LORD ONSLOW'S DEPARTURE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8096, 12 February 1892, Page 5

LORD ONSLOW'S DEPARTURE.

THE CITIZENS' LUNCHEON.

A BRILLIANT ASSEMBLAGE.

♦v 5? ferewell luncheon to his Excellency vie bovernor and tho Countess of Qaaioiv wok place in tho Turn street Hall yeateraay. lho sombre aspect of the halt wa* completely changed by the very effective arrangement of a wealth of evergreens, flowers, &c. There was a very large attendance both of ladies and gentlemen, and a untnber of ladies occupied scats in the gallery. A, up tho Hall, too Baud played the National Anthem, lhey were met by the tteception Co Inm i t to ef consisting of his Worship the Mayor Hon. C. C. liowen, Messrs C. Loiuftfoa, I. Cunningham, and \V. D. Meeres. iney were then conducted to the stage, where they were met by tuo Ladiea' Comttuttee, consisting o f Mesdames Pe&ooek, JJemuston, Cunniugham, and Loui&son. i.nechair was occupied by his Worship the -Mayor, oa whose right was hie KxceUeucy the Governor, Mrs Denniston, Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, Mrs Lmnswm, Captain Guthrie, A.D.C., Mft P. Cunningham, Hon. J. T. Peacock, Mra Peauock, ±lon. L. C. Bowcu and Mw I'rudhoe. Uα the Chairman's left were tho Countess of Onslow, Hon. K. W. Parker, Liuly Hail, Hon. J. (J. Ward (PostmastvfUeuerat), .Mis Gordon, Mr P. Cunningham, Mrs Meares, Mrs Bowcn, Captain Burton, K.JV.R., Mrs Gibbs, Mr 1. oibba, and Mr Hallainore. Apologies for unavoidable abssiico wore received from Sir J. Hall, Mr NY. J. Steward (Speaker of the douse of Representatives;, Air <_!. Thornton Dudley, and Mr \V. Acton-Adams. There wa-j a lair attendance of ladies in the gallery, wiicto also the Italian Htrin>s Kami v.Ms stationed, and played tho followj nig programme of music during the luncheon:—Overture, " Pooto Poasnrt " (iSnppe); sclootion, "Faust" (Uouuod); romance, •"Alia SicUa (Jjiitidenuj" (Uobaiuli) ; pot-pourri, " Trovaiore " (Vurdi); waltz, "Dolores" (YV'aldteuiei) ; overture, "Giovanni dArco ,, (Verdi); oavatina, " Lucia di Lammermoor" (Donizetti) ; gavotte, "Stephanie"; selection, '■ Don I'asqualo " (Donizetti) ; overture, "11 Baibiere d' Seviglio " (Rossini); eaieetiou, " Cavalleria iiusucana '' (Muacugui); serenade, "liereensi" (Gouuud); polka, d« concert, " Lou i"*oiiies " (Waldteufel); grand march, " Taunhaussur" (Wagnor). Mr liagyuy provided un excellent lunoh, but the Committee hud not tukou uare thai tuu wines, Ac, weie oi tlu: best. Gi'ace waa said by the Veu. Archdeacoi Duulev. Alter lunch the Mayou proposed the toasts of ~T no Queen"' , und " l'he Princo of Wales and r«ac of the lioyal Family,' both of which wore enthusiastically received. The Chairman—Your Excellency, Lady Onalow, ladies and gentlemen—it now dovolvesupoiune, as representing the citiswus'of Christchuroh, to aak you to do honour to tho distinguished guests of thia afternoon's gathering. (Cheers.) I must at onco confesa with all noneacy that 1 shrink from tho task that hatf been ullotted to mo. I would that I possessed the readiness of utterance Willi wnicli some men are so happily endowed, for then I might do something like justice to the subject of my remarks. Aβ ido not possess the speech *hat is ailveru, I trust you will look upon my near approach to eiience as golden, for my thoughts ehall ba expressed as briefly aa possible. There sooius to os a. tendency iv some quarto i-d in thOsu democratic colonies to look upon Govoraora iv much tho came light as tnat in which a figure-head of a ship is viewed, a necessary appendago if graceful, but if not graceful then useless. This, however, is not the general feeling, and while thoughtful men are pleasod to see a graceful hgurc at thu head of tho State ship, they required a Governor aa being something moro than v mero inanimate object) to be attached to the State vessel for a few years until they aro tired of him and want a new and better looking one. (Oheera.) Wβ should regard a Governor as the royal link that binds us to and keeps us in touch with the old land with its noblo past, powerful present, and untold future. We should and do look upon him as the lining represeiitub.vu of her most gracious Majesty the noblo Queen of that wonderful country. Wo are proud to belong to such' v nation, and we are alarmed at any proposal to . sever the connection or even to make it less secure. tSinco the establishment of our little colony we have had many Governors, all of whom have adorned tne position with more or lesa pace and effect. When the news came some three yearp ago that Lord Onslow had been appointed to New Zealand it was hoped tnat he would not be inferior to any tnat preceded him. If I say that our hopes have been more than realised I shall, I am sure, be expressing not only of those present, but of the whole of the citizens of Chriatchurch and of the colonists generally. (Cheers.) From the moment of his arrival his Excellency showed that ho would make a most graceful figure-head, and, more than this, it was soon evident that Lord Onslow was of a very practical turn of mind. He immediately commenced to make himseli thoroughly acquainted with the geography and history of our country. (Cneere.) He went to considerable trouble to make himself popular with all ou* institutions and to ascertain all ab(>ut our resources, to know what we havo done, and what we are capable of doing. You all know the steps he has taken to assist in the development of our frozen meat trade, and generally to keep us in touch with the Old country. (Cheers.) Lord Onslow lias, 1 believe and know, been thoroughly attentive to the duties of his high office, and has administered the aflflire ol the colony with marked ability. Ho has also, by treating alike every shade of political opinion, wou the respeco of all classes. But 1 must now remind you that we are here .to bid adieu not only to Lord Qnslow, but also to bia most excellent .partner tho Countess—(cheers)— who I may say, without treading on the ground of a successive speaker, through hec estimable qualities and by her readiness to assist in every deserving objoct /of %ho well-being of the people has endeared herself to very many in this land. We regret having to meet here to-day for the purpose of saying " Good-bye," for .we would have preferred to enjoy the |>re*eoce of both Lord and Lady Onslow in New Zealand for many years to come. (Cheers.) However, it has been otherwise ordered, and they will be shortly leaving our choree. Their interest in our fair colony will not, I feel sure, end with their visit, and no doubt many iv the Old Country will for years; to come receive great enlightenment concerning Now Zealand. Lord and Lady Onalovr will be able to speak with authority of the wonderful resources and magnificent and varied scenery of our colony, and they will doubtless give many a word picture of pur hot springe, lovely lakes, > our anow« capped and bush • covered '"■ mountaio9| and our splendid sheep. They will, moreover, be enabled to spread the news that our own English-looking city of Christchurch is rapidly beepming the hub of the universe. We bid them and their family god speed on their journey .home, with a special regard for.the future of thek own and our own New Zealand born Huia. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to drink heartily the iiealth of " Hia .Excellency the Governor, Lord Onsiow.'

(Cheers.) The toast waa received with the greatest possible enthusiasm, the band playy^-" For he's a jolly good fellow." ' " His Excellency the Gqvebjtob, who on rising to respond waa received with load and continued cheering, aaid—Mr Mayor, ladies and gentlemen: My first duty is to offer you an apology. .When to us to ue present here to-day, we never contemplated the possibility <d breaking oar appointment, but after Wβ had mm the exceedingly kind dispositions which were St? those .whohad charge of *!»e Srangeiente for our progress, it fa a Umoa .thabwVmuiit bear thesis thai. fl«h to to?« aleo one of humility, to find that owing Z/fEJjU Ac it has not been possible for us We tried Sγ utmost to WW and in doing «o had to combat the elements, but the elements were too much for as, .and we had to succumb. I cannot aufficienUy expreea mj aratitude to those gentlemen to whom the Iraceful idea has occurred of inviting Lady Oaslovr and myself to bid farewell to the citizens of Chratchurch, nor you, Mβ l Mayor, for the promptitude with which yots

IBM— ■■«—»—,—,—______ Supported and carried out the idea. To say farewell is always a painful duty, but the circumstances under which it is performed may be so arranged as greatly to lessen the pain accompanying the task. I can imaeine atone better calculated to attain that end nor to spare our feelings to the utmost than that of asking us to meet you in this pleasant and congenial manner. From the form which your invitation has taken I am disposed to think that the people of Christchurch agree in what I have heard stated in many colonial circles, that when a new Governor is appointed society is not greatly exercised to know what is the appearance or reputation of the new Governor. That they leave to the politicians, but what is asked on all sides with the greatest anxiety and curiosity is "what of a woman »hie wife." (Laughter and cheers.) Well, Sir, as you in Christchurcb have had experience of Lady Onslow, and have asked the ladies of Ohristchurcii to meet her, I venture to express the hope that yon would, if it were a question of my proceeding to take up the Government of some other colony, be prepared to give a favourable answer to the feminine curiosity which would be sure to be excited there. (Cheers). I have heard the of a Governor very wittily, if not very exactly, described by a transatlantic critic of our constitutions in the following terms: —" To have an income to support and a wife to dispense the graces of a mimic court, a happy knack of saying pretty nothings when doing the honours on public occasions, a quick memory for the faces and names of social somebodies, neutral opinions, a presentable moral exterior, associations with heraldry and a disinclination to exceed in local politics, the duties of deputy ornamental figurehead." (Laughtar end cheers.) Well, ladies and gentlemen, that seems to mc to be a somewhat, flippant manner of describing the duties of an office which carries with it considerable political and State responsibilities, for the Governor, besides representing the head of English society, her Majesty the Queen, represents also and is the envoy of the Imperial Government. He should not, however, look upon himself as merely the ambassador of England, jealously guarding against anticipated infringements of the prerogative of the Crown, and living in reticence aud retirement lest too great familiarity with his appearance should breed contempt of the Royal representative. I think rather that he should be the representative not only of the Queen, but of the Parliament and people ef England. (Cheers.) He should be, as it »pere, looked upon in thought, word, and Action as the guest of one of the younger branches of the Imperial family, the messenger of sympathy and affection which the Mother Country bears to all her children, and the interpreter of thought and action in both countries. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen—l never find myself in Christchurch without recognising that I am in the presence of the creation of my father's oldest and most sincere friend, John Robert Godley. (Cheers.) I can never address a Chriiftchurch audience without recollecting my feelings when I first came amongst you, When either by accident or design I found myself placed to address you in front of the statue of one whose name was as a household word in our family. (Cheers.) John Robert Godley was one of the many New Zealand pioneers, a few of whom survive, and to meet whom and to hear of their courage, their enterprise, and the difficulties with which they had to contend is perhaps one the most interesting experiences of a visitor to your shores. We owe a debt of gratitude, and one of which we think far Mo little, to every one who has cleared an inch of the way before us. We of to-day hardly give a thought to the increasing ' weaUn and importance of the Canterbury plains, but what must have been the feel- i ings of those occupants who after experienc-' ing months of stormy ocean travel climbed to the summit of the Port Hills, only to see what must have appeared to them like a sea of burnt up grass waving on a desert plain. (Cheers.) We know that the richest pastures can be obtained by a scientific and well ascertained method of bush-felling, which can now be contracted for at so much per acre. But how would not our spirits quail if for the first tune we were confronted with the tangled mass of vines and eupplejacks|which bind together the giants of the New Zealand bush. All honour then to those who have shown us that these difficulties may be overcome. Since those days, not fifty years ago, the land on which these pioneers settled has become the site of a flourishing and wealthy community, supplying England with corn, frozen meat, and clothing, and purchasing in return no small value of her manufactured goods. Only taking the liberty of imposing upon them a heavy import duty, which presses heavily on our own colonists, diminishes & little the quantities which might otherwise be disposed of, but furnishes the means wherewithal to pay the debt to the English capitalists. I often hear complaints that, Whilst the colonies are doing all this for the mother country she, on her side, treats her children not a whit better than she does the foreigner and the alien, and a movement is on foot which is attaining to some dimensions, both in England and the colonies, for the establishment of some more favourable terms for the colonial producer in the English market. Now, sir, I yield to none in my desire to promote in every way In my power, consistent with due regard for the interests of every part of the Empire, a ; closer identification of interests between England and her colonies. But I desire, lest you should hereafter think mc neglectful of your interests, to take the opportunity of putting before you some difficulties which will have to be disposed of and with which the question is sure to be met. I hardly think that thesehave been sufficiently considered and the strength of the supposed palladium of Freetrade in England may perhaps be a little overrated here. I am fcappy to think that her Majesty's Government in England have not failed in many tilings, but one of their few failures has been the attempt to compel foreign Governments to abandon the practice of giving bounties on the export of sugar, by a threat that such countries would, if persisted in, be met by a corresponding duty in England. But the opposition to this proposal on all sides was found to bo so great that the Government had to abandon the proposal Of all the successes of the present Government I think the greatest was the holding of the Colonial Conference of 1887, the proceedings of which form a compendious epitome of colonial thought on all questions which have agitated the colonies for years past. At that Conference no proposal was more interesting than that made by Mr Hofmeyer, one of the South African representatives, for a special tax of 2 per cent, on all goods brought in common to the empire to be applied for purposes of defence. fie suggested that England and her colonies ahoula impose a duty of 2 per cent, ad valorem on all goods coming from foreign countries. There was, I regret to say. no discussion on the subject, so that the other Bide has never yet been put forward. Now, the relative values of foreign and colonial trade are, in exports, foreign two-thirds, colonial one-third, and to imports, foreign three-fourths, colonial one-tourth. It is evident, therefore, that the relative increase in the colonial will have to be very much greater than the decrease in the foreign trade to make up for the results of euch a change of policy. It is said that trade follows the nag, but a remarkable thing is that foreign trade, owing to the ' repudiation of many foreign governments of their debts in 1885, has not increased proportionately with the colonial trade. Now to cany out the proposal made by Mr Hofmeyer, to which I have alluded, England would have to tax herself 2 per cent, on - £96,000,000, the amount of imports from foreign countries. This would amount to £1,9U0,000, and would increase the trade in colonial products in that ratio. The 2 per cent, payable in the colonies on their foreign imports would cost them £1,300,000, an arrangement which would, as you can see, involve the payment by England of £600,000 more than tfie colonies. But [ would desire to call your attention to the fact that a very large proportion of the total imports into EuglandJ from foreign countries are for reexport, and very great trouble would be entailed on the importer in the making out rf their entries for Home consumption and ibr export. In addition, a great quantity of goods is re-exported from England very slightly altered, all of which would have to bear the additional tax. I am very far from sayiug that the game would not be worth the candle, that the consolidation of the Empire and the greater strength which it would therefore present to the foreigner are not advantages which would to a large , * '■: .at compensate for the difficulties and

los3 to England which the proposal -would eutaiL All that I want to point out now is that those difficulties exist. Every indication seems to mc to point to an increasing disposition on the •part of the English people to consent to some sacrifice in order to consolidate the Empire. If it were not that is the duty of one party in the State to make such proposals, and equally the duty of another party to criticise and oppose them, I should have great hopes that its accompUshinent was within measurable distance. Meau while there are other measures all tending in the same direction which I think can be effected. Mr Hofmeyer's proposals, for instance, might be applied at tiret only to such articles as are already taxed for purposes of revenue, such as tea, tobacco, coffee, spices, beer, and wine, none of which would raise tiie very formidable objections which are said to ba brought against any attempt to tax either food or raw materials. Much too may be done in securing more favourable terms for colonial produce when the time arrives, as it very shortly will, for considering the conditions under which some of _our treaties with the leading countries of Europe shall be renewed. That is a question which is at this moment engaging the serious attention of tiie Foreign Oihce, and I think thai the interests of botu England and her colonies will be perfectly safe in the hands of the able statesman at present at the head of affairs— the Marquis ot ij&lisbury. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentiemeu, only those who were present at the Colonial Conference of 1837 and had the opportunity of seeing how many difficulties were smoothed away, how a few words explained away misunderstandings, and how many subjects causing friction between the Imperial and Colonial Governments were set tit rest when the views of English and colonial statesmen were made kuo»vu, cau appreciate the importance of such raeetiugs. Tiie good that has accrued to the empire is such that one is tempted to look out for some colonial question of importance, such as the provision of the auxiliary squadron, that we may have an excuse i'or ugaiu summoning a colonial conference. Not only within tue walls of the conference chamber, but at the many public occasions when the colonial representatives address English audiences, opportunities are afforded for placing' before the English public the truth about the colonies. (Cheers.; Bub notwithstanding all that has been said disparagingly of she scribbling globe trotter, whatever Australia has had to complain of, I do not think that New Zealand has been badly treated. Take, for example, Mr Fortescue, one whose knowledge of New Zealand was far more intimate than his acquaintance with Australia. All his complaint against New Zealand was that she had a large debt aud an extremely Democratic Parliament, facts which no one will deny. (Cheers and laughter.) Then Mr Christie Murray had said some hard things, but they were of Australasians. Yet we had the New Zealand Press jumping to the conclusion that he had classed New Zealanders with Australians, and pouring forth the vials of their wrath on him. ±Jut, lo ! and behold, when the last of his articles on the Autipodeans came out, they found that, instead of cursing New Zealand, he blessed her altogether, making most favourable comparisons between her people and her prospects and those of Australia. (Cheers.) That he should have chanced to see a gentleman disguised in liquor hanging on to the most southerly lamppost in the world is an experience which might have happened to the most benevolently disposed of globe-trotters. (Laughter.) Mr Toole, again, has never lostan opportunity whenever it was afforded to him of exalting the people of New Zealand as compared with tho3e of Australia. Who then are our detractors ? I venture to say that it will be found to be the Autipodeans themselves. (Applause.) I am aware that on occasions like the present it is not usual to enter upon the domain of politics, but I will beg your forbearance of my utterances for a few minutes for what may be deemed political matters. An eminent judge has ruled that every dog is entitled to one bite before being declared dangerous. — (Applause.)—l often hear it said that the taxation, policy of my, advisers has caused timidity on the part of the English investors in New Zealand securities. Now, sir, every mail brings mc a budget of correspondence from England. My correspondents include bankers, financiers, politicians, and men of the Fourth Estate. If I were to say to you that in these letters there were no expressions of uneasiness as to the result of legislation in New Zealand and toVhat it will lead I should be misleading you. The people of England are very busy and have not time to study the nuances of the development of politics here. They know generally that a Democratic and Radical Government, supported by the party which suffered during the strike, is in power. One man says to another in the city, " What is this which is going on in New Zealand ? " "Oh," replies the other, "I have just received a letter from a gentleman there, who is iv the House, who owns 100,000 acres of land and is a large shareholder in the 'Lend to Anybody Company.' He tells mc the colony is going to the dogs, and that before long all the "havenots" mean to have a-scramble for the property of the "haves." That is the kind of thing which becomes public in England. I refuse to believe that any party wishes to drive away capital from the country. We cannot do without capital any more than without currency. My answer to my friends in England is that the people of New Zealand do not desire to drive away capital, but I understand that they want the laud in New Zealand to belong to the people of New Zealand. We hear a good deal about the fertile land of New Zealand, but " fertile" is not an appropriate word to apply to the whole of the land of the country. Deduct the great range of mountains which half covers this island ; deduct the pumice and ash covered centre of the North Island; deduct the western slopes between Nelson and the Sounds, and the barren land at the North Cape, and what is left ? Patches; any one of which I should like to possess, but Still patches. There are the Canterbury plains, land in the Wairarapa, the bush land behind Wellington, the fertile lands of Hawke'sßay, Poverty Bay, and the Waikato, which are fertile, but all patches. These are owned for the most part by companies and private individuals, but the companies are not desirous to hold them. On the contrary, they are anxious to sell them, and get the money advanced to the former owners. As to the land in the hands of private owners, in the course of nature and following the precedent of countries where no artificial means are taken to prevent it, those large estates owned by individuals will be divided amongst children or sold in small lots. There are still two millions and a quarter of acres of unoccupied land in New Zealand; land enough for the wants of the nest few years, but not enough for the population, which, even with the natural increase, will in a general increase fill the land. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, you are perfectly justified, it seems to mc, in saying that you will discourage in every possi6le way the aggregation of Large areas of land in one propeity in the future. Sir, the Government chum that their policy of taxation only causes the landowner to bear his fair share of the burden, that in fact the taxation policy puts the burden on the shoulders of those best able to bear it. I have spoken to my friends who are large landholders, and asked them to say honestly how it affected . them. The auswer has been that it does I not hurt them so much now that I improvements are exempted. Nothing is wanted to reassure capital beyond the assurance that though taxation falls heavier on some shoulders than formerly, it is for the purpose of distributing the hardens where they can best be borne ; and that this Government having earned its policy into effect, further legislation against the accumulation of laud in a few hands will only be preventive, leaving the cure to be effected by the operation of natural laws. There is, let mc say, very much in common between New Zealand and Scotland in the distribution cf their land, And it requires no prophet to foresee that with the advantages possessed by New Zealand, she will some day, like Scotland, support a teeming population of happy J and contented people. Ladies uad gentlei men, it is a noticeable fact, and one which is not easy of explanation, that in the Maori language there are no 'words ; to express either gratitude or farewell. It is possible with regard to the former that no word exists because the vanquished knew himself to be too dainty a morsel to expect

mercy from the victor, and that, therefore, gratitude became an obsolete virtue. Aud it may be ateo that as no one ever had any means to leave New Zealand, in those times " farewell " was an unneoes a-y expression. The nearest approach to it seems to Jbz expressed in the words, "I go thoie. You stop here." In a few days, ladies and gentlemen, it will be my painful duty to say those words to you. It is hard to say farewell at any time, more especially when it i 3 to a country where we have had three years of happiness. (Cheers.) It is still harder, ladioa aud gentlemen, to part from those who in that short time have shown so conclusively that we have wound oureelves into the affection of those with whom we have come in contact. (Cheere.) There is, Sir, however, one ray of consolation in the parting in the reflection that you on this side will perhaps watch the English papera for tidings of us ; that if it should please God to visit us with any trial or affliction we shall be able to think that there are sympathetic hearts beatiug for us across the sea. (Cheers.) We on our side shall not fail to watch and pray for the prosperity and happiness of our beloved New Zealand. (Cheers.) May we personally feel that, in however humble a manner, we shall form one more of those tiay strands wuich together go to form the stout cable—l pray God never to be snapped —which bind* this colony to the. great and powertul British Empire. (Loud and continued cheering.) The CKAiEMiN* then said that an alteration had been made in the toast list in the direction of the inclusion of the toast of " His Excellency's Advisers," as they had that day the honour of the presence with them of the Hon. Postmaster-GeneraL He would, therefore, ask Jr. Bonningtoa to propose the toast. Cr. Box>*isgtox, who was almost inaudible to tiie reporters, said that he had pleasure in proposing the toast spoken of by his Worship the Mayor, that of " His Excellency's -Advisers, 1, because it would enable those present to hear for the first time the Hon. .Postmaster-General.

The Hon. J. G. Ward said he had to thank the Committee for their kind consideration in deciding at the last moment to re-arrange their programme ao as to enable him to say a few words. He felt sure he was expressing the feelings of all the people of New Zealand when he said that no Governor, and certainly no Governor's wife, that had been in New Zealand, had commanded such universal respect and esteem as Lord Onslow and the Couute3s of Onslow. Lord Onslow had said that a dog was entitled to have one bite before ho was considered daugerous. That bite having been given, it x was not for him (Mr Ward) to give a second bite or there might be trouble. Still he believed that it was a good thing for the colony that a gentleman like his Excellency, who had occupied so high a position and had had such excellent opportunities of judging, should give them the benefit of his experience as regarded the politics of the colony. His opinions could not but be of great value to the colony. He desired, on behalf of the Ministry, to say that rone felc deeper regrefc «.t his Excellency's departure* than the members of the Government. Ever since they had been in office they had experienced from Lord Onslow the greatest courtesy, both collectively and individually, and it was largely due to his tact and courtesy that they had got on so well. They must recollect that in losing Lord Onslow from the colony they also gained a friend in the old country, aud if ever Lord Onslow accepted a position in which he would have to take part in guiding the destinies of the great country they called Home they would all feel sure they had a friend, and one who would see that justice was done to them. (Cheers.) The best of all friends, as they knew, must part, but they must also remember that absence made the heart grow fonder, and he could assure Lord Onslow and the Countess of Onslow that though they were' parted their memories would long live in the hearts of New Zealanders; "(Cheers.) If affliction should overtake them—which he sincerely trusted would not be the case — they might be sure that a sympathetic chord would strike in the bosoms of those they left behind here. (Cheers.) He trusted they would have a pleasant and safe voyage home, and that they would receive a hearty welcome from their friends at home. (Cheers.)

Mr Charles Lomsson proposed the next toast, "The Countess of Onslow." He said he would not be accused of exaggeration or flattery, when he said that since her arrival her name had been a household word among them. (Cheers.) They were in duty bound to give a farewell to his Excellency, and if her Ladyship would condescend to be present at the demonstration that evening they would also like to give her a farewell. There was no object for the well being of the people of New Zealand, and no charitable object with which her Ladyship had not been associated. He spoke of the successes of his Excellency iv the colony, and expressed the opinion that they had been, to a large measure, due to the many excellent qualities of his talented wife. (Cueers.) He trusted they would not make the meeting too sorrowful a one, because life was largely made up of meetings and partings, but that they would pray that they may have a pleasant voyage Home, and happy meeting with their son, and a prosperous future. (Cheers.)

His Excellency the Governor, who on rising to respond was loudly cheered, said he had tried hard to persuade Lady Onslow to return thanks-'herself for the toast which had just been proposed by Mr Louisson and so enthusiastically honoured, but he regretted to say he had not been successful. He had used every argument that he could. He had pointed out that there was a movement on foot in the colony to enable ladies to go into Parliament, and he had asked what the supporters of this measure would say when they found that the principal lady in the colony showed that she was not able to make a speech. (Laughter). Mr Louisson was quite right when he said that the wife of the Governor was no mean help in the discharge of his duties. Those duties were largely social and, therefore, the help of the wife of the Governor was most essential. He did not wish to vaunt anything that belonged to himself, but he would say that Lady Onslow from the moment she landed in New Zealand had endeavored to treat all she came in contact «?ith as equal subjects of her Majesty the Queen. (Cheers.) It was impossible for her to forget the land where she had passed three happy years, but besides that they had in their family circle one whose name and birth place would always keep their memory green. Their wish was that when he grew up to years of discretion he would revisit the land of his birth, and once more see that country where himself and Lady Onslow had passed such happy years, and of which they should always cherish the fondest remembrances. (Cheers.) Mr John Andersost, jun., proposed " The Ladies." Canterbury men were proud of their ladies, and they had reason to be, because they had amongst them the mothers of stalwart sons aud gentle daughters. These were the mothers who had cheered them on in the times of difficulty and struggle, when the history of the province had to be made, and therefore it was that they were proud of the ladies of Canterbury. They had come that day by their presence to help to take leave of their honoured guests, his Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Onslow, and they wished them a pleasant and prosperous voyage and many happy years of life. He asked them to join him in drinking most enthusiastically the toast of "The Ladies."

Mr A. L. Edwards, who responded, said he was deeply sensible of the high honor conferred upon him in responding to the toast of the ladies. He could have wished that this toast had been deputed to a more able and fluent speaker than himself, so that it could have been responded to with full justice. However, he trusted that the ladies would believe him when he said that no one could more warmly and heartily give expression to the sentiments of admiration that he held for the ladies, even if in trying to give those expressions he failed to find suitable language to clothe those sentiments in. Being called upon, as a young New Zealander, to second this toast so ably proposed by their friend Mr John Anderson, he could assure them that he was only re-echoing the sentiments of all the gentlemen here present, when he said that the general kindness they invariably experienced from the ladies.and the kindly interest they always displayed in all their aims, ambitions and pleasures in life endeared them most affectionately to us aIL

The toast of his Worship the Mayor, pro.

posed by his Excellent the Governor, and briefly responded to, terminated the proceedings.