OUR AMERICAN VISITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 294, 11 December 1900, Page 3

OUR AMERICAN VISITORS.

-*. COMMANDER TILLEY ENTER-

TAINED.

The Chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., yesterday entertained to luncheon at the Star Hotel Commander Tilley, of the U.S. transport Abarenda,, who is also Governor of Tutuila, Mr F. Dillingham, U.S. Consul, First Lieut Stafford, Dr. lilackwell, and Chief Engineer Russell. The following gentlemen were also present at the invitation of Mr Witheford to meet the visitors: Hon. J. G. Ward, Hon. A. J. Cadman, Captain Duder, Mr J. M. Brigham, and Mr W. Berry. The chair was occupied by Mr Witheford and the vice-chair by Mr Brigham. The toast of "The Queen" was duly honoured, after which the Hon. Mr Ward proposed "The President of the United States," and referred to the undoubted fitness of Mr McKinley to be the head of a great nation. Mr Ward said that when in London in 1595 he had paid some attention to the subject of bi-rnetailism, and attended a great meeting at which Mr Balfour, now leader oi; the House of Commons, was one of the speakers. At the conclusion of the proceedings he had an opportunity of conversing with Mr Balfour on the subject. He indicated to him the difficulties that he could not get over in tlie adoption ol! bi-nietallism, of which Mr Balfour was an advocate, and said he felt sure that if Mr Balfour became a Minister he would find it impossible to do anything practical in the matter. After he left England the Salisbury Administration was formed, and Mr Balfour was placed in an influential position. The bi-metallists communicated with him, expecting that he would be able to take, some practical steps, but Mr Balfour had to reply that that was impossible. He (Mr Ward) felt gratified that the American people had returned Mr McKinley for a second term. This toast was duly honoured, and then the Chairman proposed the ' health of Commander Tilley. He said to that officer had been deputed the important duty of completing the naval - station at Samoa. Commander Tilley, in the discharge of his duty, had made provision for the storage of 25,000 tons of Westport coal, which were to bo obtained from New Zealand, and also a large amount of other supplies were to ba taken from this colony. Commander i Tilley was here about a year ago, and since.then he had been the means of greatly benefiting New Zealand. In responding after the toast had been drunk with enthusiasm, Commander Tilley said that in returning to Auckland he felt as if he were coming home again, so lively was his sense of the kindness and courtesy he had met with on the occasion of his former visit. Mr Witheford proposed the health of the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. G. Ward, and referred to the great improvements introduced under that gentleman's management. While other countries considered the advisability of reforms Mr Ward made beneficial changes. His only regret was that Mr Ward was not an Auckland man.

Mr Ward, in replying-, said that so long as the people of Auckland had the advantage of so energetic and able a representative as Mr Witheford they need be under no apprehension that their interests would be overlooked by this or any other Ministry, and they might depend upon it that their interests would in no way be neglected. Mr Ward then referred to the increasing business and commerce of Auckland. He mig-ht say that the chief postmaster of Auckland had under his care 200 services more than any other postal! district, as far as he .knew, in the world. He did not refer to the amount of correspondence dealt with, but to the diverse business which had to be managed, and to the number of mail contracts and arrangements which had to be made outside of the railways. This meant a. large business and a great number of officers who had to be controlled. Reference had been made by Mr Witheford to the introduction of the penny postage system, aiid regret had been expressed that the United States had not reciprocated. He might say that he had made the strongest possible represenations to Washington on the subject. He had received a most courteous reply from the Postmaster-General of the United States, who deeply regretted that at the present time he was not able to institute a penny postage between the countries. But no doubt in time the difficulties that existed would be got over. As for the position of Auckland, he trusted that lie would always be able to deal fairly and equally with every portion of the colony. The Chairman, in proposing the health of Mr Dillingham, spoke of the gTeat service that gentleman had rendered in connection with the relations of the United States in the Pacific. He might also refer to the fact that when the news came that some New Zealanders had been captured and were not well used at Pretoria Mr Dillingham had made representations to the President of the United States, which had resulted in a great improvement in the treatment of the New Zealanders, and, indeed, of all the English prisoners. The other toasts honoured were "The Hon. A. J. Cadman," "Mr W. Berry," and "The Chairman" (Mr J. H. Witheford).