MUNICIPAL DINNER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2217, 29 January 1868, Page 3

MUNICIPAL DINNER.

A dinner was given at the Queen's Hotel, ■Lyttelton, on Monday evening, by Mr Tlios. Mtrson, the newly-elected Cbairmuu of tho Municipal Council, to celebrate his accession to office. About fifty gentlemen were present, amongst whom were His Honor the Superintendent, Mr 6. Macfarlan, Mil R., DrJDonald, Mr W. Mills, Mr D.Davis, M.P.C., and a numhor of other gentlemen, Tho dinner which was a most recherche one was served by Mr Cuff in a style which did him tho utmost orcdit. The band of No. 2 battery, L.V.A. was stationed in tho balcony, ami contributed much to the enjoyment of the evening. The chair was filled by Mr Merson, supported on the right by His Honor the Superintendent, and on the left by Mr 6. Macfarlan. Mr Joseph Ward, the late Chairman of the Municipal Council acted as croupier. ■

Tlie Cuairmak, in proposing the first toast of the evening said, that it was one which although usually looxed upon as merely formal, yet he was sure that it would be responded to with that heartiness and fervour characteristic of Englishmen. At the present moment when England was menaced by rebellion and treason, he was sure they would with that loyalty which waß inherent in their nature, heartily and enthusiastically respond to the health of "The Queen." (Loud cheers),

Band—National Anthem. The other loyal toasts having been given and responded to, The Chairman proposed the health of His Kxcellen y Sir George Grey. He said that His Excellency deserved the warmest thanks of the colonists for the able and manly manner in which he had defended them against tho unfounded and malicious attacks made on them by the Colonial Office. Although His Excellency was about to depart from their shores, yet he felt certain he would never cease to feel an interest in a country, the honour of which he had so manfully defended. Drank with musical honours and three times three. Band—" Come back Peter Gray." The Chairman said, in proposing the next toast, he did so with peculiar pleasure, The gentleman whose health he was about to propose was the representative of Her Majesty in this province. He need not say that he alluded to their honoured guest and Chief Magistrate his Honor the Superintendent. (Loud and continued cheering.) He had in some matters differed with that gentleman on some minor points of policy, tor lie himself was a politician in a small way; but he thought he had the interest of the province at heart, and that it was this that animated all his public acts, He must now refer to that stupendous undertaking the Moorhouse tunnel—that victory which had been achieved over rugged nature. That was an achievement of which his Honor might well be proud; He would now call upon them to drink the toast in bumpers. Drank with musical honours, and three times three. Band—Perfect Cure.

I His Honor, who on rising was received witli loud and continued cheering, said that people had given him credit for being a very lucky man. He had an idea that this was going to be a pleasant evening, and he bad faced the hill in order to be present. He always felt at home in Lyttelton. It was there his career as a settler had commenced, and he felt a deep and warm interest in its welfare. He must now say a few words on the political and d raestic phase of affairs, as he held it to be the duty of a man holding the position he hud the honour to hold, to lose no opportunity of communicating to the people over whom he presided, or to a section of them his opinions and advice upon the state of affairs. They had passed through a long trial of depression, but he thought they ought to be thankful for that trial, as it enabled them to find out and utilise fresh sources of productive materials. MrMerson had dune him the honour to compliment him upon the success of the tunnel, He thought that with the increased facilities afforded by the railway for loading and unloading ships, the number and tonnage of the shipping would increase, and consequently the trade and port of Lyttelton, which was mainly dependent on the shipping would increase also. Lyttelton was the depot from which the produce of the whole province was forwarded to other provinces and countries, and if the general bulk of the province prospered, so must Lyttelton prosper. He must again thank them for their very kind reception of him that evening. (Applause.) The Chairman said the next toast to propose was that of " the General Assembly of New Zealand," coupled with the name of their member, Mr George Macfarlan, who although only a young member had done good service in the House, Drunk with musical honours.

Mr Macfarlan said he thought that at that hour of the evening he should best consult the feelings and convenience of those who were present, by being brief in his remarks—as had been very justly remarked by their worthy chairman, he was only a young member, but he had done bis best to promote the the intsreets of the town he had the honour to represent and the province in general, lie had not had an opportunity of conveying to the inhabitants of Lyttelton his gratitude for the trnst reposed in him by them, but he could assure them that it would ever be his aim to deserve their confidence in every way. The Chairman rose to propose the health of " The Provincial Council," coupled with the name of Mr Eyfe, member for the town of Lyttelton. (Cheers.) Mr Fyfe said, on behalf of himself and bis brother members, he thanked them for the cordial manner in which they had responded to the toast. He hoped that conduct during the ensuing session of the Provincial Council would be of such a character as to entitle them to their confidence and respect. He wished to Bay a few words with respect to what fell from his Honor respecting the tunnel. He agreed with him thai the tunnel was a great fact, not only in a business point of view, but it bound the Port and the other; portions of the province more closely than had hitherto been the case. It would develop new industries, and tend to give increased prosperity to Lyttelton. He thought i hey were gradually emerging from the depression which had overshadowed them so long, and that better days were in store for them. He hoped his predictions might come true, and that prosperity might once more be universal throughout the province. (Cheers.) His Honor said he rose with a great deal of pleasure to propose the next toast. It was the health of their worthy chairman Mr Thomas Merson. He thought that the excellent taste displayed in the collection of the very pleasantpartyhesawaround himaugured well for the manner in which he would discharge the duties of his office during the ensuing year. He believed that under the able guidanee of their chairman, the idea of progress would become'intensifted in the Council, and that all works of local interest would be carried out with vigour and discretion. Lyttelton already could boast of having ihe best paved footpaths of any town in New Zealand. He hoped lie might he allowed, without incurring the rebuke of dictation, to suggest that one of the paramount objects to which the Council ought to direct its attention, was a well considered scheme of water supply. In a town built, like that of Lyttelton, almost wholly of wood, afire occurring would be productive of the direst calamities, and an amount of misery of which they could have but little conception. He felt sure that his friend Mr Merson would go through his year of office with credit to himself and benefit to those who had placed him in that position. (Cheers,) Drank with musical honours, and three times three.

Mr Merson, who was greeted with loud and continued applause said, he was deeply sensible of the honour which had been done him by his fellow-townsmen in electing him to the responsible and honourable office which he now held. On the question of the water supply for the town he held, as they all knew, very decided opinions which he had

always expressed. With reference to the complimentary terms in which his Honor bad referred to Ills abilities, all he could say was that lie had prospored in hyttelton, and he now intended to devote na much of his time as possible towards serving the interests of his fellow-townsmen. There was one subject which lie thought thoy would pardon him for calling their attention to. It was this. Their Into deeply-lamented representative, Mr Crosbie Ward, who had died full of promisu and literally in harness,, surely deserved from those in whoso interests he had laboured so faithfully nnd so well, some recognition of his invaluable services expressive of the loss that tho province and indeed the whole colony had sustained. It was proposed to erect a memorial window in Trinity Church to his memory, and he trusted that all present would aid in the good work. He again thanked them for the honour they had that evening done him. (Applause). The Chairman then in highly eulogistic terms proposed the health of the Vice-chair-man, Mr Ward, the late Chairman of the Municipal Council. Mr VVahd, having briefly returned thanks, The Chairman rose and said, the next toast was the health of a gentleman whom they all respected, and whose name was always foremost in works of charity, and in doing good to his fellow-men. He alluded to their worthy K.M., Dr Donald. (Cheers.) Drank with musical honours.

Dr Donald, who was greeted with loud cheers, said ho should indeed he very ungrateful were he not to feel deeply the manner in which his health had been received, By a recent order, they were aware that so far as concerned political matters his mouth was hermetically sealed, He hailed, as an offshoot from the land they all lovedy the present gathering. Their worthy chairman had evidently studied human nature in its social aspects, and he must congratulate him in having succeeded so well in bringing so joyous a party together on the present occasion. He thanked them very sincerely for their good wishes. Mr D. Davis proposed the health of Mr W. Mills, Collector H.M. Customs, in highly flattering terms. The health of Captain Gibson, Port Offiecr, was next proposed and suitably acknowledged. " The ladies," responded to by Mr D. Caro, and Mr K. P. Glen, and several other toasts followed each other in rapid succession, several capital songs were sung, and the party separated, having spent a most enjoyable evening.