THE DINNER.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 55, 29 July 1875, Page 6

THE DINNER.

A dinner in connection with tne match was held in the Granton er Hotel. Mr Dalgetty's, in the evening* In consequence of the unexpectedly large number which came for warf j the accommodation was insufficient for all to sit down at one table. The tables had therefore to be spread a second time, and was again quite filled. There was, however, an abundant supply of very excellent provisions for all, and beyond causing a brief delay no inconvenience was occasioned.

After the cloth had been removed, Mr John M'Farlane took the chair, Mr James Willocks doing duty as croupier. The Chairman proposed the Queen and Royal Family, the Army, Navy, and Volunteers, His Excellency the Governor and Members of .General Assembly, all of which were well received.

The Vice-Chairman propoged His Honor the Superintendent and Provinciol Council. In doing he said he believed the present Executive was the best we had ever had, and that if an other election were to occur for Superintendent, his honor would again be re-elected. He possessed the entire confidence of the country, and he hoped he would be fully supported in the carrying out of his various schemes.

The Chairman proposed the Judges, and in doing so said they could neither carry out shows nor matches without judge*:. On that occasion they had had a good match, good prizes, and good judges. He spoke in high terms of some ot the work executed, and expressed the hope that they would still go on improving. Mr Miller returned thanks. The judges, he said, had acted to the best of their ability, and hoped the competitors would give them credit for having given their awards impartially. He wished success to the Matau Ploughing Match Committee.

Mr P. Smith proposed the successful competitors, coupled with the name of Mr Warnock. He thought the men of the district had reason to be proud of their laurels that day, but it might be well to say little about it until they wont to a match at Tokomairiro, which he hoped they would do next year. Mr Warnock responded. It was, ha said, the first time he had taken a prize in the district, but now that he had secured the honor it would take a smart man to take it from him.

The Chairman proposed the Unsuccessful Competitors, coupled with the name of Mr J. C. Anderson.

Mr Anderson returned thanks, and proposed success to the Matau Ploughing Match Committee. They had, he said, carried everything through with entire success ; they had collected a large amount of money to give away as prizes, and no wrangling or ill-feeling had been evinced in carrying out their arrangements. He coupled the toast with the name of the Secretary — Mr A. Watt

Mr Watt, in responding, said the Committee had done their best to make the match the best in the province, and he thought they had succeeded. They had given large prizes, with the view of drawing out competitors from a distance. These had come, and had been beaten by the district men. He hoped to see the amount of the prizes increased next year, so that the two first prizes would be L2O at least.

Mr J. C. Anderson proposed the Commercial Interests, coupled with the name of Mr Reid, of Messrs Reid and Grey, who was present. They were, he said, but slightly acquainted with Mr Reid, but they well knew the implements he produced.

Mr Reid returned thanks, expressing his gratification at having an opportunity of cultivating the acquaintance of'the settlers of the district.

Mr J. S. Fleming proposed the Agricultural and Pastoral Interests, which of all other interests in the province he characterised as the most important. He referred to the rapid province being made with ag-riculture throughout almost every district, of the progress not only as regards the extent of land being operated upon, but also in the quality of produce, stock, implements, etc., of which they had had an example that day. As to the pastoral interests, he regretted that an apparent antagonism had sprung up between those interested in it and agriculturists, He hoped this would be obviated shortly when the pastoral leases would expire, as he trusted that then the runs would as far as possible be broken up into sections of a few thousand acres, so that the sonss of successful agriculturists and others would be able to secure a piece of both agricultural and pastoral land, and thus amalgamate the interests. He coupled the toast with the name of Mr John M'Farlane, one of the most energetic farmers In Otago.

Mr M'Farlane returned thanks, and expressed his belief that if Mr Reid continued in office till the pastoral leases expired, the runs would then be cut up as indicated. The Chairman said he had another toast to propose, and it was of so much importance that he might call it the toast of the evening. He was sure they all felt gratified that they now had i the fourth estete^represented in the] district — thajj||M||now had their own foftdnaper^^HßtfM&d properly \ ' -A- 8 t° tae only give HB^^^^^HH|^|^whe

feeling throughout the district when he said there was not a better conducted paper in the colony than the Leader now was. Neither was there a more impartial, as friend and foe were only one to the Editor so far as h ; s conduct of the paper was concerned. Thus it had the confidence of all parties. He (the Chairman) entertained a kindly feeling towards the old ' Herald,' but the Leader was now their own. local paper. He coupled the toast with the name of Mr Fleming, and to which that gentleman responded. Several toasts, including the Ladies, the Host and Hostess, were proposed and responded to. Thougbout the evening a large number of very good songs were sung, and the proceedings were brought to a close by the whole company joining in singing " Auld Lang Syne."