BANQUET TO MR. WAKEFIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6707, 17 May 1883, Page 5

BANQUET TO MR. WAKEFIELD.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Reefton, Wednesday. Mb. Wakefield was entertained to a banquet last night. About 170 persons were present, and it was a very successful gathering. Mr. W. H. Jones, solicitor, presided, and Mr. P. Q. Caples, ex County Chairman, occupied the vice-chair. In proposing the toast of the evening, the Chairman said that though defeated, Mr. Wakefield had secured a larger number of votes than any other successful candidate in the colony except Mr. Shaw, and considering the extraordinary Government and County Council influence brought to bear against him, his position at the poll was in the highest degree honourable to the candidate and to the electors who supported him, aud should another opportunity arise Mr. Wakefield would be again invited to contest. Profiting by the experience of the last contest such steps would be taken as would eecure his return by a triumphant majority. Mr. Wakefield, in replying, said the result, considering the character of the oppositionists, and the fact that he was a comparative stranger to the electors, was the highest compliment ever paid to a public man in the colony. Should an opportunity again occur, and the people desire it, he should feel ready again to come forward. His visit to the West Coast was au epoch in his life, and the reception he had met with, and the support accorded him, never to be forgotton. He left this morning for Greymouth, en route for Christchurch. Mr. Shaw is to bo banquetted to-night by his supporters. The electioneering excitement is now subsiding.