Otautau Banquet

Southland Times, Issue 12010, 14 December 1907, Page 4

Otautau Banquet

Tha biuiquet tendered to tho Minister oi Lands at Otaulau on Thursday evening "ns in ei cry respect 4l very flattering and successful attempt to pay honour to the Minister, who is regarded as a credit to the district that produced him. Mr A. M. Swhan, ns chairman, guided with, cheerful tact and ability tho numerous competitors in tho pleasing game of interchanging praise. Several songs during the course oi the evening helped to make the bunq(net something more tthan a formal function for tho delivery of speeches. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were honoured hi the usual loyal and patriotic manner. Colonel Feldwick spoke to the toast of •'The Army and Navy,” and gave Ui* guest of the evening a lead which prouced much interesting comment on the tato oi Now Zealand’s defence. The Minister's remarks on the Oovermui'nt. and legislation have already appeared, lie mot "lith a wry cordial reception. Mr Henry Hirst proposed the toast oi Parliament,” a subject with which he is eminently qualified to "deal.” and Mr J. C. Thomson, M.U.R., responded in a speech which indicated his entire faith in the agricultural administration as carried out under the Hon. Mr McNtotb. Spcitkers to the toast of the “Agricultural Pastoral and Commercial Interests ,r were Messrs J. Swap, T. A. Buckingham and James Kir.y, while Mr G, M. Ross toast of "Public Bodies” was responded to by .Messrs -T. Ford, W. Affleck, R. Scatter. red F. If. King. The general management of the banquet wasi in the hands of Mr John Fisher, whose capable organisation way responsible for the fact that the business of the evening was carried through without a hitch from start to finish.