ENTERTAINMENT TO MAJOR DWYER AND THE OFFICERS OF THE 14th REGT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1616, 10 September 1861, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT TO MAJOR DWYER AND THE OFFICERS OF THE 14th REGT.

On Thursday evening, sth inst., a dinner given by the members of tho Chamber of Commerce and the civilians generally to Msjor Dwyer and the Officers of the 14lh Regt., as a token of the appreciation of the exertions of the Military on the occasion of the late lire, came off at Mr. Mcintosh's New Zealander Hotel. Upwards of forty gentlemen sat down to a banquet spread in truly regal style. High as is the reputation of " mine host," Mr. Mclntosb, oil this occasion all previous enteituintnents were surpassed, and assisted by Mr. Peter Laing, with whose powers to please, the haul ton of the colony are fully acquainted, the banquet was at once sumptuous and rechercl\s.

The invited guests were Major Dwyer, Capt. Russell, Capt. Newland, Lieut. Furneaux, Lieut. Edwards, Dr. Bennett, Ensigns Pulton, McMuhon, and Willis of the 14th, Major Adams, and Lieut. White of the 65th, His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston and Mr, Murdoch. W. M. Bannatyne, Esq., presided and the hon. J. Johnston officiated as vice-chairman. Amongst the company present we noticed many of our leading townsmen.

After tbe cloth had been withdrawn, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and responded to iv a manner that would convince the most sceptical of the loyalty of the inhabitants of this, the most distant of ber most gracious Majesty's colonies. Major Dwyer, in responding to '"The Army and Navy," observed, that he must confess that he was at a loss to reply to the eulogiums tbat had been so kindly expressed by their. .Chairman in proposing the toast. With respect to the Army, as the 14th had been quartered here so short a time, ho would not' say much ; but, as regarded the Navy, he had always • observed that where their combined services were required, the sailors always made the best soldiers. (Cheers) With tegard to the services, rendered by the 14th, he could only say, that' alter the buttle field, the uppermost thought of tho soldier was •* What will they say in England." Nothing was so much prized as thanks at horn?, aud therefore he most cordially on behalf of his brother officers, and the company of the 14th, returned his thanks lor their appreciation, of their conduct on the occasion of the late fire. They had only done their duty, and , if unhappily they shonld be called upon agatti, he trusted they would then be found to do their duty. Of one thing he was certain, that if called upon to act under a different kind of fire, they would do their duty, (cheers.) . His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston in proposing t.ie next toast observed, that, he was proud of tlie hoiur of accepting un invitation to be present that evening. It was always a matter of congratulation to him to be present when different classes met together with one common object. He thought it was highly satisfactory to find that the distinctions which had formerly prevailed with regard rto the civil and military professions were not so strong as formerly — that civilians were growing more, soldierly, while the military evidenced a more lively sympathy with the civiliaus. He hailed with pleasure this growing sympathy between civilians and tbe military, and he thought that

tbe scene presented to them that evening proved that even in the remotest parts of her Majesty'sdominions there was fresh sympathy — fresh feelings of good will towards each other springiii£ up in the two great classes uf the community. He was sure that the banqueUheld there that evening under such happy 'auspices proved .Unit the militarywere held iif high respect by the community at large. ** Out! of evil*, comes good" ' was an old [proverb, aiidA it had been kriily'exenipli filed in. the, piese;nt!iijstance .for to :the late disaster they were indebted for, seeing ; person^ brought together for,, a (fommon .object, such pebasion dirt of necessity, biring^ifietbing df advantage. He had .beeir a with'ess of the late fire and was happy in having tlie opportunity afforded him of testifying the pleasure with -"" which he witnessed the conduct :of the '--.l4'thi < He was sure that if instead of the conflict'being with an antagonistic element, |t had been- with a warlike foe similar results would have followed;; It was a source of great pleasure "that they had v met there that night uot to passa'vainconipli** ment, but as a testimony of xc&) jgood feeling towards their brethren iv arms, and if was^willr ; -great pleasure that he gave themV^^The'liealil^ of our entertainers.'''; DraifJtA with musical

.honors., „ \ ,. ; . , A-— '^; T; v -.« . n >- The hdh'. J. Johnston feturnjdvthariks. -- •!•■:■ A A Mr, R. ,Ho,rt proposed they, hp^ifh j^f.^vorol) their .iuyited .guests. His, ;Hoi*)prj -J^?,A.j|usti<e _ Johnston aiid Capt.: Newland; to ivhiflhttli^e. geutleraen replied.. • , „ A A /./"*'•' * Mr. Woodward proposed the bealth ofjpapf.A ;Adams„ ; attd. /Captain Newldiid;A oi^Js£t#i severalty acknowledged by- those geiitlemeliV '?;■ * Miv Moore jproposed. " The Ladies'", wb'ibrr was spicily responded to by Mi':;Kinrosk'-i*[ '-' * .-'* Major Adams vjpvdpdsed . "Tlief . eh^ber/^C Commerce, an'tf especially their Chairman r /oV ' this yeaiyand oii'r Chaii-man foi; '(iie, evening.-^ Drank g "with three Himes three". A/,.. J'.fv-'fi'bii M>. BannatynWesponded..,.-,. A, JJ-h'i ■:■'■'? ."■ „ A variety, of Vsti tigs iby -ivar-if^iSc'g-ientiQin-SQ'''''' present, kept up, tbe enjoymeut'tpfrihe evening , until after the "we* hour" .'jvheu'thd.bonipattp broke up. •■.'•■■;.•,/.•■., ■■■'.- ■AViAr wi*&vjjj;&' l i' The banquet, as a whole was nfb&i*;sfrfco.6s^fiiil?, and too much praiseA cannot be aWai'iJie^'iel to Mine Host and Mr. Laing ior the. style?, ifi- A which* the entertainment was got tip. 1 .Nothing, we are convinced, ever tended sq^.much . tif'te? , vive home associations as this diurier served iip Id truly VVest, End style, A '„ , ■<- „tfjoss!}fi