BANQUET AT LAWRENCE TO THE LIBERAL MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 172, 25 May 1871, Page 5

BANQUET AT LAWRENCE TO THE LIBERAL MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

On Thursday evening last a grand banquet was given to the liberal members of the General Assembly and Provincial Council. Although the night was very stormy, snow and sleet having fallen for several hours during the afternoon and evening, about eighty gentlemen sat down to the feast, which was most liberally provided with every description of eatables and delicacies. Mr. George Clark, of the Masonic Hotel, was the caterer for the occasion, and performed his task most creditably to himself and satisfactory to those present. Mr. Bryan M'Swiney occupied the chair. Songs and recitations were intersperced between the speeches by Messrs. Downes, Grant, Bastings, Lister, Ferguson, Lachman, aud Muirhead. The two last mentioned gentlemen especially added greatly to the evening's enjoyment — Mr. Muirhead by his excellent songs and Mr. Lachman by his songs and brilliant piano playing. Letters were received from the following mentioned gentlemen, to whom invitations had been sent, expressing their hearty concurrence in the object of the banquet, and regretting their inability to be present, viz., G. E. Barton, Esq., M.P.C; John Bathgate, Esq., M.H.K. and M.P.C. ; R. Cantrell, Esq., M.P.C; J. W. Thomson, Esq., M.H.R. and M.P.C ; Donald Henderson, Esq., M.P.C; Hon. Dr. Menzies, M.L.C and M.P.C; J. B. Bivdsiiaw, Esq., M.H.R. and M.P.C. ; Alex. Mollison, bsq, M.P.C; George Duncan, Esq. M.P.C; C E. Haughton, Esq., M.H.R. and M.P.C. (Secretary of Land and Works) ; T. L. Hhepherd, Esq., M.H.R. and M.P.C; VV. 11. Cutten, Esq., M.P.C; J. P. Armstrong, Esq., M.P.C. ; J. Smith, Ksq, M.P.C; W. Steward, Esq., M.HR. ; J. M'Knnzie, Esq., M.P.C.; 11. S. Fish, Esq., M yor ( f Dunedin ; E. Prosser, Etq. ; aud B. Sieveivrijjht, Esq. The guests on the occasion were Donald Reid, Esq., M.H.R. and M.P.C; J. L. Gillies, Esq, M.P.C,; W. A.Mumiy.Esq , M.H.R.; D. Hutcheson, Esq., M.P.C ; D. 11. Mervyn, Esq , M.H.R. and M.P.C. ; C Hickey, Esq, M.P.C ; Henry Clark, Esq, M.P.C; W. Barr, Esq., M.P.C; H. Bastings, Esq, M.P.C; G. F. C Browne, Esq., M.P.C. ; and J. C. Brown, Esq, M.H.R. and M.P.C.

As a matter of necessity, from the limited space at our disposal, the speeches made during the evening are greatly condensed. The Chairman, in his opening remarks, referring to the gathering, characterised it as one alike distinguished by social and political talent, and he had no doubt the information which their guests communicated, and which the Tuapeka people would be glad to receive, would be spiced by a fair share of wit and humour. He would ask the company to charge their glasses, and give honour where honour was due, by drinking to the toast of " The Queen." This duty being performed, the National Anthem was then sung. " His Excellency the Governor " was next proposed, then followed " The Army and Navy and Volunteers," coupled with the name of Mr. J. L. Gilhes, M.P.C.

Mr. Gillies, in responding, said a toast of more than ordinary importance had been imposed upon him. The valour of the army and navy, hs said, had been well recorded in the annals of our country; and as for the volunteers, although they had not been called into active service, yet he was confident that if their services were required, the voice of the country and community at large would prove the truth of the young ladies, saying that a volunteer is worth half a dozen pressed men. — (Cheers.)

The Chairman then proposed " The General Assembly and Provincial Council," coupled with the names of Messrs. Murray, Mervyn, and Hutcheson.

Mr. W. A. Murray, M.H.R., said he would have prefered not to be the first on the list of speakers, as there were many gentlemen present better qualified than he was, and nearly all of whom had been engaged in political matters. He had no doubt that during the late elections pledges had been made by some gentleman that would be broken, but he hoped none of the guests present that evening would be included amongst the number. He thought it would be imprudent for him to dwell upon political matters, as there were other gentlemen better qualified. Mr. Murray then made a few remarks on the great necessity for reform. He considered we had a superfluity of Government, and some amendment was absolutely required. He would also like to see some measure inaugurated to check the drinking habits of the country, which all must admit were a crying evil. Mr. Mervyn, M.H.E. and M.P.C, thanked the company for the kind and cordial mauner in which they had drank the toast. He thought it a very promising thing to see such public spirit manifested ; and the fact of so many gentlemen being present was a strong proof of the interest taken in the country by the people of Tuapeka. lie was glad to see this, as no member could do much good to his constituents unless they were alive to their own interests. He hoped the gentlemer who had been elected would be truer

to their colours than those of a previous Assembly. Of the goldfields members of the late Assembly he only found one gentleman true to his colours, and that gentleman was Mr. J. B. Bradshaw. He thought at the recent elections the right men had been returned. Mr. Mervyn then referred to the business which was likely to occupy the attention of the Council and the Assembly. One of the most important matters as affectins? the miners was the consolidation of the Goldfields Act. This he considered a change much required in the Goldfields Act. It was also much required that ample facilities should be afforded for settlement on the goldfields of the country. The first thing to be done is to offer facilities for settlement, and the second to bring out any amount of ladies that the population might become attached to the country. Speaking for his own district (Mount Ida) Mr. Mervyn stated that the proportion of females to males was lin 200. He therefore considered that a portion of the loan to be rais d should be devoted to bringing females of the right stamp into the country. He did not expect to see Ro many gentlemen present, and his only regret was that his colleague, Mr. Armstrong was not present, as he was a jolly, good fellow, and would have been highly pleased with the meeting.

Mr. Hutchepon, M.P.C, had great pleasure in responding to the toast of the Provincial Council. He had grersf satisfaction in coming to see this part of the country. He considered it a Sjreat mistake in those people who thought that the agricultural and mining interests were anta ronistic, as quite the opposite was the fact. He thought they should do their utmost to make the miners settle on the land, but that could only be don<* by more liberal land laws. The land laws of the province is the subject of all others which should first have the attention o' the legislation. These were the views he had always held, and he meant to rtick to them.

The Chairman then proposed the toast of of the evening, viz, "The Liberal Members of the Assembly and Provincial Council."

Mr. Donald Reid, M.H.R. and M.P.C, said he must confess that he could not find laniruaue capable of expressing the satisfaction he felt in beinjj present, and having the reception he had met with. He was afraid he would not be able to supply the worthy Chi'irman with much information, and as for having fiat information spiced with wit and humour it was well known that he (Mr. Reid) was entirely deficient of these qualities. He was glad, however, to have the opportunity of meeting the electors of the Tuapeka district to thank them for inviting the liberal members to such an entertainment. He thought it was vry becoming on the part of the Tuapeka district, it being the oldest, to take the lead in this matter, as it had done in all political affairs. The district wps, on this occasion, only assisting in forwarding its own interests. This was the first occasion > which sue' 1 a thing had been done, and he hoped it would be continued. As there were several other members to follow him, he would not detain the meeting long. There was one remark he wished to make. They had heard it said that evening that no party feeling should be encouraged. Well am. good, if people were all of one min<l : but so lon^ as there is a difference of opinion amongst councillors, thosfeelings will exist, and he would advise the electors to criticise very closely the expressions of opinion of their members when they take their places in the Council and the Assembly. Tho^ie persons who ally tiiemselves to uo party whatever are those who want to go to their place 3 without any pledges His own opinion was that while the Provincial Council * exists members must take one side or the other, and, and that gentleman who will take no side whatever is of little use to his constituents. The time had come when members required to be decided and have some definite object in view. They were told that next session of the Council they would nave such liberal measures proposed that even the liberal members themselves would be surprised. If such is the case, he was certain that all the liberal members would only too gladly assist in having these measures carried out. There would be no factious opposition on his part to any measures having the true interests of the country in view. But it must be remembered that even although these liberal measures be brought forward during next session and receive the sanction

of the Council, they must be submitted to a higher assembly before they can become law. -If the electors of the districts will elect their own representatives they need not be discouraged in having those measures, winch will be for their benefit, carried into effect, and such factious opposition as as shown to t .c last G-overnment will not be found to exist. The last two or three sessions of the Provincial Council were a series of faction fights, which excluded the consideration of nearly every sub(ect which had for its object the welfare, and prosperity of the country Before sitting down He would remark that he had been ao much engaged lately with private matters that he had not been aMe to think over any speech for the occasion.

and it took him all his time to look after his horse and himself coming through the drift to attend the banquet. Mr. J. L. Gillies, M.P.C., in responding to the toast, said that his friend Mr. Reid said he was not prepared to give the meeting any information, but he had said a great deal in a few words, and had left him (Mr. Gillies) very little to say. He must confess that the invitstion to be present at a banquet at Lawrence was one he received with a great amount of pleasure. It same to him with peculiar pleasure from the fact that the discovery of Gabriels Gully was closely 1 connected with a circumstance-" in his own experience, and as the Chairman had said that any information would be valuable to the meeting, he would recite that circumstance to them. At a public meeting held at Tokomairiro, when Mr. M 'Master, the runholder, contested the Superintendenoy with Major Kichardson, he (Mr. Gillies) had occasion to oppose Mr. M'Master'sviews, as he made statements regarding the old "Victorian Association which he (Mr. Gillies) was able to confute. A gentleman in humble sittire was present and gave Mr. M 'Master day and (late for all he (Mr. Gillies) had said — that geutleuian was Gabriel Reid. At the close of the meeting he thanked Reid for the assistance he lmd rendered him at the meeting, and finding he had been in Victoria, he (Mr. Gillies) narrated a trip he had taken twelve months before to what is now called Evan's Flat and gave Reid directions as to the locality where the well-knovm Black Peter was getting gold. He believed it was the next day that Reid^ discovered the famous gully that has since borne his name. He thought, therefore, that the first banquet came very appropriately from the people of Tuapeka. He felt proud of the district, as lie looked upon it as the eldest son of the Tokomairiro district ; besides, he had been in some degree associated with it. Pawing to the toast he would say, that the liberal members who had acted with iMr. Reid had done so in no factious opposition, but he could not forget that in 1866 when the Land Act was passed the liberal raemberß thought it would be a liberal Act, but they all know the administration of it had proved bad. It had been said that a coach and six can even be driven through the laws of Great Britain, wlrch shows that it is not only necessary to have liberal laws but to have them administered and closely watched. That power rests with the people's representatives, whose duty it is to see the Acts carried into effect. Some people would fain make us beliave that the sole power sho ild rest with the moneyed class, but he would have it known that labour has its rights as well as capital. He did not say that capital should not be represented, by no means, but labour and energy have a right to stand on an equal position with capital. What is the position or rights of capitalist* in this country. The capitalists come and occupied the lands and accept rights on certain conditions, and as soon as a fall in the market takes place and their rights are depreciated, they come to the Government asking to be reimbursed. Give them, he would say, to the full „ extent what they are entitled to, but no more — they hnve no right whatever to be reimbursed by the Government for any losses they have incurred. The country is now suffering from the present vestid interests. The extension of the term of the leases was a great blow to its prosperity. Had these leases been allowed to terminate, the country would not now have been in such a depressed condition. The fact of receiving a handsome revenue from these leases appears to blind the eyes of some people to the truth. The fact is, that the so-called handsome revenue only realises a paltry '6\ per cent., whereas there are thousands of people prepared to go and purchase land and pay more for it than that. No doubt different men had different ideas, but so long a« they had only these facts to guide chem the inference to be drawn was very apparent. The present revenue from these pastoral leases amounts to about L 60,000, which is only equal to 3£ per cent on the quantity of land included in the leases, calculating that land at ss. an acre. The argument deduced' from that fact is irresistibly in farour of a more liberal land laws. There are other matters which he wjuld have touched upon, but as Mr. Reid had stated, the land question is the most vital one at the present time.

Mr. W. A. Murray, M.H.R., then responded to the toast. In referring to the land question, he said the same evil had been committed in California as had been committed in New Zealand, The land had been leased in large runs, and the consequence was that numbers of people were going about idle, who, under a better system, might have had employment. Had the licenses in Otago been allowed to expire through the effluxion of time, and these large tracks of country been cut up into smaller runs, and what was not actually required for settlement beeu let at a fair price, we would have found a respectable class of farmers come to the country and bi-ing their labourers witb them, instead of having the country as it is now in the hands of a bankrupt squiitocracy. He observed from the mail th.v M;'. Vo o 'e! bad succeeded in raising JEl^^^OOO of ths loan, that sum is equ il to ,£950,000 or £960,000. Tf Mr. Vogp.l hhi to «>iy 3 iwi- cent for

the money, lie (Mr. Murray) considered he had made a bad bargain, more especially when it was remembered that our debentures were selling at 106. However, he supposed they could not alter matters now, but he certainly blamed the Government in that they were tieing the hands ot'future Governments. Mr. Murray concluded an excellent, speech by quoting the following lines, which he considered very applicable to New Zealand at the present time : — That Wot of earth, that masterpiece of Heaven, Of God the favouiite. but of mini the spoil, The poorest people and tne richest soil. Her bays, her harbours, ami he? inlets made To-fis her first in pm]>ir? :md in t'v.de : Her wph !| ", -• X V !.'.(.■' .••>-•!. ■'; j j.i.i f... '"'a pride ; f Eveu like a fountaiu rrom a mountain side. , 5* " Our Local Members " was proposer! by Mr. W. Mears. Speaking of them individually and as a whole Mr. Mears believed the three local members were as good as could be found, and he was certain they would truly represent the interests of the districts and attend to the general weal of the country. Mrr. Baslings, M.P.C, first responded to the toast. He felt proud of the resideuts of Tuapeka iv the public spirit they had shown by getting up such ;i banquet. Referring to the election for Superintendent., Mr. Bastings said they saw that Mr. Donald Reid was not defeated but elected by the people of Otago, notwithstanding the money influence- that was brought to bea.. m favour of his opponent. With regaru to" some remarks which fell from his friend Mr. Murray, lie did not agree with him. He (Mr. Bastings) considered that every man should declare which side he intended voting upon, if not, they laid themselves open to be sold. He thought the liberal party had a good working majority in the Council, anil he hoped they would also have the same in the Assembly. He felt confident that the time had arrived when a decided stand was necessary, and as they had unsheathed the sword he hoped they would throw down the sea'ob.ml until they gained the victory. Let every man stand by his party and fi^ht to the last. Mr. J. C. Brosvn, M. FLU., M.P.C., in responding, said that the i*ecent redistribution of scats hail considerably strengthened the, goldtielJs representation. Instead of each goldfields member representing all the goldfields as formerly, he had now his own separate district to attend to, and won Id therefore be better able to do his duty to it. It must be remembered by the electors that their duty was not done as soon as they had elected their representatives — they can do much by united action, and by bringing matters of public interest prominently before their notice, and thus making kuo wn their wants. His reasons for opposing the loan was b ised on the ground that it was unfair to the goldtields. Instead of L 300,000 for a water supply £1,000,000 would have oeen move in keeping with the requirements of the country. In this matter he was glad to lind gentlemen present who represented other interests at one with the . golJfidlds members, and he trusted that at the next session of the Assembly the amount for water supply would be greatly increased. Mr G. F. C. Browne, M.P.C.,then replied to the tonfit in an el >quent speech, in the course ol" which he said that the party he intended supporting was the one that would hold out the hand of justice to tie mining community. Private enterprise in mining had done much, but it was quite incapable of overtaking the requirements of the country, and he considered it the duty of the Legislature to nfl-.n^n-'ei'^e Mat

the miuiii^ w,»v,.-t. -\a^s t,ue prop ol' the province. He depricated the

system of over-govern ment under w'lich the colony was groaning and thought the only possible remedy would be found in an united South Island under one Government. Once obtain that, and Maori wars and the present extravagant systems would soon vanish from our midst. " The Mayor and Town Council of Lawrence " was proposed by Mr. Ferguson and responded to by Mr. Bastings. Mr. W. D. Morrisdn, Vice-Chair-man, proposed "The Mining Interest," coupled with the name of Mr. Hickey, M.P.C. Mr. Morrison spoke strongly in favour of the Government encouraging the goldfields, which were the mainstay of the country, by allocating a large sum towards a water supply. He thought highly of the Manuka Creek diggings and the banks of the Tuapeka river, which only wanted water upon them to «ive employment to a large number of miners. The same remarks he knew well applied to other parts of the country. He depricated the gold duty as an unjust tax, and hoped their members would use their influence to have it at least reduced. Mr. Hickey, M.P.C, in responding to the toast, said that twenty months ago he left the Tuapeka district for Cromwell in quest of his fortune, and his fellow miners had now called upon bim to represent them in the Provincial Council. The district he represented he might say without fear of contradiction was the richest and most influential in the province. He was going to the Council purely as a mining representative, and he hoped that his extensive experience as a miner would give weight io his opinions on the various goldfields subjects. The gold duty, as the proposer of the toast had said, was an unjust tax, and must be abolished. He would use all his

influence towards bringing that about. There was a question creating considerable anxiety among the miners in his part of the country, he referred to the increase of Chinamen in the Cardrona and other districts. It was very evident that if they continued to increase as they had been doing, the European population would be completely displaced. The subject bad assumed a serious aspect and must be grappled with in some way or other.

Mr. M'Kimmie proposed "The Agricultural Interest," coupled with the name of Mr. Peter Robertson.

Mr. Robertson, in responding to the toast, said that he was not so intimately connected with farming as some K en " tlemen present. He referred to the great difficulties the early settlers on the goldfields had to encounter, only being allowed to take up ten acres for which they had to pay a heavy deposit. Even now in the Tuapeka district farming required all the individual exertions that could be brought to bear upon it to make it pay. However extensive farming operations were in this district, there would be a deficiency this voir of at least 20,000 bushels of wheat, even although there must have been 10,000 bushels more grown than last year. Farmers on the goldfiplds have to pay too much for their land — what with rent and one thing and another, the price per acre is at le.ist 305. , and for that reason as well as the inferiority of the land, the Tuapeka farmers could not compete with Tokomairiro. Still he was living: in hone, and believed that they were about to commence a new era of prosperity. After speaking: for a considerable time, Mr. Robertson said he would leave Mr. Grundy, who had been engaged farming from his youth, to " polish it off."

Mr. Grundy then addressed a few remarks. He paid that he had always been amongst the foremost in encouraging both the agricultural and mining interests ever since he came to the Tuapoka district. He would like to see a Rystem of deferred pavinent'' for land institutpd, as he believed it would be for the hpgt <vol^ire of the country. He would eiiffMirrme mining in every possible way. Tf his lnnd was wanted to-morrow for mining nurposes, he would gladly let it go at L 5 an acre. He was orlad to see that the people of the district had turned out as they had done to welcome the liberal members of the Assembly and Council, and he hoped that great good would be the result.

"Our Guests" was then proposed coupled with the names of Messrs. W. Barr and H. Clark, both of whom briefly responded. Mr. Barr stating that it was nearly 10 years since he visited Gabriels Gu ly, and he was surprised to notice the great changes which had taken place. Mr. Clark said he had very great pleasure in being present having been a miner in Gabriels Gully in the early times. There appeared to him to be a steady progress going on in the district, and he had no doubt it would go on and prosper. " The Press " was proposed by Mr. Bastings and responded to by Mr. Ferguson, who, before sitting down, proposed " The Ladies " associated with the name of Mr. James Hill, who briefly responded. As this completed the programme, the meeting broke up, the time being about 2 o'clock. A general feeling of satisfaction was expressed by those present, especially by members, who each and all were highly pleased with the reception they had received.

Very simple agents are required to have a window or backyard made interesting and gay. A few pots and glasses, two or three small boxes, a water pot, and a few other vessels. Some soil, a little constant attention, with some slight trouble and patience, will soon yield a considerable amount of pleasure, which once obtained, few would, I think, care to barter away for much that daily passes current for pleasure. The grower of a few pot plants this way would no doubt often smile at the elaborate instructions of the plant' catalogues that treat of cold pits greenhouses, conservatories, &c. Glorious institutions these, and we can all wish we had them, but, being without, me must adapt our mode to our appliances. The cultivator will have to follow the laws dictated by circumstances, and very funny circumstances they will sometimes be , but these very peculiar circumstances, with the shifts and expedient they entail, help to build up a good share of the pleasures that will be reaped by "back-yard aud window garden cultivators." I am one of those worshippers of nature, even with such uncongenial surroundings. It is refreshing from behind the shadow of your few pot plants to see the passers-by stop and admire, even though it is but a poor show your city plants make. They are a source of constant gratification to the grower, without which there is a blank in the lottery of the lover of nature's daily life. It is also a fact worthy of notice, that at most of the spots where a few city plants are found flourishing particular neatness aud order prevail ; and it is quite Hurprisiug what a beautiful show can be made on a small strip of back yard, what with climbers, bedding plants, bulbs, &c. The flowers they yield, the health they enjoy, and pleasure they will afford the grower, will be exactly commensurate with the attention bestowed upon them. — W. H. Treen.