DINNER AND PRESENTATION TO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 234, 19 September 1862, Page 5

DINNER AND PRESENTATION TO

CAPTAIN DABBY.

Captain Alfred Darby, of the steamer City of Hobart, was entertained at dinner at the Shamrock Hotel, last evening, when a compli nsentary address and a parse of 100 sovereigns were presented to him.

At eight o'clock, over 60 gentlemen s&tdown to an el^tsnt and sumptuous"kepsst.' The large room was dcooraietl with national flags; and there was music at intervals daring the evening. *.- Vincent Pyke, B«j., Commiasioner of Gold Fields, occupied the chair, having Captain Darby on big right band, and T. Dick, Esq., Provincial Secretary, oa his left.

« £i be Oth h« aTltls ¥^? dtawa» the Chairman gave "TlwOaam" and "Tfc 3 Prince of «Tal^ and the rest of the Eoyal Family," both bebg enthusijsticallv uonour^d. — ■ J

Mr. Barton gave "His Honor the Superintendent and the members at ths Provincial Coancfl," which which was drank *midst cheers. Mr*. U]c^ ** TesP°™&*g, -swd he felt that the proposer bad beea to their fallings very Wind, and to their virtues wry kind. Perhaps had he beea longer reflect he might have ha I more to say againstthe Superintendent and the Council. However, he felt suns that by all classes they would be fairly dealt with—that there would be no cen3oriousaess— and that if they feiriy exerted themselves justice would be done to their efibrts. The Government had had much to coutend with daring the last twelve month*. ar.4 it was expected they would have still more. They were tied ia their position as connected with the jreneral government of New Zealand ; and they might sometimes be blamed for what was not really their fault. The position in which they stood with regard to the general government, wa? one which gentlemen from the other side of the water were very alow to appreciate, ana which it was really rery difficult to understand: (Hear, hear) He must express deep regret that the General Asjerably would not deigu to listen to a simple and very imperfect remedy which was proposed at least to remedy the difficulty existing in communicating with General Government. Theydeclined togivethe smaJJest assistance; but he trusted that the voices of the p>p!e of Dunedin and the Province would yet be heard, so as to let the General Government knowthafc they must be attended to. (Load cheers,) Two or three years ago, Otago was considered the last ot the £ew Zealand provinces; but now it was admitted to navcadvancedtolbevery van. (Applause). Although tK Bt v™* n<* ™l\ reprtsentid in 'the QenS Asorably-although their representatives were only two or three more than those of the small province of Tatanaki—they must by the powerful voice of th» people let the Government and the Assembly know that they must be heard-that their demands must be listened to, and that needs must be instantly attended to. (Cheers.) The position of Otago, with gold fields being discovered one knew not where or when, demanded instant attention to many of her requirements, instead of an appeal to Auckland being necessary to get them even partially attended to. A magistrate for the gold fields could not begot, without sending to Auckland lor his appointment by the Governor. The General Government must be made to know that it was most difficult,, and dangerous almost, for the people of Otago to have to wait so long for suciT things They <nust not only be heard but- their mflnenco mast be felt. AU that could be done by the general Assembly would, he hoped and believed be donej he knew to some extent the wants and the filings of the the public were explained and enforced by the press • aad he hoped that still more would be done by public meetings and other means if necessary, to explain our fears, oar difficulties, and ourwante. IntheTeanf Si! mightventure to say that the Provincial Government were doing tbe utmwt they could to meet wants that werearising day by day. MHear/lS S^f?^ cr c« asayingoa the Superi mtendent that his Honor was prepared to meet every emergency with toe utmost promptitude, and to exert every power he possessed so as to carry out all entov nf^^pjS**B CBp# «f v P«»°>o&iff the interests iiiill^ol^ 06*, <C, heerß') He beUeved also it would bs found when the Provincial Council met in H about^a coople^ of months, it would heartily second ms^ Honor and the Executive in everythuig they SrsT 1"086 to adwmcft ■*»*■<* «togi The Chairman jsaid that his next duty was one waiehatrorded him very f?reat pleasure and satisfectton. It was. always pleasant and saOsfactorytOßee ™ SL;"». a l mi br<sathin S fP 80? turn aside from it might be the too eager pursuit of riches, arid the career of ambitfon, to render homage to those qualities which exalt and dignifyhuman nature. It would be awork-of sxipererogation toattemi)t to point out the qualities which had gained foPbaptahv Darby this manifestation of approbation. All present knew by experience how much credit was due to an able and gallant seaman. Those who had had the cood fortune to sail with Captain Darby, could testiryW skilfully he had batUed with the winds and waveaon deck—how gentlemanly had been his demeanour in the cabm-how affable and urbane to highland ii w» t&■.* aAJ°9h' he had alwajs proved himielf to S« fcJ^J Si! 67 b? fc mmoll with ,thTeoinnaS i aifaes - of Melbourne and' Dunedin; he f«H iha?%

deep debt of giatitude jva3 due to Captsia Darby and: - others for flieir strenuous exertion? -fe> shorten time "& and space between the two parts—a febt frlii&'Mel-' — bonrue merchants had been slow to recognise, bat as to which ii waa to be hopei that they would soonfollow the example set. by the "said foi<' vof Danedin. (Applause.) He held thit wfasa testimonial* were, well and worthily L! Paired as in the present instance, they were erediiable alke -- to those who gave and to him yrho received. Tb9 ancient* honored their best and bravest TcitL *ta with ehapUjte and garlands, and with mural crowns. -rT/iey " gave to them moreover the more substantial rarardofa poriton— .;...-' ** _ '* of the corn land That was of public right" In the same spirit the raoderns^roserittfceir favoritesTnthjHarauiated scrolls and tangible evldtaces oftheir approval (Applause.) Of the beneScial effect^ - or *uch presentations on the public mind, there could be but ktte doubt. He believed that they tettod to toster a, healthy and genial spirit, a spirit-of emula- - fair, nonest rivalry, it'might -be-i-but a healthy spirit. (Applause.) Wherever iwnum was esteemed and virtue prized by the citizens, wherever merit was rewarded and enterprise encouraged by the state-wherever recSe' • and probity were valued by the people then the • glittering; allurements of wealth were robbed of half theirperilous fascinations, even though that wealth should be accumulated in greater aad more luxurious profusionsi than the gorgeous fables of Oriental splendor ever pictured to the o-rapt imagination. (Cheers } Wherever such practices as these obtained, there were sown the seeds of the meat legitimate ambition which could possibly animate th* breast cf man. The desire to possess and the resolution to deserve the resp^t and approbation of our teior ir,ea; and the hearts' aadmuidaoftheaclvanc.iig are indeliblyImpressed with tin profound conviction that "the road to honor is tho patn.of duty." {Loud applause.) The Oaifmaa then proceeded to" pref* 111 .I°,. CaPl*"l -Darby. an address which was beautifully wnttei and illauunatsJ by^Mr. W- M. lloJgkins, and framed and glazed, together with a purse containing 100 sovereigns. The purse, he said, was worked by some of the inmates of the Glasgow Blind Asylum. The address was as follows • To Aifred Darby, Esq., Commander of the steam ship City of Hobari. Sir,—-We. the uaderjhrned, have the pleasure to hand you iLe aecompstsyius purse of one hundred sovereigns, ».nbvjibed by the mercantile community and others resent in ■ Ouaedio, K.Z:, who have known jott for some time, and have taken this mode of snowing their esteem and respect for your character J as a genliem&u and a- seaman. ' We.sre, Sir,;;.;.::--... " ' ;-..:'•■ -~:. Youk very respectfolly, " ■■.-,">* "-LewisSiapsoK,Chairman. : A. 41. r^KDKESS, Treasurer. P. Russew., Hon. Sec. • ■■♦ •'. - ooxMirrEßi ' •. --.■-:-;■ . T C. Campbell; H.; Driver, A. Lagans, Lszirno; S. H. Jones, J.^Fargie. Bojd, S.-G. Is&cs, Shep^ ~ E. De Carle, W. H. Dixon. : ■ - /^ Captdn Darby, on rising, was received with heart* and prolonged cheers. Hs said that to return thanJa ta language appropriate to the occasion and satis-"-' factory to bimself would require the tongae cf an orator; and the oratory of one 'who'liadspeatnsnriy tUirty years at jß^a coald not be expected to express a tithe of the heart-felt thanks aad deep safefaetion he felt for the honor conferrediupon him that evening * (Apphase.) But this he could say, it would ever be jfratdully remembered ; an^l because of it he ehoald feel doubly bound to watch niih renewed ener^v the comfort and safety of these, whether cf tlte new' or *' old identity," whom he xaiglit convey to or from * Otago. He wa3 proud to ses around him the faces of so many friends—those who knear what untiring exertion had be«n .nealc-d to attain aad maintain his present position; and ha could honestly declare that there should be no decrease in iiia exertions to maintain tha good fene of Ms ship and Mmsel£ ( pplause.) He had been ably and unwearisgly supported by hia chief engineer (Mr. Gooper), without whom he could not have done what he had. He thought he was hot egotisfic-al in savins; thtt the Tasinaniui Steam Navigation: Company^ steamer, City of Hobar^.was an able «nd powerful vessel(hear, hear); and bo well satisfied were the company with the ship and the Otago trade that they had a second new one building, and were considering about a' third for the Barae trade. He wished to all present every prosperity; and that this land of thdr adop- * tioa might ere long shine forth as one of the brightest stars iv the coniteliatioa of the Australias. (cheers.) ■■ In concluaou, Captain Darby propowd " Prosperity to tlie Province of Otago. ~ -•:.-..-- -~. .-~^ : ■- Mr. Carrifik responded to the toast, s ,Mr.A. H. Gillies ipropsed " The Old Besidenis." Mr. Kills responded. He remembered when H was declared that a fifteen ton xesseA could not cater the port. He remembered also (for it was not me?e than eight years- ago) when Daaedia was four, months without new 3 from any part of the world extent New &saland; when they had later inte%ence from Eigtand than from the nelghboariag province, * However, that was all passed away. (Applsuseand hiughter) He for one most cordially wdciaed tits' " new identity." * r - : Tiie other toasts w<re "The SDniag and Com--merrbl Interests," proposed by Mr. Shaw, and responded to by Mr. B. B. Martin, W. H. Dixon, and E. de Carle; "The Agricultural and Commercial Interests," proposed by Mr. M'Gresor, end acknow-: - led»ed by Mr. Davisoa ; " The Bar.'* given by Mr GKUics, and responded to by Mr. M'Gregor- "TheVolunteer Fire Brigade," proposed by Mr. de Carle, and adcnowledeed by Captain Bees: *5 The Chairman," "The Press," and "The Ladies." —