DINNER TO MR. A. J. BURNS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 357, 20 May 1874, Page 3

DINNER TO MR. A. J. BURNS.

On Friday night a complimentary dinner was given to Mr. Arthur J. Burns on the occasion of his leaving Otago on a visit to the Home country. His Honor the Superintendent presided, supported by the guest of the evening, and Messrs. W. H. Reynolds, M.U.R., Turnbull and Hazlett, M.P.C.s, on the right, and Dr. Stuart, Messrs. Webster and Lumsden, M.P.C.s, on the left. His Worship the Mayor of Dunedin and Mr. M'Dermid, M.P.C., acted as vice-cha'nnen. Covers were laid for about 60 gentlemen, and a most sumptuous repast was provided by Host Hetherington, the viands and wines being of of the best quality. Ample justice having boon done to the good things, the cloth was removed, aud the formal business of the evening commenced.

In proposing the toast of the evening, the health of the guest, His Honoe said he saw around him a number of gentlemen who had known Mr. Burns since he had arrived in the colony. He him B«lf had had the pleasure of his acquaintanceship for nearly half a century, and amongst all those who had taken part in the early affairs of the province there were probably none who had borne a greater share in the heat and burden than Mr. Burns. (Applause.) He had been a large employer of labour, and he could well recollect that no man had shown the dignity of labour to greater advantage than Mr. Burns. He could handle the grub axe to good advantage. To Mr. Burns, in a great measure, belonged the credit of initiating the eight-hours movement. He had been their first armor on an extensive scale. He was the first to establish a fiour mill ; and, if not the first, at all events he was second to introduce a steam threshingmachine. His last achievement, however, was one of the greatest importance yet — the Mo^giel Woollen Facto'-y. In this he had shown an example worthy of imitation by his neighbours. He (Mr. Burns) had also taken his part in moulding the institutions of the country. He (Mr. Mncandrew) had been connected with him in Road Boards, Provincial Co uu oils, Executive Governments, and in the Colonial Parliament, and he had always found Mr. Burns on the right side — that was, he had always ranged on the side of progress. (Loud applause.) He had been of great service to Otago: at the same time he had been of great service to himself. (Laughter.) He could ouly wish that they had amongst them more men possessed of the same faculty. (Applause.) It was no doubt to be regretted that, the severe mental wear and tear to which he had been subjected had had such an effect on his health as to render repose, for a lime at least, in the land of his birth necessary. He trusted, however, that lie would scon be in a position to return hale aud heavLy, to take his place amongst thorn onco aga.''-;. (Applause.) Otago could ill afford to spare such men as he was. In the mother country ho had no doubt but that he would bo of service to them in inducing men of the right slamp lo come out to New Zealand. Ho would make an excellent immigration agent, ho had no doubt. No man know better the requirements of the place ; at all events he (Mr. Macandrew) was quite sure that if he did not send tho right article he would not send any article at all. (Laughter.) ' He would take this opportunity of travelling a little out of the direct course, and give his humble opinion respecting the class of immigrants they wore getting. (Hear, hear, and applause.) They would be much better without immigrants at all ihan the class they were getting — (hear, hear, and applause) — much better to depend upon their own resources.

Mr. Burns, who was received with applause, said he was sure every one present would believe him when he stated that he was much gratified at the enthusiasm manifested on the present occasion. He was much more pleased with the meeting than he could find words to express. He saw around him the representatives of every interest in the province : indeed he could not do otherwise than look upon it as a representative meeting. (Applause.) It had, he understood, been projected by the Provincial and City Councils, two of the greatest representative institutions they had in the province. Viewed in that light he could not only regard it as an honour, but as one of the highest honours that could be bestowed on any man. They had been told that, as a resident of Obigo, he had done good for himself, and, while admitting the fact, he could say that there was abundant opportunity for others to go and do likewise. Our representative bodies had never been backward in doing their best endeavours to assist those who were desirous to assist in the progress and development of the colony. His Honor had referred to olden times. Referring back to those bygone days, he could say that no one ever thought Otago would make the progress it had done. He recollected the harbour of Dunedin, of which they Avere all so very proud, when it was clothed on evevy side with dense bush, and when it was almost impossible to travel as far as the Taieri Plains for want of roads and bridges. Now they had not only roads, but they had the iron horse to assist their enterprise and energy. Many years ago their Chairman and one or two others present fought hard to initiate the railway system. The idea he then entertained was that the proposal was a right one, and he had had no reason to change that opinion. It would have been much better for them if they had carried out that.idea. The thousands of pounds spent on metal roads would have been much more profitably spent on railways. (Applause.) It was no use, however, indulging in idle regrets as to what might have been done ; they had to look forward to the future, and they could now do so hopefully. Referring to the Mosgiel Woollen Factoxy, the speaker continued to say that he looked upon its establishment as the one great achievement of his life. (Applause.) He would tell them a secret, one which he had never told before, in connection with the establishment of that undertaking. Many gentlemen present would no doubt recollect the session of Provincial Council of the year 1869. He was turned out of office at that time, and had, moreover, the whole burden of the newspaper press down upon him. He got out of the difficulty, however, without a libel case. (Laughter and applause.) Shortly after that event took place he left the province for the Homi coantry, determiued not to return unless he couui prove that the grounds he had taken up were sound aud his expulsion wrong. He was resolved to institute some new industry, and makG it an established success, even although he should expend every shilling he had, and he looked upon their presence there that night as so much testimony borne to tho fact that in that endeavour he had been successful. (Applause.) Rumours had been afloat that he was about to proceed to San Francisco and purchase a large quantity of land at Id. per acre. The report had brought down all his small creditors upon him, and it was some time before he could guess the reason. He had not the smallest intention of doing anything of the kind. All he intended doing was to visit the Home country to seek that repose from labour which he could not bring himself to take while here. He hoped again to return in about a couple of years. He trusted he would have an opportunity of being of service to them while he remained at Home. If he could induce immigrants of the right sort to come out he would do so ; if not he would let it alone. (Applause.) The Mayob (Mr. Mercer) proposed " The Trade and Commerce of New Zealand," and in doing so gave some amusing anecdotes respecting the early trade of the place, which created a large amount of merriment. — The toast was responded to by Mr. Peosseb. — The other toasts drunk were, " The Ladies," " The Press," &c, after which the meeting separated, having spent a very pleasant evening, the pro-