POLITICAL BANQUETS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 304, 19 December 1908, Page 2

POLITICAL BANQUETS.

an enthusiastic function. (13y Telegraph,—Special to "News"), Ohakune, Friday. Tile banquet tendered to Jir. \V. 'l'. Jennings, .U.P., at Oliakuiie on ThursI day night was a big success, uver one hundred ladies and gentlemen being [jr:sent. -Mrs. Pearson had a iirst-class spread, and all toasts were drunk with musical honors, Mrs. Butler playing the piano. An energetic committee under Messrs Atliy (chairman) and Kiely (secretary) had all the arrangements ra good order. Mr. Atliy, who is chairman of the Town Board, occupied the chair. On his right was the guest of the evening, Mr. Jennings, M.P., Messrs, X. Buchanan (of Waitara), W. Armstrong Craig (of Napier), and G. A, Gammon; on the chairman's left were Messrs.' > Nathan (Mayor of Taihape), A, H. Wilkie, A. Nicol, 11. Loane, J. Quin, and | J. A. Butler (members of tile Town Board), and It. Both and T. H. Kiely. Apologies for absence were from the Premier, the Hons. Millar, MeGowan, Carroll, Dr. Findlay, and Messrs C. Hall, J. Lawry, Remington, Ross, T. McKcnzie, Glover and Holland, members of Parliament, Jas. MeKenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Reese and Dorsett, members of the Land Board, H. D, Bennett and S. S. Scott. The toast of "Parliament," proposed by Mr, J. Punch, was responded to by Mr. Jennings; "Visiting ladies and gentlemen," oy •Mr Teape, responded to by Messrs Buchanan and Nathan; "The Guest," proposed by the chairman and responded to by Mr. Jennings. Several speakers spoke very highly of Mr. Jennings, and hoped he would be appointed Minister for Lands. Mr. Jennings was received with long and loud applause. "Local Industries" was proposed by Mr. J. A. Butler, and responded to by Messrs. Ganunan and Goldlineh; "The Public Works Department," proposed by Mr. K. Loane, and responded to by Mr. Sexton; "The Ladies," proposed by Mr. Both, responded to by Messrs. B. Armstrong and A. 11. Wilkie; "The Press," proposed by ill'. J. Cody, responded to by Mr. A. Nicol. The function tlon closed witli the singing of "Auld Lang Sync." The banquet was highly qnjoyable, Mr. Jennings leaving with the good wishes of the people for his promotion to Minister of Lands. Mr. R. Lioane held a meeting of Main Trunk railway employees and sawmillei'H' hands yesterday, when the following resolution was passed:—"That in the opinion of tliis meeting of railway and sawmill workmen, the time has arrived when the services of Mr. Jennings should be recognised by promotion, and we are unanimously of opinion that in the interests of the workers of the Dominion, Mr. Jennings should be appointed -Minister of Lands." •A LIBERAL GATHERING. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Carterton, Friday. At a very large and enthusiastic meeting of men and women of the Liberal Party held here lust night, Mr. J. T. M, Hornsby, the late member, was presented witli a purse of 250 sovereigns. He announced his intention to remain in tile district and go into business, leaving the selection of the next Liberal candidate to the people when tile right time came. He denouueed the tactics of liis opponents, especially tile eli'orts to ililluenee votes by referring to the religion of the Premier, lie scarilied those who', while prating of purity, resorted to such jnethods.

I'MiSENTATIONS. I'ahiatua, Friday. Mr. Cooper, who unsuccessfully contested the election for Ulc Opposition, was presented with a purse of sovereigns by his supporters. Marton, Last Night. An Opposition banquet to Mr. Edward Newman, Opposition member for Manawatu, was held at Marton this evening, anr was largely attended. Among those present were Messrs. 1). 11. Guthrie lOroua), YV. ISuick (l'almerston), W. C. iiuchanan (Wairarapa), M.'sl'., G. Ilut-L-hison (Wanganui), John Duthi'e (Wellington), K. .1. Lethbridge (Feilding), (j. Carson (YVanganui), and prominent members of loeal bodies and the Farmel's' Union. The proceedings were marked with much enthusiasm. Speeches were delivered congratulatory to the Opposition victory, particularly on the West (.'oast. llokitika, 'Wediiesday. Mr. 11. I'. Michel, who contested the last election for Westland, concluded a series of functions in his Honor throughout the constituency by an entertainment at llokitika on Wednesday night. Mr. Michel received a purse of 1100 guineas, exclusive of 100 guineas presented at Kumara a few nights ago. An appropriate address was also presented. The women electors presented Mr. Michel with a silver entree dish, and his juvenile supporters with n silvermounted oak salad bowl, and Mrs. Michel with a beautiful silver-mounted writing desk. Mr. Michel announced his determination to again contest the seat on the next occasion. 1 '