BANQUET AT ASHBURTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4098, 9 June 1881, Page 3

BANQUET AT ASHBURTON.

.» On Tuesday evening a public banquet was given in Shearman's Hotel, Ashburton, to Dr F. Macbean Stewart, who is leaving to commence practice in Christchurch. The banquet was given under the auspices of the Ashburton Caledonian Society, of whioh Mr Stewart was Vice-President. About sixty friends from town and country sat down to a repast that began with " cock-a-leekie " soup, and Scotch " haggis," and then camo trie more civilised viands, accompanied, however, as they would be at such a gathering, by plenty of Glenlivat. The chair was occupied by Mr Matthew ,--tt, President of the Caledonian Society, whilo Mr D. Williamson was croupier. The guest of tho evening was on the right of the Chairman, and was supported by Mr T. Bullock, ox-Mayor of the Borough Mr C. Braddell, Town Clerk, Mr «£ohn Carter, and Dr Murdoch. Councillor Friedlander sent a letter of apology for hia absence, as did also the Secretary of the Caledonian Society, who was indisposed. The cloth having been removed, the usual loyal and patriotic) toasts wero duly honoured, and then the health of the patron of the Ashburton Caledonian Society, His Excellency the Governor was given, and duly honoured. . The Ohairman then gave, in a eulogistic speech, the health of the guest of tho evening, Dr Stewart, whose departure from Abliburton they all regretted. The Doctor had always taken a warm interest in the welfare of the district, and a hearty welcome would always await him when he returned to Ashburton. The Chairman then, in the name of the Society, presented Dr Stewart with an illuminated address, which was read as follows by Mr Jacobsen : — " Presented to Dr F. Macboan Stewart, by the members of tho Caledonian Society, Ashburton, on the occasiua of his departure for Christchurch. Dear Sir, — The members of tho Ashburton Caledonian Society, recognising the value of the services you have rendered to the Society during the term you held the office of Vice-President, desire to express to you their regret for tho loss of your presence at their meetings, and the aid you have always been willing to lend in furthering the objects of the Society. They hope you will accept their best wishes for your success, in the new sphere you have ohosen, and they heartily wish you * God speed.' Whon far from Home, upon a foreign strand, Scot meets with Scot aua clasps tko friendly band, A thousand generous thoughts unbidden riso Of tkat dear land which Caledonians prizo ; And when a few are gathered whero thoir toil Has forced now cities from tho stubborn soil, Their ilrat fouil thoughts — most emulous dositoa— • Aro to proeervo the glories of thoir sires. Thus, when Ashburton rose from out tho plaits, Each kindly Scot gavo something of hia gains To koop the memory bright of that dear land Tuat nurses heroes on its rugged strand. Of thoso who in onr new-born town havo beon Anxious to koep old Scotia's memory greon, Tho kiudly friend who bears the Stowart namo Has foremost strivon to prosorvo hor fama, Alas ! he leaves us for a wider sphero, Bat long his memory will bo chorishod hero. His band of brothers beg him, 'oro thoy part, To tako this offering to his gonerous hoart, That when afar from those who lovo him woll, Hiß thoughts, perchance, may on them kindly dwell. "Signed on behalf of tho members of the Society, M. Stitt, President." The toast was drunk enthusiastically, and cheers were givon for tho Doctor's " wifo an' wean:-," the Society's piper, Mr Murdoch Elder, striking in with a telling " lilt " on tho bagpipes. The Rev A. M. Beattio, M.A., said he would liko to supplement, in some measure, what had been said in regard to the doctor, and proceeded to speak of the esteem in which the latter was held, and tho kindness he had invariably extended to those around him. He was sorry to lobo an old friend, but trusted tho stop Dr Stewart was now taking in leaving Ashburton, was ono that, would bo for his advuiicuinent. Dr -ttitv-rt, in responding, said ho felt gnUiPieo at seeing so many friends present, and felt that it was a sincere tribute of esteem — a tribute that added still moro to ihe sorrow he felt at leaving Ashburton. He believed the district had a great future before it, and he looked forward to its soonor or later becoming tho greatest of Now Zealand's inland towns. Onco, when ho heard Mr Bullock in the oarliertimostalkingin this strain, ho folt that perhaps self-interest had a good deal to do with tho inspiration of tho language ; but now ho tendered his apologies to Mr Bullock, and began to think that his thon apparently extravagant prophecies had agood cnanco of boing fulfilled. Aftor a reference to tho recent depression, which ho lookod upon ai a good lesson to tho Colony, the speaker went on to speak of the quality

of the viands before them, stating that in no country in the world, with a history extending over only 24 or 25 years, could such a table have been laid out. Speaking of himself, the Doctor said he had been amongst the first promoters of the Town Hall, and had taken an active interest in the institution of tbe Municipality ; and he had all along done what ho could to further the interests of the place. He thought there should be great union of effort to take advantage of the natural resources the district possessed, and that there Bhould be no waiting until someone else forestalled them in tho development of those resources. Ho had worked very assiduously for the educational advance ment of the district 5 and had taken a deep interest in having plenty of school accommodation in the town. The speaker then ex-> patiated on tho superiority 'of the Scotch character, and went on to express his belief that were the choice placed in his option he would rather be born in Scotland than in. any other part of the world. (Laughter.) This choice had not been given to him ; therefore he enjoyed great good In k in being able to call himsolf a Scotchman. (Loud laughter.) Joseph Cooke, of Boston, had said that Scotland and her covenanters had exercised greater influence on the internal life of the great continent of America than had all the other nations in the world put together. (Great laughter.) Cooke was a Yankee who had refuted Darwin and Huxley on their own ground, and that was liis opinion, though it might differ from the opinion of an American friend present.. Aiter a referenco to the Tararua disaster, and the loss that had been buffered by tho death of Dr Campbell, tho speaker said he believed the deceased gentleman's income had been £3000 a year, and his (Dr Stewart's) friends had represented to him that Dr Campbell's death left a vacancy not to be slighted. The Doctor then concluded by thanking the friends at whose invitation ho was there that night, and hoped they would never have cause to think their kindness had been misplaced. (Oheers.) Mr C. Brad dell, having spoken of the good opinion held of Dr Stewart by both Englishmen and Irishmen in the district, Mr A. M'Coll gave an original recitation in Gaelic, for the intricacies of which language, however, our reporter's shorthand is not suited. Mr Bullock, standing up for the friendship of an Englishman, being as sincere as any across the border, proposed the health of the Chairman, which was duly honoured and acknowledged. The Rev Mr Beattie proposed " The Press," to which tho representatives present replied. Other toasts followed, and the meeting broke up at a late hour.