Complimentary Banquet to Mr Joan Brown.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3892, 20 June 1881, Page 2

Complimentary Banquet to Mr Joan Brown.

About 70 gentlemen assembled at tbe Governor Bowen Hotel on Saturday night to attend a banquet given in honor of Mr John Brown, who is leaving this district and taking up his residence in Auckland. The repast was provided by Host Symington in his usual style. The Chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor, and the Vice-chair by the County Chairman, Mr Brodie. The gathering was a most representative one, gentlemen connected with all the various industries of the township being present, as well as fire gentlemen from the Waikato, members of the Cavalry Corps'there. Justice having been done to the good things provided, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, " The Queen " and " The Prince of Wales, and the rest of Royal Family," which were duly honored. The Vice Chairman then gave "His Excellency, the Governor," which was also loyally received. The ■.*'■ Army, Navy, and Volunteers " wasthen piraposed by Mr W. McCullough, who »«id such a toast hardly required any remarks from him to ensure it* being well received. Love of country was deeply implanted in the breast of every Englishman, and they were all proud of toe various forces that helped so much to maintain the credit and power of the Empire. Unfortunately in one part of the Empire at present tbe Army was not looked upon with much favor, out he trusted that was only temporary. That day Wais the anniversary of one of the greatest victories ever won by British valor—Waterloo-^-which had ensured the peace of Europe and assisted in the onward march of civilisation. The British Army, if not the largest, was the bravest, and the Navy certainly was the largest and most complete in the world, and he doubted not that the Volunteers would be ready to answer to the call should duty summon them. He concluded by proposing the toast. The Vice Chairman responded on behalf of the Army.?.. =...■. --.■•,■' In responding for the Volunteers Major Murray thanked them most cordially tor the manner in which the toast had been received. The battle of Waterloo having been alluded to, he would say that history had proved (he Eeriinsular Vv>r to have been a great mistake, and it was also the general opinion that the Crimean War was also a great mistake. Nevertheless the army had always done its duty bravely and would doubtless do so again should its services be required. The Volunteers in New Zealand had done active service more than once, showing that they were ready for duty when their ■ country required them. He then called on Mr Ehrenfried, as a descendant of those who took' rio small part iv the victory at Waterloo^ rto.say a few words. Mr Ehrenfried felt it an honor to respond to the toast. 'It was a glorious victory and tended to further strengthen the good feeling that bad existed between the two countries. ::■■.' Mr Greenville responded oh behalf of the Navy. : ; Before giving the next toast, the Chairman apologised for the absence of Dr Kilgour, and Meßsrs Carpenter and Perry who were unable to attend. -He then proposed the toast of the evening, "The Health of their Guest, Mr Brown" He said it was a source of pleasure mingled with pain to attend a gathering of this kind. The people of the Thames were never backward in recognising the good services rendered by any of her citizens, and that was fully borne but by the large and influential gathering assembled in that room that night. The speaker recapitulated the services rendered by Mr Brown since the opeuing of the field to the present time, and his connection with i the governing bodies in all of which he had been a most useful member. He concluded by wishing long' life and prosperity to Mr and Mrs Brown and ! family in their new home. The toast was then drunk most enthusiastically with musical honors and with one cheer more for Mrs Brown.

Mr Brown, ia rising to respond met with a most hearty reception. He said he had never been placed by his i'rieDds in such an embarrassing position before. He certainly did not expect such a tarn out on such an evening, especially on such a short notice. He knew that, he had a good many friends at the Thames, but considering that they all knew that he was not leaving the 1 hames for good, he did not expect such a gathering. He was about to make his home in Auckland, but still he would have large interests here, and be largely interested in. ithe welfare of the place. He did not attribute the gathering to any merit on his part, but only to that kindly feeling which had always existed at the Thames. His reason for leafing here was that things were under a cloud, and there was not sufficient scope or business sufficient to engage the whole of bis time, besides his business here could be as well looked after by his brother as if he were present. The Thames was a comparatively small place, and in the race for wealth they may have jostled each other a little, but he could say that he had met witli unvarying , kindness trom all parties, and he did not think lie would leave an enemy behind, -but left with the good wishes of all. He had spent 14 years of his life on the 'Thames, and that was the happiest portion of it, and it was with feelings of sincere regret that he was about to leave. He then contrasted the condition of the township in 1868 with what it was at the present time, and complimented Mr Rawdon, one of the oldest pioneers of the goldfield, on his success in streets aud pathways. In conclusion, he thanked them heartily for the honor they had done him that evening; also for their kindly reference to Mrs Brown and family. The next toast fell to the lot of Mr Ehrenfried, who proposed "The Local Governing Bodies '' —Thames Borough Council, County Council, and Harbour Board. He said the gentlemen who drew up the programme, appeared to think he ■ should have enough to speak about, for upon any one of his toasts, any ordinary individual could dilate at length.' He, however, was very pleased to have the toast; to propose, for he could speak in flattering terms of all the local bodies. They had done well for the place, not so well however, as they would like to have done, or that they would have done, had they more money at their disposal. The old residents of the Thames would easily remember what the position was a few years ago, when a road of about a mile in Ungth was the only tiling the

Municipality could boast of, whil now within the Municipalty there were good roads and asphalted pathways. In the County money had been largely expended upon roads to open up the County, and in a few months it would be possible to drive a buggy from the Thames to Hamilton, fie considered the County deserved credit for the manner in which its operations had been carried out. As to the Harbor Board, it had not done done as muoh as it would have liked, but it was not for want of the will, but it was the shortness of cash. Their friend Mr Murray could tell very easily why the Harbor Board had not done more. (Laughter.) He might, however, remark that during the time Mr Brown held the position of Chairman of the Board great strides had been made by that body to to get out of. debt, and thanks to the exertions of Mr Brown the Bank had rendered valuable assistance in that direction. He could say a good deal more upon the subjects placed in his hands but felt sure that all would agree with him that the local bodies of the Thames had deserved well of the community. The toast was responded to briefly by his Worship the Mayor, the County Chairman, the Chairman of the Harbor Board, Crs Porter, Greenville, Thorburn, and Coutts.

" The Mining and Agricultural Interest" was proposed by Mr Scott, who said although an authority on mining matters, he could net take the same credit for a knowledge of agricultural affairs. He would like Mr R. N. ■Smith to propose the latter part of the toast. Mr J. W. Walker responded for the miuing, and Messrs Comer and Smith for the agricultural interests. Mr Wright gave a capital song, *' Hot Asphalt,", which created some amusement. Mr John Brown proposed " Success to the Thames." He had pleasure in giving such a toast, for he was not like some people, he, believed in the future of the Thames. He at considerable length, spoke upon the advisability of a large company being formed to prospect the low levels, and. for that purpose to introduce English capital. If Mr Russell and such like gentlemen took the matter in hand he felt B\we it would be successfully carried out... „ The following toasts were also on. the programme:—r''?our Local Industries," proposed by Mr Bagnall; " Our Visitors," by Mr Prater;' "The Ladies," by Mr Gellion; "The Press," "The Host and Hostess," "The President, Treasurer, and Secretary 6t the Banquet Committee," 41 The Chairman/ and " The Vice Chairman." " Auld Lang Syne " brought the proceedings to a close.