AIERI FARMERS ON TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 28

AIERI 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 Walter Blackie v (of Glasgow Farm, East Taieri), James Patrick (of OutTarn), and Samuel Young *(of East Taieri), together with Air 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, and amongst those who were present were the Hon. Thomas Fergus, Messrs Andrew Todd, K. F. Dutliie, James Shiel, Robert Gawn, L. Maclean, A. W. Robin, W. Patrick, J. Oughton, James Gow, J. Andrew, R. Todd, J. H. Morrison, R. 0. Jones, Jame3 Hislop, G. MacEwan, J. Duthie, W. Brown, H. Price, H. Crust, D. Bacon, James Edgar, John Moloney. R. Wilson, Jame3 Hazlett, John Reid,- and J. A. Johnstone. Apologies were received from Messrs Thomas Brydone, C. 8. Reid, A. C. Stronach, H. Buckland, P. Pattullo, and John Wright. Mr Todd stated that the gathoring had been convened for the especial purpose of saying farewell and wishing bon voyage to several mombers of the society who were about to pay a visit to the old country, and he aL)O 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 had determined to go to the old country, a few of tho 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 ho • 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 1 o the society, and h A 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 lie might say that they were not going Home solely for the benefit of their health. — (Laughter and applause.) Mr Todd then called upon The Hon. Thomas Fergus, who said that it had been his privilege in life to bo present - at many functions convened for the purpose of giving a "send-off" to public 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 tho 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/xmntry what it was at the present time. — (Applause.)* He did not think if they had a trial they could pick out better representatives of thp farming class. Mr Young, since 1562, had carried on farming in their midst with success to himself and benefit to the community. Mr Bluckio was a true stamp of the colonial farmer, beiner born 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 done yeoman's service, benefiting himself, - the province, and the society. His (Mr Ferj gus's) only regret wa« that ho was not yjoinc j Homo with them, for ho was suro they would j need sorneono to look after them. — (Laughi ter.) However, they had Mr Irvine," and he j ha<l no doubt that that gentleman would effi- : ciently perform that service. Thpy were all i very glad that their guests could snare tlie J time to go Home, and they all wished them a i pleasant voyage and a hapov time at Homo, j and when they returned their friends here I would be pleased to welcome them back, j whilst if they brought with them any novelJ tiea they would be very glad to share in the j profits accruing therefrom. — {Laughter and 1 applause.) i llf J. Shiel (cx-pwuident of the A. and P. I Society) and Mr R. Wilson also added a few I kindly words of farewell. i Mr Todd then proposed a pleasant, trip j Home, an enjoyable and useful holiday, and ! the safe return to the colony of Messrs | Blaokie, Young, Patrick, and Irvine. j The toast was drunk in bumpers of champagne, with musical honours and three choers. 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 th<g society and the farming interests gc-rerally would be gladly placed at the disposal of the society when they came back. The proceedings shortly afterwards terminated.