THE DINNER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2085, 13 November 1874, Page 3

THE DINNER.

The annual dinner was held at the Claren- I don Hotel, afc eight o'clock. There was a j numerous attendance, about one hundred ! guests sitting down to an excellent spread, provided by Mr Wagner. The chair wus oc- ! cupied by Sir Cracroft Wilson, who was supported on his right by the Hon Edward Richardson (Minister for Public Works), Mr Montgomery, M.H.R,. ; Mr J. R. Lysaght and Mr H. F. Gray, M.P.C. ; and on his left by his Honor the Superintendent, Mr John Grigg and Mr E. B. Bishop. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley, who was supported on his right by Mr*W. S. \ Moorhouse, and on his left by Mr David j Craig. On the removal of the oloth, the toast list was proceeded with. The Chairman proposed "The Queen," which was drank amid great enthusiasm. The Chairman said the next toast on his list was the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. They had always honoured this anniversary in Canterbury, and he trusted tbey would continue to do so. Wifch regard to what had been done thafc day, the secretary would inform tbem presently of the results attending the exhibition. Without further preface he begged to propose the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family. The toast was drank amid cheers. The Chairman then proposed the .health of His Excellency fche Governor. The toast waß drank amid cheers. The Hon Edward Richardson (who wa3 received with cheers) said he would not have them for a moment to suppose that he was going to return thanks on behalf of His Excellency the Governor. Since coming into the room' that evening, he had received the following telegram from His Excellency the Governor : — "Wellington, Nov. 12.— T0 the Hon E. Richardson, Christcburch, — Pray say thafc I regret very much having to give up my intended visit, owing to Lord Normanby's arrival earlier than at first expected, and to Lady Fergusson being advised to go home by long sea voyage direct, so thafc this is my lasfc week with my family before their departure, and I have much fco arrange before leaving Wellington. Ifc is a real disappointment to me. — James Feegttsson, Governor." The Chairman said fche next toast was the " Colonial Executive and General Assembly," coupled with fche name of the Hon. Edward Richardson. (Cheers.) Whatever their political opinions might be, there was one thing he could say with the most perfect truth, that Mr Richardson was the fittest man in New Zealand fco occupy the post he did. (Loud cheers.) The toast was drunk with three-times-three. The Hon. Mr Richardson, who was loudly cheered, said that on behalf of the Ministry and himself, he begged to return hiß most sincere thanks to the Chairman for the kind manner in which he had proposed the toast, and to the company generally, for the very cordial way in which they had received ifc. On an occasion like this, he did nob suppose thafc politics should be introduced, but he would like to say a word or two on a subject which much concerned them, and as to which a great deal of misapprehension existed. The subject was one which had been very much commented on by a great number of those whom he had met in Canterbury. The question affected a great many of those large producers whom he saw around him. He alluded to the question of narrow gauge railways. (Hear, hear.) He only wished to remove the very great amount of misapprehension which existed with regard to tbis subject. When the country decided on going in for a large scheme of railways, ifc was considered, on going fully into the question, that it would be impossible to construct those railways on the broad gauge principle, on account of the expenditure. Tho question immediately resolved itself into what could be afforded. Then fche question of speed came up, and it was fco tbis particular point that he wished to draw their attention. The question of speed was really the ono which they musfc look to, and ifc had been considered fchafc a rate for fche trunk lines of 25 miles an hour, for ordinary passengers and goods trains, and of 16 miles an hour on the branch lines, was sufficient, j and as much as the country could afford. On the narrow, gauge lines, trains could be run with safety at the rates of speed he had mentioned. He wished to make this statement, because he felt that an erroneous iinI pression prevailed on the subject, and he thought it right that he should take the first opportunity of endeavouring to remove that j impression. (Hear, and loud cheers). Tho remarks of the chairman concerning himself ; had almost upset him. Ho felt thafc he was nofc deserving of them. Ho was one of a number who happened fco be in the Executive at the present time, and ho thought the remarks of the chairman were as much duo to his colleagues as to himself. It was supposed to be a very great honour to be in such a high position of trust as a member of the Executive, bufc he could assure them it was nofc all honour and glory. Ifc meant hard work to all who held the position. The present Executive, ho could assure them, wero nofc afraid of doing their fair share of work. (Hear, hear). He in conclusion .again begged to thank them isoat heartdy for the kind way in which they had responded to fcho toast. (Loud cheers). The Chairman said -he would now call on the vice-chairman to propose the next toast Mr Murray-Aynsley said he had much pleasure m proposing " His Honor the Superintendent and the Executive Council " He J aß g u a^ '?. be able fco "V thafc the Bh °w that day had been a great success, and that the takings would go a long way towards extinguishing the Association's liabilities. He hoped his Honor and his Executive had taken notice of the great success attending the exhibition, and he trusted also that, in order to enable the Association, to give larger prizes,

bis Honor and tho Executive would go down fco fche Provincial Council and propose that a grant should be voted fco fche "Association, to enable fchem to offer larger prises than were now given. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk mo3fc ont 'msifotieallr. His Honor the Superintendent wns loudlycheered on rising to return tliat.ks. He said he scarcely expected to hear from fche vicechairman that tbo Government Bhould propose a grant in aid of the Association, especially with the knowledge that the takings thafc day had been very large. However, the Executive and himself took such an intereat in the affairs of tbis great Association, that they might rest assured that the hint would receive fcheir mosfc anxious consideration. (Loud cheers.) He was glad to think tbat tbo show that day had beon a, great success. In fact, ifc showed a determination on the pari; of the people of Canterbury fco lefc no other community surpass tbem. (Loud cheers.) As polities were nofc to be entered into on ari occasion of this kind, he would nofc detain them further. His Honor resumed his seat amid loud cheers. The Chairman then called upon the secretary to propose the next toast. Mr Ford (who was received with cheers) rose to propose tbe toast of " Tbe Patrons of tbe Association." He said be felfc thafc be was quite incapable of fulfilling tbe task satisfactorily or efficiently. The first real meeting of the Association took place in 1861. The patron of tbe Association then was Mr Wm. Sefton Moorhouße. (Cheers.) Tbat gentleman, he was glad to say, was present to-night, and be was certain that Mr Moorhouse would always be well received in this province. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) Associated wifch tbis toast was tbe name of its firat president, Mr Robert Wilkin. (Cheers.) Tbat gentleman had worked very bard on behalf of tbe Association, and he might cay that ho was the grandfather of the Association. (Cheers and laughter.) There was another gentleman whose name he wished to associate wifch the toast. He referred to Mr George Gould, whose liberality was too well known to require tbat he should say anything further on the subject. Then there came fche present Superintendent of Canterbury, who had always evinced a great interest in the prosperity of the Association. Prosperous as the Asseciation was, he thought that it was well-deserving of a grant of publio money in aid, and he trusted that the Government would see fcheir way to making the proposal to the Provincial Council. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) In conclusion, he begged to propose " The Patrons of tbe Association, coupled with the name of Mr Moorhouse." (Cheers.) With regard to that day's exhibition, he (M!r Ford) wished to say thafc although they had been rather short in tho number of exhibits, still the stock generally was the best that had ever been shown on the grounds of the Association. Whatever other people might think, this was certainly his opinion. (Loud cheers.) The toast was drunk amid three-times-three, and an additional cheer for Mrs Moorhouse. Mr Moorhouse was received with immense cheering on rising to return thanka. He said it was quite unnecessary to explain to them, as was quite natural, that he was very much pleased to have his name coupled wifch fche toast. When he occupied the position of Superintendent, he very naturally became patron of the Association, aa representing the people. He came down on this occasion to visit wbafc he might call his native village — (cheers) — and he was glad to say that ho had i seen the ten thousands of Canterbury I assembled in a small space to witness tbe triumphs of the country. (Cheers.) He wenfc down to fche show late, and walked round it rather quickly, but he saw enough j to feel convinced that no other province could ! produce such good stock in such large quantities. (Cheers.) The public had done a great deal for the Society. He was quite confident, too, thafc the patrons of tho Association had done a great deal for it, but the best; patron was he who put his hand in his pocket; and assisted fche Society. (Cheers.) He thought the Society owed a deep debt; of gratitude to Mr George Gould. (Loud cheers.) Thafc gentleman was the most material friend the Association ever had. Tho Association owed a greater obligation to Mr Gould, because he had put his hand in his pocket and assisted the Association over its difficulties. (Loud cheers.) Those who had profited in the country owed a great obligation to the country from which they derived fcheir profits. Mr Gould seemed to view the matter in thiß light, and had given a very handsome return to the country. (Cheers.) He (M> Moorhouse) hoped thafc their successful squatters — those who had plenty of means and good positions — would emulate Mr Gould'B example. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) With regard to the gentleman who now occupied the position of Superintendent, he was glad to see that gentleman evincing such a deep interest in the industry, trade, and exports of the country. (Loud cheers.) He hoped that those gentlemen sitting at the far end of the room would do their best to make New Zealand something like a nation. There was at the present time no publio opinion in New Zealand, and thoso gontlemen should do all in their power to create a publio opinion. New Zealand would never be a nation until there was a public opinion formed. He thought he had said enough to indicate what his own opinion was. He felt convinced that New Zealand would never be prosperous as a nation, until the present institutions were altered. He thought they would best consult; the interests of New Zealand by preparing themselves gradually for the relinquishment of those institutions which made them village entities, and prevented their being a great nation. Ho trusted, therefore, fchafc the various communities throughout; Now Zealand would prepare themselves for the change which was certain to come at no very distant period. Mr Moorhouse resumed his seat amid loud cheers. The Chairman said he coinoided with provious speakers that the Association owed a deep debt of gratitude to Mr George Gould. He alao spoke in kind terms of the services rendered to the Association and fche country by the late Venerable Archdeacon Mathias and fche late Mr Joseph Brittan. The Association was very deeply indebted fco thoae gentlemen who had undertaken very responsible and onerous duties. He referred fco the judges. They received no pay, and were very often blamed ; in fact, the position of a judge afc an agricultural show was a very painful one, and he thought they should not; separate without drinking their healths. He begged to couple with the toast, fche names of Messrs Turnbull, Gower, and John Grigg. Messrs Turnbull, Gower and Grigg returned thanks, expressing it as their opinion that the day's exhibition had been a great success. Mr Grigg concluded by proposing the toast of , "The Successful Exhibitors."

The toast was drank wifch all the honors. M.' Lysaght, with whose name the toast wag coupled, thanked the company for fche honour the,*- had done him in associating his name witb the toast. He must Bay that with the exec; "tion of the three principal shows in Knjj.rjnd, ho had never seen a provincial exhibition that equalled the one held that day. (Loud cheers.) For his own part he could say the horses, as paraded some little time ago, with the exception of a few, would have done credit to any show in England ; and the cattle he had seen that day irer» simply superb. (Cheers.) In conclusion, ha begged to propose the toast of "The Unsuccessful Competitors," coupled wifch the name* of Messrs Gorton and Mafchias. The toast was drank amid enthusiasm. Messrs \:athias and Gorton briefly returned thanks. The latter said he acknowledged that he waa fairly beaten thafc day, and he was thoroughly satisfied wifch the decision oi the judges. (Cheers.) He had been to shows in Melbourne and Geelong, and he must say that that day's exhibition would compare favourably with the former, and excelled the shows he had seen at Geelong. Before sitting down, he would like to say, that in his opinion two shows were quite sufficient for the province, instead of having so many district shows j and it would be advisable to start the system of fairs. He believed that by this means they would be able to get rid of fcheir surplus stock more readily. (Hear, hear, and cheers). The Chairman then called on Mr R. Wilkin to propose the next toast. Mr Wilkin said he had great pleasure io proposing fche toast of the strangers amongst; them. He thought the Association and exhibitors were greatly indebted to those gentlemen who had come from a distance to act; as judges. The obtaining of judges was one of the greatest difficulties whioh the Association had to contend with, and fco the gentlemen who had consented to oome from a distance and act in that capacity he thought the best thanks of all present . were due. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) He therefore begged to propose 'the toast of " The Strangers," coupled with the name of Mr Mathew Miller. (Loud cheers.) The toast was drunk amid cheers, and with musical honours. Mr Miller, in responding, said there was no doubt whatever thafc fche Canterbury Showwas the foremost exhibition of fche colony. Mr James Deans also responded. The Chairman then called upon Mr H. F. Gray to propose the next toast. Mr Gray proposed the health of the seoretary of the Association. (Cheers.) They all" knew how hard Mr Ford had worked in tho interests of the Association for many years past without hope of emolument. He (Mr Gray) knew that Mr Ford worked day and night in the interests of the Association, and the splendid manner in whioh all the arrangements had passed off showed how well qualified Mr Ford was for the position he held. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) The toast was drunk amid loud cheers and with musical honours. Mr Ford, in returning thanks, said he felt thafc ho fell very far short; of carrying out' all fche duties of the oflice he held, but he oould assure them that he did the best he could. Ho was very glad that tho chairman had not called upon him to read the prize list from beginning to end, bufc ho would read fco fchem something which would interest them. He would not vouch for its absolute correctness, but he believed the following statement of tha largest prize takers would befound accurate: — Merino— R. Chapman, takes five Ist, five 2nd, and both the Association's silver medals. Leicester—W. Boag, three Ist, three 2nd, one third. Silver medal to W. Marcroft, best ram; silver medal tp P. C. Threlkeld, best ewe. Lincolns — James R. Lysaght, three Ist, three 2nd, one third. Mr Sutton, with four exhibits, has taken first prizes. Silver medal, Sutton Bros., best ram ; silver medal, Threlkeld and Marcroft, best ewe. Lincoln-Leicesters — B. H. Campbell, two Ist*, one 2nd, one 3rd. Bomney Marsh—A. P. O'Callaghan, three let, one 2nd, one Srd ; also both medals. Southdowns and other Downs — James Gregg, Ist and 2nd. Fat sheep — James Hurse, four Ist, one 2nd. Cattle — A. A. Fantham, seven Ist, four 2nd, one 3rd, and both silver medals. Fat cattlo — John Ferguson, five Ist, four 2nd, one Srd ; also, both M. Sprofc and Co.'s prizes. Horses — Draughts— W. Boag, seven Ist, one 2nd ; also silver medal for best draught entire. Pigs— D. Maydwell, one Ist, two 2nd. Poultry — Edgar Williams, two Ist ; four 2nd. Sheep dogs— Judges consider the exhibits very inferior. Implements — Joseph Keetley, four Ist, one 2nd. Dairy produce — J. J. Herriek, butter. — Candy, cheese. The judges are of opinion that the butter this year was better than for years past. Mr Ford then proposed the health of tha Treasurer (Mr D. Craig). The toast was drunk wifch musical honours. Mr Craig, in returning thanks, stated that the takings at the gates thafc day amounted fco £532 Oa 9d. The Hon E. Richardson proposed the health of the Chairman. The toast was drunk with musical honours. Tho Chairman returned thanks, and the proceedings shortly afterwards terminated. During fcho evening some good songs were sung by various members of the company.

1 adies unaccompanied with gentlemen arc not admitted to the concerts of the Champs Elysees in Pari9. Quite recently a lady presented herself at the gate, and the tickettaker intercepted her, saying, "Pardon,* madame, ladies cannot go in alone." The lady answered with unfeigned candous, "But, sir, what am Itodo ? My poor husband bas just died — tbe day before yesterday." A Pleasure Excursion ; " First-class." — '. Excursionist ''Rough:" "Don't like the 'ar/nony, guvnor! Why, we'er two hours be md time, and ifc9 'ard if we mayn't enjoy ourselves !" — Middle-aged gentleman : '■Enjoy yourselves! Do you know I'm a director, Bir ?'* — Rough : " Director *_ be blow'd ! Director's know too jolly well, wet's wet to trust themselves in a 'ecursion train !"