LORD ONSLOW'S DEPARTURE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8097, 13 February 1892, Page 5

LORD ONSLOW'S DEPARTURE.

fAREWELL BANQUET AT WELLINGTON.

(press association tbleoram.)

WELLINGTON, February 12. The Earl and Countess of Onslow arrived at two o'clock, and were met by Messrs Ballance, Reeves, Seildon, McKemie, Buckley, the Mayor, Sir James Prendecgast, Sir Dillon Bell, and others. There were about 200 people on tho wharf, but there was no demonstration. His Excellency is the jraeat of the Hou. Charles Johnatqn duringhis stay here. Mr Ward returned by the same steamer. A farewell banquet tendored to Lord and ! Lady Onslow by the Mayor, took place at ! Bellamy's to-night, tables being laid for eighty. Among those present were all the Ministers of the Crown (except the Colonial Secretary), the Chief Juatice, Sir James Prendergast, aud Mr Juatice Richmond, the local members of the House of Representatives, the Hone. C. Johnston, Grace, Hart, Captain Burke, and the officers of H.M.S. Ringarooma, Sir James Hector, members of the City Council, Harbour Board, the head of departments of the Civil Service, foreign Consuls, and others. Among the ladies present were tho Counteee of Oplow, Lady Hector, the wives of Ministers and others. The Oovernor arrived shortly before 8 o'clock. The Permanent Artillery formed a guard of honour. The dining* room was specially lighted with the electric light. The speech making began mud later than was expected, as the banquet, which was timed for 7.30, did not begin till some three-quarters of an hoar after. After the toast of the Queen, The Mayor said it was now his privilege as the first citizen of the city to invite thoeo present to drink the health of the Earl and Countess Onslow. The only complaint anyone could make against Lord Onaloar was that of which any man might be proud, viz., that we had' seen too little of him. He declared that the Governor had undertaken the duty he owed to the Queen and this country by making himself acquainted with all districts, and fa doing this he could not be long in any one part. No doubt it was of high benefit to -the colony for persons holding nigh counsel in England to accept the position of Governor of the colony, and no one doubted that Lord Onslow, had the interests of tho colony at heart. By his visits to various parts »♦ the colony Lord Or.clow had learnt something of all classes of residents and their desires. All recognised the unaffected kindness and consideration received &t tho hands of Lord and Lady Onslow. The toast was accepted -with musical honours. Lord Onslow, on rising to respond, mfa with long and continued applause. He said before giving expression to bin thanks for the kind words from the Chairman, he was desirous of appreciating the generous statements of one who had been worthily appointed to a chair he could so ably fill. Referring to his successor, he said he had no personal acquaintance of him, as he had come into the title since hie departure from England. He had, however, heard something of him, and the Earl of Glasgow was one who had gained honours in the navy, a service which was very popular ia the colony. He had also distinguished hini,« self in the Crimea. Lady Glasgow was • lady of ability and. amiable disposition. Referring to past and present Mania tera, he, said there was no body of , men who were brought together for three years among whom differences did not arise, and where differences had taken place between him and his advisers,' he had endeavoured to keep them from the public gaze. He had endeavoured to.meet Ministers with confi« dence, and his views had been reciprocated, and he thanked both Sir Harry Atkinson and Mr Ballance for the support they had extended to him. The political institutions were not the outcome of to-day, but the embodiment of the British race. A Governor had not much influence in the trade or commerce of the colony, but he made a short reference to the public debt, which up to 1888 had gradually increased, bat since then had only advanced £423,000. The annual charge for interest had been less than previously. There was a great future for the colony, but this was largely in the hands of the people themselvee. He was a great believer in constitutional doctrines, but regretted that among » certain class the opinion was expressed that the presence of the Governor in Parliament would put a curb on discussioto'. He had, however, followed the debates of the Legislative Council very carefully, and among those who had taken the most hopeful view of the colony were those whe were recently appointed to the Council. Hβ was pleased, to, mc that tho House ol Assembly had retained its reputation foi the decorum of its proceedings. Death had, he said, been busy among eminent politicians since his arrival in the colony, and he paid a high tribute to the memories of Sit 1 , . Weld, Sir F, , Whitaker and Six Wm. Fitzh6rbert. He also welcomed back among, the colonists Sir Billon, Bell, who had so ably represented the colony. He referred to the drainage of Wellington, and would be glad to near that the enlightened policy of the mayor had been adopted, and the much-needed reforcje adopted, as be looked upon Wellington «s a city which, was to become the principal town of New Zealand. In concludiagL &a eaid he thanked them for. the honour they had done himself and the countess, ana assured them that during his stay in the colony he had endeavoured to do hie beet for both rich and poor. (Loud applause.).. The Hon. W, P. Reeves proposed .Wβ t toast of " Her Majesty* Judge*, remarking that the colony had not only been for* tuiiate in securing gentlemen of high dtarflttter, but bad appreciated them. % The Chief Justice briefly replied. The banquet is still (midnight) proceeding The Governor is to be entertained by th« Wellington Club to-morrow evening, and by Dr. Newman-oa Monday. His Excellency will probably leave for Auckland overland oa Tuesday morning. ~, ,