COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXVI, Issue 3366, 12 March 1915, Page 2

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

MINISTER ENTERTAINED.

APPRECIATIVE SPEECHES.

On Wednesday evening the Hon. Wi Fraser was entertained at a cqrnphmerftnry Sinner at the Criterion Hotel at which there was a large attendance <ot prominent business people. Mr. H. M. Gorbett (chairman ot the Ohinerauri County Council) was in the chair. Apologies tor absence were received trom Major Browne and Mr S. J. LaughUn. An excellent repast was provided by Mr H; D,'Me Iyer. After the usual loyal toast, the Chairman proposed the toa»t ot " The Guest of the Evening, the Hon. W., Eraser.'' The Chairman expressed his pleasure at seeing the nonourable gentleman present and at seeing him in such good health. The Minister ot Public Works and-Mines—as Mr Fraser is—was the most important Minister so far as this ■ district is concerned. They appreciated the action ot the Minister in promising to give a grant for the bridge at Ttrohia, which was going to be an important Link for the d'strict and for the whole of the Hauraki. Plains. He (the speaker) had already considered that the bridge at Tirohia was the next step to be taken to open up the district, and he appreciated the action ot the Minister in connection with this work. The health of the Minister was drunk with enthusiasm. In reply the Hon Fraser. returned thanks and said he could- assure them that; the lite of a Minister was not a particularly rosy one. as some people thought, although there were compensations, and one of them was a function such as. they had that nis>ht. A Minister must remember that he is the guardian of the public purse,' and see that every vote that was given was warranted. His sympathies had always been with those who took up land furthest away ■•from.' civilisation, which entailed on them a certain amount ot sett denial. He also sympathised with those who helped themselves and did not think Government should do anything tor them, for he beffeved that self reliance should be encouraged. Regarding the Tirohia Bridge, it appeared to him reasonable that it should be constructed as it was no use making the roads on both sides unless the crossing over the river was made. So long as~he was. Minister ot Public Works he would not turn down any genuine, demand so Ion? as he could get the money. There was a bright future for New Zealand, and whatever came alter the war would be met: by the people with calmness and fortitude. He believed they would be able to getwhatever money they wanted as the' credit of New Zealand stands higher on the London market than that ot any other country. - - Other toasts during the evening Were as follows :— i! Army and Navy," proposed by Mr F. Strange, and replied to by Colonel Porritt; "Member for the District," proposed by Mr A. Hubttard, and replied to by Mr H. Poland; "Local Bodies," proposed by Mr W. McWatters, and replied to by Messrs Power, Lowe, and Bagnall; "Mining Industry," proposed by Mr H. Poland,, and replied to by Messrs Aitken, McGuire, and Morgan ;"':" Farming Industry," proposed by Mr H. Field, and replied to by Messrs Hubbard, Treanor, and Neil Carter ; " Paeroa Chamber of Commerce," proposed by Mn* H. D. Morpetb, and replied to by Mr E. W. Porritt ; " Bridge Contractors, 1' proposed by Mr C. Lloyd, and replied to by Mr W. C. Kennedy; " Press," proposed by Mr Lloyd ; and "Chairman," proposed by Hon. Fraser. , During the evening recitations were contributed by Mr J. Donovan and Mr M. ]. Harris, songs by Mr A. H. Wilson, Mr R. Cornngham, and Mr V. Cassen, and a duet by Messrs Hillani and Corringham. Mr J. King presided at the piano in his usual able manner. A very enjoyable function was brought to a close about eleven o'clock with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne."