Hastings Farmers' Association.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6260, 23 September 1891, Page 2

Hastings Farmers' Association.

(OWN COEEESI'ONDSNT.)

Owing to the fact that tickets could be obtained gratuitously, there was an enormous attendance last mght, including a large contingent of Napierites. There were, however, " lashings and lavins " for everybody. The hall was divided into three double sets of tables lengthwise, the centre nearest the stage being reserved for the speakers and the press, Mr Fitzßoy beingchairman, and Mr R. Wellwood occupying/ the vice-ohair. Mr Gγ. Ellis acted as master of ceremonies. Grace was said by the .Rev. ;J. Hobbs. The preparation of the banquet ! waa generally under the superintendence of • Mr Uompton, who must be highly congratulated upon the successful result of his labors. It was generally admitted that the dinner waa as good at* if a guinea had been charged for it. The waiting was perfection itself. The viands and liquids were entirely the production of the district. They included almost everything necessary for the best menu. Of the more substantial part of the ■dinner, of course, the chief attraction was, the baron of beef. According to Mra Beetson's cookery book,, this should havobeen flanked with wild boars' heads, th& capture of which animal afforded in "old times a zest to the enjoyment of " the baron and its surroundings." I believe our wild boars are not nice to pick a quarrel with if you are not well up in the thing, but they must be as tame kittens compared to those our ancestors used to hunt. In an old black-letter book it is said that— " He in whom the wild boar makes a liole, Must make his will And mind his soul." —Tho baron which was produced last night is probably tho first cooked in New Zealand. It was from a heifer presentfldto.the-Dinnec Committee by Mr J. H. Williams for the purpose, and weighed 2501b. A' 'dish, Kadh to be made purposely for it. It was cooked at Mr Oarruth's, under the 'superintendenceof Mr Kapp, four hours being the time allowed for cooking. It was in charge of Messrs W. P. Thompson and T. Harper, who were kept well employed in carving it. The item next in interest was the saddle of mutton, which was a first-rate piece of work, by Me Harper, and was presented by Mr Foreman. There were severallambs (oneof which was served up whole),' geese, fowls, sucking pigs, and joints of all kinds in abundance. The salads were as nice to* look at as to taste. The sweets, whicb were all .made from potato farina, were ia variety too numerous to mention; they ranged from apple soufflets to sponge cake, from lordly trifles to fruit pies. Every item, was a picture of itself. A. sugared oake byMr McGlasb.au, with motto in pink, deserves especial mention, as does also a rhubarb pie and a trifle by the French cook at Mr Dennett's hotel. The rest of the tempting delicacies were ohiefly the work of ifr Compton, and reflected the highest credit on him. The labor of cooking was divided between the various hotels. The first toast was, of course, the Queen. During the toast the National Anthem waa was played. This was followed by " The New Zealand Parliament." Mr Fitzßoy said that, in the absence of Captain Russell, he would call upon Mr T. Tanner to reply to it.— Ylr T. Tanner said: ''Ladies and gentlemen, I admit that I would have preferred if it had fallen to some one else to have replied to the toast of " Parliament," for it is difficult in speaking of Parliament to avoid speaking; politics, but I shall endeavor to avoid it. Perhaps on some other occasion I may haver an opportunity of talking politics to you. I am glad to see around me so many of the fair sex adding to the enjoyment of this pleasant occasion, and I am sure that after the shabby way in which the old gentlemen of the Upper House have treated them in refusing them the franchise, they will be in no humourto hear much about politics; but, ladies, you shall have the franchise vet. It maybe that if you had the franchise you would not all use it, but in my opinion you should have the choice of using it. I wish that someone who had never been in Parliament had replied to this toa,st. I may say that my experience in Parliament has not been altogether favorable. I assure you that the waste of time there would shock any business man, as indeed it did me. For the first few weeks there is a battle between those in office and those out of office, the business of the country meanwhile being lost sight of. The reason of this is the evil of party government in party conflicts. The last session I was in an attempt was made by some of us to get rid of this evil by proposing that the Ministers should be selected at the commencement of each session by ballot. This would get rid not only of party government, but of other evils, for directly a Premier took office he had to form a Ministry, and as he cannot appoint all his friends, they are quite as likely tobecome his opponents. But if the Ministry were balloted for, the work of the colony would be attended to at once. I now approach the more congenial subject of this most hospitable entertainment to which we are invited by the Farmers' Association. I think lam entitled to consider myself as the father of Hastings, for I was its sponsor—l gave it its »amo. Seventeen years ago I cut up 700 acres, aud offered it at £5 per acre, and this, too, on deferred-payment. Yet oaly a few allotments were takeu up. This seclion, which isnowtbo town, was taken up by Frar.lc Hicks. But be thought ho could make it pay bettor by cutting it up for a town than by cultivation. Hβ suggested to me to name the township. We then thought of a name, and decided to call it af tor Warren Eastings, aa the neighbouring towns wore named after Indian celebrities Some objected, thafe Hastings should be near the sea, but I could not help it; I could not take it any nearer. I have been instrumental in making- it the largest, borough it> the world, knowing well that the larger the area the le&s would bo the rates. If the town continues its present rate of progress, Hastings will' not only be the largest borough in New Zealand, but one of its moat influential towus. I am very pleased to see so great a proof of it as the meeting here to-night, which is due to an institution which, 1 hope, will become one of great importance.' 1 hops to meet you all here this time next year in the • same a&reeabli manner. To return to the subject of Parliament, we are ruled by

it, and we must respect it. If, however, we can improve it, so much the better. Mr Fitzroy said they were thereat the instanoe of the Farmers' Association, and the scene before them was a praotioul test of what could be done by combination, and by everyone putting thoir shoulder to the •wheel. He (Mr Fitzßoy) was delighted to BOe BO large a number of guests, and he hoped that large accession of members to the' Association would be the rewult. Mr " TTitzßoy alluded to the puonessful floating of the Co-operative store at Napier, whose manager (Mr Gooch) he was happy to see present '. , „, Forty persons gave their names to Mr Cook (secretary) as members. Hie Worship the Mayor proposed the toaat cf "The Farmers' Association, ' coupled with the name of Mr R. Wellwood. Mr B. Wellwood replied. In the course oi hie remarks he said that most legislation tended to advance the interests of the towns ; therefore, it became them to co-operate in the interests of the country. He hoped that the iesidenta would take a larger interest in the Association than they had previously done. It had hitherto been uphill work for the directors, but he hoped that a career of prosperity was before them, and the success of that gathering seemed to indicate that they would have it. Mr G. Ellis said that he had seen Mr W. Nelson in the train, and that gentleman had fully expressed his sympathy with the Association. Mr Nelson regretted that other engagements had prevented him from attending tho meeting that evening, but he had no doubt that someone would be present who would speak for him.—Mr Fenwicke responded on behalf of Mr Nelson. Mr Mayo, of Napier made a speech which elioited roars of laughter. He said he had come sixteen miles to be present, and he had been hem sixteen years. He asked them what had brought them there that night f Everyone thought that he was going to tell them, but he only repeated the question, and left the stage. He was unanimously encored, and again asked what had brought them there ? A bouquet was thrown to him. Mr Tyerman proposed "Tho Borough Council." He had aspired to the office of a Councillor, which he thought a, great honor. He would aesure them that although defeated at the last election, he meant to try again.—The Mayor (Mr Burnett), in reply, said that although it was not possible for ten men to be always of the same opinion, he could say that no animosity had gone beyond the Council Chambers. He hoped to see Mr Tyerman in the Council. Mr Murdoch proposed the toast of " The Sports of Hastings," and referred to the efforts made by the Jtiev. J. Hobbs to raise the tone of the youth of the district by manly sporte and exercises.—The Rev. J. Hobbs, in responding, said he hoped that a Hastings Cricket Club would be formed. He also hoped that a class in the gymnasium •would soon be formed for the special benefit The Chairman proposed the toast of "The Ladies," and called upon Mr Alexander Lane to respond, which he did in a humorous manner. ~ , The toast of " The Press," was proposed by Mr G. B. Lee, solicitor, coupled with the name of the Daily Telegraph, which was always giving them interesting information about Hastings.- , ' Your Own" responded. Mr Thomas Tanner paid a gracsful compliment to the Musical Society of Hastings,, which had contributed so much to their enjoyment that evening He proposed success to the Society, and especially msntioned the indefatigable conductor, Mr &. D. Smith.—Mr E. D. Smith suitably The Choral'and Orchestral Society then Dlayed the National Anthem, which concluded the proceedings. The Society greatly enhanced the pleasure of the evening by their social and in-trumental selections, the best of which were the " March aux Flambeaux " and "My Queen Waltz." _ I omitted to state that all the liquid refreshments were of local production. They included wine (from Meanee) ac, porter, lemonade, and cordmls. Whiakv was tabooed. If any is locally made it has to be kept quiet. Mr Tyerman kindly offered to produce some locally grown senna tea, but the offer was sternly rejected