BANQUET TO THE JUDGES.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12722, 18 February 1910, Page 1

BANQUET TO THE JUDGES.

The baiiquefc given to the judges and officials was held in the commodious dining-room of the Post Office Hotel in the evening. This function was presided over by Mr G. H. Allan, and \yas a thorough success. The toast list was a lengthy one, and the speeches, although brief, were of a practical nature. None of the speakers aimed at flights of oratory, rather something useful and helpful was what .they kept steadily in view. The banquet itself reflected great credit on the hostand hostess, and was the subject of favourab.e comment on all nands. The Hon. R. McKenzie was the guest of the evening, and in replying to the toast of his Health said He regretted very much that his duties had that day prevented him from being present at their annual show. He congratulated them on their enterprise, the success or their eiforts, and tlie advancement of the district as a whole. He referred to the development of .New Zealand during the 17 ( years he had been in Parliament, and said that lie. had never met a member there wiio did not honestly try to do his best for the country. They were all liable to make mistakes, but they ] were never made, iiiteutionaLy. He , expressed his pleasure at meeting so many of his old friends, including the judges, whom he had often seen at Takaka, and concluded by advising them to persevere with the show. Mr McKenzie also remarked that he could not promise to take, a very prominent part in the races to be held on the lollowing day; he had more faith in the show,, 'than the races. Still ho considered that the one was a useful adjunct to the other.- Mr JMLcKenzie resumed his seat amidst hearty and prolonged app-ause. The following was the toast list: — "The. King"; "'The Hon. R. McKenzie," proposed by Mr T. Symes; "The Judges," proposed by Mr Allan anu responded to by Messrs Hunt, Croucher and Bartlett; "The Golden Bay A. and P. Society," proposed by Mi Fish and responded to by_Mr Symes; "(Jollingwood A. and P. Association," proposed by Mr Hunt, and responded to by Mr G. H. Allan; "Tho Donors of Prizes," proposed by Mr H. B. Itiley, and responded to by Mr Webley (Wiikins and field) and Mr Hill (E. Buxton and Co.) ; "Local Bodies," proposed by Mr Riley, senr., responded to by Mr Buchanan; "The Press," proposed by Mr Fish, and responded to by Mr G. H. Allan, Mr W. Simpson ("Evening Mail"), and Mr R. Sinclair ("Colonist"). The toast of the host and hostess (Mr and Mrs Sanson) was the concluding item. This was proposed and drunk with much heartiness, and responded to by Mr Sanson. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought a very pheasant and profitable evening to a close. The following gentlemen contributed to the harmony of the evening : Mr Croucher, song; Mr N. L. Buchanan, song; Mr Riley, senr., recitation and humorous story; Mr T. Symes, Irish song; Mr Hickmott, song.