BANQUET TO MR H. E. WHITAKER.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 155, 22 May 1886, Page 2

BANQUET TO MR H. E. WHITAKER.

Mn 11. E. Whitakbr, one of the earliest pioneers of the Te Aroha goldfield, original proprietor of this paper, ar<d one who by his energy of character and perseverance, together with the influence lie was able to bring- fo bear, was largely instrumental in the development of the resources of the place, and ns a member for some time of the Piako County Council had much to do with the construction of the County tramway ; having- again visited Te Aroha during the past week for a few lays, some of his friends availed of the opportunity to entertain him to a banquet. The event took place on Wednesday evening last at the Hot Springs Hotel. It was decided that the entertainment should be of a private character. The arrangements were carried out in good taste and to the satisfaction of every one, by Messrs Smith and Don. The chair was taken shortly after eight o'clock by Mr Pavitt, supporfbd on his right by the guest of the evening. Mr G. Wilson occupied the vice-chair ; the other gentlemen present being Messrs Lipsey, Gavin, Burgess, Ilott, Itobson, .Sampson, Downos. Randolph, Adams, James, and Ahier. After jnsticu had been done to the good things provided, the Chairman proposed the toasts of " The Queen" and " His Excellency the Governor," which were duly honoured. The next toast proposed by the Chairman was that of " The Legislative Council," coupled with the name of Sir Frederick Whitaker. Mr K. E. Whitaker suitably responded, and referred to the recent visits of Sir I'Yc.lcrick to Te Aroha, and that he appeared great ly pleased with the place generally. The next toast proposed and duly honoured was that of " The Present Ministry," collided with the names of Hon. Mr Larn-u:h, Hon. Mr Ballance and Mr J. B. Whyle. ' The Chairman called upon Mr (i. Wilson to propose the toast of the evening, and in complying Mr Wilson said : They had asked Mr Whitaker there that night to manifest the great pleasure they all felt at having liim back amongst them, even if only for a short time, and to express their feelings of warm friend ship for him. The first time he mot Mr Whitaker was about s'x years since, when there wee very few white men at Te Aiolia, Mr Whitaker having newly arrived from Auckland to make his pile on the goldield. He saw him put in his first peg on the field, and during the first rush he formed companies ami in many ways did his best to push the field ahea-1. After the first rush, when numbers abandoned the field, he expiessed his conviction that the place would yet come out all right, stuck to it himself, and did all he could to encourage and keep others in the place j rendered valuable assistance in many ways, and in fact materially helped it to what it is to-day. During those early days he made many true friends. There could be no doubt whatever that were it not for him, there would not have been nearly so many on the field, he put his own money :nto the. place and induced others to do the same. As one ( f the members of the original Thermal Springs Domain Hoard, he had also helped the place greatly, and it was through the influence he brought to bear that the first £500 was given by Government to give the baths a start. He saw that press representation was much needed, and quickly started a paper, which he conducted ably and well, and through it did much to bring the place prominently before the public. It was to be regretted that he should have separated his connection with To Aroha, Ito take up his abode in Auckland ; in him the place had lost a good friend, and had he been still member for the district on Piako County Council the streets of Te Aroha would have been put in a proper state of repair long since. They had also to thank him in a measure for their railway, as it was through his influence pressure was brought to beir upon Government to proceed with the railway to Te Aroha. In fact, his public services to the district had been many, and he was sure he would ever help the place in any way he. could ; they were all glad to see him amongst them again, and wished ir»any prosperous and happy years. Mr Whitaker, in responding, said : Mr Wilson was one of the first friends ! he made on the field, and ho had never had occasion to alter the high opinion he formed of him in those early days ; his only fault was that of being a Scotchman which prevented him giving that free expression to his thoughts which he otherwise would, being very cautious. He used often to go to him for advice, and he would tell him to be careful, and to keep an eye here, and keep an eye there, till, in trying to fol-

low out thig advice he got quite shortsighted,' but were it not for him I should probably have 'lost. all he had. He frankly told them his first object in coming to Te Aroha was to make money for himself, and . he would feel inclined to doubt the word of anyone who would tell them he was not desirous of first , bonefittiug himself and the public afterwards. IJe could safely aay he bad never met better fellow a in his life, than those he had met at Te Aroha. He arrived on the gold field May 24th, 1880 and together with Mr Gavin had pegged out the claims known as the Golden Gate and Number One. His friend Mr Geo. Lipsey came up whilst they were so engaged and proposed to precipitate him down the hill, aa ho appeared to consider be had no right there. The gold field after a time begai* to decline, and they saw in their hot springs sometiling of a more permanent nature to bring a population, and the matter was accordingly taken in hands. With respect to the railway bridge, he ha I simply acted as a mouthpiece for the people in applying to his father Sir Frelerick to have it constructed ; bnfc had not that bridge been made when it was, very probably they would not yet have had a railway to To Aroha. Mr Whitaker concluded by thanking those present for the great kindness they had shown him by giving him this banquet, etc, etc. ' The other toasts during the erenioo. were :—: — rt "Mining Industry," proposed by the j Chairman, and coupled with the name ! of Mr Adams, who responded. " The Domain Board," proposed by ■ the Chairman, coupled with the name of Air G. Wilson (chairman of the Board), who, in respjnding, said the receipts from the springs averaged £7 10s per week in 1885 ; this year that amount would prob- ; ably be doubled. Sir F. Whitaker, when recently at Te Aroha, had expressed the opinion that it was highly desirable that an extensive area should be reserved a£ the back of the domain grounds for Dark purposes, and had volunteered to do all he could to induce Government to grant such, were a memorial sent down to Wellington. Messrs Gavin, Lipsey, and Ahier, as members of the Board, also briefly responded. "Mr C. S. Stafford," proposed by Mr Lipsey. " The Press," proposed by the Chairman, coupled with the name of Mr Ilott, who responded. " The Memory of Hone Werahiko" (the original discoverer of golJ at To Aroha), proposed by Mr Wilson. Mr H. E. Whitaker responded. "The Host," « The Ch-irman," etc. The proceedings, which were interspersed with songs rendered by several present, terminated shortly after midnight, all having spent a very pleasant evening. Mr Whitaker returned to Auckland the following day.