YORKSHIRE SOCIETY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 24

YORKSHIRE SOCIETY.

ANNUAL DINNER. The fourth annual dinner of the Yorkshire Society of New Zealand, held last week at the Trocadero, was a successful function, alike in point of attendance and the enthusiasm with which it was carried through. A well-cooked dinner was well served, and the viands, which included several that are characteristic of the big county, were thoroughly enjoyed. The menu and toast list were interspersed with appropriate phrases in dialect, commencing with “Nah lads; hooap yoh’re i’ gooid fettle,” and ending with “Nah lads, awm stall’d; gooid neet.” After dinner, the venerable president, the Rev J. C. Andrew (Whitby), proposed the loyal toasts of “ The Queen ” and “The Governor.” The following telegram from the Right Hon R. J. Seddon was read: —“ On behalf of the Lancashire lads, their chief wishes you and the Yorkshire lads a very pleasant and convivial evening. Greatly regret being Unable to be with you, and wish your society every success and a prosperous year. I feel assured that the cordial feeling now existing between the two societies will ever continue.” Mr John Hutcheson, M.H.R., wrote explaining that as he was “ laid up for repairs " he was unable to be present. Mr T. H. Hustwick (Hull), in proposing “ Our County,” said that although the fair face of Yorkshire had been to some extent marred by the demands of an ever-increasing commerce, the county still was a place of wondrous beauty and most varied scenery. Yorkshire had always been a busy portion of England; busy not only in the accumulation of material wealth, but also in the gathering together of those intellectual riches which went to make up a truly great nation. Fairest as well as sturdiest of English counties, long might Yorkshire continue to occupy the proud position of being foremost in art, literature and manufactures.

Mr J. H. Hellewill (Bradford), m reply, said the claims of Yorkshire to pre-emi-nence were not based on exaggeration or sentiment. The county had line scenery and grand antiquities, and was also remarkable for the productiveness of its soil and the richness of its other natural resources. Speaking of the spirit of enterprise, discovery and adventure which characterised Englishmen, Mr Hellewill said there was no name that stood higher on the list of England’s heroes than the name of Captain Cook. He expressed the hope that it would not be long before some fitting memorial of the great circumnavigator was erected in New Zealand, where he planted the English flag. (Applause.) Mr Charles Wilson, M.H.R. (Harrogate) proposed “The Land we Live in.” He spoke in glowing terms of the heritage the people of New Zealand possess for themselves and their children in the natural beauties and natural advantages of this country, Mr James Trevor (Raskelfe), who replied, said the phrase on the tost list expressed his opinion of New Zealand—“lt’s gooid or aw suddn’t stop.” “Our Guests” was proposed by Mr C. Palliser (Northallerton). The Hon W. C. Walker, Minister of Education, in responding, said he was. glad to see young as well as old faces around the tables. It was a source of strength to societies like this that fathers and sons should meet together from year to year to celebrate the great achievements of their forefathers, and to renew memories of the land from which they sprung. He trusted that the Yorkshire Society and similar societies would flourish in New Zealand, more especially on account of the young people of this oountry. We owed a gre.ir debt to our ancestors, and we ought to hand on the recollection of it unimpaired to those who came after us. Therefore it gave him great pleasure to see the Yorkshire Society so strong and so well represented by men of all ages. Mr J. Kershaw (Lancashire Society) and Councillor J. B. Harcourt also responded. i Mr T. J. Boyps (Sheffield) proposed the health of “The President,” who replied in an interesting speech, in which he menUni. d t hat by birth and education, and in i other ways, he was a representative of uearly every part of Yorkshire. MrC E Briggs (Hudd jrefiuld), secretary of the Society, proposed “ Our Civic Rulers” Councillor Harcourt, in reply, said that. lasi etsi-ion Parliament touched muniei-p-lihns up a bit in regard t ■ the franchise. I had yet. to be seen what the result of > ■ -uching-up would be. During his exjii r’ei'oo of the Wellington City Council, the city bad been served by men who were above either direct or indirect bribery, and who worked with singleness of heart for the best interests of the place. Referring to tb« reclamation leases, Councillor Hue net «aid that in the course of a few y nr-*-- Wellington would be one of the best endowed cities in New Zealand. The revenue from the leases would show an enormous increase. A renewal of certain leases that would shortly fall in would encourage the leaseholders to replace the present buildings on them by more substantial structures. “ The Yorkshire Lasses ” were toasted at the instance of the President, and Mr F. Bedford (Heckmondwike) proposed “The Press.” During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs T. H. Coltman, Toner and E. Bold, dialect readings by Messrs F. Bedford and J. Flockton, and an original dialect recitation, “ Nowt,” by Mr C. Wilson, M.H.R. An orchestra played several selections. In honour of the occasion the upstairs hall was gaily decorated.