TAIERI FARMERS ON TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11399, 17 April 1899, Page 3

TAIERI FARMERS ON TOUR.

A "SEND OFF" BY THE A. AND P.

SOCIETY,

At the invitation of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the well-known Taieri farmers, Messrs Waltei Blackie (of Glasgow Farm, East Taieri), James Patrick (of Outram), and Samuel Young (of East Taieri), together with Mr Richard Irvine (of North Canterbury), all of whom are about to leave on a trip to the. old country, assembled at the Otago _ Club on Saturday morning, where a gathering of the members of the society met. them to wish them bon voyage and a safe return. The President of the Society (Mr Andrew Todd) presided, nnd amongst those who were present were the Hon. Thomas Fergus. Messrs Andrew Todd, E. F. Duthie, James Shicl, Robert Gawn,. L. Maclean, A. W. Robin, W. Patrick, J. Oughton, James Gow, J. Andrew, R. Todd, J. H. Morrison, R. G. Jones, James Hislop, G. MacEwan, J. Duthie, W. Brown, H. Price, H. Crust, D. Bacon, James Edgar, John Moloney, R. Wilson, James Hazlett, John Reid, and J. A. John--stone. Apologies were received from Messrs Thomas Brydone, C. S. Reid, A. C. Stronach, H. Buckland, P. Pattullo, and John Wright. Mr Todd stated that the gathering had been convened for the especial purpose of saying farewell and wishing bon voyage to several members of the society who were about

to pay a visit to the old country, and he also had very much pleasure in coupling with their names the name of Mr James Irvine (of Canterbury), their friend, who had decided to join them on their trip.' It was usual for the society when any of their members went Homo to see that they were properly equipped, and hearing that their present guests hod determined to go to the old country, a few of the members conceived the idea that it was desirable to give them a send off to cause them to recollect that they had a good many friends in the new country here. Mr Blackie had been a very staunch friend of the society. He had encouraged it in many ways and on all occasions. He had been progressive—sometimes they had thought that he was too progressive,—but he (the speaker) understood that he intended to be even more progressive in the future.—(Laughter and applause.) He Was quite sure that his trip to the old country would be very beneficial to the society, and he felt also positive that Messrs Young and Patrick would do something at Home which would be of lasting benefit to all of them here. He was .not at liberty to disclose .what their intentions were, but he might say that they were not going Home solely for the benefit of their health.—(Laughter and. applause.) Mr Todd then called upon • iii? 0"' Thomas Fergus, who said that it had been his privilege in life to be present at many functions convened for the purpose of giving a "send-off" to'publie men who had served the colony. Some of those men had done good to the country and deserved the gathering held in their honour; others did not deserve it so much. All present', however, would, he thought, join with him in thinking that the gentlemen whom they had invited there that day richly deserved something from the hands of the A. and P. Society. They belonged to that class of the community who had made the country what it was at the present time.—(Applause.) He did not think if they had a trial they could pick out better representatives of the farming class. Mr Young, since 1862, had carried on farming in their midst wit!-, success to himself and benefit to the community. Mr Blackie was a true stamp of the colonial farmer, beinp- bora at Caversham, and whose career they all.knew; and Mr Patrick, who had been only thirteen years years amongst them, had shown true grit and clone yeoman's service, benefiting himself, the^ province, and the society. His (Mr Fergus's) only regret was that he was not goinc Heme with them, for he was sure they would need someone to'look after them.—(Laughter.) However, they had Mr Irvine, and he hail no doubt that that gentleman would efficiently perform that service. They were all v?ry glad that their guests couid spare the time to go Homeland they all wished them a pleasant voyage and a happy time at Home, and when they returned their friends here would be pleased to welcome them back, whilst if they brought with them any novelties they would be very glad to share in the profits accruing therefrom.—(Laughter and applause.) .

Mr J. Shiel (ex-president of the A. and P. Society) and Mr R.. Wilson also added a fenkindly words of farewell.

Mr Todd then m-oposed a pleasant trip Home, an enjoyable and useful holiday, and the safe return to the colony of Messrs Blackie, Young, Patrick, and Irvine. Tho toast was drunk in bumpers of champagne, with musical honours nnd throe cheers.

; Messrs S. Young, Blackie, and Patrick suitably responded, and thanked the society for the kind words spoken and the generous farewell that had been given them. Anything they could do or pick up which would benefit the society and the farming interests generally would be gladly placed at the disposal of the society when they came back. The proceedings shortly afterwards terminated.