DINNER TO MR D. COUTTS.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2682, 12 March 1874, Page 2

DINNER TO MR D. COUTTS.

Hearing that MrD. Coutts—an influential farmer, who for about seventeen years has held one of the best farms on Kaiapoi Island—was about shortly to leave for the Patca district in the North Island, a number of his neighbors and fanning friends in the district decided to give him a complimentary dinner at the Kaikainui Hotel, Kaiapoi. This, which had been successfully arranged, was held on Tuesday evening, when over fifty sat down to an excellent spread, the catering for which did credit to Mr.; Harris, Dr Dudley occupied the chair, supported on his right by Mr Coutts, the Mayor of Kaiapoi, and Mr J. Keetley; on his left, Mr Dixon M.P.C.MrJ.Gnild.andMrJ.Walle. Thevicechairman was Mr J. Beswick. Among others there were present, Messrs Pashby, M. Joues, Matson, T. O'Callaghan, Stevenson, Young, Birnie, Reed, Weston, O. E. Dudley, G. Edwards, W. Ross, G. Patterson* Birnie, A. McDonald, Kjdd, B. Parnham, &c.

The chairman briefly proposed the toasts of "The Queen and Eoyal Family," "His Excellency the Governor," " Hie Honor the Superintendent," and "The Members.of the Provincial Council," the latter coupled with the names of Messrs Beewick. and Dixon, who made suitable replies. Mr Joseph Clark being called on by the chairman, said he had been asked to propose the toaet of the evening, viz., "Health and prosperity to their gnest, Mr Donald Coutts." He only wished that some one more eloquent had been deputed to do it ; but having been asked by several friends to propose the toast, whatever he lacked in eloquence he trusted would be made up in energy and esteem. Mr Coutts had been known to him and them for the past fourteen years as one of the pioneer farmers of the district, and when they now looked around upon the work which such men as Mr Coutts had performed, how could they but feel deep regret at losing him, when he could be badly spared. However he would go away with the good wishes, not only of those present, but all his friends. As an instance that they could ill afford to lose such men, he need only refer them to the quality of the cattle at Mr Coutts' Sale that day, and those of fourteen years ago. It was the pluck and enterprise of such which had made Canterbury a name among the other provinces, and it was therefore to be expected that the farmers of the province would regret to lose him. He hoped that Mr Coutts in hie new borne would be well received, that he would i

be prosperous in monetary interests, gain the esteem he had done here, and then when his time was np—ho gave Mr Contte ecven years in which to get tired of the North Island—he would return to Kaiapoi Island He asked those present to drink the toast in a bumper. The company drank the toast with musical honors and three times three. Mr Coutts said he felt very proud that they had taken the trouble to meet he-e and treat him in the way they had dono showing I,lm that mark of kindness as an old colonist. Having been one of the pioneer farmers of Canterbury, if they would bear with him, he would give a brief outline of his career. It was twenty-three years Bince he landed, and though he had met with tips and downs he had pushed on till havine now arrived at his present position, h 0 was leaving Canterbury with feelings of regret Hβ left a flourishing country to come here' now he was leaving a flourishing country to go elsewhere. In reference to the teams for insUnce, which they used to have in the early days, he could recall the time when hf> ploughed with one horse that would co right enough and one which wouldn't poas he might say. [Laughter.] HU nc *U. bors used, to wonder how ho K ot on, and ono day he had a visit from a fanner when ho was ploughing with his two horses in water up to his knees. The fanner was a man who usually ploughed with three horses and three men, and who, after expressing his surprise to ccc' him (Mr Coutts) roughing it, turned off two o* , the men, and set to work in a similar war Some three or four years after his arrival m the province, he was the means of startine the first ploughing match, which was held on the Bumsidc farm, now held by Mr Boat? He had resided five years at thq Hcathcote Valley, and seventeen years on Kaianoi Island. On first coming to the Island thwo were only one or two houses, of which Mr Durrell's was one. There was then no Sueydstown or Dobbstowu. Hβ settled on the farm where Mr Matson had sold him out that day, and had been snoceesful, having resolved to put hie shoulder to the wheel, without which no one might reasonbly expect, to get ou. When he came to Kaiapoi a ploughing match was started there, of which he was ono of the promoters, with their chairman—Dr Dudley—and so long as they had his assistance, the matches he considered would never fail. It was the last time ho expected to meet them at dinner here, but if he did return in Mr Clark's eeven years, he hoped to meet them all again, and their friend Dr Dudley. Last April.he went to the North Island : he there saw a piece of country in its virgin state, very much like what Kaiapoi Island wns when he first knew it aud he bought a block, which he intended to improve. After noticing the fact that cousiderable improvements had been made in tho implements used in this province, Mr Coutts went on to say that ha was the first to go up Kaiapoi Island, and the first to leave it. He was not obliged to- leave it If his neighbour's property had been in tho market ho might have remained ant enlarged his circle, but as be could not get inbre land adjoining him, he wae obliged to g,o away. This showed a prosperous etafco of things, In conclusion, he thanked them one and all for their kind expressions towards him. He hoped they also would progress OttWards and upwards. [Continued applause.] The Chairman, gave the toast of "Tho Mayor and Corporation," to which tho Mayor, Mr E. GK.Kerr, replied. The. Vice-Chairmatrj in proposing tho " Farming Interests, , . , coupled with tho names of Messrs Pashby and Edwards, secretaries of the Mandeville Farmers' Club and ploughing match committee, expressed: his admiration of Mr Ooutts' perseverance, adding that it waa due to suelt as him that the provinco bore such an English appearance in repect to the field 3, hedgerows, roads, and other characteristics co often remarked by strangers. He expressed a hope that while Mr Coutts was leaving the garden of Eden as he might term the, Island, he hoped his example would not be losty and that while Mr Coutts had been active in establishing a' ploughing match, -they would, perhaps, that evening, consider the | matter of re • establishing the : Northern* Agricultural and Pastoral Association. It would be a great benefit to the district if atv annual exhibition of stock could be held and he felt certain that an annual show in that .district would be second only to thi Metropolitan chow. Bef erring to his first visit to the district , twenty years ago,, the altered state of the country between now and then appeared like a dream. From hiebrothor's raupohut, near Baxter's ferry, : they could scarcely sco any houses around, but now the whole country was dotted over with homesteads, fields, and plantations. This change was.due to the perseverance of the farmers, and mother earth in return had been kind to many of them, as Mr could prove. In his business dealings with Mr Coutts he had always found him straight. ,The farming interests at present were in a good, way, still he hpped they would give them anofher lift, and resolve to start the Agriooltoiil Association.

The" toast was acknowledged by Mr Edwards. : : , ,<:-■.■: ;

The other toasts given wore *' The Agricultural Implement Makers," replied to by Mr Keetfey ; " The Tradesmen of Kaiapoi," replied to by Messrs M'Donald and Parnham; " The Breeders of Bheep ? Cattle, and Horses," replied to by Messrs Guild and Walls ; "The Mercantile Interests of the Dietrict," with the name of Mr ,C. E f Dudley ; " The Chftirman," '* tfh'e Press," "The tadies," and " The Host and Hostess." r; ••.., ; Several songs were sung by Messrs Paahby, Guild, Reed. Parnham, Young, and a "local" by Mr M'Donald, "Wheu, Ponald iCoatte comes back again," and the proceedings passed off very pleasantly, the company dispersing about o'clock.