The Dinner

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1581, 22 August 1882, Page 2

The Dinner

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, this direction has beetf^proved on many "previous' occasions.^ The large dining room of the hotel was very tastefully decorated for the occasion under the superintendence of Mrs Gaudin, and presented >a most attractive appearance. The chair was occupied by Mr J^ W., H. Wood, captain of the Waikato" team, bis supporters being Messrs T. Henderson (captain of the visiting footballers) and Grierspn. A 'good account .having been rendered of the various appetising dishes set before the company, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed and responded to with enthusiasm. The Chairman then proposed the toast of the evening, " The winning; team," coupled with the name of their worthy captain, Mr Henderson. He referred to the pleasure -which the Waikato men ahvays experienced in meeting a team from Auckland, and although they were beaten again they had not lost heart, but looked forward with even greater eagerness to the next annual contest. The toast was drunk with musical honors. Mr T. Henderson, in responding, expressed the thanks of his team for the kind manner in which the toast had been received. They were greatly pleased with their game, and hoped to enjoy many more such. Before sitting down he proposed "The Health of the Waikato team." Mr Wood responded, and, in the name of the Waikato players thanked their Auckland friends for the heartygoodwill expressed in the toast just proposed. He then proceeded to refer to the day's play. He said there appeared to have been some alterations in the rules, and both teams did hot play the same game. But for this circumstance he thought the Waikato men would have had a better [ chance of holding their own. After some remarks from other players on the subject Mr Cotton, in eulogist' c terms, proposed c ' The Umpires, Messrs Cotter and Collins," which was received with musical honors. Mr Cotter (Auckland) briefly respon- | ded. The toast of " The Host and Hostess" was given by the chairman, who complimenced Mr and Mrs Gaudin on the excellence of the entertainment provided by them. The toast was received with demonstrations of applause, and with musical honors. Mr Gaudin in responding said he was gratified to think that his efforts had met with their approval. The notice he had received was short, and he had, consequently, not been able to do all he should have liked to do. On another occasion should he again have the pleasure of catering for them he hoped to do much better. This brought the formal part of the proceedings to an end, and the rest of a very pleasant evening was filled up with songs, &c, the company breaking np about 10 o'clock.

On Sunday the members of the Auckland team, accompanied by several Hamiltou friends, visited Cambridge, where they partook of the generous hospitality of Mr Robert Kirkwood, who entertained them at dinner. They returned to Hamilton in the evening, and proceeded to Auckland by yesterday morning's train.