MR. A. W. HOGG.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4896, 7 December 1894, Page 3

MR. A. W. HOGG.

Complimentary Social.

A complimentary social to Mr A. W, Hogg, M.H.R., member for Masterton, was held last evening in the Drill Hall, Masterton, between four and fivo hundred people being present.

' Visitors were present from all partsof tlio district, includingsovoral leading Bush settlors. Mr J. D. Heagerty, Mayor of Groytown occupied a scat on the platform, with several of Mr Hogg's immediate supporters, MrC. Hughes, President of tlio North Wairarapa Liberal Association, presiding, Proceedings wero opened by the Chairman with a shortspcecli shortly after eight o'clock. Vocal items by Mr Cyril Ginders and Mr ,T. Lilly followed, and also a number of dances, the iloor being in excellent condition, and very good music being supplied by Gray's Masterton Qnadnllo Band, At 10 o'clock Mr C, Hughes called upon Mr A. Vile, who read apologies fromMnisters, who, owing to proswere unable to he present, and from members of the House, who had been invited to attend,

Mr C, Hughes then in a few well

chosen words, presented Mr Hogg with the testimonial (the text of which has been already published in our columns) and a purse of sovereigns, and called on Mr Heagerty, Mayor of Greytown, to say a fow words.

Mv Heagerty said lie had. muoli pleasure in being present to do honor to whom honor was due. Ho had never met an all-round better and mora useful representative than Mr HAgg, who 'was not only a friend to his own constituency, but a statesman whoworked well in the country's cause. lie was proud to make one of those present to do honor to the Member for Mnsterton (applause It was chiefly owing to Mr Hogg's advocacy that the settlers in the district obtained an expenditure of £70,000 on much needed works, and , he was proud of Mr Hogg's attidude. It was something to be proud of to be a Liberal and a follower of Mr Gladstone, Mr Hallance, and the Member for Mastcrton (applause) He advised the, Mastorton Liberals to stick together and long retain Mr Hogg's services, and lie hoped Mr Hogg would for many years to come continue to represent the electors of Masterton (applause.) Mr Hogg, who was received with prolonged applauso, said ho did not know in what terms he could adequately respond to the presentation, or the eloquent speeches of Messrs Hughes and Heagerty, He could tell them this, that thoughhe valued the presentation very highly, ho valued far more the expression of good-will and esteem (applause) The purse's contents would alas!soon melt, (Laughter) but the kind reception, and the hearty greeting, would never fade from his memory as long as he lived. He would be doing a great Tyrong if he did not accept the kind plantation, but if it did nothing else it would encourage men to come forward to represent the interests of the people and not merely a few wealthy persons, It was a well-known fact that a member of Parliament had to virtually support two homes during a portion of the year. This could not be done without money. Perhaps, unfortunately, he had never been ambitions to obtain wealth, and so long asjie was able to pay his way and to jjfo justice to all, he had been satisfied) He had always kept this aim in view, and during the whole course of his parliamentary career he could honestly say he had acted disinterestedly, and for the good of his constituents. (Applause). It had been said by some that ho had got more than his due share for his constituency, but this was not so. Masterton District was a most progressive one, and had relieved the jvhole labour market of tho country, and therefore was it unreasonable to ask the Government to give rowls and bridges to enablo tho settlers from all parts of New Zealand to got at tlieir land and to send out their produce? (Cries of "No! No!") He had always been ready to advocate works for the good of tho people in any part of the Colony. In doing what they had for the Masterton district the Government had bad the full support of all the House, and nothing that had been gianted had been given grudgingly; all the members recognised that the works were to the country's advantage. He was extremely glad to see tho present large gathering, and if some of those present differed from him, it was no reason why he should turn his back on them, He did his best for the wholo; for all tho people of New Zealand, and had done so since entering Parliament. He hoped never to be regarded as a Parish or Vestry politician, but had supported tho present Ministry because ho believed the measures introduced by them were in tho true interests of the people. Ho did not intend to say much on politics, because they bad met for harmony. He had sometimes been accused of "brazen effrontery." Well, he was not afraid to meet any audionce if this was meant, but there was one thing ho could not do, and that was waltz round a room, (Laughter). Therefore he had to Bit and watch the others doing so. However, thsre was ono thing his constitueujlrtould certainly be sure of, and thafwas that while in Wellington he was not waltzing round the city instead of attending to their interests. (Applause). Ho could tell them that he never yet had attended levees or similar functions, but had stuck close to work wlieu in town. Again heartily thanking those present for attending, and for the kindness done him he said tho money —he could assure them—would bo well-spent, (ho did not known whether hccouldsay ithadbeen well, earned). (A voice;" Oh yes it has,") He was pleased to see so many ladies present, and it gave him pleasure indeed in gazingon so much youth and beauty, to think of tho part he had taken in obtaining tho franchise for women. (Applause), Again thanking them from the bottom of his heart for tho spontaneous acknowledgmentofthcirappreciation of his efforts he would resume his seat.

Mr T. E. Price called for three cheers, and said all would join in wishing with him, that tho day was aot vory far distant, when Mr Hogg would hold one of the highest political positions in New Zealand. Threo hearty cheers were then given and the supper room was then opened, Here visitors found a splendid array of all the good things imaginable, taatofully set out and decorated with choice flowers, and the. fullest justice was—it !b needlees to saydone to tho excellent repast.

The tables were under the control of Mesdames Taylor, JlcArdle,

Solor, Humpbi-ics (Taueru), Rassmussou, Darloy and O'Connor, and tbo Misses E, Cullou and L, WilJiams, to whom great credit is due as having undertaken a vory groat portion of tlio work,

Tlio Hall was decorated by Mr T. Jago, ably assisted by Mr W. Darloy, Walker and othors, and the furniture was kindly lent by Messrs Hounslow and Hoar, After supper songs wore rendered by Miss 0. Corbett and Mr W. Simms, and an instrumental quartette by Messrs Gray (2), Nicol and MiniHe, each item being received with marked appreciation, Miss Pearson acted as accompanist giving comploto satisfaction. A vote of thanks to tho ladies was proposed by Mr W. Cullou and re--1 spouded to by Mrs P. Taylor; to the 'Chairman by Mr Stomps, responded to by Mr C. Hughes; and to tlio Band by Mr A. Vile Tho on tei'tftimnent concluded ftboui midnight, all present seeming to thoroughly enjoy the proceedings.

Amongst other apologies for nonatkMulnnco at the social was a tologi'n ii from the Hon, A, J, Cadman as follows:-"I regret very much that pressure of work prevents any nuxibor of tho Ministry being presenl, Wo are all pleased to see that Ml Hogg's services nro fully appreciated by his constituents, and I hope the samo feeling of regard for him will obtain until the eonstitu-eiicy-more especially the female portion of it—lms another opportunity of emphasising it in a practical way at the ballot box."