THE DINNER.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2343, 3 April 1866, Page 5

THE DINNER.

A dinner took place in the evening, at Osgood's Empire Hotel, in honor of the competitors. It was given by the officers of tho Militia and Volunteers of the Province of Wellington, of •whom there was a very large attendance. The dining-hall at Osgood's was well lighted up and ornamented, and the dinner served up was of the most elaborate and recherche description. The wines were of the best and rarest; we oven noticed some bottles of tho celebrated " Golden Water "on the table. As Mr. Osgood's name is a sufficient guarantee of everything having been prepared comme il faut, it is unnecessary for us to particularise the various gastronomic delicacies which he laid before his guests. Captain Ludlam officiated as Chairman, and was supported by Corporal Christie (the Champion) on his right, and the Hon. Mr. Stafford on his left. At the same table sat His Honor My. Justice Johnston, the Hon. Col. Haultain, the Hon. Mr. Russell, tho Hon. Mr. Paterson, and the Eev. Mr. Stock. Amongst the other guests, of whom there were about sixty, we might mention the names of Messrs. Holt, Buckley, Pharazyn, Hunter (2), Borlase, Ledger, G. Moore, G. Hart, G-. H. Vennell, B. Pearce, Major Grey, Major Cargill, Capt. Kirwan, Captain Cleland, Capt. Mills, Lieut. Holmes, the successful competitiors, &c, After the cloth had been drawn, the Chairman proposed " The Health of the Queen," which was responded to with all due honors, and Mr. Bussell (for we should have mentioned, that the able sorvices of this gentleman had been secured) played the National Anthem. The health of tho "Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Eoyal Family" was next proposed by the Chairman, and duly responded to ; while tho air of " God Bless the Prince of Wales" was played. Mr. Ludltun then proposed " The Health of the Governor," and referred to his conduct at the time the settlers in this Province had been driven back in 1843, and said he considered that the success of this province was due to Sir George Grey'a exerI tions in former years. The toast was received with enthusiasm. The Chairman then rose and said, that having proposed the health of the Governor, he would now ask them to drink to the health of " The present Ministry, His Excellency's responsible advisors." He adverted to the exertions of Mr. Stafford and Colonel Russell, when about 30 years ago the Hutt was threatened by the natives whose chief had said that he would eat up the settlers there. He trusted that the old friendship which had so long existed with several of the Ministry would always continue, and that those of them who were new friends to him would become old and cherished ones. (Hear, hear.) The toast having been duly honored, the Hon. Mr. Stafford rose and, in replying, said, that he had been often called upon to respond to toasts and mako speeches, but on no occasion had he done 80 with greater pleasure than the present. On an occaaion like the one for which they wore assembled, he might state that ho believed in that principle, which, indeed, every New Zealand Government must support, namely, self-reliance, for it was a principle which was inculcated and upheld by the people themselves, and what could better encourage this than meetings such as tho one they had lately had. Ho could underI stand how proudly tho gentleman who had won tho first two prizes would return to their homes and show their friends that they had not come up to Wellington for nothing. These gentlemen had well earned these prizes, for they had obtained their proficiency by hard work and constant pratice and attention ; great credit was also due to their officer, Major Cargill, who had come up and attended to them until the very last moment. He hoped that this would be an encouragement to the other Provinces to work hard for the reward, and that at the next meeting of the Provinces still larger scores would be made than the very creditable ones which the winners had this time had attached to their names. He thanked those prese nt for the cordial manner in which the health of the present Ministry had been drank, and assured them that nothing should be wanting on tho part of that Ministry to support and encourage the volunteers and militia. The Chairman then proposed " The Health of tho Army, and Navy," which was responded to by Major Gray. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston then rose to propose the next toast, which he said was the toast of the evening, it was that of " The Winner of the Champion Belt, and the other Compe-' titors." He oupposed that the reason why he had been deputed to the peculiar honor of proposing this toast, was, that from tho peculiar position he hold, he was unbiassed by party feeling and unprejudiced by being disconnected with military matters in any way. He alluded to tho loyal hoalths which thoy had already drunk, and said that they must now receive with all honor, that of hiß friend — if he might call him so — on his loft, who had proved hirasolf to be the champion rifle shot of the Colony, and with the health of Mr. Christie, they should drink that of the other competitors, both successful and unsuccessful, who had come forward like men and Englishmen, to do honor to tho man who had overcome them. He then alluded to the importance of rifle practice of this kind, and tho necessity of precision with marksmen. He was glad to. see the good feeling which had been displayed that evening, for it disabused his mind of what ho had heard of Provincial jealousies. He conoluded by calling on them to duly honor the toast of the Champion Shot and other Competitors. The toaßt was received with immense enthusiasm.

Mr. Christie then rose to return tliank^.. He said, he thanked them sincerely for the very c<>rdial manner in which they had drunk his health. He was sure that both lie and the other competitors would long remember with pioasuro-tho kind reception which they had recoived in Wellington. He truly hoped that the noxt time the belt was won it would be taken by a better score ; ' aa Otago had had the honor of taking the champion belt this year, he hoped she would retain it for many years to come. (Cheers.) Mr. R. Hart then proposed the health of the "Colonial Forces" to which the Hon. Colonel ' Haultain responded. The toasts of the Superintendent, of His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, and some others, were then drunk, and the company separated at a late hour, expressing themselves highly pleased with, their evening's entertainment.