LYTTELTON'S MEMBER HONOURED.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13377, 19 March 1909, Page 8

LYTTELTON'S MEMBER HONOURED.

♦ COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET TO MR G. LATJRENSON.

A complimentary banquet was tendered Mr G. Laurenson, M.P. for Lyttelton, in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, last night, a very large number sitting down to refreshments. Mr Colin Cook (Mayor of Lytteltonj presided, and amongst those present were the Premier lltialit Hon. Sir J. G. Ward), Hon. John liarr, Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., Mr J. Kichar<iM>ti (Mayor of Wools-toil), Mr E. Ueniiani (Mayor of Sunnier;, Mr H. I , rietlliuidcr (Cuairuian LytteHou Harbour Hoard), Mr H. J. Alarriner (Preside ni Canterbury Chamber ot Commerce), tlie- Vice-president ol the Cancerbury Tiudca au-d Labour Council, Mr Albeit Kayo, Mr \V. \V. Charters, ±{cv. Clias. Coaus. A number of apologies were receivv-d from members ol Parliament and other puulie men. Tlie Chairman, atier tiio toast of "The King' had been hojiourid, t'stcudud to iSir Josepli Ward, on behalf ot the people of a hearty welcome. He .->i>oke eulogisticajiy of Mr Laurenson's work as their rei>reseiitativo in Parliament and on tlio liar lx>ur liouid. In Parliament, he. said, Laurenson had been a. streinions and consistent worker in the interests of the workers.

Mr A. Kavf proposed, the 'health of the Premier, and si>oke of his courteous manner, his great business tact, and his broad views. Ho referred to tho reforms effected in the i>ost and toJegraph and other departments by Sir Joseph, and said that there was no question that there was no more popular man in New Zealand than Sir Joseph Ward. (Applause.)

The Premier, in the course of a lengthy response, t<ai<l that in his public lite he had been animated by the desire in whatever he put his hand to, to do it to the best ot his ability, and to leave it to tho people to judge if ho had been successful. Referring to the guest of the evening, he said that in Mr Luurenson they were honouring a very able, honourable and indefatigable representative. (Applause.) In debate Mr Laurenson had few superiors in the House. He had a strong and forcelul character, and was a man who would in the future make his mark in the public affairs of the country. The toast of "The Guest of the Evening" was proposed in an appropriate speech by Air H. G. Voyce, and responded to by Mr Laureneon. A number of other toasts wero also honoared.

Musical items were given during tue evening by Mesdames Gilmore, A. 'McDonald, Misses Young and Macdougall, and Messrs T. charters, A. Haydeu and McDonald.