Complimentary Banquet to Mr James Mackay.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2990, 14 September 1878, Page 2

Complimentary Banquet to Mr James Mackay.

A complimentary banquet was given to 'Mr James Mackny at the Governor Bdwen' last night, on the occasion of his leaving the Thamrs district. Mr L. Ehrenfried, Acting May r, was in the chair, and Mr C. F. Mitchell in the Vice-Chair. On the right of the Chairman was the guest of the evening, Mr, James Mackay. The gathering was oae of the largest of the kind we have seen for years, and embraced representative,men of all shades of political opinion—Native and European. The foJloWiog are the names of those we recognised :—Messrs E. WHollis, G. McVay, A. Hogg, H. Mcll-. honej J. Gibbons,- J4B. Strange, JY-H. Smallnian, C. F. Mitchell, committeemen; Aitken, Comer, Rl Kelly, Bawdon, Mason, Searle, Crippen, Crick, Puckey, Twohill, Goonan/E. Hammond, G. T. Wilkinson, W. Murdock', E. El lizard, E. Cashell, P. .Bennett, F/. Thorp^ P. IS olan, A. G. Thorp, Lavery, S. Hetherington, H. T. Eowe, Owen, Hoani Ngatara, A. J. Alloiri, Spencer, Goldsmith, Ngakapa, Creagb, Brassey, Hopcraft, Cloono j, W. MeGuHdugh, H. JD. Johnson, Hiriwa Te Mpananui, J. Thompson, Eiordan, Landers, E. 0. Morgan, Speight, R. T. Douglas/ H. Driver, S. Stephenson, E. C. Long, J. H. Smallman, F. Strange,, Eeepa, W. Wilkinson, Trainor, J. Bullock, Eey. Mr Tiirippna, W. H. Grace, ! Braithwaite, O. J). Grant, Manning, J. Pearce, .Cpostant, Gerald O'Halloran, Takerei te Putu, Wata Tipa, J Darrow, H. C. Wick, Hohepa Kapene, Heha ApeI rahama, Haora Tareranui, Wini £ere.i, W. S. Greenville, Geoi O'flalloran,. W. Eose, J. E. Dodd. Grace was said by the Rev. W. Turipona^ when an onslaught was made .upon the viands, which were done justice to, after which the Chairman read telegrams from Messrs Eowe and Biodie expressive of regret that they were unable to be present; letters from Captain Faser, Mr fi. Graham, Mr John Butt, Mr L. J. Bagnall add others, of the same tenour.

The Chairman proposed " Her Majesty the Queen,'' and in doing so said they were proud to be ruled over by such a

sovereign. ' ■ . Music—" God Save the Queen." The Vice-chairman proposed "■ H:R.H. the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. 1; • | Music—"For they are jolly 1 Good Fellows," and pianoforte selection. • , The next toast was * " His Excellency the Governor^" ! proposed by 'the Chairman, who,'in' doing so; said the present [Governor was a fine specimen of an 'English gentleman, and he (the Chairiinau) believed they r would soon have another Visit from him.' .- < \ ~N. j The toast was drunk cordially and with musical accompaniment,." Yankee ■Doodle." The Vice- Chairman next proposed " Th£ Hon. the Premier and jbhe members of the Executive Council of New Zealand," in doing which he said he had great ' pleasure. If' he failed to do the toast justice they must excuse him, as he had not been aware of the duty allotted to him till he saw it on the paper. In "considering this toast they had to remember that their premier member was also premier member of' the Government, and also their present circumstances; which were • certainly not looking very bright. When he first knew Sir George Grey, it was'- as - Governor, and things were not' then' <?ray but blue. Some of those who at that time ,were crying Sir George Grey down were now loudest in their hoaannas. He (the speaker) believed that the,. Premier was doing his best for the district, and he could speak as a member of a Vocal body that all representations from this district had been attended to.' If they got their share of the loav-as and fishes they would not have aught to complain of. He would next pass from the Premier to one not lowest in the Ministry, the colonial - born statesman, Mr Sheeban, who was once, a colleague of his ( fhe speaker's). Mr Sheehan wan a native born, and had realised .all that had been expected of him in his early career. (The speaker further referred to other members of the Ministry, passing a high compliment to Mr Macandrew.) . The toast was cordially drr-ik, and a musical selection followed. Mr McCullough proposed the next toast—" Our Representatives in the General Assembly." , He said he had great pleasure in giving the .toast, as he could, from personal experience, testify to the attention and care bestowed *by those gentlemen upon the wants-of the constituency. It was, no doubt, a great compliment to any citizen being elected to a seat in the Legislature, the duties of which were, however, not at all light, and the proper representation of a constituency was * task that required qualifications not possessed by many- of those chosen to that high office.. Fortunately, this community. was riot in that position; our representatives were a credit to any electorate. Sir George Grey waa a representative that any constituency might feel justly proud of, end when, in addition, he also occupied the high position of Premier of the Colony,, our pride in having such a gentleman as a representative could not fail of being increased. Notwithstanding the many duties that the position of Premier imposed upon Sir George Grey, it could not be said that the slightest want of the Thames had been overlooked. (Hear, hear.) The } exhaustive speech of Mr Mitchell when -proposing- the health of the Premier left, very little for, the speaker to add; but then it did not require much from any speaker to point out how very much the Thames had to.thank; Sir George Grey for. He "might add,: however, that it was mainly due to Sir' George Grey that/a railway froni the Thames to the Waikato was in : prospective—a work which would be undertaken by the Government at no very distant date. The Hon. James Macandrew had said; to the speaker that as soon as the sanction of Parliament had* been obtained steps would at once be taken- to proceed ; with the work. (Cheers.) Mr Win. Rowe was also without doubt giving his best attention to the requirements of this district, and in cooperation with Sir George Grey every matter affecting the Thames was being well looked after. Mr-Rowe was giving, and intended giving, the present Government a liberal support, and in return there had not been a request on behalf of this constituency which had bean refused by the Ministry. Sir George Grey had said that anything Mr Eowe suggested for the welfare of this district would receive his best support. (Cheers.) Mr Bowe was well respected in the House, and his remarks upon all question a, especially matters

relating to goldfields, were listened to With respect, and. mi many instances carried great weight. The: support that he obtained from all sides of the House upon his motion.re the Gold Duty amply proved the truth of his (the speaker's) assertions. (Applause.) Having spoken of the representatives elected by this constituency, the speaker requested the permission of the Chairman to, refer to a gentleman who had.elected,himself as a representative for the Thames, and who was a friend without an equal in his desire for the ' welfare of this district. Ho referred to the Hon. John Sheehan. (Applause.) To Mr Sheehan in a great measure the Thames was indebted for the near prospect of having the Waikato railway, for it was lowing to the exertions of Mr Sheehan and jSir George Grey that the line was included by Mr Macandrew in the schedule of those to be constructed by the Government. Mr Macandrew stated to the speaker that, the great importance attached by Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan to the construction, of this line of railway had influenced him in including |it in his Public Works policy, and also the I fact that a private company was prepared to construct the line upon a small guaran- 1 :tee from the Government was an argument in faror of .the probable success of [the undertaking. (Cheers.) .To such an extent was Mr: Sheehan's sympathy for the Thames known, that very few matters affecting this district but were passed through his hands, and his good offices requested in their support. The Thames had, in the opinion of the speaker, every reason to be grateful for the attention that was being given to its requirements, not jonly by our representatives, but by the present Government, every member of ■which was favourably disposed to have ) consideration given to its claims. Mr Ballarice and Mr Stout had each spoken and had taken an interest in its welfare, land Colonel Whitmore, in all, matters; j especially volunteer questions, was one ;6f its greatest -friends. He had on all i occasions spoken in the most flattering |terms of our volunteers, praising their | appearance and soldierly bearing. In !conclusion, the speaker asked a hearty reception for his toast, the' health of jj'Our Representatives in the General ; Assembly." t - • , ; ; ! Musical selection—"Eow, Brothers, !Eow."

The Chairman, called upon the company for bumpers for the next tpast. He said [the honor fell to him to propose a gentle-1 (man's health, whose name would secure a I good reception—Mr James Mackay. j (Immense applause.) He was sorry it, was mot in abler hands, but he would do his ! best, and he was sure they would take | the will for the deed. A few short years | ago, few would : have thought BUch a I gathering as this could have taken place {here, >th» district being in the hands of Natives, and it - was . mainly, jdue to Mr Mackay they could ;so meet. Mr Mackay had been chiefly instrumental in bringing a peaceful state lof things about here, and elsewhere i (cheers), and he had often come almost '. with his life in his hand to smooth over 1 Native' difficulties. The openingl of the ! Thames Goldfield, *as .many of, them | ; remembered with himself, had been the 'salvation of Auckland, and it was due to iMr Mackay that)' the Thames had been opened at the time it was. Wherever his . experienced services had been required, : there had he been, not only here but,,on the West Coast and other places, and his ; exertions had a colonial worth. As B.M. land Warden, Lands Purchase Commissioner,'and in several other capacities he had done good' service, and he therefore must pot sess talents of a high order (cheers), for in most of those positions he had acted with credit to himself arid satisfation to the district: (The Chairman further referred to Mr Mackay's exertions in bringing about the opening of Ohiqomuri and other portions of the goldfield, and then mentioned the undaunted .cquragp displayed,by Mr .Mackay, in: going into the King Country:at the time of SallivaVs murder, and. by so doing .removing the beginning of a great difficulty.)' As a* private citizen and fellow colonist Mr Mackay had been pre-eminently foremost in all charitable undertakings (cheers), and he would in this respect mention the name of Mrs Mackay, who seemed to partake of her husband's disposition in that direction. (Immense applause.) Whether in the matter of the Hospital, Miners' Accident Belief Fund, or in private charities, Mrs Mackay had always, been prominent, and bad rendered service in every public charity, besides doing much in that way which exercises the virtue of charity in an unostentatious manner without letting the left hand know what the right hand doeth. They, all knew as much of Mr Mackay as he (the speaker) did, and although he could enlarge upon the subject he would content himself with presenting the address which had been prepared* as follows:— To James Mackay, Esq.

Sir, —On behalf of jour numerous friends, we desire you will accept this address aa a memento of their sincere regard, and, in acknowledgment of tbe great services you hare rendered to this district. To your untiring energy the Province of Auckland, and indeed the colony at large, are indebted for the opening of the Thames goldfields, which,- occurring at a. period of great commercial depression, materially aided, in conjunction with the large returns of gold, in giving an impetus to trade and commerce and bringing within-the pale of civilisation a then neglected and comparatively unknown part of this colony, ; '_ In your puplic capacities, as Assistant Native Secretary,' Civil Commissioner for the colony of. New Zealand, Judge of, the Native Lands Court, Judge of the, Native Compensation Court,' Resident Magistrate, Warden, and , Government Land Purchase Agent, you discharged the' onerous duties'which devolved • upon you with consummate ability, while as a private gentleman your large-hearted generosity was ever ready to assist the poor and the distressed. , . . , , In these ° laudable efforts you ware ably, seconded by your estimable wife, whose noble and self-denying exertions, on behalf of tbe Hospital, the Ladioi' Benevolent Society, the > Miners' Accident Relief Fund, and other charitable institutions, will bo long and gratefully remembered, not alone by the recipients of her charity and care, but by all to whom her name was as' familiar (is a household, word.

We heartily wish you every success in all your future undertakings, and every happiness .for yourself and family. c' ' ■ : Signed this 13th day of September, 187 S. Louis Ehbenpbied, Chairman. 0. P. .Mitchell Hush Molihone Joßk Gibbons John Butt. E. W. Hollis, Secretary.

Musical selection—" Auld Lang Syne." Mr Mackay (who was received with vociferous applause) said it was with difficulty he found words to respond to the kind manner-his, Mrs Mackay's and family's health had - beeu received. In' spite of bad times he was

pleased to see so ntany old faces round him, some who had assistad him! and many who- had been associated with him in opening the field. He did not expect such an ovation, and was not aware - he had such a number of friends. He did not think they would come out with such force on this occasion of his departure. He would always hate a kindly feeling to the old Thames, and those associated with him, and he would do all in his power to promote the welfare of the district. His connection with the district commenced in 1863 or 1864, when there were a number of natives ill - rebellion going to Taurahga, and he was induced by the . Government to come and persuade them to surrender to the Government. He was appointed to- take charge of the district till 1865. He was then placed in Auckland in charge of tbe native aflVrs. Coming here he was struck with the amount of land, and compared his experiences with y ' remarks he had noticed in. Cook's Voyages. He had taken the trouble to find out where Cook lay, and be found it was somewhere near 'Kauri Point, aMiip river, where in the Jtftish he had cut a tree, and got brought fep near Eahikatea Point. He had enquired, of the Maoris and found but Cook's opinion; and he' found Cook had great reason for saying this was the best place for settlement in the North Island. When he came' Were there was no European settlement, only at Coromandel. ,He had negotiated with Taipari, and obtained permission for some wnom he saw before him to prospect. Gradually they had extended the goldfield,* and in addition "to leaseholds he and other gentlemen had been engaged in acquiring freeholds/, Although; goldmining was now depressed, hehoped 1 and believed that things would improve, and that the' district would not be long dependent upon goldmining alone. He hoped the fine land would be opened ere long. (Cheers.) He ,was going now, and it -was' 'because iOthello's occupation was gone. However, he hoped sometimes to come back' and see his old friends,'and he might also' some day be back to; settle here^as he liked the Thames better than any place in New Zealand but Nelson. (Cheers.) He had assisted at the opening of several goldfields—in Nelson, West. Coast and Thames, and it might be a strange, coinci- . dence if Wellington or Wanganui should turn out in the same way; • (Mr Maokay then returned thanks for the >way) Mrs Mackay's name had been mentioned in connection with the- Hospital, Ladies' Benevolent Society, &c, and said'he Was sure Mrs Mackay would feel'highly gratified at the flattering mention of ;her poor In regard to his services in i opening ■ this field; he might say;, that ihe was not solely deserving • ofj credit. Some of the pioneers were of ■ great value to him and did him good servipe. The natives allotted assisted him because he had.Been Instrumental in preservingthe peace of the district; ; The patives had said: they didn't mind- his buying land, as' it he nad'hotj come they would ,have been fighting, and would have lost their land. (Mr Mackay again returned thanks in feeling terms;and sat down amidst applause.of a most pronounced kind). ' .;/■ ./ Music—"See the, Conquering Hero Comes.*

The Bey. Wiremu Turipona spoke, and was interpreted by Mr Grace. He said: 1 am glad to see you all present.- !W&all came here to say good-bye to Mr Mackay, for he was the main good of ronduetinji matters for .Hauraki. We are now reap-' ing the benefit of what he'has done, «'O'' we.come to say good-bye to the person i who has shown love to the orphan and 1 |the poor. We will.say: Friend, good' !bye, go to Mrs-Mackay/and may God jbless you, and may we meet again hereafter.'] 'Again, A< lay, 1 ;good>bjw ,and may God bless you ' 'and projtect you, and..,may. .you lire long {Under the protection of our Lord and 'Sariour Jesus Christ. , Tinipoaka (interpreted by Mr Grace): I; greet the Europeans, present here. jSalutations for the way you! mature - jthings on behalf, of .the.j Maori people. I jwish to add to Mr Turipbna's 'saying that ;I do not wish to say good-bye to Mr Mackay. I wish him to remain amongst us. I didn't, come here,, to, eat,, but. to 'express my opinions, and that' 'he ,(?Mr Mackay) should not leave Hauraki. < In the past he has managed all. things, and ;by him peace was maintained, and- thit place still retains the name of Hauraki. :For this you see me here tonight. That is all I hare to say. : Hohepa Kapene (interpreted by Mr G.!'• ,T. Wilkinson) said he had great pleasure in being present at that meeting and hear-' ing the good wishes expressed for thfrj, Queen and Eoyal Family, the Governor! and Ministers, and notably Mr Sheehan.; Also our member Mr W. Bowe. He * expressed great feeling'to Mr Mackay, who had conducted matters in Auckland and Hauraki so long, and hoped he might not be allowed to go to Wellington, bat be retained here. ■- , ! Wata Teepa (interpreted by Mr W 4 il* kinson) said : He was pleased to see sucti a hrge meeting here to-night. The reason he attended, was to see if it was not possible to detain Mr Mackay, who had been the bestifriend of his late father: ThfotygbJ Mr Mackay's and his (Teepa's)* late ! father's influence it was that the district now retained the name of Hauraki, or peace. " ' ' . Mr Mackay, in returning thanks (which was done in Maori:and English) said he was pleased to see hjs native, friends present, and to, hear they Were satisfied with his doings., There were other natives who had been well disposed, Te Moananui and some, others j.,who. had assisted him in preserving the peace. He was .glad to» see their sons, were, following in their, footsteps. He was.not going to remain in this*district but would comeback andseo them. He would then be glad to. find, they were living at peace and good:will ; . with Europeans. His last word would be: "Success to the Maoris and Euro-; pearis of Hauraki, and long may they live to help each other and grow up.as onei people." He would give that as a toast. (He paid a high compliment to Mr Puckey, 1 the officer in charge of Native Affairs,' and to Mr Grace, bis successor.) The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. '.

Music—" When Johnny Comes March-; ing Home." '■''■ ■■; \- „-..■ „ • Hiriwa Te Moananui (interpreted by Mr H. D. Johnson) said;: ,1; wish: to Bay a word of the Europeans assembled here i and of Mr Mackay.' Assembled 1 as we; are in one place I will not say to Mr' Mackay, remain here,>but come back and see the people of Haurbjii, I would lay* come back and see Hauraki. j will not say more as it is getting near midnight. This is,air I s say," b^t to express' the pleasure I have of being bore tonight. Mr G. T. Wilkinson replied. He said if he felt it hard to interpret he felt it

much harder so speak for himself. He would, however, return his ; sincere thanks for the manner in which his and other healths had been drunk. ' Mr W. H. Grace also returned thanks. He had been a long resident in the district and was glad to find ho had to como back to forward the interests of Thames. He was rather afraid of the work, and was under obligations to Mr Mackay for the assistance rendered by him, especially in regard to the Moehau case, which had absolutely staggered him. His stay here would be short, perhaps ten'days, but during that time he would do his best to promote the interests of the Thames. Mr A;. J. Ailoin proposed "The Pioneers of the Thames," and said the late-hour warned him that he must be brief. The toast required the wit and h.umor of a Dickens, or thei eloquence of a Beaconsfield. Many old pioneers were present, but some were absent. (The speaker referred to the names of some who had joined the "great majority.") He was sure they held the absent; ones in kind remembrance. There, were others of the " noble digger " class who were yet alive, who were a useful class, who perhaps pat sortie money into the lawyers' hands, and, took it out of theirs. There : were some around him, men like Smallman and Bawdon, who had assisted to open the Tfaymes, and who were prominent in the early days. (The speaker, referred to many other old pioneers, and introduced some humorous allusions.) The toast was drunk with cheers. Mr J. H. Smallman returned thanks; and expressed the pleasure he -felt at being present to do honor to Mr Mackay. Mr G. F. Mitchell said he should be short. He would like to say something of early days, but it would, be too long. (No! No 1) Their old friend was going away,,but,, thank goodness,, not,to "that bourne whence no traveller returns." Some old pioneers had been neglected,'and he could mention more than one. Captain Butt, was one not here^ He had been in town to see a son off for England, which; was the only reason for his not beipg-pre-sent, as he was sure no one would have been"" better pleased to have been here. (Mr Mitchell further referred briefly to early reminiscences of the Thames in a pleasing manner, paying a deserved compliment Mr Mackay and other pioneers.) He said, in conclusion, that he hoped'a new era of prosperity was coming—that they would have not only golden coin, but golden corn; that there would be a revival of prosperity and a general extension of the present and other great industries. (Cheers.) Mr J. Gibbons, in a humorous speech, proposed " The Mining, Commercial, and Agricultural Interests," in the course of which he referred to the great advantages which the district possessed, and the inducements ■ likely to bo open to prosecute these industries, paying a compliment te Mr Mackay for his assistance and foresight in encouraging and assisting these enterprises. The toast was drunk with the utmost cordiality, and responded to by Mr It. Comer and Mr P. Nolan for the mining interests; Mr Strange for the agricultural interest.

The toasts of "The Ladies" and "The Press" were proposed and responded to, and Mr James Mackay proposed the health of tjhe Chairman in complimentary terms* which was honored with, enthuiiastic cheers and musical honors, and re»ponded to'byMrEhrehfried. The Ghairman proposed the health of " ELosi and Hostess. Symington,'' which was duly honored, and shortly after the assemblage dispersed, after spending a inoiit agreeable evening./