THE DINNER.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 106, 21 July 1876, Page 6

THE DINNER.

The dinner in connection with the match was held in the evening, in the White Horse hotel. Mr James Scott, president .of the Club, occupied the

: :fi p chair, the vice-chairs being occu^Ztd by Mr Dyer, Mayor, and Mr James Goodall. There were about fifty, persons present, and the sumptuous repast provided amply maintained the character of the White Horse Hotel in such matters. ' "

The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and responded to. Mr Goodall, in a eulogistic speech, proposed the Superintendent and Pro* vincial Council, which was. aptly acknowledged by Mr Robert Murray. The Chairman, in proposing the Judges, said each of them had been pri .etakers, and he believed, were the best judges they had ever had in Tokomairiro. He was sure their decisions had given general satisfaction.

Mr John M'Fa .lane, in responding, said the Chairman 1 had flattered the judges. He had long been acquainted with his brother judges, ' arid he was sure if they had committed any error, it was one in judgment and not in , intention. If any one felt dissatisfied, the judges would be prepared to go over the ground next* morning, and point out their reasons for the decisions they had given. Too often the men were judged and not the work, and it sometimes happened at shows that the men were fudged and not. the horseis. The time had arrived when that sort of thing should be done away with. • Let them select for their judges. persona who did not care which we.c the men and which were the masters— who were independent and free in their actions. It was of no use to say that a man could not be beaten because he had never been beaten before. There was no good reason why such a man should not be beaten at any time. As far as the decisions of that day went, he might say that he was pleased with his own and those of the other judges, for they were unanimous. They picked out the takers of the first, second, and third prizes after they had gonb once over the ground. Ma Carmichael also briefly responded, and said the ploughing* of that day was better than any he had seen in the dis* trict for years past. ",'-''• Mr John M'Faflane proposed the " Successful Competitors," coupled With the name of Mr Paton, to whom the judges had not the slightest hesitations in awarding the belt. Mr Paton appropriately replied. Tbe Chairman said he had a very important duty to perform-4-to present the champion belt to Mr David J. atom This was the third occasion on \vhich Mr Paton had successfully competed for the belt, and the more credit was due to him from the fact that he. jbird taken the prize for being the oldesvv ploughman on the field. (Applause). Mr Paton proposed the '* tin successful Competitors," coupled with the name ofMrF. Black. ' ' : '" '"-"

The Chairman here presented to .Mr Reid a rosette presented by a young lady and awarded to him as! the best looking unmarried ploughman.' Siim*. lar rosettes were also presented >to Messrs W. Murray and M. Murray)' as occupying the same position ixi relation to the married ploughmen. , Mr W.J. Dyer proposed "Success to the Tokomairiro Farmers'. Clul). ' In doing so he reviewed the past history of the Club, and made some useful suggestions as to the future... Mr J. A. Henderson, in responding/ referred to the great trouble the' Com*. mittee took in connection with 'the business of the Club, and the harmony which existed amongst them. He, re* gretted that so many settlers extended i no support to the Club, which, was chiefly supported by the tradesmen of, Milton, He concluded by proposing' "The Commercial Interests, coupled with the name of J. J. Atkinson* 1 Mr Atkinson, in responding, refejtred to the large prizes offered by. the Tapanui Match Committee, , which would have the effect of attracting competitors from all districts, 1 . He strongly urged that the inhabitants of so large a district as Tokomairiro should offer equally large prizes. Mr J. S, Fleming proposed " The Mayor and Town Council of Milton." He remarked that he had never seen a township in which the ratepayers' money had been so well spent as<in Milton. He wished to couple the .toast with the names of the Mayor, Mr W. J. Dyer, and Mr A. D. Duncan.

Messrs Dyer and Duncan briefly responded to the toast. ' " '

Mr James Goodall proposed " The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests," coupled with the name of Mr R. Grigor, of Balclutha.

Mr Grigor, in responding, referred to the agricultural and pastoral interests as being the bone and sinew of the country. He had been connected, in the way of business, with these interests for years, and he thought they had received much assistance from com* mercial men. He proposed " The, Mining and Commercial Interests;'?" to which Messrs Dyer and Giant re* sponded, „ ■■ ,;.,< >

The toasts of "The Ladies," "The •■'• "* Press," .-".The Chairman and- Vice- ":?' Chairmen," the "Host : and Hostess," " ; d were also duly proposed' and 5 1 i& : 'fi sponded to. - • r. ■ - Some very good songs were/ sung, 'It during the evening. Mr Bastings! tilJK'^/S entertained the company with . 9pe,ci*f;"_*H mens of his yentriloquiaL.,abili&> a m which were much applauded.., .After .\nM spending a very happy ; and harmoniuS . evening, the company broke Up alittld' " ! % before midnight. *:.' ... . < • <■■ •;; , " !!^