BANQUET TO MR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1852, 20 May 1887, Page 13

BANQUET TO MR THOMAS MACKENZIE.

On Friday evening last a banquet was tendered by the farmersj settlers, and residents of Balclutha and Brtice County to Mr Thomas Mackenzie, of Balclutha, on the occasion of his retirement from business. The banquet was held at the Crown Hotel, and was a most sumptuous affair, the large hall being tastefully decorated, and the tables literally groaning with the weight of the good things which they sustained. Notwithstanding the objectionable weather some 50 or 60 gentlemen were present, and a most enjoyable time was spent.

Mr John Dunne occupied the chair, and the vice-chairs were filled by county councillors Christie and Keys, whilst on the right of the chair sat the guest of the evening, and on the left the Mayor of Balclutha, (Mr Thomas M'Corley).

The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were received with enthusiasm.

Mr J. D. Moore, of Oteramika, in proposing the toast of the evening, "Our guest, Mr Thomas Mackenzie," said he thought it was Mr A. Forbes, the famous war correspondent and lecturer, who prefaced, his remarks by saying, " It is a very difficult thing to escape being egotistical when speaking of oneself." Next to speaking of oneself it was, perhaps, the most delicate and difficult task to speak of one's friend. He would much rather say behind their guest's back what he had to say to-night before his face. However, the fates had willed it otherwise. Although it was, perhaps, on the principle that " a man is never a hero to his own valet " that he was honoured- by being selected to propose this toast, he did not think this is so. He could assure them, however, that he had peculiar pleasure in complying with the request, although after the sumptuous banquet of which he had just partaken he feared that he would prove himself •' Highly fed, but lowly taught." He had known Mr Mackenzie ever since he came to reside in the Clutha, some 10 years ago. He was then resident at Catlins. They were boys together, and enjoyed an almost uninterrupted friendship ever since, so that he could lay some good claim to speak feelingly and fittingly on the subject of the toast. He could say much on the theme but would content himself with briefly sketching Mr Mackenzie's career during his residence iv Balclutha. He had scarcely got established in business when the floods of 1878 came, and tried the townspeople sorely, and doubtless Mr Mackenzie felt the shock with the rest of them. Owing to the indomitable pluck and determination characteristic of him, however, he not only succeeded in pulling his business through the slough of despond, but managed to plant it well on the high bank of success— well out of reach of high-water mark. Indeed, he could not pay a higher tribute to their guest's perseverance and integrity than to point to the convincing fact that in spite of the many years of continued depression in the colony, Mr Mackenzie had been able to retire from business if not with a fortune, then certainly with a handsome competency whilst yet a young man. He attributed his success, firstly, to a good commercial training; secondly, to unremitting attention to business ; and thirdly, because he conducted his business on the most fair lines, and because as a man and a citizen he commanded the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen. He had identified himself with every public movement having for its object the well being of Clutha County. Some years ago he successfully contested the vacancy in the borough council for South Ward, and polled some three to one. Of late he has come prominently before the public iv convection with the throwing open of the Homestead Block in that much favoured district Catlins River. Indirectly he thought they may fairly ascribe to Mr Mackenzie a portion of the success of this scheme. He might also remind them of their guest's " laborious pleasure " in penetrating that terra incognita in company with Messrs Pillans and Sharpe, an expedition, the results of which are already being experienced. He had been urged, and .he (Mr Moore) believed wa3 willing, to offer the district his services as a politician, and after the earnest he had given them of his integrity, ability, and success in private and commercial affairs, they could with confidence look forward to his taking a prominent position in the political arena. He was well competent to be intrusted with the care of their affairs at ' Wellington, as he had proved in the past to be possessed of a natural aptitude for a public and useful life. They could not but admit that the Clutha as a county had not advanced to the extent that it should have done. He would not express an opinion as to the reason of this, as he did not wish to strike any discordant notes ; he would merely mention the bare fact, and allow them to read between the lines at their leisure. He had to thank them for the kind manner in which they had listened to his remarks, and to ask them to charge their glasses to the very brim, and drink with the enthusiasm which the toast deserved, and which he was sure it would oall forth, " Continued prosperity and health and happiness to their guest, Mr Thomas Mackenzie" — (Applause). The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Mr Mackenzie, who was received withacclamation, in responding, said that he found his knowledge of the mother tongue far too meagre to allow him to express to those present the great pleasure he felt at the spontaneous token of their goodwill. This was not by any means the first exibition of their kindness to him, and he could truthfully say that from the first day of his arrival in the district their actions to him had been a succession of kindnesses, and that his lines had indeed fallen in pleasant places when he selected the Clutha district as his home. Reference had been made by his old friend, Mr Moore, to his success here. He had, however, omitted one point in the course of his remarks, and that was the assistance he had received from the body of men by whom he was fortunately surrounded. They contributed greatly to his success, and he now performed a pleasant duty in tendering them his thanks. And whilst upon the subject, he would say to all employers of labour : Select from amongst the men that pass through your hands trustworthy persons, and when you have proved them faithful trust them implicitly. You will then have men who, while "you are present, will do their best to serve you, and when absent will strain every nerve to make success more successful. His employes were given to understand that whilst they were to allow no one to wrong him to the extent of one penny ; on the other hand, they were to allow no one to be wronged. With reference to his Catlins' Bush trip, he said he was delighted in bjsh and mountain exploration, his great hobby was botany, and in that magnificent bush nature fairly runs riot. But whilst that country was faiy to the eye of the botanist, it was sbiU

fairer in prospect, because eVery yW non of w f ( f ti t 300,000 acres of country wais fit, Wflen cleared, for pastoral and agricultural patposes. It simply requires .wise handling"/ The Government ought to classify the land and survey it into areas suitable to the' circumstances of intending settlers, but of Coarse not in too large tracts,- and sell it at a price that would allow the cultivator a margin of profit to himself above the cost of working it. It is absurd for the Government to extract the Jast penny from the pocket of the producer. The original price realised for the land ought not to be so much the object of the Government as settling the country with prosperous people. It is the total of the settlers' savings that represents the wealth of the colony. The settling of the Catlins Bush would greatly help this district and town. To his mind, Bslclntha is favourably situated by nature, and ought some day to become a place of considerable importance. Its resources are great. There is every description of soil, and the settlers can gro'v almost everything. The mineral wealth of the district is also considerable. Towards thecoast there areactually mountains of splendid coal, and he believed that their coal reserves would some day be of more benefit to the district than gold has been. Then there is the river, another great power, as yet almost unused. In the vicinity there is the nucleus of local industries which are prosperous, not industries pampered on the hotbed of Protection. The cheese factories are unfortunately not yet a success, but success would come in time. During his trip to Victoria some years ago he was for a week in the company of those who had to do with the fiscal policy of the country, and he was unremitting in urging upon them the advisability of the Australasian colonies adopting a free exchange of local products. This might be a fad of his, but his idea was that each colony ought to produce what its climate and circumstances are best adapted for and exchange their products without the trammels of duties. In other words, let each colony use its natural advantages in the most efficient way and exchange freely. Let Queensland grow her sugar and send it here, and South Australia produce her wines, and let us send our oats, our butter, and our cheese to them free, in exchange. As well may a farmer put a duty upon the products of his neighbour which he requires, as for one colony to put a duty on the products of another. It is a bane to commerce. Before coming to the subject which was possibly the immediate cause of this kindly expression of friendship he thoughtitnot unfitting to refer to the removal, by death, of one who was so often present at similar festive occasions. He referred to the late much-respected fellowcitizen, Clifford Christie, whose memory will, he felt sure, be long cherished in the district. Mr Christie was warm-hearted and generous to a fault, and his loss will be severely felt by many. Touching the seed case he said he simply did what was required of him. He assured those present that the pleasure of meeting them on such an occasion, and the fact that they had come from distances varying from one to 50 miles, and that they were settlers representing the backbone of the district was to him a far greater pleasure than the winning of the seed case. He again thanked those present for the manner in which they had shown their friendship for him. — (Loud applause).

In reply to the toast " The County and Borough Councils," County Councillor Keys, of Toiro, in the course of some very felicitous remarks,. referred to the great interest displayed by the body of councillors in all matters affecting their interests, and paid a very high compliment to the ability and integrity of the county clerk, Mr H. S. Reunert.

County Councillor Christie (Warepa) also made allusion to the unanimity which pervaded the council meetings.

The Mayor of Balclutha, Mr M'Corley, briefly replied on behalf of the Borough Council, and referred to the fact that, in spite of the results of the disastrous flood of 1878, the borough itself had progressed, a fact which' was attributable to the keen interest and unremitting attention bestowed on things municipal by those whom the burgesses had seen fit to honour.

Councillor M'Donald also suitably responded.

Mr Keys, in proposing the toast "Agricultural and Pastoral Interests," referred generally to the agricultural and pastoral prospects of the district in general. He pointed out that in the country from which he came — America — the people were very practical, and elected as representatives only those who had proved by the management of their own affairs that they were competent to have the care of the affairs of others in their keeping. Their guest, Mr Mackenzie, he thought, had very conclusively proved by the successful management of his business, in spite of depression and floods, that he was competent to be entrusted with the custody oE their affairs political, and, from his personal knowledge of him, he would extend to him his cordial support.

Mr Shand, of Te Houka, in reply to the toast of " The Promoters," remarked that the tickets were largely sought after. He regretted the absence of about 20 gentlemen who had taken tickets but who were prevented from coming by the unfavourable weather. He had known their guest since he was a boy, and was delighted to see him so successful. He could testify from personal experience that Mr Mackenzie did great good for the farmers and hhafc he was a good poor man's ftiend. He hoped that he would be elected to represent the district in Parliament. What the farmers required now to pull them through was money at a low rate of interest.

Mr Crawford Anderson proposed the toast of " Local Industries " in an able speech, and took occasion to impress upon his audience the advantages connected with Freetrade, and denounce i in unmeasured terms the proposal to adopt a policy of Protection.

Mr Mackenzie, in reply to the toast, said that if this colony was ever to occupy the position of a manufacturing country it would be attained only by allowing its industries to develop naturally and healthily. Local markets were certainly a consideration, but we must so manufacture our goods as to be in a position to enter the markets of the world and successfully compete with other manufacturers.

Mr J. L. Weir proposed " The Press," Mr J. Smythe Fleming replying.

The other toasts were "The Ladies" and 11 The Host and Hostess," which were vociferously applauded.

During the evening the proceedings were enlivened by some excellent singing, Mr H. S. Reunert particularly distinguishing himself in this respect, and two pipers in costume (Messrs M'Kenzie and Sharpe), under the spirited superintendence of Mr John M'Donald, who, with the traditions of all the clans and a corresponding amount of enthusiasm, took them under his special guidance, played several selections during the evening. When Mr J. D. Moore was proposing the toast of the evening—"Our Guest, Mr Thomas Mackenzie"— the enthusiastic pipers, headed by the redoubtable Mr John M'Danald, assembled in martial array under the window of the banquefcting hall and

struck up " Cabarfeidh "—which being interpreted means " The Mftckenzie Battle Cry. 5 ? After singing "Auld Lang Syne.'\and the (t National Anthem" the company dispersed, and the" banquet will be long remembered by all as one of the most enjoyable ,»nd successful that ias ever been celebrated in the township of Balclutha.