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The West Australian
25 October, 1892
The Dinner.
(From our Correspondent.)
At about half an hour after the advertised time, the repeated whistlings of the locomotive in the station, succeeded in apprising ticket holders that the dinner in honour of His Excellency, Sir William Robinson, was ready. Accordingly, a general move was made towards the Alpha Hall, where, under the management of Mr. Wand and staff, the dinner was laid. The chair was occupied by the Hon. Mr. J. Arthur Wright, M.L.C., president of the society. The President had on his right, His Excellency the Governor, the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. W. E. Marmion, M.L.A.,) Mr. K. Adam R.M., and Mr. W. H. Graham. On the left were the Colonial Secretary (Mr. Parker M.L.C.), Mr. F. H. Piesse M.L.A., Mr. A. Y. Hassell M.L.A., Mr. J. F. T. Hassell, Mr. R. S. Climie, and Capt. Stuart, A.D.C. The other guests, upwards of forty in all, disposed themselves along the return tables, on either side of the spacious hall.
His Excellency The Governor Sir William Robinson
When a most substantial repast had been done fall justice to, the President requested that all glasses be charged, and proposed the toast of “The Queen,” which having been duly honoured, glasses were again charged, and the President, in proposing the health of His Excellency the Governor, said that His Excellency had so closely identified himself with the interests and destinies of the colony that he was almost a West Australian himself, and consequently they ought to be proud to see him amongst them.
He had come upwards of 500 miles (805 km) in 36 hours on purpose to do honour to their show, and that was enough to show the interest he took in the agricultural industries. Their most hearty thanks were undoubtedly due to him for coming, and he (the speaker) was sure that the trip would open His Excellency’s eyes to the great and radical change which had taken place in the country since his first view of it. At that time there was little belief in the productive capacity of this part of the colony, but he believed that eventually it would prove itself the premier district. He concluded by again thanking His Excellency for coming amongst them and called for bumpers to his health.
His Excellency, who was most enthusiastically received, said that it was now l8 years since he had travelled from Perth to Albany, for the first time. On that occasion the journey occupied four days, the road going somewhere near Kojonup. It was then generally considered that from Eticup right on to South Australia was a barren desert, but time seemed to completely demolish this belief. The railway had done a great deal for this part of the country, and the W.A. Land Company deserved the hearty thanks of the farming community.
Attention should be given to the cultivation of vegetables, of which they had seen such fine samples at the show. It rested altogether with the residents to prove the country, and there was no apparent reason why as fine corn, fruit, and vines should not be grown in this district as anywhere on the face of the earth. (Applause.)
He desired to heartily congratulate the people on the progress already made, and on the possession of the railway, which had done so much to open up the district. They had now got self-government, and he would remind them that they were legislating not only for themselves, but for posterity. His Excellency then briefly touched on the mineral resources of the colony as shown by the recent gold finds. When he first came, he had been presented with a small piece of gold, the only result of one of the earliest claims. He had had this made into a ring which he had worn ever since. (Applause.) He believed that in the time to come West Australia would be the richest gold bearing colony of all. In conclusion, he wished, the society and the district generally every success and prosperity in the future.
Mr. J. F. T. Hassell proposed “The Ministry.” He felt quite sure the country had been wise in its choice of those who had naturally exercised so much control over the destinies of the country.
The Colonial Secretary (Mr. Parker) responded. He thanked the proposer for the confidence he had manifested in the Ministry of the country. Individually he would do his best to do his duty to the country as a Minister. He also had come 500 miles (805 km) to be present among them, and he felt glad he had come. He had been brought up an ardent agriculturist, and he could see that the cereals of the district were excellent. He hoped that it would not be long before there would be sufficient wheat grown in the district to keep Mr. Piesse’s mill going all the year round. He would also advocate the growth of potatoes, cauliflowers, cabbages, and other garden produce.
The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. Marmion), also responded. He said that the Government had done their best to advance the interests of the colony and would continue to mould its destinies to the best of their power. The policy of Sir John Forrest was possibly considered too bold by some of the public, but it was a good one. Money had been borrowed and spent, but it had been spent well. Money spent in opening up the country by establishing railway communication was always well expended, and the Great Southern Railway was a great idea.
He would recommend the opening up of the country by other lines of railway, as far as practicable. Mr. Marmion then commented briefly on the Fremantle Harbour expenditure, and the Yilgarn Railway, and again returned thanks for the manner in which the toast had been received.
Mr. R. S. Climie proposed “The Legislative Council and Assembly.” He said that they should be proud of their representatives. It was only two years since the colony had had got Responsible Government, {2} {3}and since that time it bad been literally advancing by leaps and bounds. He knew that the toast would be received in the manner it deserved.
Mr. J. A. Wright, M.L.C., responded briefly. He alluded to the loss sustained by the death of the late Sir Thomas Campbell. He then rather humorously compared the Council to the brake on a train in regard to its being a check on the Assembly. He thanked all for the manner in which the toast had been received and expressed the hope that all the legislators would do their duty to the State and to the colony.
Mr. F. H. Piesse, M.L.A., also responded, and at some length gave a resume of the rapid rise of the district in which they were, a rise which had taken place in little more than three years. He was sorry not to see more old settlers present on an occasion such as that was. He had listened with pleasure to His Excellency’s remarks about the capabilities of the soil of the district. It was merely for want of facilities that the place had not been pushed forward more rapidly.
The speaker instanced Katanning as a town of rapid growth and commented on the advantages of a generous rivalry in pushing trade. The fruit industry was a very important one, and they should unite and be the first to export fruit. Care should also be taken to prevent the importation of noxious weeds, notably the stinkwort.
Mr. A. Y. Hassell, M.L.A., also responded and dwelt in terms of praise on those who had been active in starting this large district on the road to prosperity. He congratulated Messrs. F. H. Piesse, H. Climie, R. S. Climie, and others on their enterprise and its eminently successful results.
The toast of “Prosperity to the Broomehill Agricultural Society,” was then proposed by His Excellency, who in a short and appropriate speech, reiterated his good wishes for success and prosperity.
Mr. W. H. Graham responded and returned warm thanks. They were highly honoured by His Excellency’s presence; it marked the rising importance of the district. There was now every hope for the rapid improvement of the district. Shows of this kind should prove an education to farmers, and the country should reap the benefit.
The Roads Boards had great responsibility too, and it was their duty to do their utmost to provide facilities for carrying produce to the railway stations. West Australia was unquestionably going to the front, and although he had travelled almost all over the world he had never yet seen a soil or climate equal to that of West Australia’s.
“Prosperity to the Agricultural and Pastoral Industries of the District,” was proposed by the Commissioner of Crown Lands. He said that with soil, climate, and almost, every other natural condition favourable there was every advantage given to settlers to prosper, and the district should have a great future before it. There had been severe losses in the north both in sheep and cattle, but that was scarcely to be apprehended here. In conclusion, he warmly advocated voluntary taxation through the Roads Boards, as one of the greatest factors in the future welfare of the country.
The toast was responded to by Messrs. J. F. T. Hassell, H. E. Parry and E. W. Steere, who expressed every faith in the future of the district. The toast-list was brought to a close by “The Ladies,” proposed by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, and briefly responded to by Capt. Stuart, A.D.C.
His Excellency and the members of the Ministry left by the 6 p.m. train. They dined en route at the Katanning Hotel, and left for Perth at 11.15 p.m.
In the evening the Alpha Hall was crowded to excess to hear the Lynch Family of Bellringers, who gave a performance with their well-known excellence. After the performance a ball was held which was kept up till daylight. The hall which has only recently been erected by Mr. Hack, reflects every credit on him. It is spacious and possesses an especial attraction to the dancing community, in its floor, which is of 4-inch karri tongue and groved. The stage is well fitted up, and on the whole Broomehill may well be congratulated upon the possession of a building so well calculated to afford room for public entertainments.
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