WEST COASTERS' RE-UNION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1230, 12 September 1911, Page 6

WEST COASTERS' RE-UNION.

SPEECHES AND DANCING. Tho annual social and dance of tho West' Coasters' Association was held last night in the Sydney Street Hall and was very largely attended, 'tho number oi couples present being far too largo to enablo all to dance at once. A most enjoyable evening was spent and t'ho function was in every way a success; but' had the committeo anticipated sucli a measure of popularity they would doubtless have engaged tho largo Town llall. Mr. 1\ M'Parland presided. Those present included Sir Joseph Ward, Bart. (Primo Minister), and Lady Ward, Sir James Carroil, Sir Arthur Guinness and Lady Guinness, die Hon. It. M'Kcnzie, and the Hon. J A. Millar. Messages of goodwill and apologies lor absence wero received irom Sir John I'indlay, .Mr. T. Scddon, 11.1'., tho Mayors of the principal West Coast towns, and many others. Dancing, music, conversation, and cards made tho time pass very rapidly. Late in tho evening short addresses were delivered by tho Cabinet Ministers present and by Sir Arthur Guinness All were received in an enthusiastic manner Iho chairman and Mr; J, J. M'Grath expressed tho thanks of tho association to guests and their ladies who wero present, Mr. M'Grath also Blinded feelingly to the death of Mr. F M Parland pVesident of fthc association, who had a ways been ready to do whatever he could lor tho Coast and ils people, Iho Hon. R. Mlvenzie said the growth of tho association during the live years of its existence was such as to'make one tlunk they might acquire a permanent homo for it. (Applause.) 'w J °«l )l1 Ward said that though not a West Coaster in the ordinary fence of , term ho felt* himself identified ]j1 ' . , through his association with the Into Mr. Scddon. Some of their opponents seemed to think that those who supported the Into Sir. Seddon and his wero truckling. They refused to recognise forcetulne&s of character in any of those whom they criticised, and wero ahyays preaching that they wero the great panjandrums and the great strong men, whereas those who knew them knew they were very far from th.it. During his visit .to tho Old Land ho met West Gocvster wherever there were New ZeaJanders. "West Coasters in all parts of this country were n credit to their birthplaeo and their country.

Sir Arthur Guinness, vice-president of tho association, praised tho West Coast character for its faithfulness in friendship, and spoke feelingly of his own lone connection with tho Coast. Ho also paid a tribute to the memory of the late Mr. l'\ MTarland. I Sir .Tames Carroll also voiced his estecjn for tho late Mr. M'J'arland, and delivered an appropriate address, roncludin; wirli the recitation "Not Understood." Short speeches wero also delivered by tho Hon. J. A. Millar, Mr. Martin Kennedy, and others. The services of the secretary, Mr. rfaff, were enthusiastically acknowledged. Tho programme comprised sonss bv Mr. 13. M'Cormack, Mr. Frank Walsh, Mr. It. Kobertson, Mr. C. Jl'Leod, Mr. D. Kenny, Mr. •!. Dykes, and Mr. Keeney; a Scotch dance by the Misses Kcid, a dance by the Misses M'Corjnaek, and a clog dance bv A. C, Caitliy.