PORANGAHAU.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5006, 1 February 1878, Page 3

PORANGAHAU.

Farewell Dinner to Mr D. S. Hunter. [from a correspondent.] Were winter continuous, existence would be a term of hard suffering ; ever returning spring a serious strain on its elements. Eternal summer would be debilitating, and nothing but autumn make life tame and drearily monotonous. So change must be granted as not only necessary, but beneficial to man and the world at large ; yet are there some changes more detrimental to a country's progress than bad laws, or good ones unjustly enforced. If a vigorous, intelligent, and healthful race of inhabitants is necessary to develop the resources of a country, it surely is a mistake that such should leave the place of their birth. One is led to this view of things at finding that the Porangahau district is to lose one of its oldest and most respected families, that of Mr D. Hunter. After a residence of 21 years, he leaves this place with his wife and children, taking them to the west coast, some miles south of Taranaki. The loss to the district is incalculable ; let us hope the gain will be proportionate to the locality where he settles. On Tuesday, 22nd, some of his immediate friends and neighbors gave him a complimentary dinner, at which Mr St. Hill, who was president, on behalf of his brother settlers, begged his acceptance of a purse of sovereigns as a testimony of their good will. Mrs W. Hunter kindly gave up her sitting-room, and at great personal inconvenience undertook the general management. Scrolls were hung round the room : " Welcome," in front ; " We wish you prosperity," to the left ; "Health and happiness," to the right. These were enshrined in delicate and graceful foliage. Festoons entwined with flowers stretched over the tables, which, covered with tempting and substantial eatables, wore a very pleasing and attractive appearance. Many residents and guests sat down to a most enjoyable repast and entertainment. In due course, Mr St. Hill gave the toast of the evening, " Mr and Mrs D. Hunter," and in calling upon all to fill bumpers, spoke a3 follows : — " Mr Hunter, Triends and Neighbers, — None of us but have known how hard many of the trials of life are. Some of us, marking the past in the long shadow cast by the evening sun, have witnessed many a goodly gathering, many a mournful break-up. If there is an ambition laudable and praiseworthy, it is that of a man doing his best in a Christian and honest spirit to assure to his wife and children the comforts and independence of a happy home. Many of us must remember what a wild wilderness of rough tangled bush and matted vegetation covered this place years ago, and could the new-comer — he who looks at the , country under a very different aspect to what it then bore, 20 years gone by — be called upon to face what the early colonists had to meet, unconscious as they then were of the elements of wealth and prosperity lying dormant in the land ot their adoption, it is not unlikely he would think his time wasted, his life thrown away, to undertake what the first colonists undertook and mastered. Here on this spot we have evidence of what has been done — the waste turned into cultured lands, houses sheltering us ; men, women and children, by their presence, brightening and giving life to all around. Surely praise is due somewhere for this great change. Capital unquestionably has been brought to bear ; but expenditure, unaided by judgment and prudent guidance, is more harmful than otherwise. In this instance I may, I trust, in all confidence say, praise falls to the lot of the two brothers whose personal superintendence has tended so much to secure these improvements. He whose worldly career closed some time back was, as we all know, as good a fellow as ever bitted horse — a true husband, an affectionate father, a good friend and neighbor, kind and considerate as master and employer. Who with safety could wish for higher qualifications — securing, as these do, man's esteem and hope for peace in the future. And he who I am now addressing — he whom circumstances have ruled is no longer to be one of ourselves — what can I add to that address presented to him the other day — a memorial to his children's children, a tablet to prompt them to be such as their father is ? As a schoolfellow of both the brothers : as a companion in the struggles that have met us in the climb of life : as an intimate friend and tried neighbor, — who can claim a better right to mourn that we should lose one so esteemed, with that one so dear to him, so pleasing and hospitable to others ! Uneventful has life been to whoever has not been subject to its vicissitudes. Were the wheel of fortune to run an unchanging course, less healthful would its effect be on our daily intercourse. Fortunate is he who, having met the small trials of life in a cheerful spirit, feels the graver ones fall less heavily than they otherwise would do, and masters them as a man should ; but more blessed than fortunate when upon to meet unexpected emergencies he finds one by his side smiling away probable difficulties and ready to sacrifice everything of a personal nature to secure the welfare and happiness of those she loves. Good friend and helpful neighbor, as spokesman, I say, it is with much regret we lose you from among us. Admitting the prudence of the course you have adopted, assured that imperative duty has dictated the step you have taken, we nevertheless find ourselves and the district losers by your decision. Others may pillow their heads where you and yours have so long rested ; but to us they never can be what you have been. Others may greet us with the smile of welcome, as you and your attractive wife have ever done, but their smile will fall dim and lifeless as compared to the smile from her lips. Other saplings will be brought to fill the gap yours leave, but such will not still the wailing of their mother earth for her lost ones. Fortunately in this as in other incidents of life, there comes some compensation, in that your rule is transferred to your nephew, — one bearing the same name, though too young to have acquired much experience, yet is his integrity so unquestioned that when time has matured his knowledge and judgment, he will of a surety make an esteemed and popular proprietor. May j He who rules all for some good purpose shield you and yours from every sorrow and evil. May He guide, prosper, and direct you in a rightful course. Bless you in the love of those you have worked so earnestly for, and give you that home you are so deserving of. I may, I trust, be permitted, in the name of your brother runholders and settlers whose names I

give, to present this token of thoir regard for you." Mr Hunter, in returning thanks, quietly, and in good taste, answered: — "Mr President, friends and neighbors, I have to thank you for the very gneat kindness shown me by you who are p. resent, and those from whom I have received the token of regard presented me .by Mr St. Hill. Mrs Hunter and myself, will ever hold in grateful remembrance this evidence of your esteem foi' us. " Dr. Tennent, the resident medical practitioner of the district, then gave " Their children," making a very telling and appropriate spe&ch. He said children were a great bond oi union between parents. Often had he known some adverse current working a crooked channel between two most attached to each other, and in consequence of some little peculiarity of temperament, or some other cause, coldness of heart and soreness of spirit had arisen, which promised sad ending to a happy beginning, when all that was wretched and antagonistic was forgotten, as anxiously stooping over the sick bed of a child, both parents, forgetful of everything save their love for their child, in silent eloquence forgave each other, and that which was thought to be a wrong proved to be a mistake or a trifle. Mr Hunter returned thanks. Mr Jesse Herbert, of Wainui, gave "Mr George Hunter, owner of the station, and his son, Mr G. Hunter, jun.," now managing, saying that the latter need but follow in the footsteps of his predecessor to secure the respect and goodwill all had ever felt and still entertained for his uncle. Mr G. Hunter, in rising, thanked all for the hearty manner they had responded to his father's name, assuring them he would do his best to maintain the honor and integrity of the name he bore, hoping no act of his would falsify the good opinion held of him, and the good wishes for his future. Mr J. Scott Fleming begged to be allowed to plead for some who were unavoidably absent, and would take the opportunity of proposing Mrs W. Hunter's health, pointing out how her name was synonymous with good works ; how all who had occasion to test her worth as a good Samaritan had become bound to her for acts of kindness and charity. Honestly could she claim feelings of gratitude ; feelings which should reconcile her to many of the unavoidable trials of life ; and bring home to her the comfort " inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these you have 'done it unto me." The Chairman returned thanks on her account, regretting the day was so very wet. Amongst the other toasts which were given, and to which champagne responses rang through the room, that of Mr J. White's must be mentioned, "Absent friend?, absent guests and neighbors, coupled with Mr Canning's name," adding that the more pleasant a meeting, the more enjoyable an entertainment, the more was it to be regretted that those whose presence would enhance such a gathering were absent. He had been one of the earliest residents of the place, first as a lonesome bachelor, then as a married man, envying no others the comforts of their homes, his having been made the happier by the invariable kindness of the Messrs D. and W. Hunter and their estimable wives, as well as the neighborly good feeling of the settlers towards his family. Song after song kept all on the alert, Dr Tennent having to bear the lion's share ; certainly, his Scotch songs were well worth riding some miles to hear. That favorite old friend, " Auld Lang Syne," was sang with hands locked in each other ; then, at the small hour of the morning, "God Save the Queen" ended this cordial meeting, the last echo fading away in the prolonged and enthusiastic cheers for Mrs W. Hunter.