COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9760, 24 June 1892, Page 6

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET.

SIR PATRICK BUCKLEY. [Pxb Pkbss Association.) WELLINGTON, June 23. A complimentary banquet to Sir Patrick Buckley took place to-night in celebration of his elevation to knighthood. Mr T. G. M'Carthy presided, and among those present were the Hon J. Ballance, Captain Bourke, H.M.S. Ringarooma, the Hon J,: G. Ward, the Eev D. Watters, Dr Grace, the Eev Van Staveren, Archbishop Redwood, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon K. J. Seddon, and leading citizens. Mr T. K. M'Donald moved the toast of " The Guest/* and said the citizens were glad to greet one who had received high honour from the Queen. In Wellington. ' they were .proud of the honour conferred on one who had so, Ipng been connected with the city and its welfare. He referred; at length.to the career of the distinguished/guest: Sir Patrick, in replying, said ho had served them to the best of his ability iu the City Council and the Provincial Council, and ho did .not think he had failed in a higher sphere. He was glad that he would not have to make a political speech, hut said that when the Financial Statement was read it would be found that the Colony was in about as safe a condition as ever, and the Government would chow a record equal to that cf any men who had preceded them. He was glad they could meet together without any discussion as to religion. He himself was most anxious to see civil and religious liberties of the moat perfect character establiehed in the Colony, and taid he would do all he could for New Zealand. His life was at her service, and he was sa devoted as anyone could possibly be. During the evening the Petonn Working Men’s Club and Institute presented Sir Patrick with an address exp; eyeing gratification, at his being kmghted. The toast of "The Army and Navy” was proposed by Sir James Hector and responded to by Captain Bourke. Mr Kennedy proposed “The Parliament of New Zealand,” and the Speaker of the House of Representatives responded. He expressed regret that the absence cf Sir Harry Atkinson, owing to ill-health, prevented Sir Harry from doing honour to one who had been his personal friend for many years, both politically and socially, and the sense cf pleasure which all Mr Buckley’s colleagues in the Legislative Council felt at the honour he had received. Also, on behalf of the House of Representatives, he begged to tender the hearty congratulations of all the members on the honour so well deserved. They also congratulated Lady Ruckley, and noped that her future years would ba better and brighter than the best and brightest of the years which had pasied. Great enthusiasm was displayed throughout the evening.