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THE BEISBANE HOTEL.
MrJ. W. Simmons having disposed of bis
hotel, famous as 'The Brisbane'. throughout j
the Aiistralias, and arranged to retire into pri- \
vate life, on Thursday evening a party of gen- :
tlemen, about 40 in number, assembled to
speak of old times during Mr Simmons' satis
factory career, and to wish him prosperity in
the future, and a long and peaceful life. Tbe
Hon. John Scott, M.L.C., in proposing tbe
health of Mr Simmons, referred to the long j
period be bad conducted the business, some 29
years ; to the improvements effected for the ;
comfort of visitors, and to the invariable kind
courtesy tbey had always received at his hands. A
few of his old friends and fellow-townsmen re
specting his high character, considered they
should not allow that opportunity ti pass with- :
out assembling to bid bim good bye in his old
capacity, and to wish him and Mrs Simmons
health, prrsperity, and happiness in the
future. Mr H. I. Rooke, M.H.A., had much
pleasure in endorsing the remarks made by
Mr Scott. He also referred to the benevolent 1
disposition of Mr and Mrs Simmons, as ex- j
hibited in their liberality to the sick, the poor, i
and tbe suffering throughout the town. Mr
Henry Edgell, J.P., made some happy remarks ,
as to the pleasure he bad derived from his ;
casual visits to the hotel so ably conducted by I
Mr Simmons, and said be could look back with
pleasure to some intellectual treats he had j
enjoyed at that dinner table. Other gentlemen
6poke of the pleasing reminiscences connected
with Mr Simmons and bis hotel, which was
conducted more like a spacious comfortable
private house, where they had been always
rscsivod courteously, and supplied with useful
business information not easily obtainable else
where. Visitors looked upon tbe Brisbane
as a home, where comfort, cheerfulness, and
courtesy reigned. The health of Mr and Mrs
Simmons was drunk in bumpers of champagne.
Mr Simmons was deeply affected by seeing so
many faces of friends of long-standing about
bim. He thanked them for their though tfulatten- ,
tion and sympathy, and reciprocated their
kind wishes for tbe future prosperity of bim
self and Mrs Simmons. He made a very ex
cellent speech, and concluded by hoping that
the kind support and consideration so liberally
given to him for so many years woidd be
extended to his successor in business, Mr
Panton.
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