WAIHOPAI.

Southland Times, Issue 681, 10 June 1867, Page 3

WAIHOPAI.

At Baggott's, "Waibopa' Hotel, on the evening of Friday, 30fch ult., a large party of Ilia friends and neighbors entertained Mr Ralph Swale -to a public dinner, previous to his contemplated change of residence to "Winfon. The chair was occupied by "Mr. Napier, Mr Eoss acting as Croupier. After a dinner, which reflected great credit on "mine host, Baggott," the usual loyal -and patriotic toasts were given by the chairman, and "enthusiastically honored. The toast of the evening— "Mr Ealph Swale "—followed. The Chairman, introducing this toast, observed that the presence of so many friends met to do him honor, '.testified more amply to the esteem.. in which Mr Ealph Swale was held by his neighbors, than anything he conld say. :If any regret mingled with the pleasure he himself experienced from being chosen to the position he held that evening, it was the want of time for preparation, and inability to do justice to the toast he was about to propose. He would, however, be remiss in his duty towards those who called him to the head of the table, if he should not endeavor to give expression, how- | ever faintly, to the feelings which animated them towards the subject of the toast. Addressing himself to Mr Swale, he further added:— : l am confident that the highest opinion of your worth, the most cordial sympathy with your success in life, to which I could give utterance would be fully endorsed by our friends around, the tablip. "Tour aftable manner, obliging disposition, combined with a charming horihommie, has endeared you to all your associates* As an early pioneer of civilization in this j portion of the colony, w,e recognise in you. those qualities which uniformly command success — a mind with an aim, active and energetic ; a noble perseverance, undaunted by difficulties or reverses; a manly independence totally removed from pride and its concomitant— sloth. Our poet Burns sings— " A prince can mak a belted knight, A Marquis, duke, and a' that ; But an honest man's aboon his might, G-uid faith he maunna fa' that." "An honest man's the noblest work of G-odj" and though you do not rank among any of the titled orders of nobility, this is a rank of nobility in which you have been, enrolled by a greater and a mightier than the proudest of earth's potentates, a frank recognisable in every society, from the savage to the most refined, '-■ a rank to which all good men 1 and true may aspire, . but one which neither wealth can . purchase, . ability acquire, nor the favor of princes confer. To shew our appreciation of these, and many other qualities in you, on which I shall not any longer dwell — we have invited £ou here to-night to pass a few hours in social glee, "We' are sorry to lose you as' a neighbor, but in taking leave of this place we doubt not that you are consulting your interest, and we wish you every success." The Chairman finished by giving tb.e toast, " Mr Swale, health and success," which was drunk with all the honors, and before the gentlemen resumed their seats, three cheers were called, and were heartily given for Mrs Swale. Mr Swale rose amid repeated cheers, and returned his heart-felt thanks for the unexpected honor done him.: : In his unassuming walk in life the' honor he considered was greater, as it was not an. acknowledgement of public services, but a compliment tcT private character." He was happy to observe the fine tone of sensibility exhibited by his neighbors in making him so handsome a return for any' slight acts of attention he had been able to pay them. This evening was, he said, the happiest and proudest of his life. They must excuse his further speaking, their kindness and the cordial manner in which they received the toast of his name, ; affected- him out of the power of returning thanks as he should wish them returned. After the excitement raised by the last toast, and the the response had subsided ; the following toats were proposed, and honored in succession. The Clergy j the T Agricultural interest ; the Commercial j interest; the Educational interest; the Press ; the Ladies ; the Chairman ; the Croupier ; and " Happy to meet, sorry to part, and happy to meet again." The Chairman and Croupier vacated their seats, but the company were in no hurry to disperse. Several of the parties present were toasted, and -jovial mirth and good fellowship was kept up until the morning was far advanced, when each wended his way homeward. ;