THE HON. J. McKENZIE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 89, 17 April 1899, Page 3

THE HON. J. McKENZIE.

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS

The Hon. J. McKenzie, Minister for Lands, who left by the San Francisco mail steamer to-day en route for London and Scotland, was the recipient of an address at the Metropolitan Hotel on Saturday night. The Minister arrived at the hotel punctually at eight o'clock, and he was escorted to the public room, where a large number were waiting his arrival. He was accompanied by the Hon. TV. Swanson and others, Piper Fotheringham (in full Highland costume) heading- the party and playing the bagpipes 92nd Gordon Highlander's Quickstep. A large number of influential citizens sat clown at the refreshment table, Mr D, Goltlie (Mayor of Auckland) presiding, while the Hon. Mr McKenzie also occupied a position at the head of the table. Others present were:—Dr. King, Major Murray, Hon. TV. Swanson, Messrs J. J. Holland, M.H.K., F. Lawry, M.H.R., Arthur M. Myers, Geo. Fraser, G. Mueller, J. Home, «T, Stewart, C.E., J. Chambers. T, W. Leys, Thos. Peacocke, John Reid, Murchie, A. H. Grainger, W. Adams, j .1. Brown, Wm. Douglas, G. M. Main, Thos. Finlayson, and the joint honi secretaries Messrs J. W. Mackay, H. N. Simson, and Colin Campbell, also Mr O. McWhinney, private secretary to Ihe Hon. J. McKenzie, and Mr B. Wilson, private secretary to the Hon. A. J. Cadman. When the guest of the evening was seated Piper Fotheringham played 'The MeKenzie's Farewell to Rothshire.' The toast of 'The Queen' was proposed by Mr A. Myers and duly honoured. The Mayor said on behalf of the Scotch residents of Auckland he wished to extend to Mr McKenzie sympathy in his present state of illhealth, and present him with an address pn the eve of his departure. Mr Goldie hoped their guest would return from his trip thoroughly restored, to enable him to continue the work he had been doing. (Applause.) The Mayor then read the address (which has been signed by over 100 Seotchraey. about 30 coming in after it had been engrossed), as follows: — 'We, the Undersigned, representing the Scottish residents of the provincial district of Auckland, desire, on the eve of your departure from this colony, with the object of paying a temporary visit to your native country, to tender to you our high appreciation of your success as a colonist of 40 yearsr.standing in this fair land of your adoption. Although many of lus may not take the same view of public matters as you have done, we are of opinion that in your public capacity, and also as a private citizen, you have always been actuated hv ih honest, desiro to advance the best interests of this colony. We regret exceedingly that you have for some time past been in indifferent health but we sincerely hope and trust your visit to your native, heath will have the effect of restoring it perfectly. Wishing you, Mrs McKenzie, and family, long life and also all earthly blessings, and a speedy return to. the land of your adoption.' Mr Thomas Peacock proposed the toast 'The Hon. J. McKenzie, our guest to-night.'-..He .said there might be some reason why he should oc-. eupy the position, because he could claim'Mr McKenzie as-one of his old friends. They were in the House for many sessions together, and for several" years he, their old friend, the Hon. W. Swanson, and the speaker, lived together, and saw a great deal oil each other, and although they were on opposite sides of. the House, that did not affect their friendship. They recognised in Mr McKenzie not only independence, of character, but 1 borough and sterling honesty, and that he would not spare himself for what he considered the best interests of the colony. All who had come into contact with him would admit that he was a man capable of thinking out a subject for himself, and when he had done so, he was not easily pushed aside from it. Mr Peacock regretted that Mr McKenzie should have to go away for his health, and was sure that they all heartily wished that he would come back thoroughly .invigorated, and capable of many useful years in the colony. _ The toast was drank amid enthusiastic applause, 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow,' was sung, and -cheers were given for Mr McKenzie and Mrs and Miss McKenziei The Hon. Mr McKenzie, who was heartily received on rising, said he could assure them that he had great pleasure in thanking them for the very kindly mariner in which they had ! drunk his'health, and also for coming 'to .meet him. He also thanked them for their address. He had to leave j the country owing to his health.' He had something wrong with him that ! must be put right. That was why he 1 was leaving the colony. He was . not a vain man, but he did i not think that any public, man 'leaving the colony had got as many tokens of respect and regard ;as he had. He had asked himself why he should be singled out to receive all these marks. If it was, because he had endeavoured to do his duty as a colonist and public man. he | could only say that he had done nothing but his duty. He was one of those men who thought out a subject i'foi himself,'and he followed it out as far as he could. Anyone in a position [ similar to that of the speaker who did not embrace the opportunity to !do "-ood to those who had placed him in that position would not be doing' ! his duty. The question with which i !he was mbst connected was the land 1 question. Coming here from a coun--1 try where one man had power in one, land sometimes two "or three parishes, to say whether a man should or chould not live there, and human beings were considered a nuisance, his hearers could understand that he | came deeply impressed with the conviction that he would try and prevent anything of the sort in this colony, if he ever had the power. He thought no matter on What side of politics they were, all would agree that large landed proprietors, with a great many rack-rented tenants, should not be in this country. He thought his endeavour in this connection was one.of the reasons why he had been given so many marks of esteem. I would, be his stern duty while, away to look after the interests of the colony of New Zealand. He was very glad to see that the gathering that evening was not confined to Scotchmen, The address would be cherished by him, and handed down to his children when he had 'crossed the bar.' (Cheers.) The toast of 'The Army and Navy' was proposed by Major Murray, and responded to by Dr. King. Mr John Brown proposed the next toast, 'The Parliament of New Zealand,' coupled with the names of

Messrs Swanson, Lawrj, and Holland.

The Hon. Mr Swanam briefly acknowledged the toast. Mr Lawry said he ha! been associated with Mr McKenzie in Parliament for some twelve years, and also with Mr Swanson for a similar period. He would point out that Mr'McKenzie was once a shepherd, Mr Svianson a shipbuilder, Mr Holland a ia-rpenter, and he (Mr Lawry) a milkrian. It would ■therefore be seen there! was no limit to which the young people of New Zealand could rise under our democratic Government. On, behalf of the Parliament of which he was a member, he thanked them heartily for the manner in which the tjiast had been driiink. He would justi point out in conclusion that the addiess handed to Mr McKenzie that night was of a nonpolitical character, and far that reason he had no doubt Mr McKenzie would appreciate it more thaii any he had got in the colony. Air Holland, in reply, said when he came into the room he was accused of not being- a Scotchman, but he might say the better half of hira was Scotch, and a McKenzie at that. (Laughter.) He thought the Parliament of ]\ Tew Zealand would compare with any in the Australian colonies. With regard to Mr McKenzie, he mijjht say that whatever the Minister fox Lands did it was done with an honeJt heart, and stubborn at that. He studied the interests of the colony fri everything He hoped that Mr MclLenzie would come back restored in health and vigour, and able to tales up his old position in Parliament. Mr Frank Lawry proposed 'The agricultural and commercial interests of Auckland,' coupled with the names of Messrs J. Eeid, ,T. Chambers, A. Myers, and T. Finlayson. In the course of some remarks the speaker said the prices of produce just now were, not remunerative to the peoy/le who had brought about the production. Matters commercially in the colony he thought were fairly prosperous. It was the duty of Parliament, by legislation and other ways, to do all it could to foster the agricultural interest. The toast was suitably responded to by Messrs Chambers,'Reid,'Myers, and Finlayson. The last-named' speaker said if Auckland got fair play there was a great future before it, and its position would help to make it one of the cities of the world. Auckland's industries and manufactures were also referred to by Mr Finlayson, and he spoke of the splendid display of-locally made articles at the recent exhibition. There were many who did not know of the extent of oiiir local manufactures, and he was glad to say that they Avere all getting on pretty well. He predicted that Auckland would yet be a groat manufacturing city. Mr A. H. Grainger responded for the pastorfll interest. Other toasts proposed were 'The Press.' coupled with the names of Messrs T. W. Lews and G. M. Main, proposed by Mr McKenzie, responded to by the, gentlemen named; 'The Ladies,' proposed by Mr Murray, responded to by Mr Fraser: 'The Chairman,' proposed by Mr McKenzie, responded to by Mr Goldie; and 'To Our Next Merry Meeting.' During the evening- Messrs George Trenwith and Mewburn rendered acceptable trios, Mr Frank Lawry gave a capital recitation, and Mr Menzies sang a couple of Scotch songs, which were much appreciated. Mr England also contributed a vocal item, and Mr Mackay gave a recitation. Piper Fotheringham also played a selection, the gathering endinpr with the singing of 'Avtikl Lang Syne.' Mr. Morrison, of the Metropolitan Hotel, served up a capital repast. The organisers of the 'send-off' were Messrs J. W. McKay, H. N. Simson, and Colin Campbell, and they are to be congratulated on the complete arrangements made for the success of the evening's programme.