SPRINGFIELD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7563, 30 May 1885, Page 3

SPRINGFIELD.

[prom our own correspondent.] The banquet tendered to Mr M'Millan, M.H.R., on Thursday night, was, from all points of view, an unqualified success. Friends and (political supporters attended from all parts of the district, besides several visitors from the neighbouring electorate of Ashley, including Mr Pearson, M.H.E. The number vbich sat down to tbe dinner table was 57, and although host Davies’ accommodation was so largely drawn upon, the admirable arrangements which had been prepared offered every facility for the most liberal enjoyment. , The chair was taken by Mr Mathias, who had on his right the guest of the evening and several of the and on his left Mr Pearson, M.H.R., Mr James Cunningham occupying the vice-chair.

The formal toasts having been disposed of, the “ Health of the Army, Navy, and Volunteers” was proposed by the viceChairman.

The Chairman then proposed the toast of the evening, “ The health of their member, Mr M'Millan.” As a near neighbour of their guest, he esteemed him for the many genial qualities he possessed. It had been his good fortune to be associated with him in the County Council, and he had also noted the good work done by him as a member of other public bodies. It afforded him great pleasure to testify to the conscientious and painstaking efforts he always brought with him to the discharge of his various public duties. He never reckoned that Mr M'Millan should be judged as a public speaker, but he possessed capacity for work and ‘ shrewdness of perception often productive of good results, and served his constituency better than if he occupied pages of Hansard. The large assemblage there to-night showed that these qualities were fully acknowledged. He asked them to forgive the imperfect manner in which he had spoken, not being himself gifted that way, and to join him heartily in drinking to the health and prosperity of their guest and member. In reply, Mr M'Millan thanked them for the honour they had done him, and for the kind remarks the Chairman made in proposing the toast. It was gratifying to him to be thus spoken of by one who had himself been longer a member of various public bodies than any other gentleman in the room. Although fully satisfied of his many deficiencies, yet he was glad to think that his services in the discharge of his public duties were appreciated and so amply recognised. He would not be expected to give a political speech, having, as they would see from the newspapers, already acquitted himself of that duty. He might say that he thought much good would result to the district from the visit of the Minister of Mines. He was favourably impressed in regard to its mineral wealth, and thought there was a great future for the Wilberforce as a reefing district. He thanked them for the kind maimer in which the toast of his health was received.

In reply to the toast of the Parliament of New Zealand, Mr Pearson said that Mr M'Millan and he had always worked well together. The interest of their electorates were so closely identified, that what was for the good of one was for the good of both, and he could say that no man worked harder for his constituency than Mr M'Millan.

“ Our Visitors,” proposed by the viceChairman, was replied to by Messrs Ingram and Farlane, of Oxford, and “ Trade and Commerce,” proposed by Mr Upton, was responded to by Messrs Williamson, Bull and Green. “ Agriculture ” was Acknowledged by Messrs Barr, Gough and Redfern, and “ Local Bodies ” by ; Messrs Rutherford and Barr, tbe Chairmen respectively of East Malvern and Malvern Road Boards. “The Ladies,” proposed by Mr Ward Eobinson,.was replied to by Mj Bean, who, in the course of his remarks, offered his, best; thaiiks to the ladies of

Springfield for the generous and kindly assistance he had always received from them, “The Press,” proposed by Mr Pearson, was acknowledged by Messrs Keys and Cunningham. Mr M'Millan proposed the health of the Chairman, and Mr Pearson that of the vice-Chaiiman, which both duly acknowledged. The health of the host and hostess was warmly received, and replied to by Mr Davies, on his own and Mrs Davies’ behalf. It is needless to say that song and toast pleasantly alternated, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close with “ Auld Lang Syne ” and the National Anthem.