VALEDICTORY BANQUET TO MR J. S. BUCKLAND AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2142, 1 April 1886, Page 2

VALEDICTORY BANQUET TO MR J. S. BUCKLAND AT CAMBRIDGE.

The complimentary banquet tendered to Mr J. S. Buckland on the occasion of hi* departure from the district for Victoria, took place at the Public Hall, Cambndge, last night. The arrangements were in the hands of an influential and representative committee, with Mr Chas. Tuck as secretary, and to these gentlemen much credit is due for the sucectw <if the .affair, though, when the object is considered, very little was wanted to make it a .succch-i. Amongst those present were the following : — Messrs W. J. Hunter. Oliaupo; C. Hunter, Oliaupo ;W. Moon, Cambiidge ; J. Forrest, Cambridge ; Gordon Gla&bford, Briaily ; — Glaabford, jun., Briarly ; Hitiri to Paerata and Kapr>, native chiefs, Taupo ; Dr Waddington, Cambridge; W. Kincaiil, Cambridge ; W. Sonter, Cambridge ; W. Aveneli, North Shore; M. Delaney, Ohaupo; T. Prince, Ohaupo; J. Walton, Kihikihi ; — Case, Kotorangi ; — Park, Rotorangi ; F. C. Germann, Paterangi ; Jas. Rowe, Piako ; J. Hodgson, Te Rove ; R. Noble, Whatawhata ; — Shirley, Auckland ; Alf. Bucklaud, jun., Auckland ; M. Pickering, Hautapu ; Jas. Taylor, Cambridge ; N. I. Hunt, Cambridge ; Thus. Wells, Cambridge ; C. Day, Whatawhata ; Major Jackson, Kihikihi ; Capt. Rutherford, Te Awamutu ; T. Lewis (Lewis and Simpson), Cambridge ; F. A. Whitaker, Cambridge ; W. K. Carter, Cambridge ; W. Ring, Mangawhara; J. Grice, Rotorangi ; C. J. Storey, Te Rahu ; F. Dibble, Mataraata; J. Hodgson, Te Rore ; Capt. Steele, Hamilton ;W. Mitchell, Cambridge; G. Maclean (Hesketh, Aitken and Maclean), Auckland ; R. Reynolds, Pukerimu ; H. Steele, Hamilton ; - Jos. Barugh, Tamabere ; G. Way, Narrows ; R. aud W. Cow ley, Tamahere ; H. Paton, Hautapu ; J. Houghton, Cambridge ; H. Buttle, Morrinnville ; Souter (of Wells and Souter), Cambridge ; R. W. Dyer, Cambridge ; H. Windsor, Hamilton ;W. Orr, Scotchman's Valley ; Harrison, Morrinhyille ; J. Turnbull, Piako ; Captain Runciman, Piako Road ; J. Lamb, Ngaruawahia ; T. Qualtrough, Hamilton ; T. Walker, Cambridge : T. Parker, Rotorangi ; Robt. Watson, Pukerinm ; J. Paton, Hautapu ; S. Steele, Narrows ; C. J. W. Barton, Hamilton ; George Edgecumbe, Hamilton ; Greville Smith, Hamilton ;T. G. Sandes, Hamilton ; R. Fisher. Pukerimu ; J. Fisher, Pukerinm ; H. Fergusson, Cambridge ; E. Allen, Pukekura; T. Hicks. Pukekura ; W. Howie, Pukerimu ; John Wood, Te Aioha ; Jos. Gane, Pukerimu. The catering wan in the able hands of Mr E. Hewitt, of the Criterion Hotel, and^ the collation was all that could be desired. Covers were laid for about 120, and this number sat down and did the heartiest justice to the profusion of viands put before them. The chair was occupied by Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.R., having on his right the guest of the evening, Mr Buckland, and the vice-chair was filled by Capt. Steele. The Te Awamutu Band, under the leadershin of Mr Sibley, were present, and played ft series of airs during tbe evening in their well-known style. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were propSsed by the chairman and vice-chair- i man, and duly honoured. Major Jackson returned thanks for the Army, and Capt. Runciman for the Volunteers. The Chairman then rose to propose the toast of the evening. It was always painful to say good-bye to an old friend, and to see an old settler leaving. It might therefore be called a melancholy occasion, but he did not intend to be melancholy, and looking around he did not think the company intended to be melancholy. They should always look on the bright side of things. It might be that in leaving, unfortunate as were the circumstances which led to his departure, Mr Buckland's removal would be for his benefit. In a wider sphere he might make lots of money and come back to spend it amongst them. (Laughter and cheers.) It was not a pleasant thing for a man to hear his praises sung, and lie did not intend to subject him to that ordeal. He could say many flattering things about their guest, but he refrained fioni doinj; so. He was not quite t>ure that he was the right man in the right place, as he had only known Mr Buckland about 15 vears, while there were those around the table who had known him since his birth, and had marked the growth of all his good qualities. He trusted that Mr Buckland would accept the presence of such a large company of friends as a testimony to the estimation in which be was held in the district generally. Though he did not intend to dilate on his good qualities, jolly good fellow and keen business man as he was, he could not help referring to one good quality, and that was his inten.se lo\ e for all four-footed animals. To such lengths did this affection carry him that he never could see an animal without at once conceiving the most intense admiration for it. (Laughter.) In conclusion, )v. felt sure that on behalf of those present he could wish tbeir guebt God speed, a long life, prosperity, the realisation of all his hopes, and a. speedy return to this colony, accompanied by a number of young Bucklunds, to help to scatter the wealth which he hoped he would bring back with him. (Loud and continued applause.) Mr Buckland, who was received with loud applause, thanked the company very heartily for the kind manner in which the toast had been received. He was leaving them all with regret, but it was, as the chairman had said, on account of his wife's health. But wherever he went he would remember his Waikato friends. As the chairman had said, he was going to akrger sphere, bb£ it would take him a good while to get together as large a business as he was leaving, and as large a circle of friends. He thought perhaps be might be of use to them in Australia, and hoped to pay them periodical visits. Ho took this opportunity of thanking those who had been good enough to make his wife a presentation of silver plate, and concluded by thanking them all very heartily for tbe kind manner in which they had drank his health. Mr F. A. Whitaker proposed the agricultural and commercial interests, in a brief, but appropriate speech. Capt. Steele and Mr Thomat. Wells suitably responded. The former, in referring to Mr Bnckland, said he very much regretted his departure, but if the people of Australia would take Mr Buckland as a sample of young New Zealand, then his regret would be greatly modified. The vice-chairman proposed " the ladies," to which Mr Henry Steele responded in ft humorous speech. MrT. G. Sandes proposed "the Press," which was responded to by Mr Grevilie Smith, (The Waikato Times), and Mr G. ; W. Resell. j Te Hitiie te Paerata fully conoided with the opinion expressed by Major Jackion,tliat should any enemy attack New Zea- ! land the two racas would combine to defend the country. He trusted that the ' two races would continue to live ' together in amity under the same laws. The only thing that troubled him was that one Ministry made laws, and the next knocked them down again. He thought the members of Parliament should not confine themselves to the interests of the Europeans alone, but attend to both races. (Hear, hear, from the chairman.) A great work had been commenced in the opening up of the native country, for which he took some credit. All he wanted was fair play. Capt. Steele reciprocated the sentiments of Te Hitiri. That chief, he had just been informed, had saved the life of Mr W. T. Buckland many yaars ago on Patetere, and he asked the company to accord him three cheers, which were heartily given. The toasts of " \lrs Buckland and the married ladies of Waikato," proposed in a few happy and appropriate remarks by Mr Gordon Glasaford and responded to by Mr Buckland, and "The Chairman," proposed by Captain Steele, brought the formal portion of the programme to a clone, and the remainder of the evening was devoted to harmony. «■-■

" HaliOj Sam," said % gentleman to an old negro riding along on a mule, " where did you get that beast ?" " I bnyed J im in course : yo' didn't think I stoled him, did yo 1 ?" " I wasn't sure. What did you give for him ?" "I Rib my note, sah, for fawfcy dollahs!" "Your note, Sam?" "In course, sah i" "Why you'll never pay it." "Course I won't, Boss. Yo' don't recon dat man spec3 I'se gwine to pay for dat mule, an 1 pay for dat note besides, does yo'? No, b.vh. hit's as much, M dis darkty can do to pay to' de m«le."