air Ward proposed “The Old Settlers,” coupled with tiie name of Mr Locke, who in reply declined to lift the curtain which aUrouded the early days of the j»ld settlers of the Bay—uf what pastimes, sports, enjoyments and conviviaities, &c., which teuded lo enliven the monotouuous struggle of those who hud borne tne heat and struggle of the day. He farther expressed his great pleasure aud satisfaction at seeing such enlightened and euergeiic succ ssors who, he felt assured, would curry on the work which the old settlers had so arduously struggled to perform. The old settlers must give way to new blood. At 12 o’clock the githering uioke up after enjoying an evening, the associations of which will long bu remembered by all those present.

Singer’s Sewing Machines, 2s 6d per week Repairs, parts, etc., to be had at the Singer Manufacturing Co.npany’s Depot, Gladstone road. These nld people whose blood has become thin and feeble are praising Hop Bitters for the good they have done them. See. The return of Custom*’ revenue collected at this port up to the end of the month of October, 1883, is £l'7s 3s Bd. Mr vVi’if>*ed Badger, barrister, of Christ- - harch propns-’s to publish in a consult lated form, at. the price of two guineas, the public general Ordinances and Acts in force in tins colony at f e '-lose of the sesrion of 1883, being practically the Statute Law of Now Zealand f-»r the past fort.v-one years. A. S'terial feature in this work is to be the peop’e’s aiihscript'lon co lies, the book being delivered in parts on terms ranging over eighteen months. The native* coin lain bitteriy this year of the deafru •livene-s of the umall birds—-m»nv a.-re-’ of wheat sown this season by the natives having been almost e tirely destroyed. One native, who spoke feelingly ou the subject, ex'-laimed :“ 1) the Government; they fine us for keeping dogs, but we sh >uld fine the Government for the birds here to eat up our crops.” “ Taranaki Budget.”

MOVEMKJfTS OF U. 8.8. GO.'B 4 STEAMERSFor Melbourne via Southern Porta— Tara wera, Saturday, Nov. 3rd. For Auckland— Rotorua, Monday November sih. For Sydney via Auckland —Manapouri, Sun* day, November IL -