VALEDICTORY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10517, 29 November 1912, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET AND PRESENTATION TO F. P. HOCKLY. ESQ.

At the Argyle Hall at Hunterville last evening about 130 residents sat down to a complimentary banquet to do honour to Mr P. F. Hookly on the occasion of his leaving the district. The host of the Argyle Hotel, Mr S. J. Gibbons, excelled himself in providing a sumptuous repast, which was done full justice to. Mr W. Meldxum ’ occupied the chair, and was supported on his right by Messrs P. F. Hockly and R, K. Simpson, and on his left by Messrs D. H. Guthrie, M.P., and R. C. Bruce.

After the toast of “The King” had been duly honoured with musical honours, the chairman read a number of apologies, one from the Premier which read: On account of the departure of the Governor I am unable to be present, but wish the function every success, which is worthy of the man in whose honour it is held. ” Apologies were also read from the Hons, J. Allen; W. H. Herries, F, M. B. Fisher, A. L. Herdman and Mr E. Newman, M.P., who was unable to be present on account of indisposition, and also from a number of residents, in the surrounding district. ' Mr S. A. R. Mair proposed the toast of “The New Zealand Defence Forces,” and referred to the way in which the Powers were at present embroiled in warfare in /the Balkans. He considered the system of compulsory service in New Zealand was a step in the right Our small donation to the Navy helped to keep our trade routes, and Canada and Australia were going a step further in providing small naval units of their own. Germany’s position in the military world was due to the training of her soldiers in a compulsory service. He was certain that whenever New Zealand was called upon to take a hand in the protection of her shores she would not be found wanting. He coupled the toast with the names of Major Meldrum and Captain Swan. Major Meldrum, in response, quoted ; the Duke of Wellington’s words: “Habit is ten times stronger than Nature, ” He referred to the compulsory service in force in New Zealand and considered that the early training of the hoys in physical drill in schools, the senior cadets, and finally in the Territorials was a splendid ‘education, and fitted them for life. Our always went to the Power who could fight. Early training of the boys taught them to reverence their elders. He thought the people of New Zealand had every confidence in the manner in which the defence system was being carried out. If a country was worth living in it was worth fighting for, and the amount paid for maintaining, same was only £500,000, which was very small when taken into comparison with other countries and the compulsory service was far from being burdensome. Captain Swan thought that everyone who had a son should join the Territorials, as it was a splendid course of training, and every man should he taught to handle a gun. The Navy was the backbone of the British Empire, and he concluded by reciting “Call All Hands;” by a Dunedin author. Mr R. Lilhurn proposed “The Parliament of New Zealand. ” An elective Assembly, he said, was generally the reflex of the people. He was pleased to see that most of the men who were returned at last election were sound, and practical representatives. Hunterville always took a prominent part in politics. Messrs R. Bruce, A. E. Remington and R. Smith were all residents of Hunterville. lie considered that the present Parliament was doing its the prosperity of New Zealand.

fiir D. H. Guthrie, M.P. for Oroua, regretted exceedingly that he was the only representative of Parliament present, hut on account of other pressing appointments and indisposition it was impossible for the Ministers and members who had accepted invitations to be with them, and do honour to their friend, Mr Hockly. He was able to testify to the true value of Mr Hockly, having stood shoulder to shoulder with him in county politics. He did ndt intend to make a political speech on such an occasion as this, when party politics should he laid aside, and the good spirit shown tonight should he emulated, when the chairman who was presiding was a political opponent of the guest of the evening. He trusted that Parliament would ever have the confidence of the people, and he did not think that the politicians of New Zealand suffered in comparison.with other countries. He thanked them for the enthusiastic reception given to him.

Mr Meldrum, in proposing the toast of “Our Guest,” said that he had taken on a difficult task in trying to undertake a 15 hours job in 15 minutes. He first met Mr Hockly twenty years ago when he was on his way to carve out a home for himself in the Sandon Block. The Rangitikei River had exacted a heavy death toll, but Mr Hockly had made light of diis hardships, and his home was a social centre. When the call for public service came he was elected representative of his Riding, and was afterwards raised to the pedestal of . Chairman of the County, and an era of progress and prosperity marked his reign,..and the settlers in tire backblocks soon reaped the benefit. As a member of the Farmers’ Union he was an indefatigable worker, and served on the Executive. Public service imbued him "with the idea of doing more for his country, and some three years ago when Mr Seddon’s memory was still strong in the minds of the public he came out in opposition to the Government candidate, but suffered defeat. The figbt he put up in the ...Waimarino election stamped him as a fighting politician. When the .Reform League recently met in Wellington Mr Hockly was elected its first President, and they were all pleased to see his services so justly recognised. He hoped that he would succeed , in his sphere, and that he would in time find more scope for public service. No man had made more friends than the guest of the evening, as ho seemed to have the gift of making friends with all. They had met that evening with the object of presenting a little memento to the guest testifying to the esteem in which he was held, and he had pleasure in presenting Mr Hockly 'with a purse of sovereigns as a small token of the esteem and goodwill they had towards him. If a man gained dis-

tinction In the political world it fell to his wife to take his place in looking after his home, and it depended entirely on the help given him hy his wife as to the success he would attain as a poiltician. They regarded Mrs Hockly with the utmost respect „as a womanly woman, and asked Mr Hockly to accept a gold watch and chain on behalf of Mrs Hockly.

The toast was drunk with musical honours, and three hearty cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Hockly. Mr Hockly, on rising to reply, was heartily greeted. He said that it had come home to him strongly that night that if there was one thing that was desirable it was the esteem and friendship of his fellow creatures. He was happy, indeed, to be placed in their hands and to hear the flattering and enthusiastic remarks that had been made about him. He regretted his departure after being in the district twenty years. His roots had gone very deep in the district, and now that his day of departure was drawing near he felt it very keenly. Man’s first duty was to his family, and if possible and circumstances favoured he hoped to come back. It touched him deeply-to know that they had not forgotten his wife, to whom he attributed most of his success in public service. The souvenir would serve to remind her of the many friendships she had formed in the district. He intended to purchase some memento which would ever remind him of his many Hunterville friends, whenever he lokoed at it. He then gave a retrospect of his early days in Hunterville. In concluding he said that as far as his labours in public services were concerned- he was amply repaid by friendships, and referred to his great friendship with Mr Meldrum. He felt very sincerely the magnificent tribute paid to him, and when he looked upon the large assemblage there that night and remembered the handsome presents made to them the memory of that night would always linger in his mind. (Loud applause). In the unavoidable absence of Mr B. Newman, Mr Guthrie proposed “Agricultural, Pastoral and Commercial Interests,” which was responded to by Messrs T. Duncan and J. M. Johnston. Mr A. L. Arrowsmith proposed “Local Bodies” in a very humorous strain, which was responded to by Mr R. K. Simpson (chairman of the Eangitikei [County Council), who referred to the marvellous progress of the district. He bad retained the confidence of the ratepayers of the district for 47 years, and could name 30 men who had sat with him at the County table who had passed over the Great Divide, He also referred to Mr J. W. Marshall, who had acted as chairman of the Eangitikei County for many years. There was a time when there was only one road—that between Wanganui and Turakina. Local bodies had done a good deal of work and had formed hundreds of miles of roads. , He remembered spending a night at the foot of a rimu tree 40 years ago at the spot where the Hunterville branch of the Bank of New Zealand now stands, and the most optimistic of men could not have foreshadowed such a change as had occurred in this district. They preferred spending their travelling expenses in improving the roads. Dr. Barnett proposed “Sports and Pastimes,” which was reponded to by Messrs Jas. Bull and S. J. Gibbons. Mr Eobert Bruce proposed “The Ladies. ” In a very humourous strain he said that he had as great a respect for the ladies as Mark Twain, who, when he saw a number of fair ladies bathing sat down on their plothes in order that they would not be stolen. He remarked that tears were not fashionable at. weddings in Chicago—the old man shed tears 1 in the morning when he paid the bills. His quotations and anecdotes were eagerly listened to, and the audience regretted when Mr Bruce sat down. Messrs H. J. Canton and A. Davies responded, the former in a very happy strain. Mr H. McManaway proposed “The Press,” quoting the old axiom “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword.” He referred to the good work done by the Press of the Dominion, and considered that it could hold its own witn that of Australia. Responded to by the Eangitikei Advocate and Hunterville Express representatives. The Chairman proposed “The Host,” and considered that the catering that evening was as good as any that it had been Iris pleasure to sit down at. Mr S, J. Gibbons responded. Mr McManaway proposed “The Visitors,” and thanked the party of gentlemen who had journeyed from Wanganui, Marton, Taihape and elsewhere to do honour to Mr Hockly, and also for the fine entertainment they had provided. Mr Swan responded. The toast of “The Chairman,” concluded one of the most successful functions ever held in Hunterville. Great credit is due to the committee—Messrs W. Meldrum (chairman), J. Bull, T. Chisholm, 'W. Kerr, S. Mair, H. McManaway and W. Wilson —for the excellent manner in’which the function was managed, and also to the secretaries, Messrs H. A. Martin and J, M. Hussey. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs J. G. Williams, A. Jeffrey, W. Spindlei, and A. Low, and recitations by Messrs G. Swan, W. Kerr and Jas. Bull, and Dr. Evans. Mr S. J. Gibbons accompanied on the piano.