A BANQUET.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12502, 1 April 1909, Page 3

A BANQUET.

.After the deputations were d;: posed of a number of local residents entertained the Minister at a bariquer in Mr Downie' s dining room but owing to the lateness. of the hour the function had to be considerably curtailed.' : Dr. Howard presided, and referred : to the pleasure which the local resi-' dents felt in-having the Minister with them. The toast of "The King" having been duly honoured, Mr A. Thomson proposed "The Government of New Zealand, and the guest of the evening."'. "Mr McKenzie, in replying, express? ed-his. pleasure ai being among those whom he always regarded as personal, friends.*' He referred to the possihilities of . the Vdistrict, , arid the future -before it,- and the development consequent of -the extension of the railway • from Nelson. Though he could not be expected "to get votes for all/the Government grants the residents would like to get, he assured them that he would always give the district as much assistance as he could. _ Other toasts proposed were :— ' 'The Army and Navy," proposed by Mr S. L. Fairhall and responded to by Mr GyLawn ; "The New County of Murchison," prbpo'sed'by'Mr G*. Lawn and responded- to— -by—Mr : J.-S.-'Roberts ; and "The Ladies," proposed by Mr E Monahani .The singing of the National Anthem brought the function to a close. \ '~