BANQUET TO MR C. A. CORNES.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 263, 12 May 1888, Page 2

BANQUET TO MR C. A. CORNES.

I *> Ox Thursday evening 1 a Banquet was given to Mr 0. A. Comes the discoverer j of the Champion Lode Keefs, in recognition of his succesvsful efforts towards the opening-up of the Tui Goldfield. The catering was entrusted by the Committee to Mr George Ebert, proprietor of the. Palace Hotel, and right well did Mr Ebert fulfil the duties devolving on him ; the spread, which was laid in the large dining-ioom of the Palace Hotel (most tastefully decorated with flowers, ferns and evergreens for the occasion), was A. 1 in every respect, and included an immense variety of good things, in fact the entire catering was really fitst-class. Shortly after eight o'clock, the hour specified, the proceedings commenced, and considerably over one hundred guests were present. The Chair was occupied by Mr F. Pavitt, who it is needless to add presided in his usual able manner. On the right of the Chairman Avas the Guest of the Evening, Mr C. A. Conies, and next (o him Mr J. Chambers; whilst on the left of the Chairman was Mr Alex. Parkes. The Vice Chair was occupied by Mr Mills. After full justice had been done the abundance of good things provided, a start was made with the programme ; the toasts were ns follows-— "The Queen," and noxt " The Governor," both of which were duly honoured, after which the Chairman proposed tliG toast of "The Guest of the Evening, Mr C- A. Comes":— ln proposing tho toast of the Guest of the Evening, tho Chairman said —-Gentlemen, I am sure you will i

Agree with mc ; it" is a great pleasure to us ull to be here this evening to express by our presence how glad we are to see the Guest of the L veiling amongst us, whose efforts, pluck, and perserverance has been so successful in opening up the Tui goldfield. His pi nek has been proved by the manner in which he and his sons at the first tried and searched to see if gold was to be found in the Tui portion of the goldfield. His patience has been demonstrated by the long time he waited before he could get money put in to test the reefs. His perseverence has been amply proved by the determine] manner in which lie has waited for the money to be raised to float the mines he discovered. Great good must result to this place from Mr Conies efforts, and so when we rcceh 9 good, the least we can do is to say " Thank you ; ' and whnV we must all benefit, wo all wish he may do good for himself, Bong : Mr C. Gordon. Mr C. A. Gomes, (who, on rising was greeted with applause), said : Mr Chairman and Gentlemen. 1 can scarcely express my gratitude- at seeing so many old [friends hoi o to-night. I am sure I do not know what I have done to deserve auch a reception as you have accorded me. I wish to say there are other who deserve much credit, 1 Mr Chamboig and others. I may say lam the oldest miner on this Peninsula, and have worked in all parts of it, from Coromandel right along the reefs to Te Aroha and Waiorongomai. I twice started on the To Aroha goldfield and got broke oi both occasions, but still I held on and backed up my opinion with the assistance of Mr J. Chambers, who has stuck to me all along. I told him what I thought of the Tui reef, and that I considered it the best reef I had ever worked on, Through Mr Chambers' efforts, and hi-i sending his son Home, and also later on about one hundred and fifty tons of ore fiom the Champion Lode reef, which being broken out and shipped off in a hurry, portions of it were some of the pooicst the reef contains. Mr Chambeis in London met with Mr Parkes, who is now amongst us here in Te Aroha, and one of (he greatest scientific men of our day. It is my opinion that before three years have gone by, between Te Aroha and Waioiongom.ii, this will b-" 1 the richest mining district on this Peninsula. Without doubt though, different machinery from what wo now possess will have to be brought to bear. We have had good men to mine, ami in my own humble way [may mjselfle i able- to break out a ton of ore as well as a good m my ; but we have been i\>oiking in the dai'K as regards the best means of treating the ore when broken jout. Now, I trust Messrs Clumbers , and Parkes will be the moans of introlucing the best known machinery for treating our oies. Through the efforts of nnsi'lf ami Mop-t-s Clumbers and Keep, we have Mr Parker amongst I tK, and [ believe he is a gentleman who w likely to srohe this difficult matter. " Te Aioha f own,"— -Proposed by the I Vice CJinirman, who sail, so far the Town Hoard had laisod all the taxation they wanted thioiigh the public-houses, without diiect taxation. Piako County Council having succeeded in shunting the making of the main road on the Town Board, all that was wanted now was to have a rate levied for charitable aid purposes. Song : Mr Downcs. Mr Dobson, Chairman of the Town Board, responded on behalf of that body, and returned thanks for the hearty manner in which the toast had been received, lie did not deem it necessary to say much about the doings of tho Town Board, the members thereof being pretty well known to all present, and it remained with the public to soy whether they had carried out the duties relating to their office satisfactorily or not. There was a time when it appeared likely that instead of an ordinary Chairman they would have had a real full blown Mayor to preside, as (here had been at one time considerable discussion as to whether the constitution of a Town Board or Municipality would best suit the requirements of the place, Should it be deemed necessary at some future time, with improved prospects and largely increased population, to adopt the more comprehensive kind of government, ha hoped the Waiorougomai end of the district and their own would all pull together for the general geod. Song : Dr Wright. The Chairman : It was intended the next toast en tho list should be that of Ohinemuri County Council, who were invited, and ho vros sorry there wore none of them pretcnt. " Piako County Council":- -Proposed by the Chairman, who said the reason the toast of Piako County Council had been set down after that of the Ohinemuri County Council in the programme was because tho Tui mines were in Ohinemuri County. He would call upon Cr Murphy to respond to the toast of Piako County Council, the local governing body, Song : Mr Owen. Cr Murphy, in respondiug for Piako County said he was sorry the Tui district was not in Piako County, but he hoped it would soon be included in the proposed Borough, and that would suit just as well. Song : Mr Tonge.

"To Arohn Hot Springs Domain Board":— Proposed l>y the Chairman, who said the Domain Board was a Body that had proved very useful here, and lie was sure those present would bo pleased to recognise their efforts towards the advancement of To Aroha. Song : ]Mr Cannell. Air GawTij Chaiunan of the Domain