ST. BATHANS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 33

ST. BATHANS .

October I.— On tho evening of the 28th u -| . a vpry pleasant time was spent in Syxton'a Hall, the occasion being Mr Burnett's retirement from active life in St. Bathans. It was deemed by Mr Burnett's friends (who are roi" a few in number,) that crt taking his final flep^xturo fiom us some lecognition siioi'l'l* Ids made of the valuable service rencleied hy him during his residence here of 22 years." A few gentlemen formed a committee, and tha result of their meditations was the entertaining of aTi- and Mis Burnett at a banquet and the presentation to them of a substantial testimonial on the date mentioned. Host Thuilow entered, and did his pait in such a sumptuous v;ay that the most fastidious could not he otherwise than pleased. Mr William Pyle presided, Mr and Mrs Burnett sitting on his left and right respectively. Shortly after 8 o'clock about 80 people were seated at the table, and in due time the number considerably extended, to parttke of tho good things provided. The "Rev. Mr Christian asked the blessing, and the duties of the waitresses were then commenced in earnest. The inner man being satisfied, the toast of " The Queen " was given from the chair, and lesponded to by all present Mr Burnett proposed the toast of " Tho Array, Navy, and Volunteers," the Rev. Mr Christian and Dr Stenhouse responding. At this stage apologies were lead from tha chair fiom the Lev. Mr G-ellie, Mr and Mis Seattle, Mr and Mrs M'Guckin, with several others, all expressing regret at being unable to leave home through stress of weather. Miss Burnett gave a, recitation, " Boy m Blue"; song, Mr Trumpter, "Off to Rio Grand." Mr Herdman, in proposing the toast " A.gri cultural, Pastoral, Mining, and Commercial Industries," said before giving- the toast he de— Sited to voice the feelings of Naseby over the departure of our honoured guest from the district. He said the people of ISTasefoy deeply regretted the loss that the district would sustain through the departure of Mr Burnett, and after passing " eulogistic remarks on " our ?usst," he entered upon the toast, lauding eachindustry, though on mining his views had asomewhat pessimistic ring. The toast was coupled with the names of Mossrs "Clark, M'Connochie, Nicholson, and King. Song, Dr Stenhouse, " A thousand fathoms down. ' The gentlemen whose names were coupled with the toast responded, Messrs M'Connochie, Nicholson, and King combating Mr Herdman's views on mining. Mi King concluded by paying gold mining- would last for ever and ever. Song, Miss Morrison, " Robin Gray." The Cb airman requested each individul piesent to charge his glass to the brim, as he would now propose the toast of the evening; but before doing this he said that a strong and friendly feeling reigned within his breast, a feelink akin to grief and joy. He grieved over the loss of a good and useful citizen, but his joy was full to see the large and representative gathering that had assembled to honour the guests, and he (the speaker) could see that the entire sitting space in the hall was occupied, and this, too, in the face of such inclemency of the weather : he would ask, What would it have been if good weather had prevailed? He held the opinion that the hall would have been taxed to its utmost carrying capacity ; he believed that every inch of standing room would also have been occupied; but over the present depressing circumstances they had no control. A duty devolved upon him — ho had the privilege of presenting the honoured guests, Mr and Mrs Burnett, with a testimonial from the people of St. Bathans and neighbourhood. But before doing so he thought that ifc would not be out of place to make a few remarks on the worthiness of the lady and gentleman named. He then stated that on their first settling here, some 22 years back, he had formed an acquaintance with them —an acquaintance that had ripened into friendship as years rolled on, and it pleased him to statet that during the whole of the period mentioned? he had never known them or heard of them to.' do an unkind action to a neighbour. If an?.-, person in the district required and asked fo^' a favour from. Mr Burnett they never came; away empty-handed— that ia, providing the;.j

were worthy of the obligation they were seeking. Mr Burnett was large-hearted and exceedingly charitable. The speaker dwelt for a considerable time on the merits of the guests, and concluded by presenting them with the token of friendship and esteem they had met that evening to give them. This was a massive silver liqueur stand, richly furnished and siiitably inscribed.— (Loud and piolouged applause.) In conclusion, he would say: If your glasses are not already charged, do so quickly, and drink to the health of '" Our Guests."

The toast was drunk with musical honours, the assembly singing " For they aie jolly good people. ' A song, " Boys of the old brigade," nicely rendered by Mr Cowan, followed. Air Nicholson eulogised the- guests, ol the evening, and concluded by stating thai he had an address from the Roman Catholic community to deliver to Mr Burnett, which he would read; This being done, Mr Nicholson stated that in due course the address would be handed over^ after going through, embellisher's hands. The address was very appropriate and exceedingly well \\oi - ded. Mr W. Thuilbw, on behalf of the Anglicans, thanked Mr Burnett for the many kind actions that had been conferred on them, and he was at a loss to know how they were going to get on without him.

Mr Renwick, for the Presbyterians, gave a brief but well put together addiess, describing the social and religious benefits conferred on the church he had the honour to be a member of.

Recitation, " Our Bobs," by .Mr Herdman. Mr Maun Wade, lepresentat.ve for Blackelone Hill, expressed deep regTet at the loss the district was about to experience. He concluded by quoting the woids of the well-known hymn ' God bo with you till we meet again.'" Mr Burnett briefly and feelingly returned thanks for the kind words which had been spoken of Mrs Burnett and himself. He said in all their social and religious ielaticiis he had always striven to do what he thought to be his tiutyj and v at any time harsh' measures weve uaed they were u?ed unintentionally, and had lie to lhe his life over agaiji he would to a great extent lernedy the faults and~faihngs that lie could now see. He explained his experience 'of the people he had resided among for the lengthened period. Their cohesiveness was something wonderful. When any enieigency arose they were to be found shoulder to shoulder — in patriotic movements and social requirements.—(Prolonged applause). -- Toast ("" The Ladies )by Mr Cowan, coupled with the names of Messrs Thurlow and Gilmour. ''Uncle" responded. He said he was at a loss where to begin, but before sitting down he scored a good point. He stated that the Committee of Management were largely in favour of excluding the ladies. This, he fought strenuously against until he gamed his point, so that through his exertions the ladies were liere to-night to adorn the gathering. — (Tremendous applause to " Uncle."). Song, " Heather hills, by Mr Pyle ; song, " Down oniong the coals, ' by " Uncle " ; song, I *' Woman the glory of man, ' by Mr J. Thur- j low; toast, " 'i'he Press, by Mr Erown, re- ! sponded to by Mr Cowan; song, "Thehmd of the leal,"' by Miss Morrison; toast, "Host and Hostess, ' by Mr Burnett, responded to by 'Mr J. Thurlow; song, "A wee drappie o't," by jMr Pyle ; song, by Mr Burnett ; toast, " The "Visitors," by Mr J?yle, who stated th.io some •had travelled over 300 miles to par- | ticipate in the festivities, responded to bj* Messrs Herdman and R. Eagle. An enjoyable aiight v/as brought to a close by singing of *' Auld lang syne." B It i)leased me to be a spectator, and to witness and hear the many kind expressions made use of. and as I had previously eulogised the recipient through the columns of the Witness and Daily Times 1 refrained from speaking at the banquet. However, it gives me great pleasure to endorse all that hr-s been said touching on the goodness 'of the esteemed guests of "the evening, Mr and Mrs Bennett.