DINNER TO JAMES HUME, ESQ.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 593, 9 March 1876, Page 2

DINNER TO JAMES HUME, ESQ.

At eight o'clock last evening some fifty gentlemen sat down in the billiardrooin at the Delta Hotel, to a well set dinner Leld in honor of James Hume, Esq., the agent in Waikato of the Bank of New Zealand. The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and the dinner was got up in excellent style. W. N. Searanckp, Esq., R.M., occupied the chair, and Mr Edmund Fitzpatrick the vice charr. On the removal of the cloth and after the usual loya, 1 toasts had been, proposed and responded to, Tho Chairman proposed the health of the guest of the evening, tho announcement of which was received with applause. The object, said Mr Searancke, for which they had mot was to do honor to a gentleman who had been resident among them for many years, namely, James Hume, Esq. The position he had held and tho manner in which he had held it, entitled hi<n to the deepest feelings of respect and esteem. The opening of branches of the Batik had only increased his already onerous duties. As, an agent of the bank his ge ntlemanly manner an'd kindly spirit in conducting those duties, had gained for him the respect of the whole district. But it was not alone as James Hume the banker, but as James Humetheir neighbour and. friend, and one -of the most energetic of their settlers, 'that he >was entitled to every good Rnd vkindlywish on the part of tfce people of 'the-district, and he would carry -with 'hint 'their good wishes for hia future on 'leaving Ngaruawahia. <Kis removal would' bo riewetl with a general •feeling of regret.,and leave a painful • blank in the --settlement. He, the chairman, felt' it deeply, and .te knew that that feeling would be /joined in by evei'yone present. Mr Hume "oould hardly • express '>h&vr much he appreciated the kindness and honor done him in inviting him there th»Jb night, and for the flattering manner in. which tfue chairman had alhi'ded •to him. He regretted much leaving 'Ngaruawahia, where he had lived so long, made -so many friends, and spent so many years. When he arrived here •it was a mere military outpost andhe hadseenit rise to its present prosperity. As the servant of a public institution he had no option but to lev.t. them. He trusted, however, that -Ngaruawahia would enjoy a fall measure of prosperity, which from its fine natural position, and the improvements its spirited Town BoaM was making it was bound to do. It would certainly be the prettiest township in the Waikato. The kindliness with which he had been treated 'by 'the people of Ngaruawahia would ever live in bis recollection let him -go where he would. Mr E'Fitzpatrick in proposing "the Army and Navy paid a well merited compliment to the former . for the -services rendered on the very spot on which they were then assembled. Major Wilson in returning thanks said there was little new to s.iy. All he could say was tbry had over done their doty and ever would do it. !The*Jßev Mr Scott proposed the health of the Hume family He had not known, them as loug as -some but be "would yield to none in a full appreciation of their many virtues aud excellencies. Mr Scott spoke ' feelingly 1111(1 eulo^istically of tho ladies of the family, and coupled his toast with the name of Mr Stone, who hrtd shown his good sense in allying himself with a sl'Jtor of gu^st of the evening-. Mr Stone returned thanks'in a humourous speech. Mr George Edgcombe pi-oposfid the Waikato Steam Navigation Company. As one of the settlers of Ngaruawahia he felt much had oeen done for the place in making Ngaruawahia their depot and headquarters. They had much to thank the Company for, -when they looked at their present prosperous state. Mr R R Hunt in reply said he would follow Major Wilson's example -and .--Bay that the Company lied done its -duty -end would always do so. At this stage our representative *was compelled .to leave in order to 'return to Hamilton. A large - number "of 'toasts some 15 were still on the , programme patiently waiting their turn- ta come on.