COROMANDEL.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3061, 6 December 1878, Page 3

COROMANDEL.

(from otjb own cobrespondent.)

December sth. Complimentary Dinner to Colonol Ftassr. ' A complimentary dinner to Colonel Fraser was given last night at the Bridge Hotel. J. A. Cadman, Esq., Chairman of County Council, occupied the chair, having Colonel Fraser on his right and Major Keddell on his left; Dr. Hovell occupied the vice-chair. Most of the prominent citizens were present. After ample justice had been done to the good things placed before them by Host Furey, the Chairman rose and proposed, "The health of the Queen and the Koyal Family," which was drunk with the usual honors. The Chairman then proposed, '• Our Guest, Colonel Fraser, and Mrs l.'raaer," and in doing so said had been deputed to congratulate Colonel Fraser on his appointment to the rank he now held. Colonel Fraser had lived in this community for a considerable time, and they all knew how he had endeared himself to the people generally, who greatly felt his loss when he was removed from among them. It was this feeling to do honor to a man whom they all esteemed that had brought the present gathering together, and he (the chairman) was glad to see around him so many friends upon the occasion of their presenting through him a purse of sovereigns for the purpose of purchasing a sword as a slight memento of their regard for Colonel • Fraser. In making a presentation of this kind it afforded him the highest satisfaction, as he had known Colonel Fraser for many years, and he most cordially endorsed the action of the Coromandel people in inviting Colonel Fraser to be their guest that night. (Laud applause.) • Col. Fraser on rising said that he had not the slightest idea when he came to Coromandel that he would have been • honored in the manner he was that night. (He then in forcible and ■eloquent terms referred to his past connection with the place and people, and was glad once more to be in their midst.) It was these social gatherings that drew people together and enabled them to fraternize.. He regretted that the goldfield's prospects were not so flourishing as wheu he left, but looked hopefully forward to the time when both Coromandel and the Thames would again flourish. It only wanted a little time and perseverance, and he would yet have the satisfaction of congratulating them upon their improved prospects. On behalf of Mrs Fraser and himself he most cordially- thanked them for the manner in which they had responded to the toast of Mrs Fraser and himself, nor should he ever forget the kind manner in which he had been received that evening.

The " Army, Navy, and Colonial Farces" was next proposed, ;and responded to in warm terms by Major Keddell for the army, Mr Whisker for the navy, and Mr Gatland for the colonial forces.

" The Mining Interest" was proposed by Mr Geo. McLeod in a very practical speech. Their worthy guest, .Colonel Fraser, had referred to depression at pre* sent, hut he being a resident in the place, probably knew more about the mines than most persons; and he could assure them— from telegrams lie held in his pocketthat Coromandel was on the eve of obtaining more gold ttian ever. He then briefly reverted to the specimens being now got in the Koyal Oak, the Argyle, the Kapanga, and anticipated that the New Golden Pah and Premier Companies would, when they were in full work, leave their mark upon the place. A number of other mines were also getting gold, and he had that day waited, in company with other gentlemen, upon the Under Secretary of the Goldfields with reference to £10,000, partially promised by Sir George Grey, for . prospecting the district. He anticipated getting this money, and thoroughly developing the resources of the field. Coromandel had never had a fair show yet. While the Thames was getting £50,000 in assisting the United Pumping Association, Coromandel was getting nothing. He (the speaker) had therefore endeavored to obtain £10.000 as a portion of what was due to the district, and he had no doubt of obtaining the money. Mr Gatland responded on behalf of the mining interest; and, as Inspector of Mines, he thoroughly endorsed every word that had' fallen from Mr McLeod, who certainly was in a position to give them every information upon the subject, he, probably, being the largest shareholder in the mines in the district. Dr. Hovell then proposed " Major and Mrs Keddell," and did justice (in a splendid speech) to the many good qualities possessed by the Major jffftfl his good lady for gaining the ■es'ekm of all. Since the removal of Col. Fraser, Major Keddell had been Warden and R.M., and, perhaps, if the Government bad had a man made for them, they could not have got one more suitable for th« position. He, therefore, had very great pleasure in proposing the toast. Major Keddell, upon rising, was greeted with loud applause. He referred to the rery handsome manner in which his health had beef! drunk, and in an exhaustive speech, touching upon his administration here, showed that he was always seconded by the public, because, in all probability, they believed he was right. Be that as it might, however, public opinion was seldom wrong, and, judging from the warm and kind manner m which his health had been proposed and responded to, he thought that it was an indication that he had not failed in his duty. He also thanked them for the kindly manner his wife's health had been coupled with his °*°The Ladies." was proposed by Mr Gatland in his usual felicitous manner, and responded to by Mr McLeod, in a humorous speech. ■ " The Press," proposed by Mr Fenton, was responded to by Mr Steele. Colonel Fraser proposed the health ot the Chairman in eulogistic terms, and complimented him and the people ot .Coromandel on having such an active Chairman of the County Council; a gentleman who had astonished them all at Wellington when at the conference by his knowledge of the wants of the district, and by his large, liberal minded views. , The Chairman of the Thames County Council was referred to in a manner most complimentary. Tbe Chairman, in a few well-chosen words, briefly responded. The "Host and Hostess " was proposed jby the Chairman, and acknowledged by Mr

Furey in grateful terms. In passing he would say that he rcrl • nlj ko(: into his new house to-day, Ikmk-' 1 it was flint everything waß not so rsi i.is= factory to his "mind as he could wish ; hiioi her thing, nil' had been very hurried Fie hoped, however, in the future—if they 'did him the favour of patronising; him—to do justice to them and himself. He thanked them most cordially for the way in which his health and that of Mrs Furey had been responded to. (On account of pressure of business Mr WakefieJd was unable to be present, and the Chairman said he deeply regretted this as he should have had much pleasure in meeting him before such a social gathering.) •