THE DINNER.

Northern Advocate, 26 March 1887, Page 3

THE DINNER.

The dinner took place at the Library Hall, at eight p.m. About 30 gentlemen sat down to partake of the good things provided. The catering was in the hands of Mr P. McKay, and that gentleman must be congratulated on the successful manner in which everything was carried out. After the tables had been cleared, The Chairman, Mr F. Street, rose, and apologised for the absence of the President, whose business prevented his attendance. He said he came to Waipu to see the show and to enjoy the intercourse of the Waipu people, and was not aware, until within an hour, that he was going tp occupy the important position of chairman to the first agricultural show dinner at Waipu (cheers.): He then referred to Waipu as one of the oldest settlements in the North Island, founded by a hardy, persevering, and self-reliant race ; but deplored the fact that the communication of. the district was so poor. Waipu, years ago should have had better communication with water carriage: until this was secured the position Waipu should occupy could not be achieved. Their splendid soil, — thousands of acres of alluvial land strong enough to produce anything and level enough to admit of ' the use of all labour-saving appliances,— was of little value cut off from the world of commerce. He referred to agricultural societies in general, and pointed out the great benefits to bo derived from them. He also referred the ta village settlement system of present Government, and said they were making a great mistake in settling the land with people utterly unfit for its occupation, and subsidising them out of the hard earnings of the already too heavily taxed settler. There never was any lack of men— men of 'tho true, yeoman typ'e-f wiUirig riot only' to occupy the land,; but pay for it too, if only fairly treated. To farm proporly_ji L jnan must have had a deaTof, oxperience, 7aud most off tlie people now being settled by .Government had no experience at all. It was a very genejral delusion— and.the Government seemed tb partake of that delusion — that anybody can farnu and that a man who was fit for nothing else was, fit for that. How such an opinion can prevail it is difficult co conceive, for no industry required more experience and culture. Brought face to face with nature and all her laws, it is necessary for the farmer >to possess the xarest.of all qualifications, a habit of close observation, as well as vast practical and theoretical knowledge; be thought of a government who coiild perpetrate the folly of establishing a boot factory at the public cost, and employing as its artizaus an indiscriminate rabble off the streets ; yet even this would not be greater folly than the Government's scheme of settlement. He had now very great pleasure in proposing a toast dear to air lovers of ibyalty and true womanhood, "The Queen and '.Koyal Family." The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. •The ClLAinirAN then iirqposed "The Governor and Government of Now Zealand.", ."Tho Army and Navy" was next drunk, and responded to by Mr McKenzie, who said that he, as a volunteer, had great pleasure: in responding. Ho referred to the fact that the volunteer movement in England was fast supplanting the standing army.' He mentioned as a proof of the loyalty and co-operation of the colonial forces the fact of thp New South Wales contingent haying 1 gone to the Soudan (cheers'). He would now propose "The Agricultural Interests," coupled with the name of Mr Elliott.' '■■-'■'> ' ■(:.•■ -• ; Mr Elliott deplored the fact that so many members of the Farmers' Club wore absent. He thought., they shewed great want of Courtesy by Absenting themselves from that board (hear, hear.) He said he had come to New' Zealand when about 21 years of , age, .with .the. intention of .makngja home on the land (cheers). He was sure none hadgiven the land a better trial ti*an he;had,>.oHo was now working his fatan, at considerable loss, but still he wptjd stick V) it (cheers)...: JHe echoed the Chairman's Ben*unehts rjagardingtho Village Settlement S^\eme, & nd thought such actions would someday bring the colony to the deplorable stafe of Irtland. Ho thought the Northern Districts Vpro very badly represented in Parliament," tnd that they should- club together;- iind set*l men to Wellington capable of. looking 'after the Agricultural. Interests (cheers). v.Ue thoughtyfarmefs were robbed .largelyxy "middle-men," and suggested co-opera-tion to prevent this.- He 1 instanced Jthe adulteration of manures aridother frauds. He was greatly pleased Aviii. the show that day : it was better thaxi ho had expected to see. They could always rely in future on His assistance : ho would always do his befctjto further the interests of ths county. He Exhorted all, in^tho present, depressed state of the cbuntjy, to be pr'udpnt and economising, and to keep as much monoy as they, could in their own district. Ho would now propose '" The Commercial Interests," coupled with the name of Mr J. D. McKensrie. ' Mr J. D. McEenzie briefly responded. "Ho said that communication was wanted in the North. .In the South Island they had -railways both : where they -were wari ted and where they >\y ere, not wanted. Up here we have endeavoured to get railways because we wanted; .a share in the ipubUc expenditure', f- What was needed in Waipu was an. opening Jof tie river, and in Whangarei,' a , deep #a*er extension. They ought to send people to parliament who could look properly after their interests. He differed from

previous speakers, as lie thought the unemployed were better on the land than idle in Auckland. Ho would now propose the sixth toast "The Prosperity of the Waipu Agricultural Association" couple with the name of Mr W. A. Carruth. Mr W. A. Carrutii had great pleasure in responding to this toast. He thought the show had been a very good one. The Waipu people had every reason, to be pleased with it. He thought a circuit for shows might be made, by which the ridings of the County could all bo represented. He hoped to see many more sho\ys in Waipu. The present one had beenNjhe means of introducing him to Waipu^aiid he had no reason to regret having come here. In no place had he met with more genial hospitality. He had now to the seventh toast, namely, " Theiffoalth of the Judges. Mr Carter ol\Mangapai responded. Ho had great pleasure in attending their first show. It was a^great success. The display of bread was abput the best he had ever seen. The jams and jellies were excellent, and the produce good; He hoped to have the pleasure of attending another. Mr Eoss was most agreeably surprised with the show. He was a judge of the horse stock. He thought more entires should have been shown. Draughjb stock were good, but he advised exhibitors to teach their horses to walk. Their manes and tails ought to be attended to. The display of ladies' hacks was excellent, they were worth coming a hundred miles to see. * Mr Dibble thought the show of horses were no disgrace to any country. Feed now is poor and horses could not be expected to be in excellent condition. The stamp of the horses was good. The ladies turn-outs were excellent, he had not soon better in Auckland. The ladies themselves were got up splendidly. (Cheers.) He would like to have given them all a first prize. He would sooner see the show held in November than in March. i Mr Carter of Hikurangi, had not dome here expecting to see a great show. Ho thought however that the show of cattle and sheep was more meagre than it should have been. The produce, bread etc., was capital; butter, some good, other too salt; jams and jellies very good. Cattle fair, but too few. Devons especially were good. Mr Carter Sen., then proposed the eight toast, namely, "The successful competitors, both ladies and gentlemen." Mr Alex. McKay briefly responded. Ho referred in his speech to,the fact that the district was not represented fairly in Parliament. He proposed "The unsuccessful competitors." Mr J. Bj McLean hoped tho unsuccessful competitors would not be discouraged but would compete more favourably at future shows. He would- propose the tenth toast namely "The Stewards." Mr Dan McKay responded. He was sorry to see so many of the stewards were absent that evening. Ho believed there was a dance elsewhere, which no doubt had attracted them. He thought they showed bad taste by .being absent. He said the stewards had had little to do, but what they had done, had been done well (hbar, hear, and laugher). He now had pleasure in proposing the health of one who had spared no pains to make . tho show a success, namely "Mr J. J. McKay, the Secretary." Mr J.J. McKay thought the show on the wholp had bfien a great success. There ha<l been a few blunders! for which he was partly responsible, but ho hoped next timo everything would run smoothly He was very sorry to see so few at the tables that evening. He thought Waipu " people should have come inlarge numbers. Hewould propose " The Press," coupled with the name of Mr Pollock. Mrß; F. Pollogic briefly replied for the Northern Advocate. He reminded them of the vast importance of such an institution as the Press. He pointed out that the local press were now doing their best ibo bring Waipu prominently before the public, and hoped they would bo 1 successful in so doing, He proposed the thirteenth toast, "JOur Host, Mr Phillip McKay." '";, , ". Mr .Phillip McKay was sorry to see so few people there that evening. He had prepared for a great' many, and was disappointed they had not turned up. Ho had great pleasure in proposing tho health of "The Chairman." The toast was drunk amid three ringing cheers. Mr F. Street was grateful to them for the honour conferred upon him. Her ferring to the show, he said there had doubtless been a few blunders, but everything: must have a beginning. The first show held in Auckland, at which he was present, was smaller than the one he had witnessed to-day. Only 15 gentlemen sat down to dinner, on that occasion. He thought on the whole the show had proved a credit, to the district, and he hoped to see many more of them. (Cheers). Ho , had made one omission which he would now rectify ; He begged to proposeHhe health of "The Ladies." The toast was drunk with three cheers. Mr Alex. McKay i>roposod tho health of " Our Visitors." He hoped to see them all in Waipu again at the next show. The visitors comprised quite half of the assembled guests. The drinking of this toast brought the evening to a close. :