COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO MR JOHN ANDERSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1585, 8 April 1882, Page 14

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO MR JOHN ANDERSON.

j m - -A number of old friends on Tuesday evening gave a complimentary dinnerto Mr John Ander son, who is about to leave Otago for the North Island. Mr Peter M'Gill, of Milton, occupied the chair, and Mr Alexander Mollison the vicechair. The dinner took place at Mr Daly's Shamrock Hotel, and was attended by residents from Palmerston, Tokomairiro, Clutha, &c. " 1 .The Chairman stated ,that he had received apologies for the absence of Mr James Macandrew, M.H.R;, Mr D. Stronach, and Mr D. ■Reid.' ,The usual loyal toasts having been proposed and duly honoured, » , ,The Chairman proposed the health of Mr John Anderson, the guest of the evening, and an old friend of all present. They 'had met to wish good-bye io Mr Anderson upon his leaving Otago to take up his residence in the North Island. Otago would lose a very old and valuable settler, and one of the first pioneers. He had known Mr Anderson for over 30 years, arid he could personally speak of Mr Anderson's unbounded hospitality. ' He had much pleasure in proposing the health of Mr Anderson, and, wished him a safe passage, and success in, his new undertaking, . , >The Vice-Ohaihman corroborated the Chairman's remarks, and spoke of the hospitality of Mr and Mrs Anderson, and' of th 6 wilderness at Wyndham they_ had metamorphosed. < ,Mr Anderson, in returning thanks, said that he arrived in Otago in 1849. Ho had a right to 92 acres on Blueskin run, and he purchased 100 in addition, and was the first settler in Blueslim For many years he had a very hard struggle. After a, 10 years' residence in Blue : skin he leased runs IGO and 161, Wyndham, where at first he 1 was greatly harassed in his operations by wild dogs, pigs, and tutu ; but in later years he had had a greater pest to deal With, and that was rabbits. Unless prompt measures were taken ,to exterminate them they would ruin Otago. After refer : ring to his merino-breeding experiences, he said he left behind him seven sons and daughters in Otago,- and five others went with him to Napier. He* thanked those ■present for so kindly meeting him and entertaining him, and in so enthusiastically drinking his health and that of his wife, whom he was happy to know theythought so well of. ; j After several other toasts had been duly proposed and honoured, the party broke up after spending a thoroughly pleasant evening.