THE DINNER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 374, 18 July 1874, Page 3

THE DINNER.

The dinner iv connection with the match was held at the Shamrock Hotel. The attendance was large, and the Dinner provided was excellent. After the table had been aleared Mr. J, R. Gascoigne who was in the chair proposed the first toast viz., " The Queen " which was drank enthusiastically.

Mr. Peter Robertson then rose to propose the "Agricultural Interest," and said he considered that interest had been to a great extent neglected in this district ; but the time was fast approaching when it would require the full attention of every agriculturist to make his farm pay. The commonage was nearly all taken up, and every man who had taken to farming as a means of livelihood would have to make a living off his own ground or go to the wall. He coupled the name of Mr. T. Darton with the toast.

Song : Mr. J. M'Taggart. Mr. T. t)arton, in responding to the toast of the "Agricultural Interest," Baid he wished some more practical man had been called upon to respond to such an important toast. He would, however, do his best. He thought the agricultural and pastoral interests were so closely allied that they should go hand in hand. New Zealand was at such a distance from the European markets that the was precluded to a great extent from exporting perishable produce ; but in their wool they had a commodity that would always command a ready market in the home country, and he considered that New Zealand was one of the finest wool growing countries in the world. He then went on to condemn the action of the farmers in the early days of burning their straw, and thus impoverishing their land. He considered such acts criminal, and for his own part he would make such wasteful actß punishable by Law. He considered it a crime against the country for a man to destroy what he never created. Mr. Darton spoke at length on this and other subjects, but want of space compels us to condense his really interesting speech. Mj. Er. Craig — Song. Mr. G-rundy then proposed the " health of the Judges " and Baid that it gave him much pleasure to propose the health of these gentlemen, he felt sura they had given every satisfaction both to the competitors and the public, (applause). Song— Mr. B. M'Ara. Messrs. A. Robertson, A. Drysdale, and R. Humphrey responded to the toast of the Judges. Song — Mr. James Brown. Mr. P. Robertson then said a few words in regard to the present style of match ploughing ; but as we intend to again refer to the subject, we "hold the matter over for the present. Mr. R. Hills proposed , " The Successful Competitors," coupled with the names of Messrs. Stewart, Brown, and M'Ara. Song -Mr. A. Robertson. Messi'B. M'Ara and Brown, two of the successful competitors, then responded. I Song — Mr. James Low. Mr. T. Darton proposed " The Commercial Interest,", coupled wilh the name of Mr. M. Hay. Song — Mr L. C. Holmes. j Song — Mr. Jacob Davison. , j Mr. Hay, in responding to the toast of " The Commercial Interest," enlarged upon the advantages likely to be derived from the establishment of the Colonial Bank ; and said that he had every confidence in the future commeroial prosperity"of JSevr Zealand. Song— Mr. J. M'Taggart. Mr. P. Robertson then proposed "The Mining Interest," coupled with the name of Mr. Livingston. Song — Mr. James Harris. Mr. Livingston responded to the toast of « The Mining Interest,"

I Song : Mr. R. Craig. Song : Mr. T. Robertson. Mr. J. Brown then proposed the "Ladies" Song : Mr. T. Dwyer. Mr. James Harris pfroposed the " Press." Song : Mr. Ford. Mr. W.Quin responded to the toast of the " Press." Song : Mr. t T . Brown. Mr. Hari'away proposed the " Health of the Hostess" which was responded toby Mr. James Harris. The "health of the Chairman" was then proposed by Mr. Hay. Mr. G-asooigne, in reply, stated that it gave him much pleasure to preside at a meeting of this kind. He thought the Agricultural Interest was furthered by such reunions, and he could testify to the excellent work done iv the field that day. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought this pleasant evening to a close.