Smoke Concert

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 335, 23 November 1897, Page 2

Smoke Concert

TO CONSTABLE TWOMEY. The high esteem in which Constable Twoiney was hold by old comrades and townsmen was exemplified on Friday evening, when a gathering of between 50 and 60 assembled in the Foresters’ Hall to bid him farewell ami have a chat over old times. Two tables svere arranged in the hall (which seems well fitted for such an occasion), on which light refreshments, and a varied assortment of best brands of liquors and cigars were displayed. Air W. D. Scott occupied the chair (and apologised for the absence of Messrs O’Donnell and Rogers), and Mr W. W. Middleton was vice-chairman. Th? first toast was that of “The Queen,’’ by the Chairman. Song—“ Empress of the Wave,” Mr H, Middleton. The Chairman said he had something to do, and may as well get it over—the pleasure of proposing the health of “ Their Guest.” When the news came that Mr Twotney had notice to move general regret was expressed by all, and no other citizen of the town could have been more missed than he. He had known him for the past eight years, and had always been friends. Apart from his official capacity, he was looked on as a citizen, and as Bobby Burns said, “ The noblest work of God is an honest man.” He was a comrade in every respect; always to the fore and in an unostentatious manner. They would all miss him, but wished him success in his new station, and felt sure he would make friends there as he had hare. (Hear, Hear.) In his official capacity he had been obliged to do disagreeable things, but he had done them in a pleasant way. When he had to run a man in he did it nicely. The toast was then drunk with musical honors.

Recitation—“ When your pants begin to go,” Mr Bailey. Mr Twomey, on rising to reply, was greeted with cheers. He thanked them heartily for the way they had drunk his health. There was always something sad in saying goo'd-bye especially to old friends. It was 16 years since ho came to Opunake, and he was then young, had a light heart, a light swag, and light in pocket. Things have changed since then, and he looked back on it as 16 years of the best part of his life. (Hear, hear.) He thanked the Chairman for the kind sentiments he expressed towards him, and said that the people with whom a policeman had to deal had a lot to do with what sort of a policeman they had. Some people wont let the police alone, but he had always tried to do do his duty in a pleasant way. He had enjoyed himself thoroughly here and it struck him heavily when the promotion came, but a man must do his duty and go where he is told. He had said he would rather let events take their course than have his friends petition for him to remain, as he considered it was in the interests of the force to change policemen at times. Some men got mixed up with cliques and neglected their duty, but he had done his best to guard against that. (Hear, hear.) It was due to the people’s kindness that he was there that evening, and he would look to that day as a bright star before him. He hoped to take his place amongst them some day as a settler, and help Opunake to bo the great centre he expected it to become. It had made more progress daring the last year than during the previous II years. Ha wished his successor every success, and hoped he would have as pleasant times here as he looked back to. (.Loud applause.) Song—“ A Rolling stone gathers no Moss,” Mr Des Forges. Toast—“ Old A,C’s” by Mr W. W. Middleton. He said he had been associated with the A.O’s for the past 13 years. When he first came here the place was nothing but Maoris with a large number of A.C’s. Gradually the force dispersed, and a number of them have become settlers —good ones—and some have done handsomely. He was pleased to be there on the occasion of Mr Twomey’s farewell, as he (the guest) had belonged to the A.O.’s, which was one of the smartest bodies of men in the colony. He considered the toast one of the most important of the evening, and would couple with it the names of Messrs Martin Irwin and J. M. Hickey. (Hear, hear.) Song—“ I couldn’t.” Mr Brame. Mr Irwin, who is one of the old veterans, w r as well received. He said .the A.G’s dattid back to 1868, and gave a sketch of the travelling the A.C’s had in various districts, when every man who could handle a gun was called out, and he looked upon them all as brave men. He referred to the Poverty Bay massacre, and followed the trouble till it centred at Parihaka, where it was subdued. Most of the men have now settled on the land they were fighting on, although some of the natives are at present giving the Government a little trouble. He said the growth of the place was mainly due to the A.C. men, and that in the future men would look back with pride to them as having freed the country in the same way as Americans do to the day of Independence. Mr J. M. Hickey said as the previous speakers had covered so much ground that it left but little for him to say, but he could fully endorse all that had fallen from them. He thanked them for the manner in which the toast had been honored.

Recitation —The Billiard-marker’s yarn,” Mr Bond,

Toast, “ Commercial Interests,” by Mr T, A. Bushe Bailey. He said although Opunaka could not boast of being a large commercial centre, the time was coming when it would. It had been badly treated in the past in not opening up the "land, but now it was being settled, and the place would grow to one of of no small importance. It is more favorably situated than moat places, having a fair nucleus for a harbor. Had it been made the port instead of New Plymouth it would have been better and less expensive. But New Plymouth had influence and they got a harbor there, which does not seem as successful as was expected. However, the settlors here have backbone and are helping themselves, and he hoped soon to see the wharf reinstated. Ho coupled the toast with the names of Messrs J. Stewart and W. J. Christie.

Song—from “ Olivette,” MrMcDavitt,

Mr Stewart said he would rather some one else had taken the subject, as it was a serious one to deal with. When he came to Opunake it was not very bright, but it had turned the corner and was going to be a great centre. No doubt any place will go ahead on its own merits, and it is everyone’s interest to help it along. As regards the dairy industry, there are two factories toeveiyone there was when he came, which is a great advance, and it is plain that the place is making progress. Opuuake’s future depends mainly on the people themselves. Sir Christie, in thanking them for the honor of coupling his name with the toast, said his experience in commercial business was limited, hut hoped in a few years hence to be able to toll more about it than now'.

Toast, “ Farming Industry,” by air ai. J, Brennan. He said the farming industry was the one on which the country was built. It was the barometer of progress or poverty. If the farmers were doing well, then they found all classes were doing well, and if prices of products of the soil were low then they found a general collapse in all other branches. Without the farmers towns could not exist and were it not for the settlers on the laud in this district there would be no Opunake, This district was not very suitable for general agriculture, but was admirably adapted to dairying, and the settlers in it ware men of grit who hud put their shoulders to the wheel and made the most of the opportunities at their disposal and the reward was evident in the comfortable homes and extensive improvements affected by them. Ho coupled the names o£ Messrs McKeown and J, C, Hickey with the toast.

Song, “ Kiilarncy,” Mr Cooper, and in response to a vociferous encore gave “ The Tar’s Farewell.”

Mr McKeown trusted to claim some indulgence on this occasion. To him it was anything 1-. it pleasant. In the presence oi such

a gathering he had no hesitation in saying that it was not a night of joy, as he was losing one of his best friends. Not only a friend, but one on whom farmers look to for advice on the law. At one time the great Napoleon was a policeman in London, and there was tiothing to prevent Constable Twomey from coining back again and occupying the greatest position in the district, which he trusted he would. (Applause.) Mr Stewart had said commercial interests is a serious affair indeed. The commercial interest in Opunake is not in a serious position at all; When he first came here there was no such interest at all, nothing but the Government store; now you have mills, stores, warehouses, and no depression. In reply to farming interests he felt lost, and to-night he had mistaken his vocation. Anyone who minds his own business can be a farmer. There had been larger returns from Taranaki than from any other part of New Zealand, What made the dairy industry what it is at present ? The Liberal Government. They got facilities for sending butter away, the graders got full value for the farmers, cool storage, cheap freights, and steamers calling at Waitara. The cost of transit is too much to send produce from here, which should be overcome. Farming is the backbone of the country, and every assistance should be accorded it.

Mr J. C. Hickey said he considered the success of the dairy industry was due to the people themselves, and not to any Government. He mentioned the Crown Dairy Co, as having built factories for the settlers and set them up. The towns had to fall back on the country to support them. He was glad to see our settlers were game to start the jetty again, which would assist the dairying. When he came here frst there was only one white family—Mrs Bartlett, who had the hotel in those days. Then no one would cross the Namu bridge after sundown on account of the rebels ; and now he was living on the same spot without fear. The dairy industry is now making great strides, the town is growing, and settlers pulling together, Soug—“Little Tin Gee-gee,” Mr W. Middleton ; and in response to an encore he sang “ Tom Bowling.” The Chairman said there was a very important toast to propose, which ranked next to that of “ The Queen ” and “ The Guest,” and that toast was—“ The Ladies.” He called on Mr McGloin to propose it, as he felt sure he could do justice to it. Mr McGloin said he was at a loss to know why he should be called upon to propose that toast, but would do hia best. He said the ladies had played a very important part in the world for a number of years* It is a credit to the fair sex when they look on such women as our Gracious Queen, as Florence Nightingale, and to come nearer home, the stewardess on board the Wairarapa wreck, who sacrificed her own life for that of a child. Ha referred to the way in which Sir John Hall fought for the Women’* Franchise, and at last succeeded, some people predicted that it would have a bad effect, but it has proved otherwise, and he thought it was one of the grandest pieces of legislation ever passed in New Zealand, They have proved themselves a credit to every branch they are in, and hoped they will ere long be in the House and Legislative Council and local bodies. The fact that ladies along the coast get up in the mornings and ride bicycles is a sign of civilization. He coupled the toast with the name of Mr T. Knowles.

Mr Knowles made a very complimentary reply to the toast, setting forth all the good points of the ladies, and affirming that the order of things could not continue without the aid of them.

Song—“ Bessie Lee,” Mr McKenzie. Toast, “ Local Bodies.” by Mr Trotter. He said he had not been long here, and had not been acquainted much with them, but thought men seeking positions on them should do their best in the interests of the ratepayers. He coupled the toast with the names of Messrs D. McGregor and W. Daw. Recitation—“ The Bush Christening,” Mr Bond.

Mr McGregor said he had been in the place II years, and affairs had gone on smoothly except daring the past few months. He did not know why men wanted to wrangle, except that he wanted to show ha was cleverer than another. Those on local bodies should do their best, and do nothing but their duty. Some men get on local bodies to grind an axe, but that not be. He referred to the A.C. force as a jolly lot of fellows, and in Mr Twomey going away he felt like losing someone who could not be replaced. When men are getting on in years it makes it harder to part with an old friend. He hoped in a few years to meet him again as a settler at the back of his own section. Mr Dew mentioned the Parihaka Road Board, on which body he always tried to do his duty to the best of his abilities, and did not approve of men going on to grind an axe, but do what is right, irrespective of other people. He said the dairy industry was the staple product of the country and in men doing their duty to local bodies they wouldalso be assisting the settlers. Toast, “ Constable Cooper,” by Mr Twomey. He said his successor was not a stranger amongst them, as he had done good service along the coast in early days. He asked them to extend the kindness to him that he had always received, and ha felt sure when his turn came to say good-bye he would carry away the same kind feelings as he was doing. He coupled the toast with the name of Constable Hickman, who had been a friend of his for years. He was a brave man and always did his duty in a fearless manner.

Song—Mr Dew, “ Billy the Boy.” Mr Cooper thanked them sincerely for the way they drank his health, and also Mr Twomey for the kind allusions to him. As had been said the lot of a policeman is not a happy one, bnt he felt sure a policeman’s lot was greatly influenced by the people he had to deal with. Some people think policeman are hard and callous, but in performing their duties they have often disagreeable things to do, and are frequently misjudged when they have to carry them out, which often gets them into bad odour. His experience had been of a varied character, extending from large to small centres, In small places a policeman comes more in touch with the people, and if he does his duty with diacre, tion he never fails to win their esteem. Ha looked upon the home of a policeman in Opuuake as a pleasant one, and was glad to be ordered here. The people in Taranaki were as law-abiding a community as he had seen. He hoped in infilling his duties he would be as fortunate as Mr Twomey and have the support of the people. (Hear, hear.) When his turn came to leave, if ho had their esteem like his predecessor he would feel quite repaid for having done his duty. He again thanked Mr Twomey for putting in a good word for him.

Mr Hickman thanked Mr Twomey for the kind reference to him, and hoped he would got on equally well with Mr Cooper. He was sOrry to lose a man who had been such a genuine friend to him, and during the long years they had been doing duty together there had never been one mishap. He had tried to copy his style in doing police duty, and had always profited by it. Toast, “ Legal Profession,” by Mr G. W. Gane. Hi said the legal profession in Opunake would compare with that in any part of New Zealand. They are not men who try to encourage litigation, and thought Opunake was to be congratulated on having such gentlemen in the place. He coupled the toast with the names of Messrs Bailey, McDavitt, and Atkinson, Song, “ Far Away," MrH, Middleton. Mr Bailey thanked them warmly for honoring the profession. Lawyers, as a rule, have a bad name, but he did not know that they were as bad as what is said about them. A lawyer’s duty is to advise the client in the interest of the client and not his own, and he had always tried to do that, and would always do so. He had had a lot to do with Constable Twomey as Clerk of the Court, and must say that he is a most capable official, who does his work carefully and conscientiously. Although his experience only ranged over two years, he had found everything well done, and wished him success in his new station.

Mr Atkinson said the profession was often alluded to as the “ devl.’s own,” but the pte-

sent company evidently did not think so, or they would not have hoviorqd them in the way they had by 'drinkSig their health; and another refutation of it was that the ho uls of the profession are xV&nored by the whole nation. He expressed sorrow lor Air Twoney’s departure, and wished him success foe bis future welfare. He could not wish i • deal with a better man and one more silling to help others. He had known him long enough to call him a friend, and was gl;-.. that he was going to better himself, Mr MoDavitt thanked them for the honor accorded him. He thought the time was coming when Sir G. Grey’s ideas would be adopted in connection with legal matters, which would allow an agent to conduct certain in Court without going to the expenee of engaging a lawyer, and in some oases he thought the agent might do better. He hoped the time would come when men of standing in a town could practice at the bar without having to pass the examinations as they do now. He thought a Clerk of the Court could conduct a case as well as a lawyer, and the guest of the evening was one of them. The best lawyers could not exceed him in conductftig some of the cases he had done with such satisfaction, notwithstanding the fact that the persons may be friends of his. When a lawyer takes up a case against a friend it does not follow that he becomes an enemy of his, because, like a policeman, he has his official duty to do. Lawyers and Clerks of the Court had a lot to do with each other, and he hoped to get on as well with Constable Cooper as he did with his predecessor, and would give him any assistance in his power. Mr McSweeney, who had had dealings in connection with Court matters, endorsed the remarks of others, and expressed his regret at losing such a genial comrade and diligent officer. . Song—“ Nancy Lee,” Mr Cooper, and m response to an encore gave “ Half-mast High.’ Toast, “The Press,” by Mr J. W. Brame. He felt honored to propose such an important toast, They were indebted to the Press for many things. It kept them in touch with what is going on in different parts of the world, their own doings, and that of others; they were indebted to it for comments on various matters, and he did not know what they would do without it, as it was one of the most useful institutions in the country. He referred to the time before they had a local Press, and the trouble and difficulty they had in making things known —such as getting tea-paper, glue, paint, &c., and making up posters; whereas now that ia not necessary, Us they haye the medium of tha Press through which to make things known. He coupled Mr M. J. Brennan’s name with the toast. Mr Brennan thanked them for the hearty manner in which they had honored the toast. He also had to thank them for the generons support accorded the local paper since its establishment. Little differences of opinion had cropped up, but without them life would not be worth living. Becitation—“McCarthy's Brew,” Mr Bend. Mr McGloin said in proposing tbe toast of “The Ladies” he omitted to mention Mrs Twomey. He said Mrs Twomey would also be a loss to the place when she went (which would not be for a month or two), as she was always to the fore in assisting others. It was a well-known fact that no other lady was so prepared to sacrifice her time for others as Mrs Twomey. He would ask them to charge their glasses and drink MrsTwomey’s health. Song—from “ Olivette,” Mr MoDavitt, Mr Twomey thanked them on behalf of Mrs Twomey, and said he was sure she would not consider any little assistance she had given as calling for any special mention, but aha would duly appreciate the compliment paid to her. Song— •“ See, there she goes,” Mr W. W. Middleton. Song—“ Widow Machree,” Mr Brennan.

The Chairman said-they would now bring the evening to a close by singing “ Auld Lang Syne ” in the orthodox style, and the assemblage forming themselves round the hall, sang in a way that betokened that a comrade, citizen, and genial friend all in one was leaving behind a host of companions. “ God Save the Queen ” was sung, and cheer upon cheer given for Mr and Mrs Twomey, Mr Murray Fowler presided at the piano during the evening, with violin accompaniment by Mr Markham.