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Early Wellington

Political Dinner

Political Dinner.

A dinner was given to Mr. Samuel Skey at Barrett's Hotel, in celebration of his election as a member for the city of Wellington, by his friends and supporters, on Thursday evening, 23rd October, 1856. The “N.Z. Spectator” of the 25th, commenting on the affair, states:—

“The Government Organ is at no pains to conceal the deep mortification experienced by its masters in the return of Mr. Skey as a member of the Provincial Council, and the spite and malice with which they assail the newly elected member, and those who voted for him, enable us in some degree to estimate the bitterness of their defeat.… . Under the plea of publishing it as a piece of news, the ‘Independent’ has thought fit to give a list of those who voted for Mr. Skey. There can be no mistake as to the motive which prompted this proceeding, however transparent the disguise thrown over it, nor could the governing party have damaged themselves so heavily by any other step. An attempt is made to intimidate voters from exercising their electoral franchise according to their conscience and judgment, by the threat of publicity whenever they shall presume to vote in opposition to the wishes of the Government party. Of course the supporters of Mr. Quin cannot be surprised to find the example which has been set followed; and we publish the names of those who voted for Mr. Quin, that the public, by having both lists placed before them, may have a better opportunity of coming to a right conclusion.”

Mr. E. J. Wakefield, writing to the Editor of the “Spectator” on the 23rd October, 1856, states:—

“Since the “Independent” has honoured me, and other electors who voted for Mr. Skey, by printing a list of our names, supplied by a fictitious gentleman signing himself “Fact,” I hope you will not object to return the compliment by printing the enclosed list of those who voted for Mr. Quin, which I have myself copied from the voting papers.”

One hundred and four names are appended, including some well-known names, viz.:—Messrs. Brandon, Brewer, Catchpool, Cheeseman, Chew, Fitzherbert, Holdsworth, Joseph, Knowles, Lyon, Donald McLean, Thos, McKenzie, Rev. Moir, J. Plimmer, Richardson (2), W. W. Taylor, C. D. R. Ward, G. Waters, and Jonas Woodward.

Mr. W. Bishop also wrote to the “Independent” (the letter appearing in the “Spectator”).

“Sir,—In a style of affected dignity and dictatorial superiority, but displaying at the same time both soreness and spitefulness, you arraign me before a public for voting for Mr. Samuel Skey. I do not concede to you, Sir, being a political partisan.… . Now tell the truth for once, Mr. ‘Independent;’ is not all this explosion of suppressed wrath page 167 because your two great guns did not go off with quite such a loud bang as you expected?.… . I have no wish to throw dirty water upon Representative Institutions, but seeing this Metropolitan City of the Kingdom of Wellington, with its population of three thousand, including the babies, made the stage for a farcical game of King, Lords and Commons, with its Premier and Sergeant-at-Arms; its questions of privilege and its standing orders; its revenue of hundreds of pounds and its debt of tens of thousands—one may well be excused for trying even an experiment like the present, or hope of bringing the ideas of our Legislators down to the common wants of every day life.”

The account of the dinner which was held at Barrett's Hotel on Thursday, 23rd October, 1856, and the speeches, occupied five columns and a half of the issue of the “Spectator” of that date. About sixty-four persons partook, and the proceedings were conducted in the most orderly manner, with the sole exception of the behaviour of a person who attended as a reporter of the “Independent” newspaper, and, in consequence of his unseemly and disorderly conduct, was summarily ejected from the room. Mr. E. J. Wakefield occupied the chair, and Mr. C. Croft was vice-chairman.

After the toast to the Queen was honoured by the company, all standing and singing “God Save the Queen,” other toasts and songs were given as under:—

(1) “Prince Alfred and the Royal Family;” especial mention to the Duke of Cambridge, on account of his distinguished services in the Crimea; song, Mr. Hare, “One Summer Eve I Wandered.” (2) “Army and Navy;” song, Mr. J. Bannister, “The Red, White and Blue.” (3) “His Excellency;” song by Mr. F. Bradey, “The Maids of Merry England.” The chairman then called attention to the special toast of the evening (4) (Mr. Skey). interpolating his speech by quotations from the “Independent,” which he held in his hand. These quotations and subsequent caustic remarks caused shouts of derisive laughter, cheers and interjections. The toast was drunk “three times three” with musical honours, followed by a comic song by Mr. Williams. Mr. Skey's speech was followed by a song “Cheer up, my old Jeanette,” by Mr. Eades. Toast number five was “The People;” song by Mr. R. Cock.

Mr. Croft described Mr. Quin, to the great laughter of his audience, as one who would kill his cat on the Monday for having caught a mouse on Sunday. He also made some marked allusions to the presence of several persons in the room who had voted against Mr. Skey. “He believed it was on principle that, those persons voted for Mr. Quin instead of Mr. Skey; and, no doubt it was “on principle” that they dined with Mr. Skey instead of Mr. Quin. (Great laughter.)

Messrs. R. Hart and Plimmer explained their presence satisfactorily and number six toast, “Mercantile Marine,” was honoured with “three times three” and a song, “Oft in the Stilly Night.” Mr. Bradey then sang “Oh Smile as Now.”

Mr. Valentine proposed the health of Mrs. Skey and the ladies of Wellington. Three cheers were lustily given and “Here's a Health to all Good Lassies” roared stentoriously.

Mr. Croft's health was then honoured by three times three, at the prompting of Mr. E. J. Wakefield. Mr. Valen- page 168 tine supplied the song (the name of which was not recorded). The usual compliment to the chair ended a very pleasant meeting.