MAYOR'S DINNER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 748, 15 October 1870, Page 2

MAYOR'S DINNER.

The Dinner given by the Mayor of Christchurch, MrJAndrew Duncan, took place at the Clarendon Hotel last evening, and was attended with more than usual eclat. Invitations had been issued to about 100, and almost all of them were responded to. The dinner was held in the new premises erected by Mr Oram. The tables were capitally arranged, and everything was done for the comfort of the guests. The dinner was served a la liusse in Mr Oram'o best style. The assemblage of guests represented all classes of the community. Amongst those present were the Right Rev. the Primate of New Zealand, his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, His Honor the Superintendent, the Very Rev. the Dean of Christchurch, the Rev. Chas. Fraser, Mr C. C. Bowen, R.M., Mr Jollie, Provincial Secretary, Mr Tancred, Speaker of the Provincial Council, Mr Wynn Williams, Provincial Solicitor, a number of the members of the General Assembly, Provincial Council, and City Council, many members of the legal profession, besides a considerable number of merchants, &c, &c. In the course of the proceedings his Worship the Mayor and his brother, Major James Duncan, were referred to in very flattering terms. Grace was said by the Right Rev. the Primate, and thanks were returned by the Rev. Charles Fraser. Hib Worship the Mayor presided, and the vice-chairs were filled by Councillors Sawtell, Pratt, Jameson, and Bishop. The removal of the cloth was followed by the usual loyal toasts, which were proposed by the Chairman, and drunk with all the honours. The Chairman next proposed the health of his Excellency the Governor. He had been down here before, but not during his (Mr Duncan's) reign. He would no doubt be iD Canterbury next summer, and his (the chairman's) successor would have the honour of receiving him on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch. The toast was drunk with the usual honours. His Honor Mr Justice Gbesson proposed "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." In doing so, he said that this toast was familiar to all Englishmen, but it was one which did not lose its interest by familiarity. He did not know why he had been selected to propose the toast. From the very nature of his office, he was a conservator of peace; but the very beat conservators of peace were the three branches of the service included in the toast. (Hear and cheers.) There could be no better guarantee for the maintenance of . peace than the Army, Navy, and Volunteers. He, in common with everybody else, regretted the tidingsof the disastrous war which was being carried on in Europe. He was sure that under the circumstances, they would all agree with the speech made in the House of Commons by Mr Disraeli to the effect that England shouldmaintain an armed neutrality. Than the army, navy, and volunteers of England, there could ba no better guarantee of peace. He had very much pleasure in proposing the toast, and had no doubt that it would be drunk with enthusiasm. The toast was drunk amid cheeri. Captain McFarlane (a Waterloo veteran) arose amid loud cheers and cries of " Waterloo " to return thanks on behalf of the army. He had very great pleasure in returning thanks on behalf of the indomitable army of Great Britain and Ireland. (Cheers.) ! Mr J. T. Fisheb responded on behalf of navy. ' Major Cbacroft Wilson, C.8., returned thanks on behalf of the volunteers. The Chaibman next proposed the toast of his Honor the Superintendent and the Executive Council. In proposing the toast, it was not his intention to indulge in any platitudes about his Honor or bis Executive. He hoped they would not go out of office this week. (Laughter.) There were rumours of wars in the Provincial Council, but he was very certain that the Government would remain in office. His Honor the Supsbintendbnt was loudly cheered on rising to return thanks. He thanked them very kindly for the way in which they had drunk hia health and that of his colleagues in office. He was car tain that nothing had been wanting on his part, or on the part of his Executive to do their best on behalf of the province during the time he had been in the position of Superintendent. He was glad to say that during that time, the most cordial unanimity had prevailed between himself and his advisers. . L*i replying to this toast he did not think whether he wonld be justified on an occasion like the present to enter upon the arena of politics. When he saw so many around him, however, he .felt he should not be doing his duty if he passed the matter over merely as a matter of form, fie felt that since he had been elected to the office of Superintendent a very great change had come over the relations of the colony to the provinces. ,He would not be doing justice to himself if he did not refer to the cordial reception which had been given him on his return to the province after an absence of three months in Wellington at the General Assembly. He took this as an evidence that the people were satisfied that the feeling of the Government was to do its best for the province. (Hear, and cheers). He felt that time would jujtify the notion that had been taken by himself

and others, of their representatives in the General Assembly. H"e mast say he felt proud in coming back from the Assembly to a province where gentlemen could meet together, as on this occasion, and testify their desire to work harmoniously together for the interests of the province. He was proud to observe the national feelings which animated the people of Canterbury. He felt in the General Assembly that it was not to the interests of the province that he should throw himself into the adoption of a scheme which, unless carefully and judiciously administered, would plunge the colony into dire ruin. He was sure that the other representatives and himself would get credit for doing what they considered to be best for the interests of the colony and the province at large. (Cheers). He again begged to thank them for the kind manner in which the toast had been drunk. (Cheers). Mr Jollie also returned thanks. He was glad to see that the health of his Honor and the Executive had been coupled in the same toast. With regard to Public Works, he did not think the Executive would be found to be in any way behindhand. They would be prepared to carry out the scheme proposed by the General Government so far as they should be enabled to do so by the means at disposal. He begged to thank the company for the manner in which they had drunk the toast. The Very Rev. the Dean op Chbistchurch proposed " The Legislative Council of New Zealand." Like his Honor the Judge, he was at a loss to understand why he had been deputed to propose this toast. His opinion of the Legislative Council was, that it was a body which sat in a sort of supreme dignity over the storms that raged in the lower House. Much bad been said of the mistakes that had crept into the legislative enactments of the General Assembly during last session. In his opinion, there would have been many more mistakes if it had not been for the Legislative Council. As in England, the people of New Zealand might exclaim " Thank God we have a House of Lords." (Cheers.) The toast was drunk amid enthuBiasm. The Hon. Mr Wiglet in returning thanks, regretted that the duty had not been placed in abler hands. Mr William Montgomery said he had a toast to propose which he had no doubt would be drunk with the utmost cordiality — namely, that of the House of Representatives. The Very Rer. the Dean had referred to mistakes that had been made by the House of Representatives. Mistakes might be made by any body of men, but the House of Representatives was the pick of New Zealand and was a credit to the colony. (Cheers.) He had no doubt that many of its members would occupy a conspicuous position in the House of Commons. - The toast was drunk amid cheers. The Hon. J. Hall rose amid cheers to return thanks. In doing so, he said that although mistakes had been made, it would be admitted, when the history of New Zealand came to be written, that the House of Representatives had done its duty to the colony. During the course of its life, the colony had been placed on its own resources to rescue it from that great di63culty which had existed for years. When that native cloud had sufficiently passed away to enable the task of colonisation to be undertaken, the House of Representatives had shown that it was capable of dealing with a matter which so deeply concerned the future interests of the colony. (Cheers.) The position of Representative was not always a bed of roses, but the present was one of those occasions on which a Representative of the people could congratulate himself on the cordial feelings that animated those by whom he was surrounded. In conclusion, he begged to thank them for the manner in which they had drunk the toast. He had now been in the General Assembly for a considerable number of years, and he hoped he should live to represent a Canterbury constituency for many years to come. (Cheers.) Mr J. T. Peacock, M.H.R., also returned thanks. In doing so, he said he should like to see a greater degree of unanimity existing amongst the Canterbury representatives in the General Assembly. (Hear, and cheers.) Mr E. C. J. Stevens, M.H.R., also returned thanks. In doing so, he said he believed that the past session of the General Assembly had been the most important that had ever been held in the colony. He thanked them for the manner in which the toast had been drunk. He had no doubt that in the forthcoming elections, every endeavour would be made to return to the Assembly the very best men that could be found to represent the various constituencies. (Hear, and cheers.) Mr F. Hobbs (City Councillor) favoured the company with the song " Fulling Hard against the Stream." 'Mr John Olltvxeb, Provincial Auditor, rose amid cheers to propose the toast of the "Provincial Council." He need not say that it afforded him a very great deal of pleasure to do so. At the same time, they must recollect that thig was the first session of the new Council, and under these circumstances one could not say what he might wish to say on the subject. He found himself in the position of a great statesman — (hear and laughter) — who had to select from three alternatives— either to approve or disapprove, or be neutral. He was not in a position to disapprove, and he would therefore select to approve of the new Council. It comprised many young men, and he believed that it would contrast favourably with any Council that had preceded it. (Hear, and cheers.) He believed, also, that the new Council had exercised a very wise discretion in re-electing his respected friend Mr Tancred to preside over its deliberations. Addressing himself more particularly to the young members of the Council, he would tender them this piece of advice— to speak out their minds openly and honestly on all questions that might come under their consideration. By doing so, the public would know how to appreciate their worth m repre-

sentatives in that Council. (Hear and Cheers.) The toast was drank amid cheers. Mr H. J. Tancred (Speaker of the Provincial Council) briefly returned thanks. Mr C. C. Bowbn, Resident Magistrate, was loudly cheered on rising to propose the toast of " The Clergy of all denominations." The Bight Rev the Primate of New Zealand, on behalf of the Anglican Church, returned thanks. The feelings that prevailed amongst the clergy of the Anglican Church and those of other denominations, were of the most cordial nature, and he trusted that the existence of those feelings would lead to unity on those subjects on which unity was advisable. They had all a common interest hi the welfare of the country. (Cheers.) The Rev. Charles Fraser also acknowledged the toast. The Hon. J. Hall rose to propose the toast of " Theßench and Bar of Canterbury," coupling with the toast the names of his Honor the Judge, Mr Bo wen, R.M., and Mr T. S. Duncan, Crown Prosecutor. In pre ■ posing the toast, Mr Hall characterised his Honor Mr Justice Gresson as a kind-hearted, high minded, Christian, amiable gentleman. (Cheers.) With regard to Mr Bowen, he could speak with a fellow-feeling. He had occupied the position himself, and knew well what the difficulties and responsibilities of the office were. A resident magistrate was not only a judge, but judge and jury at the same time, and had often to decide between very conflicting evidence. In the discharge of his onerous duties, it was hardly necessary for him (Mr Hall) to say that he had earned the esteem of the people of Canterbury. (Cheers.) Mr Duncan was a gentleman who was also highly and deservedly esteemed. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk amid cheers. His Honor Mr Justice Gresson, Mr Bowen, and Mr T. S. Duncan returned thanks. The latter gentleman said he was very glad to hear the expressions that had fallen from his Honor the Judge and Mr Bowen with regard to the bar. (Cheers.) Mr J. S. Williams, in response to repeated calls, also returned thanks on behalf of the bar. Mr John Anderson, ex-Mayor of Christchurch, proposed " The members for Christchurch in the Provincial Council." The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr J. G. Hawk.es, M.P.C., briefly returned thanks. In doing so, he said that in so former session had he observed so large an attendance of members as had been the case during the past fortnight. (Hear, and Cheers ) His Honor the Superintendent then rose to propose the toast of the evening. He said Gentlemen, I have very great pleasure in prr • posing the next toast ; it is that of the "The Mayor and Council of Christohurch." (Cheers). Gentlemen, lam always somewhat abashed in addressing an Assembly such as this. I felt on a previous occasion this evening very much taken aback in returning thanks to the toast of my own health. I felt then that there was much I should like to say which it was utterly impossible for me to say, and that what I said would very inadequately represent what I wished to say. I feel relieved to a certain extent now, but, Sir, I fear that with regard to this toast I shall not do justice to it. The grand principles, put forward by some of the early founders of this province and of the colony, were those of self-reliance, self-regu-lation, and self-development. I think that in the Municipal Council as first established, and in the City Council grown out of that, we have one of the beßt examples of the development of local self-government in the ' colony. (Hear, hear.) We have had in our friend Mr Hall, who may be said to be the father of Municipal institutions in the province, a body beginning, and successfully beginning, the work of self-govern-ment in this city. Since then we have had in our friends Mr Ollivier, Mr Bishop, Mr Wilson and Mr Anderson most successful successors of the first father of municipal institutions here. Gentlemen, I feel that we have in the city of Christchurch now an example of what may be done by local self-government, and I look upon this City Council, in the manner thqp nave managed, in an unassuming way, their own affairs with considerable results to this place, with the greatest satisfaction as an example of what can be done by encouraging local self-government in the country. (Hear, and cheers.) I trust that the province as a whole will take an example from the first of its children in this' respect, for it was from this province that municipal institutions first originated. I believe that it will be one \ of the greatest evils that can happen to this country generally if power is to be entirely centralised at a distance from the people at large. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) It is only when the people feel closely that they are exercising their proper functions in the power and government of the country, that the country can be well governed. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Gentlemen, it would -be presumption in me in this place to speak of our worthy host in adulatory terms. I am satisfied that no praise or words of mine would at all raise that gentleman in thaesteem of the citizens of Christchurch. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I may say that the task of his successor, and of those who have gone before him, is a very difficult one, indeed. The chief officers in Christchurch up to the present time- are gentlemen who have commanded, largely an 1 deservedly, the respect of their fellow-citizens. (Cheers.) I only trust that those who follow them will equally merit it — (hear, and cheers) — and I am sure they will have an appreciative people.to recognise them. I have great pleasure in proposing "The Mayor and Council of Christchurch," and I have no doubt the toast will be drunk with all the honours. The toast was drunk amid loud cheers. His Worship the Matos of Chbistohubch waa warmly cheered on rising to jreturn thanks. He said — Gentlemen, allow me to think you for your attendance her* this

evening. I look upon it as a mark of your respect, and of the respect that you entertain for the City Council of Christchurch, and appreciation of the efforts they are making for the government of the city. (Hear, and cheers.) It is a very difficult task, as has been said by bis Honor, to speak of one's self in returning thanks. I have always made it a rule in life to be chary of making friends with anyone who speaks too much about himself. A great many people, in their walk through life, adopt a certain model and try to walk up to the actions of the persons whom they like most to imitate. During the time I have been Mayor of Christchurch I have had a model before me. I looked upon the action of the former Mayor (Mr Anderson), and thought that if I could carry out the duties of the office as he did, I would not at least forfeit the respect of the citizens of Christchurch. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I thought that by imitating his example, I could carry out the duties of mayor without being very ostentatious. (Hear, hear.) In my official capacity, I endeavoured to avoid being too familiar with those with whomlcamein contact. I think that when persons are doing their official duties, there ought to be a difference of respect shown to them. (Hear, hear.) That respect 'was shown to my predecessor, and I am glad to say that the same respect has been accorded to myself. (Cheers.) I look upon it that the people of Cbristchuroh appreciate their mayors. (Hear, hear.) They also appreciate the members of the City Council, and although they may have a great many faulti, stilL the citizens are always ready to admit that the members of the City Council strive to do what good they can for the city at large. •(Hear and cheers.) I hope that feeling will always prevail, and that the City Council will strive to do its utmost to further the improvement of the city and join, as they have hitherto done, in raising the moral tone of the community. (Cheers.) His Honor has met us this evening , in that social spirit in which we like to meet every person connected in an official position with the province. There were some -occasions on which the City Council and the Provincial Council approached to something like quarrels. We are a little republic struck •off from the Provincial Council; they partially cast us off and we partially took responsible government on ourselves. Although we have wrangled sometimes not only with the Provincial Council but also with the people around us, still these 'things are forgotten on a festive occasion like this.; These festive occasions are just the very thing to heal up any bad feeling that may have existed. (Hear, hear.) During my term of office I have not had the pleasure of entertaining a Prince or a Governor, but I don't look upon that as a very great honour. (Laughter.) Hook upon it as a greater honour to entertain those whom I live amongst, and whose good works I can appreciate. (Loud cheers.) If a Prince or Governor comes amongst us, we have to do a lot of staring, &c, and it is to me a far greater pleasure to entertain yoahere this evening than it would be to entertain some of the great personages that sometimes come amongst us. (Cheers.) Ido not think I need say anything further than to thank you for the manner in which you have drunk the toast, and to hope that a gathering such as this may be an annual gathering. (Hear, hear.) Like Mr Hall, in his allusion to his position as a member of the General Assembly, I have one foot in the grave, too. My time is slipping away very fast, and an annual gathering like this would answer well for the dying speech of the Mayor, because at such a time of the year as this the Provincial Council will always be in session, and you might have ministerial statements, and have an opportunity of knowing what the Government intended to do before the public outside. At festive gatherings like these, we have a smoke and a *' crack," and we learn to know a good deal more of each other. There are gentlemen in this room whom some look up to with a certain amount of awe, but if you come to speak to them, you find they bave got feelings in common with the rest of humanity. (Laughter). There bave been annual meetings held until now, and I feel very pr^ud that the invitations I have sent out, have been very nearly unanimously responded to. (Hear, and cheers). I hope the position of Mayor will be ably filled in the future, and that my successors will look upon what has been done in Chris tchurcb, as an incentive to them to walk in the path of improvement in which the present Council has walked. (Loud cheers.) Mr John Inolis proposed " The City Officers," coupled with the name of Mr George Gordon, Town Clerk. The toast was drunk with the usual honours. Mr Gordon returned thanks. Dr Fosteb, City Solicitor, proposed " The Mercantile Interests of Canterbury," coupled with the names of Mr H. H. Hennah, of Messrs Dalgety and Co., and Mr Joseph Palmer, manager of the Union Bank of Australia. The toast was drunk amid enthusiasm. Messrs Hennah and Palmer returned thanks. Dr. Turnbuxl proposed "The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests of Canterbury," coupled with the names of Mr J. Studholme and Mr J. N. Tosswill. The toast was drunk with the usual honours. Messrs Stodholme and Toss-wtll returned thanks. The other toasts were " the Press," propoaed by Mr J. P. Jameson, and responded to by Mr Reeves ; and «• the Ladies," proposed by Mr J. Palmer, and responded to by Mr Ormsby, M.P.C. In responding to the toast of the press, Mr Beeves said that the press of New Zealand was a credit to the colony, and was admitted to be a credit by the newspapers of Australia and England. He deprecated the course that had been pursued by the exPremier of the colony with regard to the

Press. Mr Stafford had never omitted an opportunity to indulge in a general condemnation of the Press of New Zealand, but he trusted that public men •would not allow themselves, as Mr Stafford had done, to be led into condemning the Press generally in moments of temporary irritability. (Cheers.) The National Anthem was then sung, and the proceedings terminated with three cheers for Mr Duncan.