BANQUET TO MR JAMES NORTHAM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1754, 23 June 1888, Page 2

BANQUET TO MR JAMES NORTHAM.

On Wednesday evening a large gathering of the friends of Mr James Northam assembled at the house of Mr William Philp, where a sumptuous banquet was provided in his honor. Representatives from Orari, Geraldine, Milford, Temuka, Hilton, and the surrounding district testified by their numbers to the popularity of Mr Northam, who contemplates taking a trip to the Old Country by the Arawa, and who, before returning to Winchester, intends making an extended tour through England, Scotland, and Ireland, and thus enjoy a well-earned holiday, which by his thrift and industry he is pecuniarily in a position to take advantage of. The chair was occupied by Mr Thomas Corcoran, the guest of the evening being seated on his right, and the vice-chair was filled by Mr Badham, and amongst the guests were several ladies. Justice having been done to the good and excellent edibles, with which the tables literally groaned, the cloth was removed, and the following toast list disposed of— The toast of “ The Queen and Royal Family ” having been drunk, Mr Corcoran proposed the toast—“ Long life, health, and prosperity to Mr Northam.” Mr Corcoran said he was proud to occupy the position of Chairman on such an occasion, as since his

arrival in Winchester he had in various ways many opportunities of judging of Mr Northam’s sterling worth as a kind friend, a good citizen, au honest, upright, unselfish man. Mr Northam had been a good adviser to those who needed some prudent advice. He had helped to keep the local public library open, and thus to secure to the young people and the' old special facilities for improving their intellectual condition. He bad taken a particular interest m promoting everything connected with the progress of their school, and had been painstaking in his efforts to benefit the district in all social movements. Mr Northam, though of quiet unostentatious bearing, was a man who was possessed of considerable grasp of intellect; he was truthful, confidential, and honorable, and altogether he was a man who would be much missed from the district, especially so by those with whom he had been most intimately associated. In a few months he hoped to see Mr Northam again amongst his friends, who would be glad to welcome him backhand to whom he would doubtless pleasantly recommit the result of his observations during the various journeys which he was about to undertake.

The Vice-Chairman, Mr Badham, could not equal the worthy Chairman in the gift of eloquence, as he had not been fortunate enough to kiss the proverbial Blarney stone. He w»« glad to hear testimony to Mr Northam’s straightforward, manly qualities, as during a close knowledge of him for 10 years he had always found him upright and honorable. To know one thoroughly one must have money dealings with him. In this respect he could say of Mr Northam that his word was his bond, Mr Northam possessed some of the mettle of a true West Briton, as he was a man who would not be jumped upon. When the Board of Education tried to do so be had stood up and had fought them with success. He was not a man to be snuffed out so easily, nor was he one who would sacrifice his rights, even if offered tempting seductions to abandon bis claim, He hoped Mr Northam would enjoy his trip home, pick up a wife, and come back a better man by properly fulfilling his destiny. Messrs Duncan, Gillum, Connolly, Bishop, Burley, Farrell, Haar, Dines, Hiskens, and Fhilp having testified to the good qualities of the guest; the toast was drunk with enthusiasm.

1 Mr Northam, who on rising was received with applause, thanked sincerely and heartily the gentleman who had proposed the toast, of his health so handsomely. He had lived amongst them for 13s year, and had endeavored to win their regard and esteem. ! They had sounded his praises too highly. He had merely done his duty as a resident in taking upon him a small share of any local burden associated with the welfare of the people of Winchester. He hoped to come back in a few months, and to repay them at some future time for the \ kindly sentiments expressed towards him by so many true friends, whose friendship he would ever value. He could not assure them that be would fulfil their wishes in facing such a serious obligation as devolves .upon a Benedict. He would thank them once more for the cordial feelings of good fellowship which they had quite so unexpectedly manifested towards* him. When musing on the briny, on his passage Home, he would look back with pleasure on the beauties of Winchester and the happy days spent among its people. “ The prosperity of Hew Zealand ” was next proposed by Mr T. Farrell, and responded to by Mr Burley (traveller for Messrs Toomer Bros.) who said that the depression would work a great amount of good, as we had been going along too fast for the past seven years. We should be able to learn wisdom from what we had experienced in the past. He predicted a great future for the colony. The depression bad already been instrumental in starting up different: kinds of • industry. Recently, when in Hokitika, he had seen two 1 large; dredgers put on board a steamer to work the beaches at Oharito, a gold* mining township about 100; miles south. He was a Fairtrader, not an extreme Protectionist, but to such an extent as to give an impetus to capitalists to foster industries and apply their locked-up capital to the growth and manufacture of such articles as would give employment not . only to our fluctuating labor population but also to bur sons as they grow up.: Many farmers were opposed to Protection simply because they did not understand the political drift of it. Protection was hot only a great financial machine, but also an unerring means of affording a local market for the produce of the farmer and the artisan. Like Victoria, our. colony under a well-considered Scheme of Protection—not actual prohibition —would soon rise to a premier position of prosperity and plenty. The remaining toasts were—- “ The trades,” proposed by Mr Northam, add 'responded to by Mr Haar; “ The'Press,” coupled with , the Temuka Leadkb and Timaru i Mail, proposed by Mr Corcoran, and i responded to by an old Pressman present and by Mr Hiskens (Leadeb) ; “ The Ladies,” by Mr Bines, and responded to in happv terms by Mr Robert Duncan. “ The Host and Hostess,” proposed by Mr Bishop, and responded to by Mr Philp. “ The

Chairman,” proposed by Mr Badham, and responded to by Mr Corcoran. . Some capital recitations and songs rendered a most enjoyable gathering one of those pleasant re unions with which in colonial society the life of a sturdy and successful colonist is, as a rule, inseparably bound up—leavetaking, hearty and enthusiastic, being finally indulged in, % company broke up with the singing 1 of“ Speed the Parting Guest,” and “ Auld Lang Syne.” "'; !

Mr Northam takes ship by the Arawa, which leaves Lyttelton: this (Saturday) evening, and expects to be absent from the colony for about nine months. We wish him bon voyage.