DINNER TO MR. LARNACH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9155, 10 September 1888, Page 12

DINNER TO MR. LARNACH.

A complimentary banquet was given at Wellington on Saturday, August 18, at Bellamy's by the goldfields' members to the Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G., late Minister of Alines, on the eve of his departure from New Zealand for Victoria. There were about thirty present, Including several invited guests. Air. K. Seddon presided, and was supported on his right by the guest of the evening and the Hon. E. Richardson ; and on bio left by the Hon. G. F. Richardson, Minister of Mines, and the Hon. P. A. Buckley. Among those present were Colonel Fraser, Messrs. Cadman, Feldwick, Lance, Anderson, J. McKenzie, Duncan, J. C. Brown, Grimmond, Kerr, O Conor, \N ard, R. H. Reeves, Allen, Guinness, Walker, Hons. John Martin and Bonar, M.L.C.'s, and Mr. Tolhurst, the manager of the Bank of New Zealand. Apologies were received from the Hon. Thos. Fergus, Minister of Justice, and Mr. Pvke. Telegrams were read from the Inangahua County Council expressing regret at Air. Larnach's departure, and stating that in him they lost a sincere and earnest advocate of the mining interests of the colony ; and from Mr. Malfroy, C.E. of Rotorua, saying that as an old miner of 1853 he desired to have his name subscribed to the ad dress to be presented toMr.Larnach. The Chairman proposed the toast of " Our Guest," and in a characteristic speech referred to the valuable services Mr. Larnach had rendered the mining industries of the colony. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. In responding, Mr. Larnach referred to his mining experience, and also stated that he would fulfil his duties as a member for the term of the present parliament. His constituents had offered to reelect him if he would come over during session time, but as to that he could say nothing at present. The illuminated address from the miners of Kumera was then presented to Mr. Larnach in an appropriate speech, and the recipient feelingly acknowledged the compliment. Colonel Fraser and"Mr. R. H. Reeves expressed regret at the illuminated addresses from the miners of the Thames and Inangahua not having arrived, but they would be to hand in a day or two. Mr. Cadman and Colonel Fraser delivered speeches, in which they expressed their gratitude to Air. Larnach for the interest he had taken in the mining industry of their respective districts, and the good feeling entertained towards him by the mining population. All of the members present made short speeches expressive of goodwill to Mr. Larnach, and wishing him every success in his new sphere of life in Victoria. The re-union was a great success.

Friends of Mr. Hugh Owen will be glad to hear that he has passed the Dentists' Examination successfully in Dunedin, Otago. The Orepuki coal and shale measures, till recently held by the Orepuki. Coal and Shale Co., Invercargill and now by Mr. Albert Cassells, have been sold to a Sydney firm fc.r £1*2,000. They will erect works for the distillation of kerosene and other oils from shale.

Major Gascoigne has received the appointment of Sheriff to the Auckland Provincial District, the vacancy having been caused by the resignation of Mr. Baddeloy. Major Gascoigne left for Auckland on August 22, and commenced his new duties on the Ist September. Information has been received from Mercury Bay that Mr. William Camming?, formerly a brewer in Hamilton, but who has recently been prospecting in the Coromandel ranges, ha? been missing since August 11, and search parties, organised to discover him, have been so far unsuccessful.

His Excellency the Governor arrived at Wellington from Melbourne on August 15, accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Fortescue, A.D.C* He was met by the Premier and Captain Medley. The D battery of Artillery tired a salute of 17 guns as His Excellency walked off the wharf. A number of Southern papers refer in terms of high praise to the trade pamphlet Srinted for Messrs. Sargood and Co. at the "ew Zealand Herald printing works. Some of the comments are as follows : —" A credit to the establishment," "In every sense of the word creditable," "Conspicuous excellence in the printers'art is visible," " Best we have seen in the colony," " One of the most beautiful specimens we have yet Keen of colonial lithographic work." The figure of a saint carved In wood, which belonged to the late Mr. Albin Martin, was examined in the Art Gallery on Aug. 21 by a number of visitors. It is an exquisite piece of workmanship, an achievement of genius and of enormous industry and skill. It is believed to be by Grinling Gibbons, who was probably the best wood carver who ever lived. The figure was. we understand, highly prized by the Late Mr. Albin Martin, who was a first-rate judge in all matters of art. It ■was presented to the Art Gallery by Mrs. Albin Martin, in accordance with the wish of her late husband.

In the Supreme Court, Invercargill, on Saturday, W. H. Palmer, lately of the R.M. Court and Licensing Bench at Gore, sought to recover £2500 damages for libel against J. G. Fraser, editor of the Southern Standard. The libel consisted in certain comments in connection with a scene in the Gore Court-house between the Mayor and two other Justices, and the fact that a report from the police objecting to the granting of a license was not produced at the proper time. For the defence, it was held that the comments were fair and honest, and made in the public interest. The jury returned a verdict for defendant, with costs.

Some very handsome inlaid furniture, made from New Zealand woods by Messrs. Winks and Hall, was sent to the Melbourne Exhibition. The articles consist of card tables, fancy cabinets, round tables, glove and handkerchief boxes, made from all. the choicest New Zealand woods, manufactured- by Winks and Hall at their factory, Shortland-street. The woods principally used are—Rimu, Jcauri, mottled kauri, . figured kauri, totara burr, rewa rewa, pohutukawa, puriri plain, puriri figured, ake ake, tawai, lack maire, white maire. We are sure that at the Exhibition they will do credit to Auckland and to the colony. They are fine samples of workmanship, and also of the woods of which they are constructed. A friendly rifle match between teams of fifteen men aside of the Wairoa Rifles, under Captain Crawford, and the A Battery Artillery, under Captain Geddes, was fired at the Mount Eden rifle range on the 18th August, and resulted in a very substantial victory by 82 points for the visitors. The ranges were 200, 400, and 500 yards. The visitors were entertained by the battery at a smoke concert in the dining-room of the Imperial Hotel, at which there was a full muster of the members and hon. members of the battery, as well as other friends, and Host Gallagher had as usual on such occasions a most attractive table spread. Toasts, speeches, and songs were the order of the evening. A very handsome wardrobe has been forwarded to the Melbourne Exhibition, per Botomahana, by Messrs. Garlick and Cranwell. The design is of Queen Anne style, modified to suit the introduction of New Zealand woods, and so constructed that it may be utilised either as a wardrobe or a stationery case, and is cfuite a work of art. It contains and shows to best advantage about fifteen different kinds of woods. Apart from this it bears a special New Zealand characteristic, the frieze and cornice being an exact copy of Maori carving. The intricate and graceful scroll work is very accurately- delineated ; the carvings round the panels are also faithful copies of New Zealand foliage of various timber trees. It certainly is a credit to Auckland, and should add to the attractiveness of the New Zealand Court.