COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 311, 18 December 1884, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

A COMPLIMENTARY banquet tendered to Samuel Locke, Esq., M H R., last evening at Macfarlane’s Hall was attended by between seventy and eighty gentlemen anxious to do honor to the representative of the district in Parliament. Mr. A. Graham occupied the chair, supported on nis right by the guest of the evening, and on his left by his Worship the Mayor, and a section of the local clergy, while the office of croupier was filled by Mr. J. W. Johnston. The caterer, Mr. James Craig, of Gladstone Road, provided a capital spread which was done ample iusiice to, and Mr. J. T. Crawford, enlivened the proceedings with music. The wants of me inner man having been satisfied, Mr. A. Graham rose amidst applause. He said such gatherings were usually attended by two great classes of people, one being those who had to make the speeches, and the other the listeners. He thought the latter had somewhat the best of it, and would have been glad if the proceedings could have been got through as quickly as a presentation dinner he had once read of. On that occasion, a cup was to be presented to the winner. Both the Chairman and the

recipient were men of few words. The former in presenting the cup merely sa d “ Tam, here’s the mug I ” to which Tam replied in equally terse terms, “ Aye, mon, is that the jug I ” and with this the proceedings terminated. He had much pleasure in proposing the “ Queen and Royal Family.” Mr. 11. E. Kenny proposed “ The Army, Navy, and Volunteers,” to which Captain Porter responded. The Chairman then proposed “The piest of the evening.” He had sonv lifficulty in doing so. inasmuch as if he aid too much he might be regarded ahe leader of a kind of mutual admiration society, and if he said too little he would >e accused of being cold hearted. He

had been asked several times during the vveek what was the use of these dinners. His reply was that the only way an Englishman had of enjoying himself, or >f showing his admiration for a friend was by giving him a good dinner. (Laughter.) He thought some good was to be gained by a convivial gathering of the kind, where they could, after the ex•itement of politics was over, sink al their differences and strengthen their resolutions to work for the good of th istrict. It was also good for the member. as it showed him his actions were vatched, and led him to understand that >is actions were narrowly watched—if he lid we’l he would get their thanks, and ii lot their disapprobation would await him. It was a fallacious idea to suppose that all i member was sent to Parliament for was to get money spent in his district, although last session had presented many opportunities for urging on our wants in that respect, and they had been taken full advantage of. He thought they ought to look further than their own selfish

ends. A man who would invent a name that would accurately convey to the mind the position held by different parties would be a benefactor to his species. The words Liberal and Conservative did not convey any such idea. He had heard Mr. Locke, in one of his speeches, use the words evolutionist and revolutionist, and thought some more suitable name might be evolved out of these words. To re urn to Mr. Locke, he thought the district tad done well in electing him. Mr. Locke had realised their most sanguine expectations, and had done as well as any man they could have had. His ictions had proved that what he took in hand he would stick to until it had been carried through.—(Applause.) In responding to the toast of his health Mr. Locke said after the kind aad able manner in which the chairman had proposed his health, and the hearty and sincere reception gi\en to the toast, he could assure them it was with a great deal of difficulty that he snoke, because he felt that at all events he had only done lis duty, and if he had done anything worthy of being praised in the few months he had had the honor of representing them, he was glad to hear it. He should like to te’l them something of the secret of what Mr. Graham described as his tenacity in sticking to an object, especiaPy when it referred to this country n which he had made his home. At the time he arrived in New Zealand he read he works of Edmund Burke, in which he found these words, “ I have warm wishes for the land of my birth, but the land of my adoption is the proper sphere of my duties.” This had been the secret of his ■struggling on both in public and private mntfprq. After coming- to New Zealand he determined he would always consider what was best for the land of his adoption

and do all he could to raise the position of that country. (Applause), That had been the secret of his struggles. He did not like to speak of himself, and he was so overcome by his friend’s speech that it was difficult for him to speak at all. He thought peop’e who came here to make money hurriedly, and then took it to England, and spent the rest of the'*days enjoying it there, are not doing their duty to themselves or their fellow men. (Cheers). They should make their home and spend their money where they made 'hat money. That is he feeling which

had always actuated him from his ear'y struggle till now. One thing he regretted very much this evening, and that is that those who helped him so much in carrying out measure which he beiieved would be beneficial to th* l disteice .are not here now. He referred to Sir George Grev, th p Hon. Tames Wil'iamson. and manv n'hers who have a 1! heen invited. Sir George Grey and Mr. Williamson could speak as to the s’ate of this p’ace thirty and forty years ago, and could compare it with the present pos'tinfi attamed for it by settlers struggling against every difficulty. They would show by what they have done in the past how much more they could do in the fu'ure. if they would but all work together for the one purpose ofdeve’oping the resources of the district which they have adopted fo their home. Those are the feelings which actuated him in every obiect he had. Whenever he took up an object he would do his utmost to carry it out, and do what was right, and he would endeavor to work on till he had achieved it, with the feeling that it is for the good of his adopted home, the country which they should a 1!, by every means in their power, endeavor to make a nation of. He thanked them sincerely for the kindness they had shown him that evening, and as long as be had the to represent them they may rest assured that he would do his duty to the best of his ability. (Loud cheers.) Song—Mr. J. R. Scott. Mr. J. W. Johnston proposed “The House of Representatives.” He considered the House as at present enn ititnted was a credit to New Zealand. He lad watched its career since 1867. and

was of opmion that it had not but represented the country as he liked to see it represented. Honor and integrity

were stamped on the breast of a majority of the members. He had great faith in the future of New Zealand, Mr. Locke made a suitable reply. Mr. DeLautour proposed “The agricultural and pastoral interests." He pre. sumed it was placed in an advanced position position on the programme because of its importance. Mr. DeLautour made suitable reference to the work done by the member for the district during the session. Mr. Locke was a man who had a mind large enough to take advantage assistance offered to his district, whether by one of his own party or any one else. Mr. J. W. Johnson replied. Mr. W. K. Chambers proposed “The commercial and shipping interests." He had no hesitation in saying that they had one of the finest shipping services in the world. Mr. Common in reply said the shipping companies would do all they could to forward the interests of the Bay. Mr. Craig (L. and M. Agency) said the exports had increased during the last year by £200,000. These figures were more important when it was remembered that the imports showed a falling off, a proof ihat the Colony was becoming self-reliant and was now producing mjny things which were formerly imported. Wool had increased in value, the Home market was firm, and the manufactured article was u.o.ing off with expedition. The business of the Colony was settling down on a firm basis, and New Zealand as a whole was progressing. He believed the realization of the harbor and raiiway schemes would have a great effect on the district. Captain Ferris proposed His Worship the Mayor and Borough Councillors, Captain Porter in reply pointed out that it was his last night of office, and he would have great pleasure in handing over the reins to a gentleman so well able to handle them as Mr. DeLautour was. fApplause.) Mr. Townley said from the way in which the toast was received, it looked as if they were satisfied with the work the Council had done. (Applause.) He trusted when the vote for the loan was taken every ratepayer would be found voting lor it. He also hoped Mi. Locke would endeavor to get the pound for pound subsidy on the money expended .or harbor works. Song, Mr. Ratcliffe. Mr. E. ff. Ward proposed “ The County Council." Messrs. Wallace and Ferris replied. 7 Mr. J. S. Browne proposed “The oress,” which was duly responded to. Mr. Andrew Graham proposed “ Ab- . ssnt friends, especially Sir George Grey Sir Ju’ius Vogel, oir George Whitmore, and Mr. Williamson.” ; Mr. Nolan proposed “ The Civil i Service,” to which Mr. Gray replied. Mr. John Bourke proposed “ The I adies ” which was responded to by Mr. . George Stevenson (Makauri) and Mr. E. P. Joyce. Mr. Locke proposed the Chairman, . and Mr. Graham rcp'ied. This terminated the proceedings.