OPENING OF THE WHATAWHATA BRIDGE. The Dinner.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1374, 23 April 1881, Page 2

OPENING OF THE WHATAWHATA BRIDGE. The Dinner.

Below we give that portion of our report which was unavoidably held over from last issue :—: — The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed and duly honored. The Mayor of Hamilton proposed "The House of Representatives." He said, if the House was only composed of such men as the members for Waikato and Waipa, they would have good reason to be satisfied. He would couple with the toast the name of Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.R. Mr Whitaker was sorry to inform the company that, owing to indisposition, Mr Whyte had been obliged to retire, and had sent a note to him begging him to apologise on his behalf. Mr Hadfield proposed "The Present Ministry, coupled with the name of the member for Waipa. " He did not know why he had been selected for this duty, because, although Mr Whitaker had doubtless done much for Waipa as a whole, he had done very little for Tuhikaramea. (Laughter.) He, however, had much pleasure m proposing the toast, which was duly honored, Mr Whitaker, in responding, said it was not his intention to make a political speech, as on occasions like the present he did not consider it advisable to introduce debatable matter. Whatever their politics might be, he was quite sure of this, that they were as one in their desire for the advancement of the district. (Applause). With regard to the present Ministry all he need say was that he believed them to be right minded and earnest. A gentleman, a particular friend of his — the gentleman who had proposed the toasb— had made an allusion to him (the speaker) in regard to his not having got a sum of money for his district. He regretted very mnch that by that reference the gentleman in question had forfeited the good opinion he had always entertained of him (Laughter). He thought that when he had gone about, Diogenes- like, with his lantern he had found m Mr Hadfield a man who would sacrifice his own interests for the general good. He had told him that he was not a minister of the Crown, that he did not hold the purse strings of the Colony, and he had left his friend with the highest opinion of his patriotism (Laughter). He might tell Mr Hadfield, however, that he had not forgotten his district, and among the next batch of requests would be found one concerning the road from Tuhikararaea to the railway station. (Applause). Mr T. B. Hill proposed " The health of the chairmen of the Waipa and Raglan County Councils "' and success to the two Counties." He could say a good deal on this subject, but he would not take up too much of their time. Success could not be obtained without roads and bridges ; what they could take out of the land was of little use if they had no means of sending it to market. The Raglan settlers had now a good road as far aa Whatawhata, and their member had got a promise of the money to complete it to Hamilton. Not so very Ions? ago a friend of his — now unhappily deceased — had told him that when the road was finished and the bridge built, a certain coach proprietor would run a coach to Raglan, and he had promised his frieud an allotment in the township when tmch a thing was brought to pass. Well, he could tell them that there was nothing between Whatawhata and Raglan now to prevent a coach running. He had that day driven over with eight people in a trap. (Applause.) The mountain road, however, wanted a few repairs, and he hoped their member would give this matter his attention. A few pounds spent just now, would obviate a large expenditure at some future time, if the matter were not attended to. It was by no means an unusual thing for people to become attached to old furniture, old pictures, and old faces, but he did not think that any one of those present could ever have become attached to the old punt (laughter,) he was heartily glad they had seen the last of it, and to see so fine a structure as the bridge, the opening of which they had celebrated that day, take the place of the old means of crossing the river. Mr W. Duncan (Chairman of the Raglan Council) responded. He thanked them for the compliment they had paid him in drinking his health so heariily. He felt proud to occupy the position of Chairman at the celebration of the opening of such an important work as the Whatawhata bridge. He felt it an honour, and he was sure his feelings would be shared by tho chairman of the Waipa Council, that such a work should have been consummated during his term of office. He was sure that the erection of the bridge would materially advance the prosperity of the two counties. Mr McMinn said he had been asked by Mr Aubin, who regretted he was unable to be present, to request Councillor Hadfield to fill his place Mr Hadfield then returned thanks on Mr Aubin's behalf. The Chairman proposed the " Agricultural Interests of the two Counties." It was not necessary to tell them that the subject was an important one. If Agriculture prospered so would they prosper. The well-being of the whole colony depended in a great measure upon the advancement of agriculture, and hence was it necessary that they should devote their energies to the work of improving it. He was glad to see that the spirit of progress was abroad ; one of the indications of which was the bridge just opened. Many people, some he was glad to know belonging to other districts, had exerted themselves to briug about this very desirable result, and they deserved the thanks of everybody interested. Speaking about the mountain road he endorsed the remarks of Mr Hill in regard to the necessity for immediate repairs. He coupled with, the toast the name of an old and respected settler, Mr C. Day. Mr Day, in responding, referred to the benefit which the new bridge would confer on the district by opening up communication with other parts of the country. Better bridges, and better roada would make them better settlers, better farmers, and better neighbors. The district was good and now that they had a prospect of being able to communicate with those outside, they might look forward to its being one of the foremost in Waikato. They would imbibe more energy and would profit in every seay by free intercourse with the people if other districts, and by observing other methods and other ways of carrying out the work of the farm. He thanked them tor coupling his name with so important » boast, (Applause).

Mr McMinn proposed " Prosperity to the Commercial interests of the distriot." He remarked that this toapt was generally placed in the hands of some one who had , made agriculture a commercial success. He confessed that he had not done so, but an he supposed there were very few who had, he did, not feel so out of place in the position. In proposing thi« toast he could not help giving expiession to^ a growl ; he had to complain of the laxity of the commercial men of Auckland in that they did not devote their energies to the fostering of the manufacturing interest, an interest which was closely bound up with the progress of both agriculture and commerce. In Otago he had visited with feelings of satisfaction the woollen factories established at Mossgiel. In Canterbury and in Nelson there were also similar manufactories while in this, the premier province of New Zealand, they had nothing of the kind. He looked upon this circumstance as a standing reproach to the commercial men of Auckland. They had good reason to be dissatisfied with the merchant princes — he might call them — of this province on this account. So long as they could find investment for their money at 10% they made no effort at fostering manufacture. The late Mr J. S. Macfarlase was an honourable exoeption, but now that he was gone he was afraid there was no one to fill his place. The Agricultural interests were, he admitted, most important ; but if they had no manufactures and commerce, they could be of little use. They must try to incite the commercial men of Auckland to throw off the apathy which encompasses them, and take some step in advancing the manufacturing interests of this province. (Applause). Mr J. Abbott (of Auckland) responded. ' He thought the reasons why the commercial men of Auckland did not embark in manufacture were to be found in the unreliableness and the dearness of the labour at hand ; and while there were so many eligible investments of other kinds, ib was no wonder that the moneyed men refused to make manufacturing experiments. There was another reason why they did not venture, and that was, the great number of swindling concerns which had been floated by unprincipled men. He referred to the sulphur works at White Island. Speaking of the relative progress made by the Waikdto and Waipa Valley districts, he said the prosperity of the former was greatly due to there being substantial bridges over the river at all important points, while the Waipa could only be crossed by means of wretched punts, which had been a perpetual source of annoyance and discomfort. He could think of no other reason to account for the great advantage which the Waikato enjoyed over the Waipa, because he was certain that the land in this neighbourhood was equal in quality to anything in the district. For the change which had taken place they owed a debt of gratitude ' to their members, more especially to Mr P. A. Whitaker. That gentleman had done muiyh for the district, but he meant to do ten times as much. Before long the direct road to Hamilton would be completed, and the Whatawhata district would then be opened. Hitherto the other side of the Waikato had been the fashionable side. There, land not better than theirs, had sold for double the price ; but the case would now be reversed, and before long they would see a large population here. (Applause). The Vice-Chairman (Mr Day) proposed "The Health of the Engineers and Stiff." Mr A. Hope, in the absence of Mr Hales (the District Engineer), returned thanks. Before sitting down, he begged to propose "The Health of the Contractors, Messrs McLean and Son." The Engineer had not yet passed the bridge, but so far as he (Mr Hope) was concerned, the contractors had given every satisfaction. This was not the first work Messrs McLean and Son had carried out under his supervision, and he could say that they had invariably given satisfaction. Mr McLean, jun., returned thanks. Captain Lindsay proposed "The Visitors." He was glad to see so many present, and trusted they had enjoyed themselves Mr R. C. Greenwood returned thanks. He assured them that this would not be the last occasion upon which he would visit Whatawhata, which he looked upon as a most eligible place for visitors and invalids seeking rest and quiet. Combined with the natural beauty of the place they were within easy distance of an excellent watering place, second to none in the colony. (Hear, hear.) As to the class of land, people who had not been here knew nothing of it. He might say that he was there that day for the purpose of selling some of his land j but after what he had seen and heard, he had come to the conclusion that the property was worth holding. (Hear, hear). "The Press," proposed by the viceChairman, and coupled with the name of Mr S. E. G. Smith (Waikato Times) and a few other toasts having been duly honored and responded to, the company broke up. During the dinner the Hamilton Band played a number of suitable selections. Great credit is clue to the committee — Messrs 0. Day (chairman), A. Anderson, Limmer, Duncan, Hadfield, Dickeson, E. Fitzpatrick, Hodson, John Knox, G. Edgecumbe, and Captain Lindsay, for the manner in which the arrangements were earned out.