BANQUET TO MAJOR STEWARD.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7880, 3 June 1891, Page 6

BANQUET TO MAJOR STEWARD.

- ■■■-.T About eighty electors, of the Waimate District met at the Library Hall on Monday evening last, for the purpose of holding a complimentary banquet to Major Steward, Speaker of tbe House of Representatives, which took place in the large halL After the cloth had been drawn Mr J. Sinclair, .the Mayor, who presided, read apologies from the Hons. Mr. McKenzie, Mr Ward, Mr Seddon, and Messrs Hall-Jones, Pinkerton, Earnshaw, Fish, Dawson, Hutchison, MH.R.'s, and Messrs D. M. Ross and R. MoOwen, and Sr Robert Stout. After several toasts had been drunk, ** The Legislative Council and the General Assembly " was proposed by the Vice- J President (Mr G. Miller). He briefly referred to the work done by both Houses, and congratulated the electors on having their member placed in such a responsible position in the House. He coupled the names of Mr Duncan and Major Steward, M.H.R.'s, with the toast. Mr Duncan responded briefly, eulogising the services of Major Steward. Mr Alfred Walker proposed the toast of the evening, "Major Steward." In doing so, he would say that their district had never been represented until the present member had been elected. He had always supported Liberalism, and it did not matter who the voter was, whether he was rich or poor, the Major would see his wants attended to, and have justice done. He believed in the Government.. They were settling the land-, and he felt sure would soon do away.with the unemployed difficulty. Major Steward, in responding to the toast, commenced by saying that whenever he came down to Waimate he felt it was his political home. He always got a hearty and loyal welcome When he came down, i and he felt deeply the honor they had done him that evening. He always, prized the esteem of those by whom it was an'- honor to be esteemed. He was specially pleased to see some present who were his political opponents, and he thanked them from the bottom of his heart for coming to -welcome him that evening. He now met them in a dual capacity —as Speaker and a member of the House of Representatives, and he would always try to wear the honor humbly and justly. As Speaker of the House, he might say he had .sat under many Speakers during his Parliamentary career, and he sincerely hoped he would be able to hold the position as they had done, especially his predecessor, Sir Maurice O'Roi-ke. Mr Duncan and himself had sat side, by side in the House for many years, they had always assisted each other, and Mr Duncan would bear him out in saying that the conduct of the House of Representatives would compare favorably with that of any other House in the colonies. A large number thought that the new element introduced to the House last election—the labor candidate —would prove hard to keep in order, but he could assure them he had had more trouble with some of the old members. Mr Duncan Had briefly stated that, although Speaker, he could still Work for his district. And he would just mention a few items to show he had not been idle. He could show Copies' of' 300 pages of foolscap that he had lately written on public business on behalf of this district and the colony generally. He then referred to the Triennial- Licensing Election Bill as a measure introduced by him, and which had already saved the colony a large sum of money annually. HC'had also drafted the new School Committee Election Bill, and was now occupied on one authorising the payment to jurors who were forced to act on inquests and inquiries. He had also taken a hand in a number of other Bills. He mentioned these items to show that when these Bills were brought forward next year by other members that, although he was Speaker, he would still havo some hand ; in their preparation and bringing out. He was working hard to have some ofthe • education reserves cut up for settlement. Some of the reserves immediately around Waimate whose leases fell in last year had at his suggestion only been re-let for One year. This had been done to enable; the .Government to pass a Bill to make exchanges with the Education Board for these preserves; Ho also kuew of some farm land to Waimate, and explained how fhis"could be obtained for settlement. He felt confident, if the present Government pttlled well together and worked together on .the main question — the land question—in the course of a few years a thorough" change would come over the government of the whole colony, and he felt sure it would be a beneficial change. He would net detain them longer, and again thanked them from the bottom of hUV heart lor the right good welcome he had received that night, and hoped the same good .feeling would always exist between the electors and himself. "; . Other toasts were " The Agr ; cultural and Pastoral Interests of the Colony," coupled with the names of Messrs Rattray and Newlands, both of whom suitably responded; " The Progress and Prosperity of the Colony of New Zealand,"proposed by Major Steward; "His Worships the Mayor and * Borough Councillors," .proposed by Mr Franklin; "The Ladies,^''The Press," "The Chairman," and "The Vice-Chairman."