Banquet to Mr J. F. Douglas.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 101, 12 September 1901, Page 3

Banquet to Mr J. F. Douglas.

Last evening there was a very large and representative gathering in the Oddfellows' Hall to do honour to Mr J. F. Douglas, of Waihao Downs, and show their appreciation of the unbounded hospitality of Mr and Mrs Douglas and of Mr Douglas* services in the public welfare.

Mr E. C. Btudholme occupied the chair, having on his immediate right thi gu-st of the evening, His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Manchester), Mr R. H Rhodes (Bluecliffs), and on his left, Mr John Douglas, sanr. (Mount Royal), the Rev. George Barclay an J Dr Sjmes. The hall wai trstefully decorated with tree ferns, cabbage tree p dms and various other evergreens, and the windows being curtained cooveyed a cosy effect. During t l is meal music was supplied by Messrs Kearney (piano) and Cooper (viollu), of Temuk*.

Tttb'es were laid the length of the hall, and were excellently well provided with the good things of this world. The want* of the guests were attentively watched by Mr J. Symon and hia staff, who deserve great credit for the efficient; manner in which the first part of the function was conducted;

This concluded, the ohiirman proposed the first toast, that of "The King,'' which was drunk with musical honours.

The aecond toait, that of the •' Army, Navy and Volunte«ra," wai proposed by Mr Fitcaithiy, who did it full juitice. Our army, the mover remarked, was not the biggest in the world, but the best, cnnipiieed as it wai of a mass of men fighting of their own free will. The same could be said of the navy and volunteer*. He coupled with the toaab the names of Cap: sins GarUnd (Studholme Mounted), Coltman (Reserve), exPetty Offi-JM K. J. Atwitl (R.N.), and Sergt.-Major Glenlianing (sth Contingent), each of suitably responded. The next toast, proposed by the chairman, was that of " The Government," coupled with the name of Mr A. Walker, whs ably responded at very short notice. Mr Breruner, who alao oomplained of lack of notice, proposed the "Legal and M :dical Professions," coupled with tha names of Mr Hamilton and Doctors riymes and Barclay, who responded in au acceptable manner. Mr J. W. Co-*ftn, the proposer of "Commercial and "Banking Intoreats,' raado a very humorous speech, and coupled the toast with the names of Messrs Francis, Mathias, and Hargreavea.

Mr Milsom introduced then x 'oast, that cf "-Agiicu'tural and Pastoral Intercuts," coupled with the names of Mesnrs John D.iuglas, sen., HerUlett, and G. Miller.

The toast of the evening, "Our Guest, >I: J hu Fl-ming Douglas," wai reoeivad .vith uproarionß applaute on being pro posed by tho chairman, who said he felt honoure \ at being ensrusted with tii* oaafc. He had known their guest for over twenty yc&rs, and the more he knew of him the more he liked him. If they Reached New Zealand they would nut find & better or a more kind-hearted man; in fact, his only fault was that he was too good-hearted. W.uhao Downs was n.)V.-d throughout the colony for the hospitality always extended by the p-es&nt proprietor aud his father, Mr John Douglas. Their gue*t was a patron of everything tending to better humanity and a prime mover in all the local bodies. I'hey wished him all happiness and success in the future. Ha had just returned from a trip to Australia, and this recaption would tr-nd to nhow thei* appreciation of his many good qualities. Ho asked Mr Doughs to accept an address prepared as an appreciation by bis many friends.

Mr Studholme then read the text of the address, which waa as follows ; To J. Fleming Douglas, Esq., Waihao Downs, Waimate.

Dear Sir,—The occasion of your return to Waimate after an absence from the colony affords your many friends a suitable opportunity of addressing to you a few words of welcome, and aUo of eon reying to you an expression of the esteem and regard in which you are held by all members of this community. The assistance and generous support you have at all times afforded to all local under* 'akings and the public services you have rendered in many capacities are worthy of the best traditions of a young colonist and a»e a fitting example for the emulation of others. We fully realise the value of these services, and are conscious of the generous motives which actuate you so often in placing them at the dinposal of your fellow-citizens. The high character of your publia career is also reflected in your social rslatidnsnips, and your genial and kindly nature have endeared you to all with whom you have come in contaot. As evidence' of oar appreciation of your many exceptiona qualities, both publio and private, we aak your acceptance of this address, and most heartily wish you and your family every prosperity and happiness, and trust you - may long continue to reside amongst us.

He then said that a presentation to Mrs Douglas was on loot, but was not yet complete. Mr Doug'as' health wae drank with muiioil honours and three times three and three times more. - - < Mr J. P. Douglas, .who. was reaeired -with long-sustained applause; jaid he: wbb not an orator, a thing. Jie greatlyregretted on receiving euoh Xn enthu* siastic reception... flonljl only on JbeKatf .of himse||pft|MWJPoßg l , ; !i<w,-6fferhtr >®'^*fc

father, who, twenty five years ago, took up the Waihao Downs, praciically a wilderness, and at a time of deptes*ion caused by the bush fires, employed a great deal of labour, and considerably helped the place. Ha was elected to the County Council, and with the late Mr Studholme, he took up the Gorge rail- • way, {which was condemned as a white elephant for a long time), and then sold it to the Government at a loss. This railway was now benefiting the whole district, and with a fair price for grain would be bound to pay handsomely. These things he felt had helped him greatly. He himself had been elected to the County Council, and after a very short apprenticeship, was voted to the chair. He thought he had not the experience and others had more right, bnt it was insisted on and Ire took the chair. However, he got the greatest assistance from the ootn .illor* g> d they had really go->d officials, bo thac there was really no trouble at any time. He had been a member of the Hospital Board since sitting on the Council, and he thought the hospital was one of the brightest stars in the district. There was a Bill before the House to sever two ot the ridings from the county, and he hoped if this were curried (although they would prevent -it if they could) the district should as a body support the demand of ths Council and the Hospital Board for a separate hospital district. He thanked them mo»t and einenrely on behalf of M;a Douglas and himself for their great kindness. v He had attended mwiY receptions in Waimate, but never a better one than to-night. Tbe next toast, proposed by Mr R. 9" Baxter, was the '«County Couqcil," eoupled with the names of Messrs A. Walker and O.'Studhohne.

In responding, Ms Walker made reference to Mr D .UjjUs in the chair. He «as pleased to *«• present oIJ councillors in the person of Messrs John Douglas and John Manchester. The Council was o xoaedingly lightly rated, considering thu great amount of roads and bridges to be kept in order. Mr 0. Btudholme said Mr Douglas was an excellent chairman, not m the least narrow-mindsd, and always ready to support the carrying of necessary work, no matter in which riding. He wished him long spared in good health, and that he might continue' to rule over the Council in as efficient a manner as he had done in the past. Mr C. titudholtne proposed the " Borough Council," coupled with the ! names of the Mayor (Mr John Manchester) and Cr. Barclay. Mr Manchester said he attached con- | siderable importance to this gathering in honour of Mr Douglas. They lired in times of trouble, and it was a go.d Bigti to see the young men coming forward to take part in the management of affairs. Dr Barolay, in responding, said he was pleasad to be present at a banqu-t to Mr Douglas, who wab always ready to arsist in every eSort for the public good. Ho had done his duty to the county, behaved well to the Borough, and was a man they were all proud. Further toasts honoured were "The chairman," '« The Ladies," " The Press," •id '• The Caterer," and the gathering b- >ke up at 1.30 *.m. During the evening, songs were sung by Messrs Coltnwn, J. W. Manchester, A. Philip, Goldstfne, Fisher, and W. L. Scott, and recitations given by Messrs J. W. Cowan, Pitcaiihly, 0. Dash, Glendinning and Milsom.

Next week would ae« him twenty-tight years in the B*nk service, and he had n*ver b«en in & more prosperous place than Wuiniate —Mr Mathiaa. It wu a mistake accepting the services of so many volunteer oorps now, for thoir capitation would be curtailed when peaee came. —Captain Garland. A cadet corps would be formed in Wairaate very soon.—Mr Pitcaithly. If there was a training ship in theso waWi, the boy» would be taught diicipline, aud we would have fewer labour agitators.—Ex-Petty Officer Atwill. A large number of people, himself amongst them, thought the Government not all that oould ba desired, but then were some who should not growl—the hosts of inspectors appointed fo' this., that and the other.—Mr A. Walker.

It w,-»s right that a man should insure his permanent employees, but for casual hands it was not fair.-Mr A. Walker.