CHINESE DINNER

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27744, 23 August 1955, Page 6

CHINESE DINNER

MAYORS ENTERTAINED AT NINE-COURSE MEAL "The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, August 22. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr J. H. * nd the Mayor of One Tree Hill, Mr B. P. Stevenson, sat down to a nine-course dinner with more than 100 Chinese market * gardeners in a Chinese restaurant on Sunday evening They were the only Europeans among the diners, who came from as far away as Dunedin. Their Worships tried their hands at eating with chopsticks. Roast pork, chicken, and shark fin soup, cooked and served in Oriental fashion were on the menu.

Each of toe small tables was set with Scotch whisky and beer for honouring the toasts, which included one to “Her Gracious Majesty the Queen.” The occasion was the annual dinner with which the Federation of New Zealand Chinese Commercial Growers rounds off its Dominion conference. Mr Henry Ah Kew, an Auckland lawyer, greeted the Mayors at the cafe entrance. Cries of “foon ying” (“welcome”) rose from the gathering as the fiyests walked to the official table. On behalf of the gardeners, Mr Luxford presented a portrait woven in microscopically fine silk to Mr Andrew Auckland ’ President of the

Chong founded the federation S g ? at Government’s request to help supply fresh vegetables ♦ .‘te. armed forces. The portrait took Cninese craftsmen in Hong Kong «ix months to work. It represented quite a good likeness of Mr Chong and was a tribute from the federation tor his ceaseless and tireless efforts” in a purely honorary capacity Inscrutable faces broke into smiles erf delight when Mr Luxford ended tire speechmaking by shouting “don lair! ( thank you”). Work-worn hands then got busy with chopsticks.