MAYORAL BANQUET.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 619, 11 June 1891, Page 2

MAYORAL BANQUET.

BANQUET TO THE DISTRICT’S REPRESENTATIVE. Nearly 200 guests, at the invitation of His Worship the Mayor, sat down to a banquet in the City Rink last night, when Mr Kelly, the Parliamentary representative of the East Coast district, was present to meet them. The gathering was free of anything in the nature of party feeling, and though arranged at short notice, it was a very representative meeting, all sections of the community being represented. The brief time allowed did not permit of many invitations being sent out in the country. Mr Carroll, M.H.R., was among those present, and sat to the left of the Mayor.

Grace was said by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams, and then a repast prepared and served in Mr Craig’s best style, was done full justice to. It was intended to dispense with formality as much as possible in the proceedings ; a number of toasts were on the programme, and some excellent speeches were made, but we are compelled to condense closely. His Worship the Mayor said that it was his privilege to propose the first toast, that of The Queen. He hoped she would live long to reign over a united empire. The toast was enthusiastically honored. Mr Arthur rose to propose the of The Governor and the House of Representatives, and commended the way in which Lord Onslow went through the different carts of the colony. He alluded to the New Zealand House as the best in the colonies, but regretted that party warfare prevented the House getting the best men that they could, and he hoped that next session party politics would give place to what Macaulay described aa All for the State, and none for the party. He coupled Mr Carroll's name wiih the toast, (cheers). That gentleman was one of the strongest and beat speakers in the House, and carried great weight, and he hoped that he would take an even more energetic lead in native matters.

Mr Carroll, in responding, said that Lord Onslow was one who would be happy to meet them—he liked to go through the country and become intimate with the people, and was one of the best Governors the colony had had. The speaker gave the Parliament a high character, said he approved of the Upper House as a check on hasty legislation, and agreed that there was too much party, but did not see how it could be improved. He believed in anything that tended to the good of the country, and was opposed to extremes of any kind. (Applause.) Mr DeLautour—(cheers) —proposed the toast of The Guest, which he felt very pleased to do, The present time appeared to him the most interesting he had known in politics, whether they looked at it from a colonial or local standpoint, He alluded to the great questions which Parliament would have to decide, and in regard to the district said that the, work of developing it might be proudly joined in by the greatest genius in the colony. The waste lands, without exception, should be made productive., He had known a cry of freetrade in native lands, but he ventured to say that if it was to be freetrade as hitherto known it would only be to those who had long pockets and speculative tendencies, He spoke strongly of the way in which men who had legitimately endeavored to acquire lands under the laws of the colqny were treated, and instead of being robbed by expensive Commissions and the like they should have proper recognition. M r Kelly would have the assistance of Messrs Carroll and Rees —(cheers) —and he believed that a bold front shown on the native question at the present time would be acceptable to the country. (Cheers) Mr Kelly expressed his gratitude at the kind reception. He recognised that the dinner was not given so much to himself individually as in honor of the position he occupied. He would do his utmost to assist Messrs Rees and Carroll to carry out useful legislation ip regard to native lands, and thought that a|l legitimate purchases should be upheld. He had no doubt that the Government would bring in a suitable measure to acquire and settle lands ; he believed that the Crown should purchase all the native lands they could, and in future be the sole medium in the matte?. He vyauld da

his best to get redress for the district. He trusted that whatever he did would receive their approbation. (Cheers.) Mr Bright proposed the Prosperity of the Trade and Commerce of Poverty Bay, and quoted figures showing the wonderful progress the district was making, saying that energy was all that was required to ensure prosperity. (Applause.) Mr Dickson, in responding, said he had always had the greatest faith in the district. The present state of the harbor was a great drawback, but he hoped Mr Kelly would do his best in the matter. With the district’s great natural resources it only wanted men with public spirit. (Applause.) Captain Tucker proposed The Local Bodies, and spoke highly of the faithful way in which the members carried out their duties. The Mayor was warmly applauded on rising to reply. He expressed gratification at the satisfaction that had been expressed. He touched on various matters, and said he was pleased to see so many there that evening, when they had an opportunity of meeting Messrs Kelly and Carroll. He agreed that more public spirit was required in the place—if they had had that before the place would not have been so much neglected in the matter of public expenditure. When Mr Kelly went to Wellington he hoped he would be cordially backed up by his constituents. In one of the finest districts of the colony they had not a road thirty miles long. . , T , , , Messrs Lewis and Joyce also responded in suitable terms.

Mr W. F. Crawford proposed The Host. (Continued cheers.) He considered that Mr Townley’s work was a splendid example of public spirit, and he deserved honor for it. (Cheers.) It was only after many years of service that Mr Townley could be induced to take the position of Mayor. The speaker went on to deal with some of the district’s history from Captain Read’s time, and concluded by speaking hopefully of the future, and by hoping that Mr Townley would long occupy the position of Mayor. (Cheers.; The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm, and cheers were given for the Mayor, Mayoress and family. In responding His Worship made amusing reference to the early history of trying to get assistance for the harbor. He urged upon the members to try and get a further endowment. He was glad to see so many settlers there that evening, and hoped that it would encourage the member and that when he returned to give an account of his stewardship he would come smilingas he was thatevening. He intended the dinner to be of no formal nature, and therefore only a limited number of toasts were on the programme.

The gathering broke up at about 10 o’clock.