COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO MESSRS W. B. TOSSWILL AND G. STEDMAN.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2683, 13 March 1874, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO MESSRS W. B. TOSSWILL AND G. STEDMAN.

A complimentary dinner to Messrs Tosswill and Stedman was given at the George and Dragon, Templeton, on the occasion of their leaving the district to reside in Courtenay. It was well attended, and the dinner was a very good one, and fully equal to any that a town hotel could produce. About thirty sat down, and seemed heartily to enjoy themselves. The Bey Mr Paige occupied the chair, supported by the guests, Messrs Tosswill and atedman, his Honor the Superintendent, and Mr S. D. Glyde. The vice-chair was taken by Mr Cardale, supported by Messrs J. N. Tosswill and A. C. KDight. All the principal residents in the district were present. It was very gratifying to see so many of the influential residents in the neighborhood present, and shows the very high estimation in which the gentlemen who are leaving the district are held. The landlord of the George and Dragon (Mr Rogers), deserved great credit for the manner in which the tables were arranged and things generally managed. We may|mention the untiring exertions of Mr Morgan, of the Templeton school, Mr Baily, and a few others, who were certainly indefatigable in their efforts to make the dinner what it was, in every sense of the word, a great success. The cloth being removed, the toasts were proceeded with as follows :— The Chairman proposed "The Queen," which waa responded to in the usual manner. Next followed " His Excellency the Governor." The chairman proposed it, and in doing so stated he was a farmer himself, and therefore could fully appreciate Canterbury. Drank with enthusiasm.

The Chairman next proposed the Superintendent and said that he thought he expressed the feelings of most of those present, when he said that he hoped he would fill the same office for years to come. He did not like to speak enthusiastically of a man in his presence ; it always appeared fulsome. He had the greatest pleasure in proposing the Superintendent's health, coupled with the Executive Council. [Cheers.]

The Superintendent said he had great pleasure in being present for several reasons. First, because the guest was an old and personal friend of himself, he had gained the regard of all those he had come in contact with, and he also had his warm esteem. He was also glad to meet them as their Superintendent. Of course he took a warm interest in every portion of Canterbury. He supposed every one knew that he intended to offer himself again for the Superintendency. He took the office at a time when the province was in a depressed state but now he felt that he, as Superintendent of Canterbury, held one of the proudest positions in the colony. The old French proverb, "Le Roi est mort; vive le Roi !" was true as to the Superintendency ; though at the present time there was a political pause —the Superintendent and Council were never dead. He thanked them heartily for the manner in which they had drunk his health. [Cheers.] The Chairman then proposed " The Provincial Council" in eulogistic terms, coupled with the name of Mr A. C. Knight.

Mr Knight said that he was surprised at being called upon to return thanks when their own member was present. He hoped that the new Council would be as satisfactory to the country as the old one had been. He thought that for a long time to come provincial institutions would be necessary things. He would not detain them longer as he did not think politics should be introduced at a meeting like this. [Cheers.] Mr A. C. Knight sang, " There'll be time enough for that.said I," and was much applauded. The Chairman then called upon those present to fill their glasses for the toast of the evening. He said that he felt it a great pleasure and honor to have to propose the health of two such old and valued settlers, and wished that some one who had known them longer had had that task. He knew that Mr Tosswill had done great service to the district in the Provincial Council. The railway running through Templeton was principally owing to him. He thought it was originally intended to make the line nearer Lincoln, and had this been done, Templeton would not have been opened up. They also owed, to a great extent, the erection of the Templeton Church to him. Although Mr Tosswill was leaving them, he would still, he was sure, help them in every possible way. In speaking of Mr Tosswill, he must not forget the great loss the district would snffer through losing Mr Stedman. Throughout the district be was loved and respected. Every house welcomed him with smiles. He had worked for the church earnestly and well. He thought -thst-the word "loss" was wrong; no doubt others would be stirred up by their absence,' and become worthy imitators of those gone away. He did hope it would have that effect upon the young men of the parish when Mr Stedman was gone. He wished that some one who had i known them longer bad proposed them ; but

he felt that he should miss them as much as anyone, although he had known them only four years. He should have much more work to do when Mr Stedman was gone, as he had helped him very much. He then read the following addresses, presenting the two cups which had been selected as presents. The addresses, which were handsomely illuminated, ran as follows :— •' Presentation to F. G. .Stedman. " Dear Sir, —We, the undersigued inhabitants of Templeton. take the opportuuity of your removal from the neighborhood to acknowledge the many valuable services we have received at your hands during the past eight years. We rejoice to find that though we lose you as a resident your professional connection with this district will remain unsevered. We beg your acceptance of the accompaning cup as a small token of the esteem and regard which you have won from all classes in the district. Wishing you and your family every success in your new home, we remain, dear sir, very truly yours." [Here follow 54 signatures of the most influential inhabitants of the district.]

"Presentation to W. B. Tosswill, Esq., J.P, M.P.C.

I " Dear Sir, —We, the undersigned inhabitants of Templeton, having heard that you are about to leave the district witi which you have been associated for so many I years, cannot allow you to do so without expressing our regret at your removal aud tending our sincere thanks for the zeal and energy you have shown in promoting the welfare of the district during your residence amongst us. We beg your acceptance of tbe accompanying cup as a token of the appreciation in which your past services are held, and of the esteem aud good will in which you are deservedly held by all classes. Wishing you success and happiness, we remain, dear sir, very truly yours." Here follow fifty-four signatures, the same as those appended to the other testimonial. The cup presented to Mr Stedman was bought at Petersen's, and is a very handsome present, it bears the following inscription : "p. G. Stedmau, from the inhabitants of Templeton, on his leaving the district 1874." Mr Tosswill's came from Sandstein's and was equally handsome. It bore the following inscription :—" W. B. Tosswill, Esq., J.P., M.P.C., from the inhabitants of Templeton on his leaving the district. 1874." Both cups bore the crests of the gentlemen to whom they were presented. The health of both gentlemen was then drunk with "three times three," "musical honors," " cheers for little ones," kc., Sec. After a song from Mr Jackson. Mr Tosswill rose. He said he felt great gratitude to those who had given them such nice presents and such a good dinner. He felt he hardly deserved them. He must correct the chairman's idea that he had anything to do with the course of the railway through Templeton. It was laid out eleven years ago, and though some alterations had been proposed, he had opposed them, as he thoughb that people had bought land on the faith that the railway would be near them. He was at this time a member, not for Templeton, but the district that would have been benefited by the change. He had had some hand in the present .positiou of the station, and he thought that the present position was the best. He looked round and saw many old aud dear friends around him. They had been told that the Council was dissolved ; but he might again come forward as their representative, and they might be certain that bis being non-res; lent would not make him neglect their interests. Years ago he and a few others had come to the district, which was considered a dry one, and now look at the results. He thought they might well be proud when they looked at their school and church, and this was owing in a great measure to the good clergymen they had had, and still possessed ; and to Mr Morgan, the schoolmaster, who had raised an indifferent school to a really good one. He impressed upon them the necessity of pulling together, and thought it was owing to that that the district had done so well. Mr Stedman, on rising, was greeted with cheers. He said he was not well, but their kindness had nearly cured him. He saw many old friends round the table. He used once to think Templeton a dull place but he soon got used to it. When Mr Scott left he was glad to get his place. At that time Boad°Boards were new and not liked, but people were now better able to understand rates. The school and church were doing well. He had always taken the greatest interest in both, and always should. He thought that a man must do more than his duty in any place where his lot was cast. The best token they could give him of their regard would be to worthily support their institutions. He remembered manyold things, MrS.O. Glyde, and the volunteers, and lots of other things, and now that he was going to sever all these ties and go to sit on new committees, he should still remember old times with great pleasure. He could only say that he had spent many happy years amongst them. [Cheers. 1 Mr Morgan then sang—" Isle of Beauty." Mr Cardale then proposed '• The Bishop and Clergy," They at Templeton owed, a great deal to the clergy. He coupled the name of Mr Paige with the toast. [Drank with applause.] Mr Cardale then sang — " The Lost Child." The Rev W. E. Paige responded. He said that the clergy and people act and react upon each other. Templeton was one of the happiest little places he had been in. It what a nice place it was when he had been there four years and never had any unpleasantness, although of course there had been difference of opinion, but there had been no ill feeling. He had met with the greatest kindness, and hoped he might be connected with Templeton many years, and hoped other parishes might be as united and happy. [Cheers.] Mr W. B. Tosswill proposed " Prosperity to Templeton, coupled with the name of Mr S. Bailey." He had always liked Templeton. Years ago he had known Mr Bailey. He had persuaded him to como up, and he thought Mr Bailey had not only done well for himseif but for others. If Mr Bailey had only dove the good he had done to the Bchool he would have done great good to the community. He would say that he was untiring in his efforts in the cause of education. The toast was drank with musical honors. Mr Knight then sang, " The flowing bowl." i Mr S. Baily said he had been in Templeton since its commencement. There was no j school, no anything, wheu he came up, but I the accommodation house. He put up the first blacksmith's shop, and since that time, Templeton had become prosperous. He had served on the Boad Board and school committee with Messrs Tosswill and Stedman, and they had always had the prosperity of tbe district at heart. At the same time they must remember that they must not let the district go back, though they bad gone. | Many had objected to the rates, etc., but the '• best way to alter their opinions, was to put them in office ; then they saw the necessity. He hoped young men would come forward and take the place of those leaving. He was sure neither Mr Tosswill nor Mr Stedman would cease to feel a great interest in the disI trict. [Cheers]. Mr Stedman sang " Alonzo, the brave." I Mr Cardale then proposed, '* The health of the Army and Navy." coupled with the name of Mr Glyde, who had had a great deal to do with the " Templeton army." Drank with musical honors. Mr Jacobson sang "He like a soldier fell." Mr Glyde responded. He said that luckily for him he had been a soldier in profound peace. He was glad be lived in a country without a standing army. He was glad to see Templeton so prosperous, and thought that if they visited South Australia and saw how people existed on 8 bushels per acre, and 4s a bushel, they would be glad to getback again. He b3d travelled through a great part of Australia, but had seen no farming country equal to Canterbury. To return to the army, he thought that if there was a war he should not be patriotic enough to return. A number of other toasts were proposed, and a very happy evening was brought to a happy conclusion.