THE DINNER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 2414, 27 May 1876, Page 2

THE DINNER.

In the evening upwards of fifty persons sat down to a dinner in the Odd Fellows' Hall. The repast, which consisted not only of substantial viands, but also of delicacies, was served in Mr. McCusker's best style, and gave the utmost satisfaction to all present. The chair wns taken by His Honor the Superintendent, and Mr. J. Rattenbury occupied the Vice-chair.

The Chairman, having proposed the usual loyal toasts, called upon the Hon. Secretary to distribute the prizes. Mr. Connett then presented the prizes to the successful competitors, as follows : — First Class.— First prize, £4, C. Ward; second prize, £2, F. Vickery. Second Class. — No entries. Third Class.— First prize, £2, W. Jury; secoud prize, £1, 11. Jury. In presenting the awards, Mr. Connett remarked that it afforded him much pleasure in haudiug the first prize to Mr. Ward, who was a new arrival, as it showed they were getting amongst them the right class of men from the old country. He was glad to see that some boya had come forward, and they had finished up their work in a most creditable manner; in fact, the ploughing was better than some that had been done by adults at the first ploughing match which hnd been held. Two boys had come forward this year, but he hoped to see a larger number enter their names nt tbe next competition.

The Vice-Chairman then proposed " The Members of tho Geueral Assembly," coupling with the toast the name of his Honor Mr. F. A. Carrington. He said the members who represented this Province had always been found in, their places, and had exerted themselves to their utmost in getting a fair share of the public expenditure for this district.

His Honor Mr. F. A. Cakrington in responding, thanked them on behalf of himself and their other representatives for the manner they had drunk their health. He could conscientiously say that their members had at all times done their utmost to get a fair share of the colonial revenue expended in the Province, and had obtained it, aud perhaps more. The present occasion was not the time, however, for him to dwell at any length upon a subject whielf was engrossing the attention of the people of tho Province as it was a matter which would no doubt be fully discussed on Friday evening, still it was a subject ho had so at heart that the}' would, no doubt, excUße him alluding to it. He referred to the formation of a harbour by prison labour. He had for years studied the question, and had been the first to suggest many years ago the sending out from England a number of prisoners for the purpose of making a harbour, and which it was how proposed should be dove by means of long-sentenced prisoners belonging to the Colony, who were not, as a rule, ceniposed of those doubtful characters which were sent from England many years ago. He would not discuss the question there, but he must say he felt convinced that the only way for them to get the harbour made was by the manner proposed, nnd not otherwise. It would be years before the revenue derived frotn the lands would be sufficient for them to do au)'thiugwith; bnt with the prisouers at work, before five or six years bad passed, so much, of tho work would bo done to afford good shelter for vessels of the size of the colonial steamers now trading along tbe coast. He bad private documents which conviuced him that that amount of work would be done ia the time he had mentioned. He had the most itnplicit confidence in the persons who afforded him that information. If, therefore, they had the prisouers, they would get the harbour made, if not, it would be many years before sufficient funds would be raised to do the work. If they raispd a loan by debentures to build theharbour,tbey would be paying interest for some time, even before the works were commenced, aud, to meet that, the interest would have to be taken either from the money raised, the land fund, or by means of taxation. He felt conviuced that the wisest plan was to take the Government offer, for, if they refused, there were tlvee places wantjng theiu.. He then concluded by thanking ihem again for tbe manner they had responded to the toast ; aud saying that as long as the present members represented them— apd he spoke for Major Atkinson, Mr. Kelly, and him3elf-=-that they would always honestly and truely do all they could for the interest of the Province and the welfare of all. (Cheers).

The Chairman, in proposing " Success to the Taranaki Agricultural Society," said he regretted lie had been unable to attend the ploughing match that day, but tbnt two rpasous had prevented him from bo doing. One was th«t he bad been very much occupied, and the other that the weather hnd turned out so bad. Ho had made up bis mind to have attended this year, especially as the match was held so close to the town — Mr. Elliot's farm being so haudy, but owing to the reasons he hnd mentioned he hnd to defer his wsit till the next time. There was one matter he wished to observe aud would throw out as a suggestion, whether it would not be prudent for them to plough a little deeper each year. He had read lately that by this meaus very beneficial results had been qbtained, au.d f,ha£ sonic had nlpughed ns (jcQP as th jrfe.en inches and the results had been good. He would not detain them by spenking on the improvement made of late years in the manufacture of ploughs— or of ploughing by steam or with^ triple ploughs— for uo doubt they were well acquainted with the subject., but would now propose th,e tqqsfc "Success, to {l}e Taranaki Agricultural Society." '

Mr. J. Rattekbury (the Vice- President of the Society) replied. He said that tho ploughing that day had been a great improvement on previous years, and, taken as a whole, was bet ter work. He thought that the awarding of the first prize in the First Class had showu great judgment on the part of the judges, and was most creditable to the winner, who was a new arrival amongst them. The soil of this Province was so different to other places that it reouired some experience before a man could get used to it, and the winner of the first prize deserved every credit for the manner h,e hod done bis work. With i;egard to tlie ploughing i\mf day some was ' Very" good, and sqimg tnigh't have boon' better, but he thought tbu judges had given a very fttjr decison. He would Have liked to, have' see,j| some entries for the second class, for those who entered in it would come between the boys and the chain piou ploughman. They could not all be good rneu, aud he would like to sec a better division. The boya had certaiuly dove well, only he should like to see more of the same class. He then concluded by thanking them ou behalf of the Society for their good wishes. The Vick-Chaikman then proposed. "The Health of the Judges." He said they had a very difficult tnsk to perform, nnd of course It was not to be expected that they could give a. decision which would satisfy every one. He believed they had conscientiously done their work, aud thought they deserved every credit for th 6 iitaiitluf'they had Oftrrtodiout tfio dutiet! imposed upon thein'. i' "'<' '>'

Mr. A. Davidson in replying said lie was 6orry the weather had turned out so' unfavour* able, as it must have Imjcu very disagreeable for the competitors as well as those that Were spectators. With regard to the work, he might any tlmt, tako it a§ a. whole, it 'was at good as he\hii(l y«Jt seeu 'ill Tiiruuakj'. 1 Atf f M as the judge's word tTniceroeli they ' had tfiven; their decision to the best of their ability' No. I cut had apparently given iv early ; No. 2 cut was disqualified through being ovvr

time. No. 3 out was very fair work, rmd he believed the out in was the best in the field, so was the finish ; thero was, however, too much grass sticking up, ami tho work was not properly packed. Cut No. 4, the competitor had not shown up ; No. 5 and 6 was very loose work — bad furrows which were not well pressed ;. No. 7 wna very superior work. The furrows were well pressed. Ho had not covered so well iv as he might at starting, but he had made a splendid job of his work, taking it altogether. With regard to the boys, the work was very good for boys. He then again thanked the company for the manner in which they had drank the health of the judges. The Chaikman theu proposed the health of " the Successful Competitors." Ho said they could not all be winners, and those who were defeated this yenr should not be discouraged, for by dint of perseverance they were bound ' to succeed. Mr. C. Ward, ns the winner of the first prize, thanked them, saying it was the first time he had won a match iv Taranaki. Mr. F. Vickkhy, winner of tho second prize, said, although he had not tnkeu first honours, he did not think the work he had done was any disgrace. He wiu very fond of ploughing, but could not say he liked it iv such weather as they had had that day. The Vice Chairman proposed " The Unsuccessful Competitors" and spoke of the improvement in the plough since the first match had taken place. Mr. B. B. Honeyfield, as an unsuccesful competitor, spoke of the bud weather, and said he wonld have much rather have been at home than plough in the wet that day. ■ The Chairman briefly proposed tho health of the " Committee of Management" complying it with tho name of Mr. Counett. Mr. J. B. Connett (the Hon. Secretary to the Society), in replying, said the Committee having token tho work iv hand, it was no use being apathetic over what they had to do. He, however, considered the members of the Society very apathetic, and thought they should take more interest in it. It was the fifth anniversary of their first ploughing match, and he thought it was only fair that the members should assist the Committee more than they had hitherto done. The ploughing done that day was a vast improvement on former years, and that done by the boys was as good as some of tho first-class at the first match that had been held. With regard to the prizes not being large this year was owiug to their funds being small ; as" the Committee wished to have all they could spare to fence in their grounds ; however, he hoped jfntixt year that they would be able to add to the amount to be giveu for prizes, especially in the boys classes. It was for the benefit of the boys chiefly that the matches were got up, and he looked forwnrd to the time when they would see a large number of the youths competing for the prizes, He thought it could but be owned that during the five years the Society had been in esisteuce that it had done a great amount of good. The sheep had wouderfully improved, which would never have been the case had it not been for the competition at the shows. The farmers would have gone on in their old style if they had not seeu the benefits others were deriving from i having a superior class of sheep. It was not i only sheep that there was an improvement in, but in cattle also. The Society was not only ; ; of interest to the country members, but was also of great importance to the shopkeepers in town. Any year when it was found that the farmers had bad crops they were sure to hear the tradesmen iv town complaining of bad times, because the country settlers had ljtfcle money to spend ; but \f the crop 3 were good, then things wenf all right. It was, therefore, to the interest of the tradesmen iv town to support Societies of this kind, because by causing the farmers to improve their breed of stock, and till their grouud in a better manner, was the means of enabling them to have more money, to spend with the storekeepers. He did hope, therefore, that those eugaged ia business in town would become members of the Society, and take an active part in the management of the Society, and not let the work fall on a willing few. He hoped to see at the next election of the Committee that some new blood would be instilled into the Society. Mr. Vivian said he was a tradesman in town, but had never been asked to become a member. He thought there was great credit due to the Society, and although he did not wish, to seem egotistical, he might state he was the means of getting up the first ploughing match after the war. It was t nen h. e backet} a cqlonial macje plough against one of home manufacture. He would like to see a locally manufactured plough contested with honieqnes. He was surprised to find that there was no smith in Taranaki trying to manufacture ploughs so as to compete with the home makers. He was glad to see that a v new comer" had gained the prize that day, because it would remove the impression that a new comer had no chance against an " old identity." He was not a member of the Society, but he had never been called upon or solicited for his subscription, which he would willingly have paid. He was sorry not to see more boys ; but boys here, as a rule, were reluctant to learn trades. He had advertised for an apprentice for months and could not get one. It was through this that they could not compete with other places. There wn3 Auckland and Canterbury, both of which places they would find two thirds boys to one third men employed in the shops. Two boys bad contested that day, but he shoiUd lik.e to have The Secretary said he was sorry he had not looked up Mr. Vivian before, but he would wait upon him for his subscription before the 'reek was out. ** The Vice-Chairman briefly proposed the " Commercial interests of Taranaki." Mr. H. J. Honeykield responded, and exnrcEjsed his regret at the neglect of the farmers in hot producing Vnore.' He said they imported almost everything that ought to be grown in tho place ; whilst, with the exception of a little butter and cocksfoot grass seed, they sent away nothing. He hoped that the farmers would direct their attention to this matter, He thought that good result would come from the annual competitions; for he did not believe in the system of burning and then sowing the seed on the rough land. Ho believed that the land was better if ploughed, and (inc. acre ploughed was better that? 'two acres iown on the rough land. He had tried ft, and his experience proved that on ploughed ground he could' produce three or four times the stock than by the other way. There was nothing like the plough, and plenty of good ejeed. Ho had mentioned the subject because he Wished to ibstil into the minds of the farmers and settlers that they could not expect to thrive without they cultivated the ground carefully. They had good land, and it only wanted cultivating to produce splendid results. He concluded by proposing " the Agricultural interests of the Province," coupling with it the name of Mr. J. Jury. Mr. J. JptY said he had but little to say. He was doiug hj« best to bring up his sons to the plough, and he gave them plenty of work. Ho was pleased with the work the boyn had done, which was no disgrace to either of them. As the judges had awarded tho prize ' to Mastor W. Jury, he was very well satisfied j with the decision, and it probably would make other b.pj'3 take an interest iv the mutter and borne farward »t other matches to compote for the prizes. He thought 'they ' should drink the boys health. If he 'could have got another tertm he would himself have had another boy there. Still he hoped next year they should see a large addition to the en trios of the boys class. He would propose "The Health of the Jinjg," 1 Master W. .Jury (an intelligent looking boy A')out seventeen, and the winner of the first prize), was called forward to respond. He •aid he had uever ploughed on graus land be-

fore. He bad tried to do the work as well as he could, but would have liked to have done the work better. He should, during the next year, practice hard, and hoped to enter for the second class at the poxt ploughing match. His Honor the Superintendent having then withdrawn, the chair was oooupied by Mr. J. B. Connett, and the meeting became more conversational and convivial. Mr. H. George thought it would bo wise ou the part of the Committee for the future, if it was wet, to postpone the matches till the first fine day, as it was not to be expected that they could have first-class work in such weather. It was neither just to the horses nor the men. Mr. Vivian thought that they should fix some other day than tho Queen's Birthday, for that was always wet. Mr. Connett replied the Committee had fully considered the matter, and come to the conclusion that it was better to have the match over or disputes might arise afterwards. Ploughmen coming from a distance generally made for the' place the day before, therefore if the morning should appear threatening at all it would cause some confusion amongst tho competitors — some being in readiness to go on, others not showing up. On the whole, he thought the Committee acted right iv deciding that good or bad weather the match should come off on the day appointed. Mr, Connett said they had amongst them that evening a number of new settlers, and be thought some recognition of their presence should be specially made. He begged to propose the health of " The New Settlers in Taranaki." Mr. Longstavf, a Lincolnshire man, said, from what ho had seen of this now country, he was very well satisfied with it, and thought for the laboring man it was far before the old country. A laboring man here could earn more money by working three days than he could in a week of long hours in the old country. He had only beon in Taranaki twelve months, and he had done more in that time than he had done in his whole lifetime in England. He believed that if he had remained in the old country all his life, he would never have been able to make the head way he had done in the twelve months since he had been in this place. Mr. Connett said it was gratifying to hear such expressions coming from a new arrival, and it showed that they had got a class of men from the old country which would make most valuable settlers. Ho would advise those settlers to write home to their friends in the old country a truthful account of their experiences, and he felt sure that such letters would do much to counteract the vilifying statements circulated by Mr. Grant. All they wanted sent home, were facts, and if they got out SHch men as Mr. Longstaff they would prosper, nud do good to the Colony. Mr. Vivian said he was sorry not to see present any implement makers. He thought there wns a lack of enterprise in the place. He did not see any one with the exception of Mr. .Davidson present. This was an agricultural district, and the blacksmith should be the first in coming forward to assist, and should try aud keep the imported articles out of the place. At the ploughing match the whole of the ploughs used were of English make. This was not as it should be. At the first agricultural show he had exhibited ploughs of Colonial mak«», and taken prizes. He thought the Society should try and encourage the manufacture of agricultural implements in the place by olferjng prizes. Mr. Rattexbury, the Vice-president, said he must remind Mr. Vivian that the ploughs he exhibited were at the old Society's show. Since then the present Society had been formed, aud he certainly regretted that their funds had been so limited as not to enable them to offer prizcß forngricultuml implements that were of local manufacture. He regretted he could see nothing but one maker's ploughs used at the match, all of which had been imported. A local tnnnufaeturer would have nn advantage, because he could adapt the plough to the soil. With regard to Hormsby nnd Sons' ploughs, the winners for the last three years had used them, and yet Hormsby's did not know, what the soil was like here. He would be glad to see a local manufactory start, for money would be kept in the place thnt now went out of it. Mr. Vivian said there were two in that line in the town, and he was surprised thai they were not present that evening. Mr. Connett said if Mr. Vivian referred to Mr. Revell, he cou'd only say that he was one of the first subscribers to. the Society. Mr. J. Elliot theq proposed " The Press," stating that it was of great assistance to the Society in giving full reports of their meetings and doings, and rendering great *ervioes. He connected with it the name of Mr. Seffern, of the Taranaki Herald. Mr. Seffern briefly responded. Mr. Connett proposed the " Health of the Host, Mr. McCusker," stating thnt it was the third time he had provided the dinner for the Society, and he had always given the greatest satisfaction. Mr. McCusker, of the Taranaki Hotel, rftplied, and in thanking them said it was a pleasure to him to know that his efforts to do his best were appreciated. The company separated at about ten o'clock, after having passed a very pleasant convivial evening.