Complimentary Banquet to Mr Sub-Inspector Bullen.
A complimentary dinner was given to E. Bullen, Esq., last night by the Thames citizens at the Governor Bowen Hotel, at which nearly one hundred gentlemen were present. . Host Symington had provided an excellent spread, which was done full justice to. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, supported on his right by the guest of the evening (Mr Bullen) and Colonel Fraser, and on the left by Major Murray. Amongst others present were;—Mr Brodie, County Chairman who occupied the vice-chair, Mr Bowe, M.H.R., Mr A. J. Allbm. Mining Registrar, Capt. Wildman, Messrs L. Ehrenfried, R. Comer, J. H. Smith, G. Price. J. Brown, C. F. Quint, Lowe, Gellion, Buttle, Hennelly, Walker, J. Frater. Wood, Wilkinson, Hayman, Kennan, F. W. Paul, R. McDonald Scott, Best, Stoney, F. j. Burgess, E. W. Hollis, J. Osborne, McLaren, W. McCullpugh, Gibbons, Skene, T. Garrett, Wardell, J. Williams, Pickett, O. D. Grant, Hansen, D. H. Bayldon, Craig, Cloonan, Brassey, Cameron, H. T. Rowe, Brownlow, McVey, J. Watson, J. H. White, H. E.Jones, Aitken, Turtle, Hargreaves, Carrick, J. E. Dodd, J. Hopcraft, Burton,-Vaughan, Mcllhone, Manning, Pearce, Twohill, Mclntyre, Mahoney, Murdoch, J. K. Smith, Crawford, Young. After the cloth had been removed the Chairman stated that apologies had .been received from Mr John Bull, Mr John Wilson, and Dr. M. H. Payne. The Chairman then called upon the company to drink the health of" Her Majesty the Queen," which was most loyally received and drunk with cheers. The Chairman proposed, in further token of their loyalty to the reigning family of Great Britain, " H.R.H., the Prince of Wale's, and the rest of t"he Royal Family." t Drunk with cheers. .:..-,. ' The Vice-Chairman, Mr Alexander Brodie, County Chairman proposed the next toast, that of "The Governor," which was as usual cordially received. Mr G. .N. Brassey proposed " The Army, Navy and Volunteers." Colonel Fraser returned thanks for the toast, as also did Major Murray and Captain Wildman. • Mr Brown proposed "The Legislature of .New Zealand." He wished that some notice had been given to him of such a toast so that some preparation might have been made. If c believed the Legislature of the Colony would compare favorably with any in the world, and they might feel proud that the gentleman leading that Legislature was a representative ot this district, for he was equal to any statesman in the world. He believed and hoped that the Legislature or Government would give this district its due, and he also hoped that they would give the guest of that evening (Mr Bullen) the promotion he deserved. (Applause). He would couple the toast with the name of Mr Wm. "Rowe, our ether member, who had done his utmost in Parliament to advance the interests of this district, and more especially during the last session had he given satisfaction to his constituents. The toast was drunk with cheers.
Mr Eowe had few words to say in response to the toast, but he could say he believed the Legislature of New Zealand for talent, honesty of purpose, and a sincere desire to promote the good of the country, could not be excelled. He had had an opportunity during the last three years of making himself acquainted with members of the Legislature, and could therefore speak with authority to the toast. Some .communities thought they were not considered 1, or their interests looked after, but he was sure that the predominant wish of the Legislature was to conserve the interests of the whole Colony. The present Ministry were most anxious to promote the welfare of this district, and he hoped they would have the greatest support from the Thames. For himself, as long as he had a seat in Parliament, it would be his study to do all he could for the place. The Chairman said the next toast he had to propose was that.of the guest of the evening, Mr Bullen. The expressions of good will he had heard in that room, and the presence of such a large number of gentlemen assured him that Mr Bullen must be deserving of the honor. (Applause). He regretted that of late there had been several false charges made against the police, but that was not the time to refer to the. a. Life was made up of meetings and partings, and he regretted to say that the circumstances of the district of late had necessitated a great many partings. The present parting they would not so much regret if they were assured it would lead to Mr Bullen's advancement, and* they would cordially wish him God-speed: (Applause.) It was no easy matter for a gentlemen in the position of Mr Bullen to please all parties. There was a certain class he was called upon to punish. With them he would not be popular, although he only did his duty and had no personal feeling in the matter, but the general conviction was that Mr ' Bullen had always been actuated by a thorough sense of justice and impartiality. When Mr Bullen came here some nine years ago the place had a reputation for being somewhat disorderly; the perfect quiet they had enjoyed during Mr Bullen's residence here he need not enlarge upon, He would called upon them to drink Mr Bullen's health, and wish him God-speed and good luck. (Applause). The toast was'drunk with cheer 3, again and again renewed. Mr Bullen, on rising to return thanks, was received with cheers, continued for several seconds. On quiet being restored he said that since he had been in the room he had several times asked himself what he had done to merit such a demonstration as that. (A voice : Everything.) He was not aware of having done anything but his duty, which he had certainly performed to the best of his abilityy and while he might concede that others would have done bettor, he would yield to none in honesty of purpose. (Cheers.) It was not often than a Police Officer could be a genial, popular man; he should be better pleased if in doing his duty he earned their respect rather than court popularity. He had endeavored to do this, and he could say after nine years', residence here he did not know of one person inimical to him, certainly he was not to any one. He had been the first officer sent here to introduce the new police system, and some,who had held different views as to the control of the police did not at first render him very cordial assistance. He was pleased to see some of those around
the Thames had very little trouble, for no community of the size could be more liiw abiding. For the suppression of crime, however, they had more to thank His Worship the Resident Magistrate on his (the speaker's) right, who by determination had done much to put down" vice and crime. No case had been brought before him in which he bad not shown a disposition to assist the police in carrying out their duties, and he (Mr Bullen) had to thank Colonel Fraser tor his assistance and advice in times of diffi culty or doubt. He had endeavored to do his duty firmly,' but in the least offensive manner, and in this he had always received the greatest consideration from their large hearted Resident Magistrate. He would advise them to stick to him, as they couldn't get a better. He hoped he might be fortunate enough to meet with as good wherever he might be placed. .(A voice : "You couldn't.) He would alto like to thank the local magistracy composing the Bench here for their kindness and urbanity at all times, and the local bodies for the assistance they had afforded to him in carrying out his duties. He also wished to thank the Press, from the members of which he had always received fairplay, which was all he asked. Generally he thanked them for the gathering that night, which was more than he deserved. (Cries: No.) Well, in spite of their cries of " no," he thought so. He had done his duty, and they were pleased with him. He would thank them for their kindness, and he could assure them he would never forget that day. (The speaker sat down amidst most enthusiastic applause.) Capt. E. T. Wildman proposed the next toast, " The Local Governing Bodies," in doing which he referred to the energy displayed by fhe local bodies (Borough and County) in making roads, and the Harbor Board in improving the harbor. The latter were, perhaps, in the chicken stage, and it was to be regretted that want of money prevented them from .doing these things 6n a more extensive scale. 'He Would ask them to couple with the toast the names of the , Chairman (Dr Jtilgour), the County Chairman, and Mr Gibbons of the Harbor Board.
The toast was drunk with great applause. , '";■'■ The Chairman (who was received with applause) returned thanks for the Borough. He regretted that one impeachmiMti against that body was only too true. They were in an impecunious state,.but owing to the good offices of a friend near him on Lis left [Major Murray, B.N.Z ] they were able to'carry on. He hoped that gentleman would continue to be a friend .when he (the speaker) was gone, and if so he had no fear for the future.'
The County Chairman (received with hearty cheers) considered he had been got there under false pretences. He was gratified, however, to be present that evening, but he had not expected to be called upon for a speech. He had hoped that matters referred to that night would have been considerably forwarded by a visit from Messrs Conyers, and Lawson, but those gentlemen had gone 'South without coming here, and they must look .forward to the visit of the Minister of Public Works, who was soon to be here. Wifrh regard to "His Worship the Mayor in the chair, he would only refer to him in the words of the old song "Tom Bowling : "■ ; ...
" He did bis duty here below But now he's gone aloft." In regard to Mr Sullen, they were sensible that the Government were remiss in not acknowledging his claims to promotion. Representations had been made in this direction, and all that eou'd possibly be done, and they hoped it would be successful in inducing the Government to do Mr Bullen justice. ;'• :■■/■■■; . . ; , Mr John" Gibbons,for 'the Harbor Board, rose to return thanks,, and was cordially received. In a humorous speech he said they had been referred, to as chickens. They we're perhaps chickens amongst the hawks, but when they worked into favor with that great incubating establishment at the corner they might fly as high as any of them. He thanked them for the toast. :.
Colonel Fraser proposed '{ The Mining Interest." He said the mining industry was the principal source of wealth at present, but it might very soon be supplemented by the railway and. the agricultural industry. He had seen places in Victoria—mining districts—at a much lower ebb than the Thames ever was, and .they had recovered. They must persevere with the mining, go down lower. Theirs should be a sink to '• rise policy, and ultimately the place would recover itself. (I he speaker referred to his experiences of mining fluctuations at Sandhurst and other places,, and gave the toast, which was well received.) , , Mr Comer returned thanks. He thoroughly approved of what Colonel Fraser had said. They had seen worse times, and they might yet see better than were ever known. The hills concealed more treasures than were ever developed^ but it required time to discover them, and mining ventures now had to be conducted with a strict regard to economy. Mr Wm. Eowe had very tew words to say to the toast. They all knew that lately their efforts had not been successful, but still they had the pluck to proceed, and spirit enough, he believed, to spend their last shilling. The mining industry very much depended upon those engaged iv developing it. Mr J. W. Walker said it was with feelings of gratification he had listened to the remarks of, Colonel Fraser, and his sanguine ideas regarding mining. It was a well known saying that "the darkest hour's before the dawn." He hoped it was so in the case of the Thames. .His company was in that position that if they couldn't command success they deserved it. They werer going in to " make a spoon or spoil a horn." (The speaker then announced that he had to propose the toast of " The Ladies,'' which he did in a few appropriate remarks.) > . The toast was received with the usual favor, and Messrs ii. McDonald Scott, D. Cloonan, W. Carrick, D. R. Gellion, and W. A. Buttle were sererally called upon to respond, which they did in bashful terms, as became bachelors.
Mr Ehrenfried rose to propose the next toast. He said in Auckland that morning he had been accosted by a telegraph boy, and found a message urging him to be present that night. He was glad lie was able to do so and testify to the worth of the departing guest, Mr Eullen, who had won their respept by the faithful discharge of hit duties. He took the opportunity of baring to. propose a toast to say this much, and he would give them "The Press." Drunk with, applause, and responded to by representatives present. The Ceunty Chairman -said there was
like to propose. It was that of " The health of, His Worship th« Mayoi 1" coupled with that of Mrs Kilgour, and he was sure they would drink it most cordially. He had had opportunities of seeing the 'Chairman's efforts for the good, of the place, and he might say that he had' cordially and ably cooperate ! with him in getting for the Thames some measure of justice. ' The toast was drunk most heartily. The Chairman said it was most gratifying and unexpected the way his health and Mrs Kilgour's had been received. The proposer and he had been acquainted for a number of years, and with regard to the remarks made by Mr Brodie he could say that in all that he had done he had kept the interest of the place paramount. It was impossible for any public man to gain universal esteem. His ideas may. have differed from those of others around him, but the proposer had had opportunities of seeing that he had been working for the district. He reciprocated Mr Brodie's sentiments. In the future as in the past he would endeavor to promote the good of the district.
Mr Brassey proposel "The Newlyelected Mayor," and expressed the hope that all animosities would be buried and all parties w< uld work well together. Mr McCullough, who was received with cheers, said all would be prepared to believe him when he said that being called upon to reply to the toast of his health was a duty he never expected to have been required of him. He doubted very much if the introductiou of 9iich a toast was advisable upon such an occasion ■as the present, but his health being proposed he would briefly reply to. it. He was extremely pleased to have had the opportunity of being present at such a gathering, and for such a laudable purpose, that of showing the esteem and respect in which the community held Mr SubInspector Bullen. (Cheers.) He had always felt the greatest respect for Mr Bullen, from the conviction that in carrying out his duties he was actuated solely by the desire to have justice done. (Applause). With reference to Mr Brassey's remarks touching the election for, the Mayoralty he could assure all who were opposed, to him that he had faithfully carried out his determination mentioned at the ' commencement of the contest to avoid in every way anything that could be thought to lead to unpleasantness or to stir up angry feeling. If any such had arisen, during the contest he wished them burried at this night's gathering. (Applause). He was gratified at finding that his friend Mr Brodie had been re-elected to the office of County Chairman, as he knew that gentleman had always evinced a sincere desire to forward Borough .interests as well as his more immediate concerns, County matters. (Cheers, hear hear). When he, the speaker, bad the privilege of entering upon his: dutieaf.he could assure them it would-be with the determination to do his very best for the interests of the Thames Municipality and district. (Cheers.) ' J I j
The VHost and Hostess," "the Stewards of the Banquet, 7' were then proposed, and responded to by Mir Symington as host, and Mr John Osborne and Mr F. W.. Paul as stewards —to whom a deserved compliment was paid for their exertions to make (he affair a success.
Mr John Brown proposed " the 'health of Colonel Fraser" in complimentary terms, and the proceedings terminated with singing " Auld Lang Syne." -.-. ■■ ;■{ j
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Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3055, 29 November 1878, Page 2
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2,838Complimentary Banquet to Mr Sub-Inspector Bullen. Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3055, 29 November 1878, Page 2
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