THE PREMIER AT BALCLUTHA.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 192, 15 March 1878, Page 6

THE PREMIER AT BALCLUTHA.

The s Hon; .Sir "Georare Grey, accompanied by the Hon. 3T. T. Fisher (Posti master- General), Seymour T. George. .Esq. f (nephew of Sir Georjre), Mr "M'lntosbXof the Otautau). and Mr W. Mitchell ("Sir George's Private Secre---fary), arrived at Balclutha. at noon on. "'Fridavjast.

f The party/had come from Invercargill *^per, train to Clinton over night, and -after a' few hours' sleep were con veyed ~to Balclutha by special coach. The ■♦-"hour, of arrival here having* heen pre-

-viously "fixed, his Worship the Mayor **(Mr M'Neil) started in his bnirgv at 11 ' o'clock to meet the party, which he did -a few miles out of the town. Sir ♦George Grey: then left the conch and - took a seat with the Mayor. The mem-

' bers. of the Borough Council, the ''Borough Clerk, and Mr : . Thomson, ' M.H.R., drove out to the town bonn- <■- dary, where they mcC the party, and J joined in the procession to the Crown Hotel. , Upon Sir George reaching the verandah, Mr Paterson, Boroug-h Clerk,

-read the following address : — ""To the Hon. Sir George Grey. X.C.8., &c, &c.

On- behalf of. the. Borough Council and in- "* habitants of Balclutha and the Clutha district, ** we give-you a cordial welcome to our township. ¥c rejoice in: this opportunity of assuring you of "the most cordial and hearty support of all classes - of the community here in the great political -struggle' in which for years past you have been :• and still are engaged. We have watched with

".interest the .^unmiatakeable manifestations of > sympathy with the principles yoix advocate, and .loyalty' to. your cause— the cause of the people — ■ that have .everywhere greeted you during your : present tour throughout the Colony. We regard ■ these manifestations as conclusive evidence that " public sentiment is entirely with yo\i, and we - therefore trust you will be long spared in health "• to carry out and to witness the practical benefits -of. those legislative measures you contemplate "- introducing to meet the present circumstances of • ihe Colony, and that you will reap a reward ■ commensurate .with your patriotic sacrifices and .•■ services on behalf of New Zealand, a country so < dear to you, and for which you have spent so t: much of your time, talents, and estate. (Signed) . John M'Neil, Mayor. • . • THOS. Patersojj, Borough Clerk. Sir George in reply said : Mr Mayor " and '■ gentlemen, I thank 3 T ou most -sincerely for your address. Such ! recognition of the services of public men are very gratifying and encourag- | fng to them, and I assure you that nothing: will be wanting 1 upon ray own part and upon the part of my colleagues ' to do our best to promote the best interests of the town and district and the colony as a whole. The Mayor then called for three « cheers for >Sir George Grey, which was ' heartily responded to, and followed by. «• other cheers for Ministers. Sir George then expressed his desire ■ to have a short walk through the town- •-- ship, and he and a number of others r had a stroll, walking- across the bridsre, &c. Jn conversation he referred to his early visits to the district, and expressed both surprise and gratification at the great progresVmade both in the town- • ship and throughout the district. J.uncheon was provided in the Crown Hotel, and although the notice had been brief, Mr Dngg had everything' prepared in a mnnner befitting' the ■ occasion. Besides the Ministerial party, the members of the Borough Council, • Mr Thomson, M.H R., and Messrs T. " T. Ritchie and W Hendersonj solicitor, *-were present. . The. Mayor occupied the « chair, with Sir Georg-e on his rig-lit hand and the FTon J. T. Fisher on his left; Mr Thomson occupied the vice- ! chnir, with Se3 T inour T. George, Esq., --. on his rig-lit. After the toasts of " The Queen and "-Royal"' Family " and "His Excellency i the Governor" had been duly honored, The Chairman proposed " Our guiest, • Sir 'George Gre} r ." In the course of his remarks he referred to the fact of i Sir George. having paid them previous • visits, and to the many important ser- - vises he had rendered to the country. He (the chairman) hoped he would be

long spared to secure yet greater benefits to the Colony. It was always 'pleasing for the people to meet Sir ■ George Grey, aud he (the chairman) I had -no doubt it was also gratifying to ' him to receive such assurances of the

good feeling and support of the public, and to witness the rapid progress that *> was everywhere being made. He was • sure tli&t in no quarter was Sir George more heartily supported, nor did any • commvnity hail his presence with" more ? sincere, pleasure than did the people of - the Clutha.

The toast was drunk with hearty -- cheers.

Sir Georg-e in reply returned thanks

for the hearty reception •he had met - with in Balclutha, and for the hearty manner in which the toast had been re- «■ eeived. When he first visited the dis- * trict he "found it a wilderness, with a r few sheep here and there ; now he found - everywhere fertile fields, large public works, and an industrious and prosperous population. No one could feel -more e.*ratified than he at the change, -and it would be his part -and the part

* oorf r his colleagues to promote that in- - dustry and prosperity. He referred to -the efforts put forth in the early days "to prevent the Middle Tsland being -colonised, and the -stand he had taken -in the matter. [See report of speech evening- in Dunedim] He drew "from his' action -with reference to the -colonisation of the South and

i* the "unexampled success that had resulted the moral that, although onposed *%y personal or class interests, where a -•man is satisfied as to the soundness of ihe he advocates and the < course he wishes to be pursued, he must \perslst''Sfid struggle on in the face of 6very : obstacle and" diflicuity , and, in .the ~snd right would succeed. Be believed

in the principles be advocated, and be intended to stick to them. He had no doubt, with the support of the people, he would prevail, and that in time JNew Zealand would become a great nation. (Loud applause.

The Chairman next proposed "The General Asssmbly," coupled with the names of Messrs Thomson and Fisher, to which these gentlemen briefly replied.

Sir George Grey, in an appropriate speech, proposed the toast of "The Municipal Council and inhabitants of Balclutha," and called for three cheers for Balclutha.

The Chairman suitably responded.

This concluded the programme,

The Ministerial party then drove off to the railway station, followed by the members of the Borough Council and a few others, who, upon .Sir George's invitation, entered the saloon carriage, and iccompanied the paity as far as Lovells Flat, returning by the ordinary train.