BANQUET TO MR. HOUSTON, M. H. R., AT MANOONUI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8474, 27 January 1891, Page 6

BANQUET TO MR. HOUSTON, M. H. R., AT MANOONUI.

Since Christmas this little township seems to have been given up to one round of gaiety —sports, dances, balls, picnics, dinners, etc. —till the old folks hero begin to wonder whether the good old times of 30 years ago are returning. Last, but certainly not least, was the banquet given to Mr. Houston, M.H.R., before his departure for Wellington.

The proprietor of the Settler's Hotel surpassed himself upon the occasion, and for artistic and floral decoration, though I have seen many such in my time, I do not think 1 ever sat down to a better arranged or more elegant table. The number catered for was 'M, but owing to illness this was reduced to 33. Precisely nine p.m. the company sat down, and in the unavoidable absence of the chairman, Mr. Clements kindly consented to till the vacancy, and a most excellent substitute he made, Mr. Claudet being in the vicechair. After due justice had been done to the loaded table, The CriAiiiMAN gave the loyal toasts in succession :— " The Queen," " The Royal Family," " The Governor," and then came the toast of the evening, "Success to Mr. Houston," but as the chairman was comparatively new to the district, he called upon an older resident, Mr. Ballance, to speak to the toast. This he did in a very animated manner, sketching Mr. Houston's career since his coming to the colony, some 26 years ago, ami tracing his public actions un to the present time. He was frequently interrupted by the applause of those present, whom at times he completely carried away. At the finish there was prolonged cheering for Mr. Houston and family, winding up with, " He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Mr. Houston, in responding, for some time could hardly obtain a hearing, as the cheers started afresh, but at length he thanked his friends for their kindness, and assured them he would do his best to merit their approval. He was a follower of measures, not men. He would ever be found on the side of retrenchment, coupled with safety for the service of the Government. He would take, care that the North received its fair share of whatever money might be voted for public works. (Cheers). Though in the present crippled state of the colony he did not think there would be much, still he would use legitimate means for that cud. (Prolonged cheers), He then touched lightly on the various points in his electoral addresses, giving some amusing anecdotes of his late travels, especially at a digger's camp, where he was threatened with being ducked in a creek if he came, but on leaving he was given three hearty cheers, and though he did not receive a single vote in the district, he would ever remember them kindly for the way in which they had treated him, an utter stranger. He then thanked Mr. Ballance for the very generous and flattering remarks he had made, and sat down amid enthusiastic cheering.

Mr. Smith, of Kaitaia, si>oke tor some time in a very able and earliest manner. He entirely agreed in the remarks made about Mr. Houston. He had known him for more than 11 years, and was capable of forming a sound opinion, and he ventured to say tiie electors would never regret the having put Mr. Houston at the head of the poll. (Cheers.) He had never seen his equal out of the House, and never heard of his superior in the House. (Cheers.) He had come a long way to attend the banquet, and he was only too proud to add his testimony as to the worthiness of the member for the Bay of Islands. (Cheers). Numerous other toasts then followed, given from the chair and responded to as follows : —" County Councils," Mr. Claudet; "Road Boards," Mr. Prosser. These two being somewhat antagonistic created some amusement, and it was thought on the whole that Mr. Pressor in his reply had the best of it. " Board of Health," responded to by Dr. Trimnell, who referred to his absence from the district, and regretted that lack of business compelled it. He trusted that some means would be found to retain permanently the services of a duly qualified resident medical man. "Farming Interests" were given, and responded to by Mr. Puckey, who hoped that when better roads we-e made farmers would be able to reach a market with their stock, and be able to sell at remunerative prices, which ghe was sorry to say was not now the case. " The Timber Interest" was responded to by Mr. Kingston, who showed how the Kauri Timber Company were g.ving unasked-for concessions to their men, and said he trusted the time was near when employers and employes would be found the best of friends, each working for the other's benefit. The Chairman responded to the toast of " The Local School Committee." and hoped the system would not be changed, except in so far as raising the school age, but he did not agree with those who wished to lower the standard.

Mr. Claudet made a capital speech in reply to the toast for " The Ladies," and a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman closed one of the most successful meetings ever held in Mangonui.— [A Correspondent.]