FAREWELL BANQUEST TO MR. S. BARR.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 18 July 1881, Page 2

FAREWELL BANQUEST TO MR. S. BARR.

» Pursuant to arranuement, about thirly or forty of the principal res ; dents of Boatman's, .assembled, at Mr Walker's Hotel on Friday evening lasf, for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr Samuel Barr, an old and respected resident of the district, who is about, to take bis departure for the Tasmanian goldfields. The Chair was occupied by Mr W. B. Archer, the vice« Chair being filled by Mr K. Spratt, and the company having discussed the good things provided, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given, and responded to. The ChairmanTiien Toselo "propose" the toast of the evening. He said all present were fully aware, they had assembled that evening for the purpose of paying a well deserved mark of respect to an old resident of Ibe district, who was on the point of leaving for another Colony. lie was glad to see so many present, but no doubt that had the gathering not been so hurriedly got up the numbers would hive been still greater. However, they were, he was sure, all agreed that the district was about to lose the services of one which it could ill spare at the present time. It was, perhaps, a bad sign for the district when men of Mr Barr's qualifications and experience were leaving it, but as they were aware the field was now prssing through one of those temporary shadows which occasionally fall upon mining communities, bat he (the speaker) had no doubt that the depression would be of short duration, and notwithstanding the attractions now offering in the other colonies to men of experience in quartz mining he was confident that the Inangabua would yet draw Mr Barr back again. At least they would hope so. Their guest bad daring his long resi« dence amongst them proved himself a good and useful citizen. He had shown at all times the utmost readiness to assist in their public movement?, end both his time, his money, and his enterprise, had been uesd in many ways to help on the advancement of the field generally, and no district could well afford to part wilh such residents. He (the speaker) was sure that he re-echoed the wish of every person preseni, when he wished their guest a prosperous career in the land he was going to, and health to enjoy it. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with the usual musical honors. Mr Barr, in responding, said he was glad to see so many old friends present, although the friendship displayed ocly tended to make him the more regret his approaching departure. He could not but feel grateful for the kindly expressions conveyed by the Chairman, and be would ever remember them with feelings of pleasure. There was no doubt the mining industry of the Inangahua was suffering some depression at the present time, but fn m his knowledge of the place he had no doubt but that it would shortly revive, and he hof,ed that when they next met, the district generally would be in a more flourishing condition. The fact that so many persons had assembled to say good-bye was a gratify ins; evidence of their es teem, and although he had had some little differences during his residence there, now at the hoar of his leaving they were all forgotten, and he wished them all the fullest measure of prosperity in the future. (Cheers.) The toast of " The Mining Interest " was proposed by Mr R. Spratt, and duly responded to by Mr F. Walker. The " Commercial Interest " was proposed by Mr G. Wise, and acknowledged by Mr W. B. Archer. The " Agricultural Interest " was proposed by Mr Potts, and responded to by Mr F. Boardman. A number of other toasts were proposed, and responded to, and the proceedings being enlivened by songs freely interspersed, the company broke up shortly after midnight, with the times honored song of " Auld Lang Syne." The spread furnished on short notice by Mr F. Walker was everything that could be desired, and upon the whole a very pleasant evening was spent. Mr Barr leaves by coach for Grey mouth this morning.