COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10635, 20 April 1900, Page 6

COMPLIMENTARY SOCIAL.

A social was given last night in the Art Gallery by the Riccarton Liberal Association to Mr G. W. Russell. M.H.R. There was a large attendance, the Gallery being filled. On the platform were the guest of the evening, Hon. J. Twomey, M.L.C., Hen. Major Steward, M.H.R., Mr Geo. Laurenson, M.H.R., Mr H. B. Kirk, and the members of Mr Russell' 3 Election Committee.

Mr Staples, Chairman of the Committee, presided, and read several apologies, from Right Hon. the Premier, Hon. J. M'Kenzie, Hon. J. G. Ward. ♦c. The National Anthem was sung to open the proceedings, and the Chairman then called upon the visiting members of the Legislature and Mr Kirk to address those present. Hon. Major steward congratulated the electors oi Riccarton on having returned Mr Russell, and said he desired to speak with the greatest respect of Hon. Mr Rolleston, who had done yeoman service for the country. Air George Laurenson also spoke in terms of congratulation of the gathering. Hon. Mr Twomey made a vigorous onslaught on the proposals contained in the Elective Executive Bill, as likely to bring about political chaos, and also urged that the country should pause before sweeping away the Legislative Council, and introducing the elective principle into it. Mr H. B. Kirk spoke briefly, congratulating Mr Russell on receiving sot marked a compliment from his constituency. Mr Russell, in response, spoke at some length on the Riccarton election, and urged that a Parliament should be but the reflex of the opinions of the country. They ought to have the right to say, if they found an incompetent Minister in the Ministry, that he should retire, without it being necessary that the whole Ministry should retire. He also took the opportunity of thanking those present, and the gentlemen belonging to both Houses, for attending that evening to do him honour. During the evening several songs were sung by ladies and gentlemen, and dancing concluded a very pleasant gathering.