Supper to Intending Kimberley Diggers.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1850, 28 June 1886, Page 2

Supper to Intending Kimberley Diggers.

If for purposes of revenge any evil disposed persons bad desired a particularly rough and winterly day. Saturday’s weather woulu have answered all their sordid wishes, a* from early morn until midnight there was a continual downpour cf rain, only relieved occasionally by sundry snow storms. On this account onr readers will understand that no ordinary circumstance would have attracted the residents of Greytown from their comfortable firesides to have laced the violence of the elements. But the occasion of Saturday night was not one of every day occurrence, and undoubtedly it was an episode in the history of the whole of the Wairarapa that will be, in time to come, food for discussion and reflection; it was an important event, nsomuoh as the Greytown settlers and many in the immediate vicinity were called together to bid adieu to the sous of some of the oldest and most respected of the founders of this important district. Those young men are attempting to do wbat their fathers and grandsires have done before them, namely, carve oat a future for themselves in a com paratively unknown country. They do not leave their friends with insufficient means, all having sufficient funds of their own to take them to their expected destination in North Western Australia. The public “ good bye ” was given on Saturday night at Hammerich’s hotel, when a real representative party assembled at the festive board and did full justice to the excellent viands placed before them by tbs liberal and genial host. Among those present were noticed the member for the Wairarape South, W. C. Buchanan, M.U.R. (Chairman), MrjW.Skeet, Civil Engineer, in theVioe-obair, Messrs Hart Udy, jun, ex Mayor of Greytown, J. Baillie, Chairman of the Town Lands Trust, Dr Bey, Mr B. Kimberley, and many other prominent residents in the district, with a number of footballers and cricketers, the friends of the young fellows who are just now leaving tor the arduous venture. Apologies were received from F. H. Wood, Esq. (Mayor of Greytown), and the Rev W. T. Western, who regretted, through illhealth and other causes, their inability to attend. After the supper bad been duly discussed, The Chairman gave the toaste of “ The Queen,” "The Prince of Wales,” " The Governor of New Zealand,” which were doly honored. After a tong, " Lather and Shave 'em," by Mr R. Bright, the Vice Chairman gave “ The Parliament of New Zealand,” to which Mr Buchanan replied.in an interesting speech. The Chairman next proposed “ Onr guests, The Greytown Ten.” He said they had met there as a social gathering to say “ good bye ” for a time to some young men whom he saw

to the right and left of him. Living as he did some few miles away from the town, he felt that he was ou a different footing to many present, and ou that account be had special reason to thank them tor the honor of placing him in the chair that night, as by so doing they recognised that he had sympathies oatside his own particular locality. He was satisfied that not only Oreytown was represented that night bat all Wairarapa, and he saw in that room, men whose faces were well" known to him. It was peculiarly gratifying to see such an amount of good fellowship in a district. The young fellows present who were leaving for Kimberley had, with one or two exceptions, sprung from the pioneers of the Wairarapa, He could safely say they were nearly all born within the Wellington provincial district, and in taking the step they bad now committed themselves to, he trusted they would themselves, as acquit well as their fathers had done before them under similar circumstances. He was satisfied that the Kimberley expedt tionists from Greytown would conduct themselves as men should. The gathering that night should be an incentive to them to bear up under adversity, should such overtake them, and not give in when difficulties met them and slip by the road. He expressed the hope that they would come back with characters unstained and worthy of those they sprang from. Although be (the speaker) had not been so long a settler in the Wairarapa be bad had thirty years experience in the colonies, and at ;one time eveu project ed a trip to Queensland. However, be had eventually concluded to throw in bis lot with the settlers in the Wairarapa. He had visited Victoria and New South Wales, but he was glad he had come ultimately to the Wairarapa. Now, he did not wish to discourage the Greytown ten, and any remarks he (Ur Buchanan) might make he hoped tney would receive in the same good spirit in which they were offered ; but he would point out that although this climate (New Zealand) admits of all sorts of liberties being taken by a strong young men, and they might gather round a festive board and indulge in good liquor, such as their present host provided, they will find they must be extremely cautious where they are going. They must guard against fever, ague and other troubles. He would also point out that they should remember to touch as little as they can of intoxicants, as they wonld find the climate and probably the quality of the drink there very different to what they were leaving. He was sure they would pardon him lor the words he had uttered. They were only doing what he did thirty yean ago. He wished them every prosperity and success and a speedy return. There were some at that hospitable hoard that night who would have another patting that should be only witnessed by a limited number, and he hoped while away, “the tea” would carry green memories of those they left behind. The company drank to 11 The Greytown Ten’’ with enthusiasm.

Mr John Jackson, of Stonestead, infresponding, said—Mr Buchanan and gentlemen: Allow me to thank you on behalf of our party, for this kind reception to night. I can assure you it was wholly unexpected by us. 1 hope we may be Lack in twelve months, and see you all well and alhe. It is our hope that we may return wit> “ a pile." In six mouths we shall probably know our fate. We hope to leave on Monday. We have availed ourselves of the kindness and good advice of Ur Her, who has supported us with both medicine and advice. ( Applause. Mr H. Udy, tertius, said—My friend, Mr Jackson, has,said all I can say. Allow me to thank you most heartily lor the handsome manner in which yon have treated ns all to-night. (Applause). Mr De Clifton sang “Gold, Gold,* Gold, How 1 Love to Hear it Jiogle," and upon being encored, sang “ Tommy Dodd."

The Chairman said hs had another duty to perforin in the same direction ; when Britons get together they generally go in fur manly games such as placed the nation to the fore in producing men to whom its honor and glory depends. Oreytown has always been a worthy example in this respect, and football and cricket had done much toward bringing them there that night. To show the unselfish efforts that three of the members of the eon* tmgent have displayed toward the interest of their club, he had been asked by their cornrades to present them with a memento of their esteem. It had been intended to parchase three revolvers, but the committee had left to each individual of the three to choose for himself. He would hand the purse to Mr U ly, as it would be remembered that Mr Udy was a member of the New Zealand Representative team that proceeded to Australia two years ago, and any football team in the world should be proud of Mr Udy. dr Udy briefly responded in accepting the gift, an this Udy.e<^!^ b 7 h > brother) Air W. Udy on the piano, sang "i never >.-* so much sold in my life." Mr P, Cotter, jnn , sang au amusing Irish comic song. Mr B. Kimberley pioposed “ The Press,’' coupled with the name of Mr C. Higgins of the Waibasapa Stardabd. Mi Higgins briefly responded. Toe Chairman spoke in very eulogistic terms of Mr K. Wilkie (one of the ten) who he «aid had boon with hint two years* and if he made as good a mats aa a servant, l e would it au undoubted acquisition to the Company. Mr II Udy, jam, saug “ The Grsen New thum.” Mr Loasby proposed “iTboLadiaii” OOSplftt with the noise of Mi Johp hekMO*

Mr Jackson replied in evitable tame. Mr Da Clifton ia some well chosen and appropriate remarks proposed " The Digger,” which was well received. Dr Bey in proposing the next toast ** On* Host,” said they bad some there that night to teach ihe chords of the best side of humanity, and no ene knew better than Mr Hammerioh that the way t > get at a man’s heart was through his stomach. Mr Hammerich .had done his duty grandly on that occasion. Mr Hammerioh suitably responded. Mr de Clifton proposed the health of the Chairman, which was responded to with musical honors, andthecompany, which numbered 35, dispersed.