KIHIKIHI, Dinner to Captain Speedy.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2126, 23 February 1886, Page 2

KIHIKIHI, Dinner to Captain Speedy.

Captain Speedy was entertained to dinner here on Saturday evening at Mr Bond's Star Hotel by a few of his old friends. Major Jackson took the chair. Among those present were Captain Rutherford, Messrs 0. Bockett, Farrell, Westney, Gresham, Cowan, Anderson, and other old residents. After dinner the chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were duly honoured. Then our destjnguished guest s , health was proposed, the chairman referring in felicitious terms to his connection with this place in the early days, and expressing the pleasure he and others felt at his keeping the old place and old acquaintances in remembrance. Captain Speedy would find the place geatly altered in many ways, the face of the country was changed in appearance; those whom he had known an children had grown up into men aud women. But though there had been other other changes Captain Speedys old friends had not .altered in their feelings of regard and esteem for him a fact which their presence that evening testified to. The toast was drank enthusiastically. Captain Speedy, in responding, said he possessed two sou:enirs which he valued above all others; one was a watch presented to him by Her Majesty,- Queen Victoria, the other was a sheet of foolscap paper, on which a few Hues were hurriedly written .expressive of the kindest feelings and wishes for his prosperity when he was leaving one place. This sheet of paper bore the signatures of a few friends. It was written in Kihikihi twenty years ago, when he was hurriedly leaving, and the signatures were those of old Kihikihi friends, some of whom were present this evening. He had kept that sheet of paper ever since and would always do so. The The fact of their meeting him this evening, and expressing in such kind words their pleasure at meeting him again was a proof of the sincerity of the good wishes expressed on that sheet of paper twenty years ago. He could assure them the pleasure was mutual, he felt gratified at the knowledge that old friends still retained a kindly recollection of him. As the chairman had truly said, the face of the country had changed. He bad heard of the rapid strides Kihikihi had made, he knew by report that from a military camp it had progressed till it became a town, but he was not prepared for the great change which he noticed in the district. When he left the greater portion of the country was in its natural state, but now he was pleased to see so many comfortable homesteads and plantations of ornamental trees dotted over the land, and which bespoke are air of comfort and prosperity. When he left here redoubts and rifle-pits were still in existence and sentries were posted, but now no such defences were required, and a good feeling seemed to exist between natives and Europeans. People talked of heroes, but the true heroes were those who in spite of adversity and other drawsbacka had stuck to the land until their pluck and perseverance were rewarded by a settled and prosperous state of affairs. Those who had toiled for years without giving in in the struggle were the true heroes and deserved the prosperity which from the appearance of the country was evidently theirs. In conclusion he expressed his pleasure at meeting them again, and thanked them for their kind reception of the toast of his health, Capt. Speedy then, in a few appropriate terms, proposed the prosperity of Kihikihi, coupled with the name of Mr Farrell. Mr Farrell, in a brief speech, responded and made some very happy allusions to the proposer's connection with the place in former times. The usual toasts having been duly proposed and honoured, songs were sung, and after a pleasant evening those present separated soon after 10 p.m. I must not omit mention of the really creditable dinner which waa proviied by Mr Bond. As he said, in responding to the toast of host and hostess, it was the first dinner of the kind ho had provided. If we are to judge by thfr, the first, I should say that his success »s a host is assured, for it is only natural to suppose be will be more successful in such matters as he goes on, though the nature of the dinner on Saturday evening left nothing to be desired, and little room indeed for improvement. To Mrs Bond, however, I believe, is due the credit of the affair, and the tasteful laying of the table with the excellent character of the viands speaks volumes for her skill as a hostess.— (Own Correspondent.)

I Ratepayer* in the Whaingaroa Road District Arc notified that they must pay up by the 31st March. Mr William Cannell, monumental mason, I 'amilton West, inserts a business notice in this issue. Ho is prepared to supply steps and sills, curbing and ratlings for graves, fee, &c, Tk< Rka^kn SitftPKNT.— Like tke braze& serpent that the great Jewish leader lifted h gh in tUe sight of the perMung foltowers, viteieby they rrcresawd irom death, thcd'iscavcracsdf American Hop Bitters b»ve placed iftfoTe suffering, ail'tne mankind, a remcdr which enables them to