BANQUET TO LORD ONSLOW.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 96, 24 April 1889, Page 8

BANQUET TO LORD ONSLOW.

His Excellency the Governor was entertained at a banquet in the Choral Hall last nighb by the Freemasons. The decorations were well designed and excellently carried out. Lord OnsloY? was so pleased with the decorations that he referred to them subsequently in his remarks, and in the course of private conversation he also expressed his gratification and admiration at the manner in which the banquet had been gob up. Mr Charles Canning, of St. Mungo Cafe, Queen-street, was the caterer, and the arrangements.generally were carried out by Mr Castles in a manner which would reflect credit on any of the Homo establishments. The Countess of Onslow graced tho banquet with her presence and was escorted to a scat on tho platform.

In responding to the toast of the evening, Lord Onslow said: Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren, —I need hardly tell you how gratified I felt when I learnt of the early steps which you took to welcome me on ray arrival as a Mason, for although I was assured of your loyalty, and knew that when fully invested I would not fail to meet with manifestations of loyalty, yet 1 felt some misgiving as to tho manner of the reception which would be given to the humble individual who for the next five years is to do his best to represent Her Most Gracious Majesty in this colony. (Cheers.) When I found such an influential section of the community prepared to accord me such a welcome, it gave me encouragement to proceed with my task, and it proves, if proof were wanted, how the craffi gives welcome help •when required. I recollect when I was initiated, I asked Home of my elder brethren what was the use of Freemasonry. Of course I understood all about the dinners given at Oxford and Cambridge, but my elders then told me that tho time would come when I would appreciate tho benefits of belonging to the Masonic body, and, brethren, that day came to me on the 22nd of April, 1889, in the cordial welcome which I received from you and the citizens of Auckland. Thau cordial welcome and your invitation was followed by one from the Auckland Racing Club, and at their meeting1 I for the first time saw that ingenious machine you call the tofcalisator, and if I continue on tho same favourable terms on which I commenced I shall have no reason to regret my acquaintance with it. (Laughter.) Lot me thank you and the citizens generally for tho great kindness I have been met with. I have met with oilers of sport and amusements from all quarters, but all my life I have been a man of business, and my duty is to proceed without delay to the seat of Government and take office. I have seen your magnificent town and harbour, and I learn that it has one characteristic with Wellington inthac it possesses aCJ-overnmenb House. (Applause.) I think wherever Englishmen are found they will continue the same whether under the Northern Star or the Southern Cross, and none will bo more anxious to lend help to each other than the brethren of the craft. We all know the groat interest which is now being manifested in drawing tho mother country and the colonies together. Let us not overlook one of these bonds which has for its principles good fellowship and federation, which are those of the symbols and emblems of Freemasonry, and which shall combine throughout the whole empire of our Empress Queen. (Loud and prolonged cheering.)