COMPLIMENTARY SUPPER.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 20 September 1888, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY SUPPER.

Prior to his departure for Auckland, the friends of Mr W. Hutcheson entertained him at a supper last evening in tho Club Hotel. Tho attendance numbered about sixty, and was thoroughly representative of the varied interests of tlio town and district. Mr C. J. W. Griffiths acted as Chairman, and his well-known fitness for tho position ensured a thoroughly social and plaa»aut ovening ; on his right boing the guest of the evening. Mr ICellas acted as croupier. With regard to the menu, it is only necessary to say that Host Brace upheld tlio reputation of the Club. To those who know what that reputation is, nothing more need be said. The gathering was ono of the most pleasant that has taken place in the district for many years ; song, toast and sentiment followed in quick succession, each boing decidedly abovo tho average. Tho turn-out was most complimentary to the guest, “ Willie” Hutcheson, a native of the place, and w ho for some 12 years has been ono of the officers of tho Bank of Now Zea--1 nd. He takes his departure for Auckland to-day, to fill a responsible position in the Bank there. After the cloth had boon removed, the toast of “ the Queen ” was given by the Chairman. '■ “ The Volunteers,” by the Vice-Chair-man, 1 followed, in which reference was made to the loss the Hussars would sustain by Mr Hutcheson's departure, he having held tho position if lieutenant

in tho troop. Capt Rogers responded. Having regard to the population of Blenheim, he thought without egotism that t> Blenheim volunteers wore as numerous and held their own against any put of Iho Colony. Their ifficuncy was not

altogether owing to tlio oiib rs, as unless they had the material to work upon the various corps would not have attained to the office ncy they have done. To becomo an efficient volunteer required a large am unt of self denial. It was hard to account for t! • cut uss’asm displayed by volunteers . it might be the Hope of future gloiy, hut there was very

U tie j reliability of that in the Cilmy, He 'o', md loth I . : n< .* five of He offi or* who went up for captain's examination made t>7 out of a e (-.11 b 100 per cent ef ill'll ks— a feat unprecedented in the e. Ley. lie ren.mit b l- iiulc'niso*i’s enthusiasm in connection with tin Hussars, and the levs tho troop would sustain by the latter's departure from the district.

>lr ‘Wnteon eloquently propusetl 4i Tho

| Hunt Club,” of which Mr Hutcheson was a prominent member. He referred to the guest of tho evening as the “ worthy son of a worthy father,” and spoke upon the value of bunt, football and cricket clubs as agencies for developing the pluck and endurance of Englishmen. He caused some amusement by the “ pauky ” remark that “ perhaps Scotchmen did not require these qualities !”—a gentle insinuation that “Caledonia stern arid wild” already possessed these qualities in a hieh degree, especially, when, ft« ho jocularly remarked, they had a little whisky in them. Mr P. Honslin, in the absence of the Master through illness, responded, referring to the interest, Mr Hutcheson had taken in the Hunt Club The Chairman proposed the toast of tho evening He was pleased to have the honor of proposing that toast, and pained at the occasion. He had known Mr Hutcheson since he was “ so high ” (the exact height was indicated by the speaker holding his hand about 18 inches abovo the floor), and during tlio whole time he had never heard any speak but kindly of the guest. Previous speakers had referred to Mr Hutcheson’s cormectio i with different organisations, and therefore left him (Mr Griffiths) very little to say. 'i lie Hussars ami the Hunt Club would have a difficulty in filling his place, but what ho more particularly regretted was the void that would bo created in social circles by Lis depa turc, and his genial manner would be missed both in the Bank and in public genera Iy. Mr Griffiths humor-on-ly referred to the fact that sonic time ago lie had attended a similar gathering to do honor to a bank manager—a Scotchman ; very shortly afterwards they were called upon to do honor lo a similar official, also a Scotchman; and now they were again assembled to bid good-bye to a bank man, a Scotchman. How was that, he asked. Wore all bankers Scotchmen, or all Scotchmen bankers. (Laughter). Ho concluded by saying fie hoped the guest of tho evening wculd soon develop into a full-b'own bank manager. Mr Hutchison’s rising was the signal for applause, which took some time to subside. He thanked tho proposer for tho kind and courteous tonns in which the toast had been couched, and the meeting for tho manner in which it had been received. Tho occasion was

trying? one to b’ni. He Had been all his life iu tho district, and ho naturally felt regret at leaving it. He had gone into the different sports for tho pleasure he had derived from them, and if ho had been of any sorviee in advancing the various interests, he was pleased at such a result. The toast of Mr J. M. Hutcheson (tho honored father of tho guest) was proposed in felicitous terms by Mr Fikles, who said ho would he sony to lose the services of tiro guest, although he expressed tho liopo that the change would be to the latter’s advantage. The toasts of “ The Ladies,” and “Tho Press/’ concluded tho proceeding ;. Messrs Holmes, Lucas, Griffiths, Batches, Ferguson and Macali-ter enlivened the proceedings with songs.