DINNER TO EMPLOYEES OF THE BRIGHT SMILE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 14, 23 October 1871, Page 3

DINNER TO EMPLOYEES OF THE BRIGHT SMILE.

A DINNER was given on Saturday evening last, at the Wharf Hotel, by Mr. It. Kennan, to the employees engaged in the Bright Smile mine, in celebration of bis marriage to Miss Whitford (which took place last Thursday). Mrs. Coyle provided a most substantial and recherche dinner for the guests—and, it is needless to add, with champagne ad libitum, rvas done ample justice to. On the removal of the cloth, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts being drunk, The Chairman (Mr. Binney, the mining manager,) in proposing “ the toast of the evening,” said : I rise with very great pleasure to give the health of Mr. and Mrs. Kennan. We are assembled here this evening to' wish them long life and happiness, and I am sure, if a splendid dinner and a pleasant evening will contribute to it, then they will b» happy all their lives. I am not much of a speaker, but, I think, were I to continue for an hour, I could say no more than that we wish them all the prosperity it may please God to bestow on them. The toast was drank in a most enthusiastic manner. Mr. Whitford responded. Mr H. Adams proposed the health of Mr Binney, the mining manager of the company. Since Mr Binney had undertaken the management of the mine, he (Mr Adams) was sure it could not have been worked to greater advantage, and from the unanimity which prevailed amongst all employed on the claim, and the returns of gold which were obtained, no better proof could be given of its success under his directions. (Cheers.) Mr Binney, in responding, said: You are all aware, gentlemen, that I am no orator, and therefore might as well sit down (cries of No, no), but I will do my best. I feel proud this evening to think that the toast of my health should have been so cordially received, Ibis genial feeling coming so heartily, as it does from you, is the best encouragement I can have to continue to work hand-in-hand with you. You have my best wishes ; and I trust I may long continue to manage such a sterling lot of men. Mr P. Connor proposed the next toast, “ The health of Mr Whitford.” This was

most suitably acknowledged, Mr Whitford assuring them that he should only be too pleased to follow Mr Kennan’s example when he got a chance. It was from no lack of courage on his part, but merely, lie supposed, the fastidiousness of the fair sex which still kept him a single man. (Cheers and laughter.) The Chairman proposed “Health and prosperity of all the working men in the Bright Smile.” He trusted that they would all be prosperous in life, and that for many many years they might be united as fellow-workmen, and labour together as brothers. Mr. H. Pitt replied on behalf of the men. He sincerely trusted the Chairman’s wish might he carried out, and that they should always act in such a manner as to do credit to themselves and justice to the owners and shareholders in the Bright Smile. Mr. Whitford proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Coyle, the host and hostess, for the sumptuous dinner they had provided. Dr. Nicols, who was visibly affected, responded on behalf of Mrs Coyle, and said : Gentlemen, I feel proud ; yes, I may say I feel too proud, under these circumstances, to think that I should he called upon to reply to this toast. I little thought when I entered this room that I should he the one selected to represent Mrs Coyle. I can assure you that all the remarks made by my friend on my left (Mr Whitford) were words of truth. I can only thank you, gentlemen, from the bottom of my heart for this spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm, in substituting me as a fitting representative of Mrs Coyle. The speech-making being over, the remainder of the evening was spent in the most convivial manner.