DINNER TO J. SUTTON, ESQ.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 25, 25 October 1842, Page 2

DINNER TO J. SUTTON, ESQ.

Last evening a numerous attendance of Burgesses met at the Aurora Tavern , for the purpose of testifying their approbation to John Sutton,. Esq., for his conduct as Chairman of the Committee appointed by the Working-Classes, to conduct the late election for the Municipal • Corporation. Mr. Lyon took the Chair, and was supported on his right by John Sutton, Esq., and on the left by Dr. Dorset, Mr. Wade, Mr. Wallace, &c, &c. After the cloth had been removed, the Chairman gave “ Queen Victoria, may she long reign over a free and happy people." Drank with three times three, and one cheer more. The Chairman again rose to propose the toast for the evening; he had known Mr. Sutton for a long time; he would say nothing as regarded private feeling, but would view him only in that public capacity, which they had met to celebrate ; he had united them when union was everything. For the able and effective manner in which that gentleman conducted himself as Chairman of the Committee, for conducting the late election, he would propose “ John Sutton, Esq."

Drank with three times three, and musical honors. John Sutton, Esq., in returning thanks, said— When he considered how inadequate his services had been ; he felt highly honored with the manner in which his health had been drank; lie rejoiced that so many in this Colony advocated those liberal opihion, now agi r , tating the numerous States of Enrope ; he viewed New Zealand as interesting to the mercantile, agricultural, and scientific world, and would again thank them for the honor they had done him. Mr. Annear gave the first “Mayor and Aldermen of the Borough of Wellington." Drank with three times three, and musieal honors.

The Chairman, as one of that worshipful body whose health had been so enthusiastically drank, said—He owed his position on the late poll solely to the working classes ; he hoped, on behalf of his brother Aldermen, that their conduct would, some years hence,' meet the same approbation they had just been greeted with. Mr. Pratt gave “ the health of the Committee of the working men of Wellington." Mr: Roots would submit, that now was the time, when the election was over, to throw away all feelings of animosity which the late proceedings had caused ; he would hope that the Aldermen who had been placed in the Council would fulfil all their expectations ; they had commenced economically; he had been informed that they were going to cause slaughter-houses to be erected; he thought they had better get beasts first; he hoped their conduct would be such as to cause the surrounding colonies to look upon them with copying admiration ; we all had friends who desired our success ; if he might be allowed to peep into futurity, he thought he saw the beach covered with wharfs, filled with exports and imports; he thought he sawthe merchantmen, built by our own shipwrights, daily sail from our harbour filled with our exports; in the name of the Committee of the working classes, he thanked them for the honor that had been done them.

Mr. Wade said—We were indebted to the New Zealand Company for a great deal of what we possessed. He proposed the health of “ Colonel Wakefield and the New Zealand Company.” Drank with three times three.

Mr. Scott said—That this place, perhaps, did not meet with all our expectations, and though we had not so 1 much fertile land as we had expected, yet iVe had a splendid agricultural climate, and a large quantity of available land; we had obtained, at this early age of the. Colony, universal suffrage, that which the inhabitants of the mother country had long been struggling for ; and the Colonists of New Zealand had not disgraced themselves ; and though an Alderman himself, he would say, the Council was as good a one as could be wished. ‘He gave, “ Prosperity to’the Colony."

Drank with three times three. Mr. Sutton proposed “ success to the Mechanics’ Institute."

Mr. John Knowles said —It devolved upon him, in the name of the Council, to return warm and sincere thanks for the enthusiastic manner in which success had been drank to the Mechanics’ Institute. Connected with similar establishments from liis earliest youth, he .rejoiced in the success of so valuable an institution; and 'when it was to be considered that we were entirely ignorant of the parts we had to play in the political history of this colony, it became that Colony to use the advantages placed at our disposal with the greatest eagerness. The instruction communicated in an institution containing from eighty to ninety children was of such a character not to be found even in England. Education had been placed within the reach of all, and it was the Colonists’ own fault if they did not allow their children to avail themselves of it. The half-yearly meeting of the Mechanic’s Institute would take place next week, and the report, he trusted, would be of the most gratifying character ; if he might be allowed to anticipate that report, he would impart to them intelligence of the most interesting nature; it was, that Colonel Wakefield had kindly undertaken to present a memorial from the Committee to the Governor, requesting a piece of ground to erect a building creditable to this Borough, and the sum of forty pounds appropriated to education in this settlement; he again thanked them for their good wishes in behalf of an institution most near and dear to him.

Mr. J. H. Wallace gave “ prosperity to the , other settlements of the New Zealand Company —Nelson and Taranaki.”

Drank with three times three. Mr. Roots gave “ the whalers, and whaling interests of the Colony.” Mr. Wade, in the absence of any operative whaler, would return thanks for the toast just drank. The whalers exerted themselves to furnish us with the only export we at present possessed ; he returned the company present, on behalf of the operative whalers, his warmest thanks. Mr. Nicoll sang, “ Rest, Warrior, Rest.”

Mr. Wallace proposed the health of Mr. G. Scott, and regretted that it had not been done at an earlier period of the evening. The working men had unanimously placed him in the first Council of the Borough of Wellington, and he held a very prominent situation there, and he felt assured, that from Mr. Scott’s usual character, and straightforward conduct, that he would not usurp or neglect the important duties he had to discharge to his constituents, and to the public. Drank with three times three.

Mr. Scott returned thanks, and assured his fellow Burgesses that the duty he owed to those who placed him in the eminent situation he filled in the Council was ever before him, and in the discharge of his public duties, should his fellow burgesses feel dissatisfied with his public conduct, and request him, he would immediately resign his office (cheers.) Mr. Dorset had to give a toast, on which.very little could at present be said, but in the course of a month, from information he had received only that day,

ho. expected something would be said, that would astonish them; he would propose “ the flax trade of New Zealand, may it ever be our staple export.” Drank with three times three. Mr. J. H. Wallace sang the “Old English Gentleman,” new version.

The Chairman gave “Mr. Rowland Davis,” and he rejoiced that so many had met to celebrate those principles which Mr. Davis had consistently upheld from the first day of his landing. Drank with three times three, and musical honors. Mr. Edward Davis sang “ the Old Irish Gentleman,” with great applause, and was loudly encored. Mr. Rowland Davis thanked the Company for the warm applause with which they had received his health ; on a future meeting, should he be favored with their company, he hoped to acquit himself better than on the present occasion. The Chairman gave “ the Burgesses of Wellington, may they always have a free, fair, and liberal representation in every ensuing election.”

Drank with three times three. Mr. Dorset gave the “ Ladies of Wellington.” Drank with the most enthusiastic applause. Mr. Roots gave “ our Chairman, Mr. Alderman Lyon.”

Mr. Lyon was proud to return the Burgesses thanks for his seat in the Couneil and in the Chair to-night; a more harmonious meeting it was seldom his lot to preside at or to attend.

The meeting separated at a late hour, after a most harmonious evening.