COMPLIMENTARY DINNER,

Temuka Leader, Issue 2403, 24 September 1892, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER,

Although the weather was anything but pleasant on Thursday evening, there was a surprisingly large attendance at the complimentary dinner tendered to Mr John Mundell, in honor of the occasion of his entering upon an engagement with the South Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association. Among those present could be seen persons from all parts of the district, including Temuka and Timaru. The Volunteer Hall was taken for the occasion, and the tables, which were arranged in the form of the letter T, and part of which extended nearly the full length of the building, were very tastefully laid out by Hostess Reseigh. The only fault that could be found with the arrangement of the tables was that the ends of the longer one were so far apart that it was difficult for everyone to hear the speeches. Mr B. R. Macdonald was installed at the head of the table, and carried out the onerous duties of President with credit. Mr Alfred White, as Vice-President, ™ seated at the far end of the table, so riir indeed that it was several times suggested that a speaking trumpet or telephone be brought into use that he might hear the directions of the President. The ends of the wing tables were occupied by Messrs R. Taylor and A. E. Hawkins respectively. After the banquet was over, the usual toast to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family was drunk, followed by the toast of “ The Army, Navy, and Volunteers,” responded to by Mr R. Taylor,"and Mr Colin McKenzie. Song, “ Prince Charlie,” Mr B. Cochrane.

Song, “ Home, Boys, Home,” Mr Green (Timaru). The president then read letters of apology for non-attendance from Messrs 0, G. Tripp, M. 0. Orbell, and W. R. McLaren (Christchurch). These gentlemen, through illness, were unable to attend, and one reason why he regretted the absence of Mr Tripp was that he was to have been their chairman that night. Mr Macdonald then, in proposing the toast of “ The Guest of the Evening,” spoke in the highest terms of the groat amount of good Mr Mundell had done for Geraldine. He could remember the Geraldine sales when they were held monthly. They were first started in a kind of a pig-bin in the flax, and Mr Mundell held forth there. Shortly after they began to see notices on the railway stations “ Geraldine Fair Day,” and so it went on improving, until now, he could say without exaggeration, they had the best market in South Canterbury, and one of the best in Canterbury. (Applause.) They would allow that this was largely owing to Mr Mundell’s energy and enterprise. Not only had Mr Mundell taken an interest in things that concerned himself principally, but he could always bo found in any public movement. He was a member of the local Town Board, and took an interest in its affairs. They did not come there that night to talk of co-operation, but he thought that Mr Mundell, through his own energy and enterprise, had got himself into a good billet. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Mr Mundell was a gentleman that took with everybody. He took with the ladies at clearing sales, for he was like “ Little Annie Rooney”—he had a “pleasant smile.”

Glasses were then charged, and “Success and prosperity to Mr Mundell ” was heartily drunk, with musical honors. Song, “ The Midshipmite,” Mr W. G. Aspinall. Mr Mundell, who was received with prolonged applause, said he was extremely pleased to see such a large and representative attendance. Ha considered that in braving the elements and sitting down in a cold hall to a cold repast, as they had done that night, showed the valiant spirit of the men they had at the table. (Hear, hear.) It was a very cheering thing to him. He could say without the slightest egolism that there had never in his whole career been such a trying circumstance to him as the present. Apologies had been read from gentlemen speaking in the most encouraging terms, for which he was very grateful. Mr Mundell, in passing a eulogium on the good qualities of the chairman, said he was the making of one of the best men in South Canterbury. He was the son of a Macdonald—one of the pioneers of Hew Zealand. (Hear, hear.) He went on to speak of those assembled to do him honor, and asserted that, without exaggeration, the men he saw before him were the backbone of Hew Zealand. (Hear, hear.) They had come there to bid him farewell, but it could hardly be said that he was removing from Geraldine, and he hoped that the day was far distant when he would not walk amongst, and have a chat with them. (Hear, hear.) They were about to start a new era. Fourteen years it was since he started business in Geraldine, and during that time the place had undergone a wonderful change. He did not suppose that there was any inland township in Hew Zealand that had undergone such a change as, this. He maintained that they had got everything that a township of the kind required, and they had not only got that, but they had land, and people on it to do the right thing with it. He felt assured that if Timaru did not look out for better men in the future it would be Geraldine men who would make the seaport. (Hear, hear.) He was as certain as possible that the Geraldine and Temuka districts had been ruining Timaru for a long time, and it had only just begun to dawn upon them that there was something in the background they could not understand. He was going to risk himself in Timaru for some time, but he hoped he would not live there till he was fossilized and not able to do what was right. He felt sure, however, that so long as he was doing business, his friends before him would back him up in running Timaru, and making it a credit to Hew Zealand as the port of South Canterbury. His forte was reading conditions of sales and stock, and not public speaking. He thanked the chairman for his kind remarks, and predicted that he (the chairman) would perhaps some day be one of the greatest men in Hew Zealand. (Applause).

A voice here cried out from the lower end of the table “ Will Mr Mundell stretch out the breakwater ? ” (Laughter).

Mr Mundell before closing said he was extremely sorry that Mr McLaren was ill, aud could not be present that night. His telegram was very encouraging, for he was owe of the finest men ho had ever done buaiueas with.

Song, a The best of frjemls iffust part,” Mr John Allan,

Mr Quinn (Temuka) proposed “ The Agricultural and Pastoral Pursuits,” and in doing so spoke of the unfortunate season agriculturists had just experienced, and the good season It had bpeu for pastoralists. He hoped the coming season would be better than any in the past; if it were not all he could say was; « Lord save us.” Ho had known Mr Mundell for upwards of twenty years, and there was no doubt that ho was a benefactor to Geraldine. Like many more of them, Mr Mundell had followed the plough, and all he he could say was “More honor aud glory to him for. |tj and

his successful career.” There were not any Labour Bureau or Shop Hours Bill.; in those days, but the man who came oil the ship had to put his arm before him and work out his own track, and if men were not thus left to their own resources they would not do much good to the country. Mr Mundell had helped them all. When he started at Ternuka, storekeepers, hotelkeepers, stablemen were all benefited. He coupled the toast with the names of Mr Kellman one of the Geraldine Six Hundred (laughter), and Mr R. Skinner.

Mr Lee (Temuka) sang,“lt’s naught to do with me,” and in response to an encore “ Velocipede.” Mr Kelman had known Mr Mundell ever since he landed in the country; he knew him when he was at the plough, and knew him when he handled the ribbons, and he did these all well. He believed he was the first that Mr Mundell consulted before taking to auctioneering. He remembered him as a rough-looking chap at the time, but he would now give him the credit of being the best auctioneer in South Canterbury. (Hear, hear.) He was leaving to go to the Farmers’ Co-op., and he was afraid they would only spoil him. Mr R. Skinner briefly spoke on the agricultural interests. Song, “ The Bride of the Young Recruit,” Mr Woodley.' (Temuka.) Mr H, B. Webster proposed the toast of “ Trade and Commerce.” He was pleased to do honour to the guest of the evening. One of the most important things of a country like ours was its Trade and Commerce. But he considered this second to the fanning interest, for the latter was the backbone of any country. Yet farmers required Trade and Commerce to back them up, to keep the ball moving, and bring money back into this country. (Hear, hear.) There was a cry that the middle men of Commerce were eating away the lives of the farmers. Of course this was all bunkum. (Hear, hear.) The farmers do not pretend to be commercial men. The country of New Zealand was now on a very satisfactory basis, and he felt confident that he could say without contradiction that New Zealand was never in a sounder condition than at the present time, (Hear, hear.) He had just returned from Victoria, where things were in a very depressed condition. The people there spoke of New Zealand as being sound, and good, and looked upon its people as being self-reliant, as having the courage of their opinions. They had fought the battle now, they had refrained from borrowing, and had brought themselves into the position that their exports exceeded their imports, and that was what was wanted. He felt that this country had a great future before it. If they would only pull together, depend upon themselves, and not ask the Government to be their father in all things, in the end they would be the richest, wealthiest, and most properous country iu Australasia. There was one little remark he objected to. They were asked to help to make Timaru a big place. He thought they wanted more to make Geraldine and Temuka big places. (Hear hear.) Timaru had gone ahead very well, but in' this district their own interests were vested, and they should make this district the place. He coupled the toast with the names of Mr Jackson (National Mortgage & A. Co., Timaru,) and Mr N. Dunlop. Song, Mr Green.

Mr Jackson was glad to be present at Mr Mundell’s farewell. Whenever he had been associated with Mr Mundell they had always got on well together. Mr Dunlop was pleased to be present to do honour to his friend, Mr Mundell. He had known Mr Mundell for 17 years, and could corroborate all that had been said of him. He had, in connection with his sales, no doubt, been the backbone of Geraldine. Mr Mundell was, as it were, at the head of the poll—one of the best auctioneers in South Canterbury. He hoped the opinions held of Mr Mundell would be borne out in his new sphere of work. He-thought that the selection had been a really good one. Mr Mundell had said he was going to build up Timaru, and asked them to help him in doing so. That was a thing they, as Geraldineites, were not going to do. They were going to look after their own interests. He thought, from what they could see of the people of Timaru, they were not to be trusted. (Laughter and Applause.) He Imped Mr Mundell would show them that he was to be trusted. They had a member in the Timaru Harbour Board from this district, and a good one, who looked after their interests well. He was very sorry to see the wrangling they had on that Board, and he thought it a very serious thing to the country the way that business was being carried out. The majority seemed to do everything their own way in defiance of evexybody. One member had said that it didn’t matter in his district whether they had a harbour or not. Geraldine was about the same distance from T maru as that member’s district was, and he thought it would be a very hard thing indeed if they had not their port in Timaru, He did pot believe that the shingle would pass the corner as soon as some thought it would. He was merely warning Mr Mundell not to place too much confidence in the people of Timaru.

Song, “ We run them In,” Mr Aspinall,

Mr A. E, Hawkins proposed tjio “ Learned Professions ” coupled with the names of Drs. Fish and Craig, and Messrs Aspinall and F. Wilson Smith. This was responded to by each of these gentlemen. Recitation, “ Tam O’Shanter,” Mr John Lawson.

Mr Blakistouu proposed “ The Local Bodies,” coxipled with the names of Messrs A. White, W. S, Masliu. and W. Shiers.

Mr White had bepn on the Geraldine Town Board with Mr Mundell ever since it was a board, and he found Mr Muudell to be his right-hand supporter, and he ip.f; sorry to see him out of the hoard upwMr Mundell had always acted fairly and honorably, and in josing hixn they had lost a good man. (Hear, hear). Mr W. Shiers knew Mr Mundell many years ago, and he considered him then to be a very modest, reserved young man. After an absence from Geraldine for sonic time ho returned, and then found tl]a| Mr Mundell had thrown ;U) his ipqdpsty because, as a cqianjaf auctioneer, it did not pay to keep it. in place of modesty h'O ■ had energy and enterprise, Hy hhd Wone who had ftdvjfigd MY Muadu* 1 J out f>,u auctioneer's iin'" . - ‘■'J take place, jie foui |<J " ■ :A llse ll * the first Mundell to be a YClv persistent man. A man had once at a sale said to him (the speaker) “When Mi MunueU get his eye on me I can’t help nuddlng: ’

Mr W. S. Masliu said that Mr Mundell with two or three others had been instrumental in the formation of the Geraldine Town Board, which had been a great boon to the X'atopayers, and a benefit to the town. He remembered when Mr Mundell first started business in Geraldine, aud how lie was determined to bo first with his coaches against all opposition. This chariiptpristio of being first went with Mr Mundell into every part of his business. The he was striving to be, the head

lie had been, and he believed Mr Mundell would be head till the end of the chapter. (Applause). He was reminded of the case of the whale swallowing Jonah, and it applied he thought with reference to Mr Mundell and the Co-operativo Association. Mr Mundell was very capable of looking after himself and ho would not be the least surprised if it happened to be a case of Jonah swallowing the whale. He wished Mr Mundell every success and prosperity in Timaru,and hoped ha would remember the country districts. (Applause). Song, “ Whip and Spur,” Mr Lee. Mr John Allan proposed “The Visitors,” coupled with the names of Mr luglis (Manager Timaru Farmers’ Co-operative Association) and Mr H. Lee. Song, “ Half-past ten o’clock,” Mr Mundell.

Mr luglis was glad that they had secured such a capable man as Mr Mundell. They had got Mr Mundell, and were going to keep him. Very flattering things had been said of him, and from all accounts he was persistent. He had no doubt that Mr Mundell with his persistency 'and pluck would make tilings “ hum ” in Timaru and other districts. He did not believe with previous speakers that the Timaru residents were all such rogues as they depicted them. (Cries of “No, no.”) There were black sheep in every place, and Geraldine, perhaps, was not free from them. (Hear, hear.) Mr Lee also responded briefly. Mr Archibald proposed the toast of “ The Press,” coupled with the names of Messrs J. M. Twomey, Paul, and Fisher. Mr Pinckney proposed “ The Ladies,” coupled with the names of Messrs B. Tripp and Wm. Macdonald.

Mr White proposed the"toast of “ Mrs Mundell ” coupled with the name of Mr Mundell; Mr Mundell proposed the “ Chairman,” and the the latter proposed the “Vice-Chairman” (Mr White). Song, Mr Connolly. Mr Thew proposed the “ Host and Hostess,” and the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ” brought the proceedings to a close. After all had risen from the tables, Mr R. Skinner produced his pipes, and a march was made round the hall, during which Mr Mundell was raised shoulder high by some of his friends and carried in triumph through the crowd.