FAREWELL DINNER TO MR. THEWEEK, OF KAI IWI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 283, 27 February 1862, Page 3

FAREWELL DINNER TO MR. THEWEEK, OF KAI IWI.

On of Wednesday the 19th inst., a number of jVIr. Treweek’s friends entertained him at dinner on occasion.of his leaving this place for Canterbury. Owing to the suddenness with which the arrangements were made, in consequence of Mr. Treweek’s having determined to leave sooner than laid been expected, few of Ids country friends were present, —but above sixty sat down to a very excellent dinner in the Rutland: the wines, as well as the more substantial fare, doing great credit to the host of that very commodious hotel. The chair was occupied by H. S. Harrison, Esq., of Warrengate, M.ILR.; I). S. Durie, Esq., U.M.* oflic'ated -ns VieeCbairman: and John Mixon, Esq., of Sedgegroye, acted as Croupier. The chairman having proposed the usual toasts of “ lier Majesty,”; “ Prince Albert, The Prince of Wales, and the other members of the ! Royal Family,” “ The Army and Navy,” and “His Excellency the Governor,” which were all enthusiastically received, the chairman rose and said,— “ Having dedicated our first glasses to those toasts which are-so dearly cherished by British subjects, we now' come to the more espefciin uLjecL of; this* meeting: 1 We lmve assembled here to mark onr appreciation of the character and conduct of our guest, Mr. Treweek, during the time lie has resided amofigst Us (cheers). ’Tis, gentlemen, an inviolable law' of nature, that innovation meets with great resistance, and in - no circumstances is this more truly the case than in the attem; t to 1 subject the broad domains of nature to the sway of the agriculturalist 1 Every one who visited Mr. Treweek’s place nine years ago, and saw it yesterday, will allow that lie lias been eminently successful in bringing the imperious sovereign of so large a portion of this country under his control. Mature has there retired befor* art, and owned herself subdued. (Great cheers.) It appeared eight years ago as if the poor unfortunate man who built his house on such a place of desolation would be subject to, nothing but the sport of 'fortune. I remember being out there, and, overgrown-as,, tlie place was with flax and toe, cold and dreary. it seemed as if no one could make up his mind to the hard fight that was before him if he settled there. But the great industry and indomitable perseverance of our esteemed guest' lias made a wonderful change. And while some others of us were poring over the surveyor’s plans, and hesitating and doubting what part of\the district to choose for our portion, Mr. Treweek set himself down there, stuck his plough into the ground, and had soon broad acres of waving grain which were the admiration if not the envy of all his neighbours, arid gave an impetus to agriculture in the district which has been most beneficial. For mj’self, I must confess with shame and grief, that I have never been able to raise a cabbage, and therefore you may believe with what genuine admiration . I look 'on the wonderful results of our friend’s industry. (Cheers) It may have been that there was some unseen power at the hack that stimulated the efforts which have been so crowned with success. It is so in some cases, and I believe we heard yesterday that Mr. Treweek lias been greatly indebted to the presiding power within the house ; aud perhaps lie lias got an occasional help front those who knew his worth —that worth is now known to all, and he goes from this place with the cordial wishes of the 5 whole district for his success in the golden South. Why he should go away Ido not understand. 1 can only imagine the reason is, that like many young men, he wishes to have his fling, and that when he has had that, we shall have the pleasure of welcoming back to this settlement our old friend John Treweek/ to whom we shall, now, in a flowing bumper, wish all prosperity arid happiness. (Cheers.)

The toast was drunk with all the honours.

The gentleman thus honoured said, that it waa with the greatest pleasure he returned his sincere thanks for the hearty manner in which the toast had been responded to. . He could not, fh d words to express the feelings which swelled his breast at that moment, He was glad if lie had been of any use in the district. He had had a good bit of ground to work with, and there was some Of the finest mutton now grazing, there in the country. He was proud on his return from Otago with 1 the * Lord Worsley ’ the other diijy to find a paper noticing some twenty sheep that had been, killed in the "Wellington market averaging *l2O lbs., and they had been bred at Kai Iwi.* Whtn he went down to Otago be lost his passage by the steamer, and when he arrived several days after his bullock*, he'Youud it reported that the best bullock in Dunedin came from Wellington; but if he had been there it would have been reported as coming from Wanganui. There is no doubt, continued Mr. Treweek, I have more wild oats to sow, and, if you will believe me, I will scatter them well over the Canterbury plains. 1 am not an old settler. lam comparatively speuking a youiig settler, and I never expected to be the guest at such an entertainment as I witness here this evening. (Cheers.) Major Durie proposed “ The Agricultural and Pastoral interests of Wanganui.” John Handley, Esq., of Southern Grove, replied. He wished the,honour of- doing so bad fallen into, abler ban da, and called upon unexpectedly he would not/detain the meeting by any remarks. therefore simply returned thanks on behalf of the agriculturists for the kind manner in • which the toast had been received, * John Nixon, Esq., rose' and said,•rrr-I am rather taken aback, and would have wished that some one more particularly connected with the toast I rise to propose had undertaken the duty laid"oh ifie ' The'toast is,

“ The' Commercial Interest of Wanganui. ’ Unqualified as 1 may be in other respects for proposing this toast, no one in this room can better testify to the growth of its commerce than myself. I have been waljving tip ami down tlie quays fpr, the last years, arid at the commencement of that period I certainly did not anticipate that by tl e end of it l should see the handsome buildings ami commodious now. line the beach from one end to- the other,- which may be compared, I believe adyajitageously, with any either in Auckland or \Vellii gton, and I'don’t know.' that either of these jdaces could present such a"fine"sight as I*this. day witnessed—dhe noble river, which gives us an inland trade, to the centre of the island, the six fine craft lying at the wharves discharging their vuriutts cargoes (thanks to the honoured guest for more than one of these), and 'the row of neat* and commodious stores which were receiving the multifarious contents of these ships, all combined to form a spectacle more recommendatory of my toast tlian“any words I.can use. (Cheers.) W. H. Watt, E q., of Westmere, said, — This toast though at ihe bottom of the list is not the least important. Pardon any digression, or if I go a little beyond Wanganui, in replying to it. .As one who has participated pretty largely in the commerce of Wanganui 1 do so with pleasure. Commerce is the order of the day, is the forerunner of civilisation, and nothing else has done so much* good to the human race. Here we are in a lmlfcivilised state. This transforming, agent has not yet completed its work here*;but it will do so. Commerce equalises mankind and establishes their rights, builds up the fabric of. society, and paves the way for all the great institutions that civilise the whole world. I would not refer to the insignificant part the firm with which I am connected have taken in extending the commerce of We have done nothing more than the circumstances prompted us to do. We did it for our own benefit. In thus doing our duty as settlers, if we have contributed to the welfare of those around us, I am sure you will give us credit for it. Neither have we forgotten the' interests to which the last toast referred. Indeed if I had had my choice which of these two toksts I might reply to, I could hardly say which I would have preferred. I can look back also like Mr. Nixon 22 years. At that time 22 people could not have made their way through the dense and high fern that, encircled the township; and a small vessel, much smaller than'any of those at present in the river, did all.the' trade, and defied competition—kept the bar for herself, was the only vessel that could go out and in, steered by my friend oh the right (Mr- Taylor). I congratulate you that these days are past, and that the people find out nowadays that the bar/s not such a] .bad-"bar after all. I hope we shall, soon have" a steamer belonging to the place. Come forward with your money and let us have it. There are people here now ' who are as well able to employ a steamer as they were then to employ.such a small craft as 1 have spoken of. The'- day has gone past when our firm should be expected to do all of it ; and 1 trust many of our townsmen w ; ll take a share and ean interest in the undertaking. ;; The commerce of Wauganui will bear comparison in its advancement and present position with that of any place in New Zealand, .-notwithstanding the- bar, which is not half so bad as people think it is. I trust we shall' always hold a respectable position in the catalogue of New Zealand ports. (Cheers.) Mr. Harrison proposed “Mrs. Treweek and Family.” The toast, he said, is the respected family of our guest. They have a claim upon the thoughts of this community because they have done their part in making Kai Itvi wlmt.it is. It -is a beautiful idea, so maiiy of a family co-operating so well together. -Our guest has been well supported. The husband is the head and the wife is the next in a family; and they .share the authority and responsibility between them. But you are all so anxious to drink the toast that I will not enlarge. (Cheers.) May God bless her and them all !

Mr. Treweek rose with the greatest pleasure to express his thanks as far as words could do it, for liny words lie could command at the moment did not convey the smallest idea of his heartfelt gratitude for the very kind manner in which the-health-of Mrs. Treweek and family had been drunk. Mr. Harrison thought lie would come back again,-—but the truth was, it depended entirely on his wife. Had she not left Kui Iwi, aud come into Wanganui, lie should never have left Kai Iwi, but he could not stop there Without her. Mr. Treweek then called for a bumper to “The Ladies of Wanganui,” a toast which was so well received tliaj several young gentlemen claimed the honour of. replying. Unfortunately there was'no Venus there to make a selection; and low the disputed honour was conferred our reporter lias given us no hint. Thereafter toast and song continued with unabated vigour till the day began to “ daw,”—the cocks begin to crow here before midnight, a sign that no ghost is abroad in this country; and all present will long look back with great pleasure to this farewelbmeeting with Mr. Treweek.