THE DINNER.

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 443, 20 March 1875, Page 2

THE DINNER.

Tt is hardly necessary to state that the show was followed by a dinner, and, that the usual number of victims to the custom of speech-making suffered the infliction patiently, The result of an agricultural dinner is usually to force a number of men upon their legs more accustomed to the work of guiding nature so as to profit humanity, than, in complin \ a number of sentences together into what \a commonly termed a speech* On all such occasions victims are forced upon their, legs to talk ; they snually have little to say ; have no desire to say that little ; and if they had, lack the ability, from wa*it of practice, of making their meaning intelligible. The latest example of the dinner agricultural was neither better nor worse than most of its predecessors. We will proceed to note the proceedings as nearly as possible i Mr Sercombe, thY President of the Society under the auspices of which the Show was held, occupied the oh air. The preliminary business of putting out of sight a considerate portion of the good things provided by Host Canny, was gone throvgh in truly farmer-like style, after which the task of the evening commenced. The Chairman gave the usual toasts which exemplify loyalty to the Queen and Constitution ; these were all drunk with the usual display of feeling. The- Army and Navy was briefly responded to by Capt Bassett, who expressed the opinion that if ever called- upon to defend their country they would do so with the same gallantry as of yore. Mr Mandeno, tL<^ Secretary of the Association, then, by request of the Chairman, read the list of prizes. Mr W. N. Searancke proposed the " Health of the Judges," in with a call from the Chair. He said 4ie did not know why he should be called upon to propose the toast unless on account of his long connection with the district. He was certain that their painstaking and impartiality were worthy of all praise. He was not acquainted with the majority of the judges, his remarks, therefore, could not be taken to emanate from feelings of personal fiiendship. He was certain that the health of the judges would be drunk with enthusiasm. (Cheers,) Mr Austin, one of the judges of horses, responded. He said that the classes he had judged that day were worthy of high commendation. The heavy draught stock, hacks, and light harness horses met with his special approval. Capt Bassett said in following Mr Austin he had very little to say. He was very pleased that he had come to fill the office of judge. He had acted in that capacity several times, and had seldom heard so little grumbing at the decisions. There was obliged to be somebody to decide as to the respective merits of the exhibits,, and it was pleasant to the judges to do so without being grumbled at. He was rather disappointed that there were not more competitors. The show of horses was as good as could be oollected in any district. Mr Gwynne said after what had fallen from his brother umpire, he had' little to say. He was sorry that no thoroughbreds competed, and, that there were not more competitors in other classes. There had been a good deal of difficulty in deciding the prizes for the hacks ; he was glad to say that the Waifeato could turn out. as good hacks as any district. Mr Proud said he had very little to say. He was obliged to the company for drinking the health of the judges. The cattle he had had to judge was on the whole very good, the bull was first rate ; that which took second prize he recommended the owner to sell or get rid of as soon as possible. Captain Bassett proposed the successful competi tors. He was not acquainted with most of them, but was quite prepared to propose and drink to their health. He would remind the unsuccessful that the Judges had to do their duty, and recommended them to try and retrieve their laurels next opportunity. Mr Gubbins responded. He had exhibited largely, and had been successful and unsuccessful, and he would not have taken so many prizes had Cambridge settlers joined in the show. He thought it a great pity that a neutral place could not be found "in which to hold the show. The speaker concluded by proposing the health of " the unsuccessful competitors. Captain Runciman responded. He said ho was glad that he had been defeated, as his being so spoke well for the district, as the animal he had shown would not have disgraced any farmer. There had been good horses in the district, but they had for the most part left us. Mr Rhodes proposed, " Success to the Central Waikato Agricultural Association." He had great pleasure in doing so because since its inauguration the district had made great strides. Had it been really a central show, in place of only in name, the show that day would undoubtedly have been a great success. He wished the Association success, and called upon the company to drink the toast. Mr Mandeno said this was the third show of the Association, and he was glad that some thought it a success, the success was due to the settlers pulling together. The Association was started under imfoi tunate circumstances, and it was a great pity that it was necessary to start it. It was his wish to have a central show, it was talked about after dinner each year, but in practice it was found to be impossible, he would be glad if this were the last show in Te Awamutu. There had been great difficulty in finding competent judges ; no matter how competent they might be,, he was sorry that the feeling prevailed in some quarters that because a man does not take a prize at one show, be will not exhibit at the next. Captain Bassett proposed the health of the officers of the Association, coupled with the name of*

iato,\wuuuBraai interests ot tne w&ucato. v 'Mr S Bright responded and' took the opportunity to say as much as he could in a short space of time to traduce the character of the business men of Auckland. He said so far as cunning was concerned they would match any people under the sun. He referred to the Waikato Railway, the completion of which he considered should be urged before the Government,, and the immediate opening of the railway as far as completed. Mr K. Hill proposed the health of the visitors, he was sorry that they had not seen the Waikato in a better garb than at present, the long run of dry weather caused the district to appear under most-unfavorable circumstances. A gentleman,, whose name our reporter was unable to catch, briefly responded. Mr Bright then proposed " The Press." Mr Holloway responded. He explained that the conductor of a newspaper in a country district held a very onerous position, there. were many who were ready to complain on the slightest provocation, but these men were mostly characterised by the gift of voluble' speech without the necessary brains to keep their tongues in check. He would allow the remarks of Mr Bright to pass unnoticed, as regards the commercial men of Auckland they were quite capable of taking care of themselves, but the centure he passed upon the Government for not at once opening the railway so far as constructed, required some explanation from him, as, had there not been good cause for the delay it would have been his duty to urge the matter upon them. The cause of the delay was that the contractors wanted to foist the line upon the Government in a state in which they would not have been justified in taking it over, in fact to repeat the process pursued with the Onehunga line. The great English contractors had come out armed with an accurate knowledge of all the tricks ofHthgir trade, and there-Jias been more trouble with them than any other contractors with which the Government |had had to deal. He thought that the people wquld not be justified under the circumstances in bringing pressure upon the Government to take over the railway in a hurry. He was not a supporter of any GoverrffiftaiJ, and the remarks he had made were not to be interpreted in that way. In fact so long as his connection with the Press lasted, lie would not lend himself to the blind support of any set of political men. He thanked the company for drinking to the prosperity of the profession to which he had the honor to belong. The " Health of the President and Chairman " followed, Mr Seccombe briefly responded. He said that he had had little to do with the success or otherwise of the show, it was owing entirely to the Secretary and members of the Committee. " Major Jackson, M.H.R.," was the next toast. In replying, the member for the district said he regretted that he had not' been able to be present all the evening. He had not heard Mr Bright speak, but from what he v gathered he had condemned the Government for not forcing on the railway construction more rapidly. He had little doubt that Messrs Brogden would give two or three thousand pounds to any man who could get up . sufficient agitation to compel the Government to take over the railway. He thought it not fair to bring pressure ; they should be allowed their own time. He thought that they had taken what steps they could to forward the work. He would, so long as he remained a member advocate the interests of tfye Waikato so long as they were not detrimental to the colony : if they were not satisfied with him they should find fault. He would only be in the House one more session. He thanked the company for drinking his health. J This brought the proceedings to a termination.