COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1905, 18 June 1889, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

On Friday evening Messrs J. Talbot and M. Quinn, were entertained at the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, at a banquet tendered to them by the ratepayers of the Temuka Road Board District, as a recognition of their many and faithful services whilst members of the Road Board. Tha day selected by the committee was unfortunately a bad one, and many persons whs were anxious take part in the proceedings were unable to do so. In all between 50 and 60 persons were present. The catering, which was entrusted to Mr P. Coira of tke Wallingford Hotel, Temuka, was, it is needless to s»y, of the best, tha menu being an elaborate one. The chair was taken by Mr A, M. Clark, who was supported upon his right by Mr Talbot, and upon his left by Mr Quinn. Tiie vice-chairs were occupied by Messrs Rolleston and Page, and there were many gentlemen present not immediately interested in tho road district, but who desired to express their appreciation of the public services of tha guests of the evening. Punctually at eight o'clock grace was said by the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, and duo jusiica having been done to the repast the chairman rose and intimated that ho had received apologies for non-attendance from Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, M.H.R., and from Mr J. A. Young. The former was debarred from attending by a prior engagement of importance, tha latter sickness. Tho health of Her Majesty was than drunk, followed by Tha Army, Navy, and Volunteers, associated with tha names of the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, and Corporal Mason.

The Rev. T. A. Hamilton, in responding for the Army and Navy (to the latter branch of the service, he having been attached for some 12 years), said, after a few preliminary remarks that the success of the Army and .Navy was summed up in the word duty. Strict attention to duty was required of the soldier and sailor, and was invariably followed by good results. In each branch of the service tho best and most arduous work was done by the vanguard. That night they had met to do honour to two men who had done the pioneer work of the district. They would remember in reading of the saving of 11.M.5. Calliope at Samoa, that it was due, in addition to the wisdom and courage of her commander, and the descipline of the crew, to the fact that everything in her was of the best; and so it was with the work which their guests had been doing, They had striven to do the work that had fallen to their lot as public men in the best manner possible from a spirit of duty, and if they had in any way advanced the prosperity of their district, and of this there "could be no doubt, they could retire from their labours with every feeling of satisfaction, Corporal Mason responded briefly on behalf of the volunteers. After a song by Mr H, Clinch, the chairman said that it was his duty now to propose the health of Messrs Talbot and Quinn, whom they had met that evening to honor. Ha had known each of them long enough to do honor to their sterling qualities as public men and also to appreciate them in their private capacity. It was all very well to elect men to public portions, and content oneself with thinking that fdl they had to do was to meet once a month and put through a little routine business. As a matter of fact these gentlemen had a great deal to do. They had to travel through tho country noting its requirements, and do a certain j

mount of study to fulfil the duties of heir position. Lie did not want to flatter them, but when he considered that a colony like this of some 600,000 inhabitants, could from its small area put forth such large exports, it was apparent to him that they were the most energetic people in the world. They were all energetic, and he claimed in consequence that those elected to public positians were bettor men than good men, if he might use the expression. They were, as a rule, thoughtful, enterprising, and intelligent. When they looked at their local institutions, roads, bridges, and hospitals, they had to thank such men as Messrs Talbot and Quinn for them. The time would come when people would look back with pride to the interest their fathers had taken in building up the institutions of the country. He must express hia regret that thair guests of that evening had decided to retire from public life, but he hoped they would, after a short rest, return to it. In conclusion he thonght'it a coincidence that upon either side of him was a representative of the Rosa and Shamrock, while he (the speaker) a proud representative of the Thistle, was called upon to do them honor. It was as it ouffhb to be, and he was proud to say that the time was come when any man worthy of respect was sure of receiving it, no matter what his nationality. He asked them to join him in drinking in bumpers of champagne the health of Messrs Talbot and Quinn. Tha toast was drunk with musical honors, and with great enthusiasm. Mr John Talbot, who on rising was loudly cheered, was pleased to see such a large gathering assembled to do hia colleague and himself such honor. It was very gratifying indeed that so many had come forward, and he was also pleased to say that he had received many expressions of grod-will from those who were unable to taka part in the present proceedings. He was glad, too, that he was associated with such a staunch, and, might he say, substantial colleague as Air Quinn, He thanked them very much for the way they had drunk the toast proposed by the chairman, and he felt flattered that the latter had attended that evening under some little inconvenience. It was now a great many years since ho had first been connected with the Road Board. About 16 years ago there were vary few roads indeed, it was a difficult matter then to get about. How they saw good roads in every direction. These, of course, had cost a very considerable snm. Perhaps money had not always been spent judiciously, but they could congratulate themselves upon it on the whole. At all events it had not been spent without due care and forethought. He was not going to inflict a long speoeh upon them that evening, but trusted they would have patience with him while he made a faw further remarks. In retiring from his position on the Hoad Board ho wished it to be understood that it was not, from any feeling of pique or disappointment. He hud waited until the break had boea pul en, and things were going under easy sail. He was pleased that so good a man had stepped into Lis shoes. They had plenty of good men now, and when he made up his mind to retire he felt that it was unwise that anyone should Occupy such a position too long. It was not right that parsons should imagine they had a vested right to these positions. He had other work to attend to now, and he felt justified in throwing up muuh of his public work. It was gratifying to him to recall the past, and was glad that he bad left the affairs of the board in good order. Outside of the Road Board ha look some credit to himself for other work, such, for instance, as the bridging of the Opihi. They had bad a great difficulty in getting it done, but ho was sure the ratepayers would sooner pay than see the river uobridged. When he joined the Geraldine County Council they seemed to ha doing very little good. Works were required in different districts, and he was authorised to see Air Wynn Williams with the view of drafting certain amendments in the Act which would enable ' these works to be carried out. . These ideas wore ultimately carried out. Another work for which ho took credit was the preliminary arrangements for the Loans to Local Bodies Act, and Mr Rolleston, who at that time was at Wellington, doubtless imagined that there was no stopping those Geraldine County Council people. Under this Act they could now get water upon their plains, and it was admitted to be a move in the riffbt direction. ’ Ho found, however, that he was trespassing too much on their time and again begged to thank them for the honor done him. ■

Mr Quinn, who was also loudly applauded, said that he could real y not express his feelings at seeing snch a large and representative gathering. Me was flattered, too, at seeing an exMinieter of the Crown in the vico-chair. He felt from the manner in which the toast had beau received, and the number of old and kindly faces around them, that such a gathering would have been flattering if their service h»d extended over twice the period. It was now nearly 19 years since be came to Terauka, and prior to his taking a seat oo the board his duties put him in the way of seeing something of bad roads. Some fifteea or sixteen years ago he managed to raise a few pounds, aud became a small ground parrot at Rangitata Maud. His frisnd Mr J. Pago, who he was proud to see present that evening, was then a squatter there. The settlers thought that he (the speaker) was fit to represent them on the board, and when he wished to retire after a few years he was pressed to remain. It was pleasant to work with tho late chairman. Ho was courteous, obliging, and' firm, but ho (the speaker) thought the chairman on the whole had little trouble with the board. No doubt a good deal of money was spent, some perhaps foolishly, but none knowingly so. The substitution of conceete bridges for timber ones, and the erection of culverts, etc., had done away with « good deal of money, bat the works were permanent ones. One work of importance the board hud helped with was tho Opihi bridge. As an occupier of land across tho river he had many opportunitias of seeing tho danger of the stream. The Levels Road Board were asked to assist the Temuka Board in erecting ihe bridge, but they were not then on terms with their banker, and the matter dropped. Mr Talbot, however, stuck to it, and he (the speaker) helped him as much as possible. The Temuka Board, who were tn funds at the time, were prepared to erect the bridge, provided a guarantee of repayment was paid by tho council. Mr Talbot, the lato Mr John Paterson, and himself were I

deputed to wait upon the County Council, ami the resu't of their representation was that the work was done; It was a work he took a special pride in being associated with. Ha trusted that the board, as at present cooatituied, would always work in a harmonious manner. They had certain responsibilities, but he could not help saying that the work of the board was lightened very much by the executive officer. Their present clerk and overseer was most competent, and it afforded him pleasure to give his testimony to if. He wag honored by the presence of the, chairman that evening. Ho (the chairman) had done much to cement the good fellowship of the community. Ho was the father of tho Caledonian Society, which would do good work among them, and in every public movement ha was ready to taka a share. For himself, although he had retired from public work he liked the place, and trusted to live long in it, and be a faithful and loyal citizen. .; Mr Guild proposed “ The Legislators, Past and Present,” associated with the names of Alessrs Rolleaton and Rhodes*. Mr Rhodes, he was sorry to say, was not present, but he had boon so recently among them that doubtless they were in possession of his views. They had with them a' legislator who was a hero of a hundred fightsl In the recent parliamentary sessions, he wished he (Mr Rolleston) had been there to help. (Applause.) With the chairman’s permission he would couple the name of the toast with Air J. Page, who wrs the wet [ nurse of most of their candidates. :

Mr Rolleston said that Mr Page was in a modest mood that evening, or he, as his political godfather should have spoken first. He (Mr Rolleston) was proud to be ‘present that night. On many previous occasions he had mot them in that hallj occasions less pleasant and convival, but on which be had always been kindly received. He was pleased to speak before. \ his political godfathers, Messrs Talbot and ' Page, and proud to speak on behalf of Mr Rhodes, who was making a rhore than .worthy successor. He was proud also to do honor to Messrs Talbot and Quinn, both of whom were worthy public men, and staunch private friends. The position of a legislator was a proud one. He was proud to have bean a member of the assembly, and now like an old horse relegated to his pastura, it stirred his blood to look over the fence at the toilers on the road.*. Their members were men of * great eloquence, intelligence and worth. They displayed also a vegfc amount of industry. A farmer might ba satisfied with toiling froth daylight till dark, but a member of Legislature worked day and night. That he could : assure them bad been dona during list session. There was a possibility of eloquence overshadowing wisdom, and it was not always the eloquent member who made the best. There was a danger of Parliament attempting too mush. It then became confused, and usurped the work of other bodies. Mis opinion was that the evils of representative bodies was a confusion of functions. Parliament 'was not: only now a place for law making, but was trying to make other things bolides laws. To do its work well in future the Legislature must have mors permanent executive to carry put its will. Loeal bodies must be strengthened and enlarged. Local works and money borrowed for nuoh should be left to individual districts, so that the borrowing should bt? brought face to face with the spending. The ' groat evil was the crowding together of functions, and money allocated was spent , indiscriminately. They must pardon him.for talking politics, but he was like an old war horse at the sound of the trumpet. He was one of the first to bring Road Boards into existence, and his opinion was that it was a mistake to curtail their functions. It was a wrong drsotion to take to crowd functions pd a central body. Tbs work should be in tlao district, and the talk in Wellington, Tho supreme legislature would then work more sptiifaetorily. He had again to thank them, for the kind manner in which they had drunk his health. (Applause). 1 Mr Page felt gratified sit having his name ‘ associated with the toast. He could say little ’ of politics. They all’knew it was hot in his line, but he could endorse all Mr Rolleston’s remarks about loeal government. The sooner the local bodies were more fully empowered • the better. He was not, however, going to touch on that subject now. He bad a toast to propose, viz,, that of “ Local Industries, 0 and he should couple it with the names of Messrs Grant, Hayes, and Gray. No one could over estimate the value of these institutions. The producers had.always to bear the burden, and what with syndicates and rings they had enough lo contend with. With local industries they could do muchu belter,' He would like to refer to the object for which they had met. Some 25 years ago there landed in Lyttelton a young man, who afterwards wrote a humorous letter to the Lyttelton Times recording his experience on landing in the colony. The ship was boarded by Dr Donald, ns health officer. Next morning, strolling to the Police Court, Dr Donald w«a found ou the bench ; at the hospital ha wni attended by Dr Donald, and at the: gaol Dr Donald was visiting inspector. That young man said that it would be recorded of him that he “ died by the visitation of Dr Donald.” (Laughter). Now anyone eoming into South Canterbury some 14 or 15 months ago might iilffioi't have made the same remark of John Talbot. Ho was on the Education Board, the Road Beard, the Hospital Board, tha Lscensing Bsncb, the County Council, ami goodness only know where his functions ended, but he hoped no one would ever say that “be died by the visitation of John Talbot.” Now the public was tv fickle jade-. To-day all smiles and to-morrow all frowna, but when a man could serve such a fickle ja.de for 16 years, end then leave her servioa and say honestlv that he did not dii it for pique he (Mr Page) could realise that he had been working for a good purpose, and had • not devoted those years to grinding cutlery. No one' had come there that evening with more pleasure than himself. It delighted him to honor such men os Messrs Talbot and Quinn, and he was always glad to be present on such occasions. He must not forget the purpose with which he rose, but would ask them to drink prosperity to “Local Industries,” coupled with the names of Messrs Grant, Hayes, and Gray. The toast was drank with musical honors. After a song from Me R. P. Aspinall the toast was duly responded to. The other toasts that followed were “ The Commercial Interests of New Zealand,” proposed by Mr Rolleston, and responded to by Messrs Bruce and E. Brown. Mr Kelland proposed “Agricultural and Pastoral Interests,” coupled with tha names of Messrs Talbot, Deßenzy, Austin, and Badham, all of whom responded, the latter in humorous terms expressing his firm conviction that “cockatoos were the only honest birds of the lot.” Mr Badham proposed “ The Learned! Professors,” in felicitous terms. Messrs Hayes and Aspinall responded, Mr Guild proposed the “Banking Interests” coupled with the names of Messrs Hargreaves Dignan, and Flint,

The toaet of “ The Ladies ” was heartily honored, and was responded to by Dr. Hayes, Mr Blyth proposed tbs “Press” coupled with the names of Meesrs Gaze and Ashwell, Mr Gaze in responding said that be was present that evening in a dual capacity, he haying to represent the Christchurch Frees and the Temuka Lead be. He apologised ' for Mr Twomey’s absence, and on hie behalf expressed the appreciation of the courtesy y-. extended to him by the guests of the evening in their official capacities. Mr Ash well also briefly responded. The “ Host and Hostees,” having been duly honored and reepeaded to. Mr Talbot proposed the health of the ebairnan in felicitous and eulogistic terms. The toast wps received with enthusiasm. Tbtfchairman said that it gave him more pleasure to preside on an occasion like the present than to receive the handsomest of testimonials. He considered it most flattering to be allowed to occupy the chair that evening. It always gave him pleasure to feel that he was in touch with his fellow men. During a long colonial experience, and transactions with all classes of the community, he had always been proud to feel that there was a certain sympathy between himself and those with whom' he came in contact, no matter who they were. He thsnked them most heartily for the honor they had done him, , During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Clark, Guild, Bruce, W. G. Aspinall, R. 8. Aspinall, J. L. Flint and Gaze. Mr Flint officiated at the piano. The gathering dispersed at about 1 a.m., after singing “Auld Lang Syne.”