PUBLIC BANQUET TO THE AUCKLAND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2606, 24 November 1865, Page 5

PUBLIC BANQUET TO THE AUCKLAND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Last evening, the citizens of Auckland entertained the members of the General Assembly for the province, at a public bauquet, which passed off with perfeot success. During the fitting of the General Assembly, the inhabitants of this province watched closely and anxiously the proceedings at Wellington, nnd great satisfaction was felt at the course taken by the Auckland members, who united as one man against an Adininiitratiou whose 'every act was inimical to the province. , This feeling found expression before the close of the session, one of the largest meetings < ever held here, called especially, for the 1 purposej ' haviug 'expressed' 'unanimously its approval of the oonduot of the represent itivos, and its high sense of the ability they had displayed. The proposal to entertain our members was made a few weeks ago; and last night's bauquet, where there wore representatives o£ every class and party amongst us, and men from every district of the province, showed how uuirersal wvi the feeling of approval of, and gratitude to, those gentlemen. The Committee appointed to make the arrange* menta seleoted the large upper room of Mr. David Graham's store, which was offered by the proprietor, as the place in which to bold the banquet, and certaiuly a better choice could not have been made. The room is 66 feet long by 38 feet wide. Pour tables extended the length of the room, and a fifth ran aorost at the top. The chairman's seat was at the southern extremity, and contiguous seats were arranged alongside for the guests. The girders of the hall aud the ' walls were deoorated in a very taiteful manner with flags, evergreens, and ilowers, the' room being brilliantly lighted with two ring chandeliers, gas having been led into the hall speoially for this occasion by Mr. Maiks, of Chapel-street. The "set out" on the table was most effectively managed by Mr. Canning, who provided the dinner, and when the company were assembled the effect of the Whole was very striking. The viands and wines were very excellent, and the whole arrangemeuts were highly 'creditable to Mr. Canning. The guests of the evening, who were seated at the right aud left of the chairman, were : — The Hon. J. Salmon, the Hon. Colonel Kenny; Hugh Carleton, Esq , member of the House of Representatives for Bay of Islands ; Thomas Henderson, Esq., aud Jas. O'Neill, Esq., Koitheru Division; Thos. Russell, Esq. , City of Auckland East ; John Williamson, Esq., and James Williamson, Esq., City of Auckland West; Robert James Creighton, Esq., Parnell; George Graham, Esq., Newton ; George Maunca OMtorke, Esq , town of Onehunga ; Robuit Graham, Esq., Franklyn; Wm. Buckland, Esq., Italian. The only meinbura absent were Colonel Haultain, one of the members for Franklyn, who is now in Wellington, as Defence Minister in Mr. Stafford's Ministry ; W. Mason, Ksq., the member for tho Pensioner Settlements; W.Butler, Esq., of Mongonui ; and J. Muuro, Esq., of Marsdeu, There were above two hundred gentlemen present. His Honor FiedorickWhibikei, Esq., Superintendent of the proviuco, occupied the chair ; and the vicechairmen were P. Di^nan, Esq.; David Gtahaiu, Esq. ; Thomas Macfatlane, Esq.; aiul Geoige Webtfcer, Esq. Amongst the company we observed : Messrs. E. Maclean, W. Cxiahnine, — Dv Moulin, 11. Gilfillan, L. Bucholz, H. Haidington, D. Burn, I.Vialon, Isaacs, T. Connell, G. Hidings, II Hidings. P. A. Philips, H. Keesing, Iluwt, C. F. Mitchell, W. Corbett, Nathan, .7. ltoberlson, J. AViigley, A. Claik, H. N. Warner, James Russell, Westou, H. Moriow, H. De B. Adams, J. Oyilvie. Gwyuneth, A. Scales, D. Sheehan, J. Catlman, J. Newman, M. Jones, C. Hazolden, G. P. Pierce, T. M. Machattie, It. Keesiug, T. B. Gillies, Dunnet, J. Graham, Header Wood, It. Wateriton, B. W. Gee, Hodge, J. L. Tole, J. Tole, Lewis, T. Foighain, Lamb, Fitzgibbon, Casey, Potter, Deirom, Harris, Watt, Nicbol, S. J. Williams, S. Kempihorue, W. Powditch, Woolley, King, Marks, F. L. Jones, C.E., J. McLeod, 11. P. Stark, J. Copland ; and Major ITeaphy, Dr. Fischtr, Dr. Hooper ; Hotietaua, of the Wairoa, &c, &o. After the dinner, The Chairman gave, as the first toast, "Tho Queen," which was most coidially responded to. The Chairman next gave "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," which was also received with great cordiality. The Chairman, iv proposing the next toast, said he was sure there was uo one in the room who would not receive the toast he was about to propose with due honour. It was true that in colonial politics they might frequently differ with tho Governor in many of his acts, but they must all recollect that the Governor of this colony had a most difficult task to perform, aud it svas due to him that they should make every possible allowance for the position he \ni placed in. When they looked ut the Lift that the Governor had on the one side the Home Government, and on the other the Colonial Ministiy and tho colonial public, he thought it was due to the Governor that on all occasions they should make every allowance for his position, and for the difficulties he was placed in, and he hoped that they always would be able to pay him the honour and respect due to her Majesty's representative in the colony. (Cheers, ) The toast was drunk with great applause. The Chairman said there were three services to which the colonists of New Zealand were very deeply indebted ; he meant the army, navy, and colonial forces. It would be presumption iv him to attempt to prononnce a panegyric upon the British army, that he did not attempt to do ; they had gamed their glory through many long ages and over many battlefields. They had been placed iv the colony under very trying circurastauces j and, if they had not come out of those services with all their former glory, it had been due to the extraordinary difficulties under which they hadbeeu placed, and not from any want of courage or ability. (Applause.) The British soldier had been trained upon the battle-fields of Europe ; and be would ask the gentlemen present whether auy aimy had ever gained more honour and renown. (Hear, hear.) But that very training aud renown incapacitated him, to a certain extent, to succeed iv bush waifare in New Zealand. But he would tell them, that were they to train the British soldiery for a few short months in the bush of New Zealand, they would find that they could gain as much renown in conducting warfaie iv New Zealand as they ever did on the battle-fields of Europe. It would only require a little training to enable them to gain as much renown in New Zealand as they had done at Cressy, Agincourt, Blenheim, Waterloo ; nor had they lost their renown in the Crimea. And he was sure they only wanted a brief training to make their lmtre shine forth as brilliantly ai it ever had dove on former occasion!. (Sear, hear.) But they must make every allowance for the manner in which the British soldiers had done their work in New Zealand ; because he would ask, which of them would he able to go into a new business and perform at once that whioh required an adept to succeed in ? They must remember it required a certain period of braining ; but in placing the .British soldier in the colony he was at once met with extraordinary difficulties, and yet he had come out of those difficulties very creditably indeed, considering the circumstances. ' He told them the British army iv New Zealand had done a very great service to the colonists. They were deeply indebted to them, and that debt he was sure they would never forget. Then, with regard to the navy, he was sure he need say very little. The navy had gained its renown in every sen, and every ' part of the world — whether the actions in ' whioh it might be engaged was on the sea or on shore— it was always ready to do its duty. (Hear, hear. ) Then he had to call their attention to the colonial forces ; and he said to these forces they were speoially indebted. For whether they considered the cervices of the Militia, or more speoial forces in the shape of the Bush Rangers and Forest Rangers, — whatever f6rces might nave been employed, they' had honourably come forward and performed their duty, and he had not a doubt that those' men— specially trained as they' were— such a« the Forest Hangers in New Zealand, would prove' of the moit essential service, and be enabled to perform those dutieu which the regular soldiers might not 'be enabled to do without a course of training. Training, as. he had told them, was essentially necessaiy for the due performance of it* duties by any armed force. Then he would ask them' to recollect that they had all come from the same country and honoured the same Queen ; and whether they were British soldiers or sailor*, or colonial forces, they only should be given a fair chance, and they would do all tha't'was required of i them. (Loud applause.) He would again give them "The army, navy, and colonial forces." (Loud ohoers.) ■ , .. < „ Colonel Kenny said it was only since he came into the room that he had understood that he was to return thinks for her Majesty's army. He did riot know; ; iv such a large assembly what officers might ' be preient/but in 1 undertaking the' duty' he would wish' it'to ' be understood that he took it as being' the older and not the better soldier. 1 'Having served in her Majesty's army for upwards of thirty years, and having been couneoted with it by links of the most intimate description, it wm natural be

should feel the deepeits interest in everything con■neoted with it. •< II ht followed his own inclinations h> would be dispoied to go into details gratifying to himself, but whioh might provoke remarks unpleasant,' not only to himself, but to everyone who listened to him. Be did not believe that the toast 1 was a merely conventional one in Auckland, but that it was dnmk with the moat entire sympathy. , He believed that the toa»t of the army— of course ho alluded to that service especially becau»e ho believed there were other gentlemon who would return thank*, for (the other branohei — would always be reoeivod cordially 1 in Auokland. As he had previoiwly observed, if he were to follow his own impulses he would go.into' details, but he would refrain. He was sure that there was not a single person present but understood what he meant, Of courso, it was quite oaty to understand the feeling which existed elsewhere, and he might prooeed .to eulogue aud. . criticise, as that self-reliant Dofence Minister did, the -actions of "General' Cameron and his army, but he thought it would be unbecoming in him, and, he was sure, unsatisfactory to them, He would say that, inasmuch as he had been rather at spectator than an actor in the recent scenes of warfare — although he had been in command in Auckland during t ho time of Auckland's greatest danger—notwithstanding that he might say, on the part of the army, that it' had coma here to do it* duty, aud that he believed it had done. It was a great satisfaction to him, in the decline of his years, to return thanks for the army in this manner, aud especially in the place where he had been so long a resident. In conclusion he might repeat that he heartily believed the toait of the army was drunk with great cordiality in AuckIftud, aud not as a, mere conventional toast. (Cheers.) Mr. D. Burn responded on behalf of the navy. He said he rose in obedience to the call, but he could not but remark that he thought the call improper, seeing that he was not a naval officer. He was not even connected with the Auokland Naval Volunteers. He might rather respond for the Volunteers, although he did not wish to take that out of the hands of Major Heaphy, as ho was one of the Auckland luvineibles — (cheers and great laughter)— one of the members of that illustrious corps, 'ex-Governor Gore Brownes body • guard, one of the lying -in ' picquet, which assembled on the 24th of May, 1860. That was a sight to be seen. He asked auyona 1 here who had seen if they ever saw the like ?— for he never did. He had not come to take a part in the icoremoniei, but merely as a visitor and spectator, and had not even a solitary cartridge in bis box. If he had been one of the committee, ho would have taken care that a naval officer should have been present to have responded to the toast. Her M*jesty's ship « Esk was now in the haibour —she had been well handled at the Gate Pa, and her former commander lay iv New Zealand, 1 and he thought that officer's successor should have been invited to attend to respond to that toast. Hi» having been called upon was owing to some service? he had been able to lender the navy, and to his enthusiasm for that, the noblest bianch of her Majesty's service. He always felt grent pleasure in responding for the navy in the early part of the colony, when pennants were rarer in the har bour thau they were now, but it was somewhat out of place at preient. But he would always remember that England expected every mau to do his duty, and iv responding for the noblest service that ever had been seen since the world began, lie might say that every man in ifc would always do his duty. (Cheers.) Major He.vphy returned thanks for the colonial forces. He said it would have been more to his satisfaction if an older officer had undertaken the task. It would have becu moie satisEiwtoiy to all if one of the chief officers of the YVaikato Militia had been present to re«pond, but duty had oalled those gentlemen to the Waikato and other places. '1 he manner in which the to.ist bad been received must be highly gratifying to the officeis of New Zealand. To the metubeis of the Geneuil Assembly, iv whose honour they were met, the colouial officers owed a debt of gratitude. He was confident ho should be borne out when he said that he felt that their interests had been regarded. The manner in which Mr. John Williamson had maintained the interests of the militia and volunteers commanded the thauks of all the militia and volunteers of Auckland. (Cheers.) Long' before he went down to the General Assembly he maintained the rights of the Auckland militia and volunteers, aud had done all he could to secure thorn grants of land; which would not bo io valuable in itself, but would prove that their services were appreciated. He begged, in the name of the colonial forces, to return them his most sincere -thanks. (Cheers. ) There were here a good many calls for Mr. Do Burgh Adatns, but that gentleman did not respond. Mr. P. Dionan, one of the vice-presidents, then ro3e to propose the health of the Superintendent. He •aid that the first Governor* had to look after the progress of colonisation, but of late the Superintendents had done that He was cert uu that the present Superintended would not be behind any of his predecessors in efficiency. (Great applause.) The toast was drunk with all the honours. His Honor, iv rising to respond, was received with great cheering, which was contiuued for several miuntes. He said, he thanked them for the vory kind manner iv which they had received the toast. He had been elected to the office of Superintendent at a very eventful period, and a great deal of what happened to the province within some years depended upon events dining the present Superintendence. Theie were not only those great general questions which were now agitating the colony from one eu'd to the other — those great questions which must of necessity receive a settlement, »nd with regard to which the conduct of the Provincial Government, the Superintendent, and the Provincial Council, was influential for good or evil. There were not only those questions, but the question of finance, and that question of questions upon which they had set their hearti — Separation. (Great cheeriug.) The Superintendent and Provincial Council of Auckland, as regarded that question, would have its duty to perform — to memorialise her Majesty's Government, aud to take those necessary step< which were so essential to bring about that result. They would take the very earliost opportunity of briuging that matter before the Imperial Government. Jt wan clear that the people of the province were unanimous on the subject, because no man at the late elections would have had any chance of being elected unless he declared himself in favour of Separation. These were questions of a general character; but «urely their own affairs were in a state which required careful consideration. It was absolutely necessary at the present time that the provincial authorities should devote themselves to the question of their income and expenditure, to immigration, to the disposal of their lands, to the purchase of native lands — matters whioh were ripe for decision, and well deserved it in tlio next session of the Provincial Council, He felt that it would be expedient and desirable .that he should state to them the course which he intended to pursue as regarded the government of the province. They were aware that during the last session of the Provincial Council that one question above all others agitated that Council, and upon which there was a great difference of opinion between the Provincial Couuoil and the Superintendent. That question had now got into such a state that before the Provincial (■iovernmont could be carried on it was necessary that they should deal with the question of responsible government. He felt that it would be impossible for him 1 to itate to them any measure ho should propose to carry while that question remained unsettled. Therefore it was his inteution at the earliest poisible period — perhaps at the middle of next month-^-to oall tho Council together for the purpose of disposing of that question, and to ■ay what was to be the nature of the Government of the province for the future. (Cheers.) They would see at once that it would be impos»ildu fur him to prepare measures, if afterwards the Council ■hould come to the determination that the Superintendent should receive responsible advisers ; it was necessary that they should take those measures into their consideration, and bring them down to the Oounei] to support. It was necessary that they, should dilpose of that question ; so that he would Ball together the Provincial Council in the middle of next month, with a view to determine that question —(hear, and cheers)— aud adjourn for a month bo prepare measures, and come down to the Council with all their measures properly framed. By that ' meant he hoped, instead of sitting for four or five mouths, m many weeks would bring the lession to au end (Cheers.) He had every hope, in looking around at the members elected for the Provincial Council, that they would get on -most latufaotorily together, and 'that they would have but one object in view — that would be the good and advantage of the'province. (Hear and cheer*,) If they were to expect that no differences of opinion would i arite ■> that ' would be, • mo*t,i un, reasonable. ■ He had no doubt difference! of opinion would' arise; and he would say that it 1 waa of ' great advantage, as it was from the conflict of opinion that truth. was elicited. (Cheer*. ) He,tru»ted they would discuss those questions that might arise with temper aud discretion, and with lue consideration for eaoh other's feelings ->(Hear, hear) — that whatever might be

the decision of the majority, the minority wouk readily Mmneaoe , vitlioub bitterness or ill, feelintj (O u he t rS^ fl ? would say, in looking at the, member/ who had been .elected for the Provincial Council, h( had every hope that they would do so; and he be hevod that when the time should expire when,tb« present Oounoil must lay down their office, they would be at good friends with their constituencies as at the present time, and the latter would no doubt invite them to dinner, to tell them that they had don< their duty to the province. ( 0 ] Jeers .) He would again thank them for the kind manner in wliioh they haddrunklm health. (Loud cheers.) The Chairman «aid fl when guests were invited on moh an occasion as that, of course it was the usual compliment to drink their healths , but he could tell them a great deal more was intended than the usual compliment on that occasion. (Hear, hear.) They intended to thank the members from Aucklaud who went to the last General Assembly, for the great exertions that they used in, behalf of the people of Auckland j and desired to express that they eutirely coincided with their views ; and, therefore, to afford an answer to those gentlemen who charged them witU not representing, the people of the province when they spoko on behalf of the people of the province in the General Assembly. (Loud applause.) Tkoynot only desired to express their approval of the conduct of the member*, and to show that approval to ,the world at large; but desired also to express their very best,, thanks for the sacrifices which they had made in attending for several months the sittings of the General Assembly^to look after the interests of the people of Auckland. (Ap. plause.) Every gentleman who attended the session during tke last session deserved more than ever they had done on any former ocowion the thanks of the citizens of Auckland ; because he must acknowledge that when ,the members left Auoklandi his hopes of their being able to effect any improvement were very despouding. It was perfectly apparent they had undertaken a very discouraging task, and how they had succeeded the gentlemen preseut well knew ; therefore it would not be necessary for him to tell them. When they left Auckland, it, was, a kind of forlorn hope. For himself, he could not at the time see any hope of success in their attending; but he admitted that from the conduct of • the Auckland members at the Assembly,, and i, owing, to a fortunate cirouinstanoe, .they had succeeded in doing tlut which he could never have hoped they would have succeeded in. (Applause.) He would ask them to look at the state of thing* at the time the members left Auckland. They would recollect that at a former session of the General Assembly, , held in Auckland, Mr. Weld and his colleagues propounded a policy which they were pleased to oall selfreliauce. But what did it mean? If they, would sift it carefully, as he had done, they would find that that self-reliance meant application to the Homo Government, to whom they sent for aid, and, who wero to find the money, and the people of the North were to find the raeu. Then they would pat them on the back and say, "Well dou»." (Applause ) He believed that to be a fair and reasonable description of Mr. Weld's selfreliant polioy. They must recollect the faot— and the more lie looked at it the more he wa« surprised at the extraordinary conduct of the Ministry — that, with a large majority in the General Assembly, they should have suffered themselves to ba hoodwinked. When the Auckland members went down to Wellington, the gentlemen present would remember that Mr. Weld and his colleagues wore found to be so well supported that the Auckland members fctood almost alone. (Hoar.) That was what he thought would be the case; but by perseverance and by united action — standing firmly by each other— and by conducting their affairs with judgment and concession, they arrived at a more satisfactory conclusion ; far more successful than hiuuolf or any other gentleman could have expected from them. The piesent he did not think was an occasion for them to go iuto the question as to what would take place in the next Assembly ; but he thought the representatives of Auckland had opened up a new field and a new campaign for them ; and it was for them to show in the elections about to take place liow to follow up that victory, and to complete it. (Scar, hear.) Ho felt asauicd that they would quite agree with him that nothing better could be done than to send those gentlemen back again, and pay them the compliment — if they would take it — of returning to complete the victory they had so successfully commenced. (Applause.) But he would tell them they must not be too confident for the future ; because he had already told them he thought circumstances which could not be foreseen bad favoured their representatives, in a successful manner, -whilst they had battled for them at Wellington. It wa* not to be calculated upon that men with wiuuiug card* in their hands should again petulantly throw them down, and afterwards desire to tike them up attain. Gentlemen present would remember that Mr. Weld aud his colleagues had the whining cards iv their hands, but they thiew them dowu and allowed their opponents to checkmate them. They could not expect this to be done in the future ; but he must tell them that the Auckland ineinbeM had formed an alliauce with the members of other provinces who weie quite as desirous to do what was just and fair, aud therefore he trusted they would be able iv the next session to complete the victory already commenced. (Applause.) He had no doubt that in the next Assembly the fight would be a very severe one, and it behoved all to look round ami consider that iv electing the old representatives they would be choosing them for the next five years— five years which he felt would be of the most impoitaut character. Therefore iv looking round for their representatives they would do well to elect those who hail been tried and not found wanting when the day of battle came. He had, m conclusion, very arc it pleasure in proposing the health of "The Auckland Members o£ the General Assembly." (Loud applause.) The toast was drunk amidst great cheering. Colonel Kenny returned thanks on behalf of the Legislative Council, He was sure they would perceive at once how unsuited he was, from previous ciicumstauces, to return thanks on the present occasion ; nevertheless, he should do so, as it had fallen to his lot to do so. (Cheers.) Before returning thanks, so far as the Legislative Council was concerned, he desired to address a few words to tho gentlemen of the committee, and tho^e gentlemen who ha>l oiiginnted that iiumptuous entertainment, at which he confessed he felt himself a .very unexpected gueat. He would also say that he thought tho compliment was intended for the repie^enUtives of tho constitueucies—(Chairman: "No")— and therefore he felt like an intruder. Nevertheless, he felt the compliment very much. He felt very happy, so far as he was concerned, to return thanks for the toast that had beeu giveu. (Cheers.) He need scarcely say that he conceded to the representatives of the constituency of Auckland province— he meant the Auckland members of the House of Representatives the entire credit which might have accrued in any way from the results which had succeeded tho recent session at Wellington. (Hear, hear.) It was to them entirely due what benefit had accrued to Auckland, and not to the Chamber iv which ho had tho honour to ait. It wag, ho said, to the endurance, to the patience, to the determined and yet, nevertheless, toinperate vindication of the rights of Aucklaad; aud, above all, to tho unanimity— for they were unitod in action— wasj attributable that reaction iv political affairs which had so much benefitted the province of Auckland. (Cheers.) When he had said that much, as a member of another branch of the Legislature, it might be supposed ho could have little to say for himself, and in truth it was so. It was not a very pleasant prospect to go down to Wellington— (Hear)— it promised to be lively, but certainly not veryagreeable ; but, nevertheless, he folt it to be his duty to go down there, and he appeared in his place. (Cheers.) 01 course the natural consequences might have beeu unticipatod— he anticipated them. There was the lame thing manifested in that particular branch ol the Legislature— the same opposition to the interests Df Auckland that there ' was- elsewhere. (Hear.] He had taken the earliest action— the most fittiug opportunity he could— to bring forward those amendments, and to introduce those notices oi motion, which he thought would advantage the pro vince of Auckland, because he aw that the most determined assault was made on the province ol Auokland; and he found himself, on tho fiist division which he took good care to take, in an absolute minority of one. The whole Council was against him He, on another occasion, proposed mother amendment, whioh resulted , pretty nearly in the same way as the previous one. After that result, lie thought it unnecessary to prolecute.any further what would ,not havei been opposition but merely an obstruction. (Cheers.) rherefore, as he before said, -when he felthimsell sailed bsfore so large a number of citizens to return thanks he almost felt ashamed to do 80, because he felt he had done so little to merit it. „ He,, of course, ivont down there with personal inoonvenienoe ; for Father Neptune always treated him aomewhat roughly »rid made him restless and ,unoomfort*ble. .Those svere the little inoonvenienoes. he .had sustained ; but tvhenhe looked back, he could, not see, anything he jould reoall whioh was not really worthy of the ;h*nks of the toast they had pioposed. (Cheers.) iUthough he had gone down there simply to perform

iui aucy, ana aitnougn.he nad,accpmpluhed so little, ho, j felt,., a* A they , all f . must' do, that ,th< insfcitutioui of the Legislative, Couucil w«« , nc trivial matter— it was a ,very importaufc itom.in th« administration, of the Legislature of the, colony. (Sear.) And he .would simply say that he did trust that that body would merit— they did not seek merit simply by popularity— the suffrages of ,tho people ;— (heat)— but endeavour to merit by abstaining from partisan politics, and by avoiding the raising of those peculiar question* which affect peculiar localities— tho,t they ihould refcain.the respect, of the cotmnuuity; by following that course, they, could] mould a great power— wield it in the, cause of, the, weak, rather than in the, cause of , the strong. He would never leud himself to any aotion— oven in furthering Auckland—that would be detrimental to the interests of any other community, merely beoause it was Auoklaud. (Cheers.) Ho considered that the functions of the Legislative Council extended to the whole colony— that they,, should , extend the shield of, their, protection ,over communities which, it was not' in the power of others toi do, (Cheers.) There were high moral functions connected, with the duties of the Legislative Council, and, he (Colonel Kenny) felt sensible; of them. (Cheer*,) He was sure the community of Auckland wonld not advocate him if he should ever lend himself, to a mere clique or to a partisan warfare, in the .cause of any .paiticular province or community. (Hear.) He did not say that, such had boen,done, but he, would say that it ought not to be done. All he could say was, tha£ when he proposed anything in .connection with the province of Auckland, in the.fiwt .instance, he was left, entirely in the, minority of one, and ou a second occaiion a meagre support was given, he felt it to be hii duty to abandon any further obstruction, as.it would not have been produotire of any good. ( Hear ) *He did not knovy how, to return tha,nks for, the Legislative Council; he was the.only member present. , (Hear, and laughter.) So, long as party politics , took the direction they were at present doing he would always be found advocating and,. snppoi ting Auckland, but before it was merely .running a-muok to do ,»o^ ,it was running in, opposition against that which was not founded ou .morality. (Loud cheers. ) Mv, Thomas Russb&v on rising, was leceived with deafening applause. He said : Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I thank you mo»t heartily for the manner in which, you have received , my name this evening. I feel gather ashamed at the position I have been pitchforked into, in appealing before you, and speaking before any Auckland members, who are so much my seniors in the Homeland who have contributed equally,,,, if j not more than myself, in that success which has attended our , efforts iv the South. However, I am here, and I must make the best of my position, as I have done in another place. (Applause.) ,1 assure you, gentlemen, lam very glad to meet you here, after such a long absence in the South. I am very glad, indeed, to meet you in Auckland, and especially under the present circumstauoes. It is a satisfaction at all times, when one is engaged iv the performance of a duty, to feel that you did your beat; but it is with much iucreased satisfaction wheu you know that the performance of that duty meets with the approbation of your , constituents and friends. (Loud applause.) I take it that this banquet aud all the other manifestations that the Auckland members have beeu greeted with— l take all these as an approval of our efforts and conduct ou your behalf in our places in the General Assembly. (Applause.) We were told that we did uot represent our constituents : we were told by those who specially were opposed to the interest of this province, that they had groat faith in the people of Auckland, bub none whatever in their representatives; and, therefore, geutlemuu, I feel thankfnl— as lam sure every member of the (louse of .Representative* for the province of Auckland will feel thankful _ to you for the latification which you have given of our conduct at Wellington. We wore placed in a very trying position — away from all those with whom we might have taken counsel -with whom we iniglu have consulted, and decided to act. Without reference to others, wo had to decide on most important questions, and to take upon ourselves great lesponsibilities ; it is therefore a iource of great satisfaction to us, to find that what we have done merits and has , obtained the sanction of your approval. But, gentlemen, I feel specially thankful, and I am specially glad that you have takon the comae which you have takeu, because that is the right course. , (Soar, hear.) I feel glad that you have supported us iv the efforts we made in the House to obtain Separation of this part of the colony from the South. (Hear, hear.) I am glad, I say, uot , simply because you supported us in the coune that we took ; but I am glad that you have thrown yourselves to completely in favour of the . matter. You have told the colony that Separation must be obtaiued, aud £ now hope you will tell the Imperial Government that you must have Separation. (Applause ) Mr. Chairman aud gentlemen, I beliave that this Separation movement is the right and the proper policy for this pioviuce to adopt for the future. I believe it to be right and reasonable that in this, province — where we have special circumstances, special questions lequiring special management, care, and patience in dealing with them— our interests are so mtimately connected with the proper settlement of these question? that we desire to be able to say, that if they are mismanaged we shall be ourselves to blame, and if they are wellmauaged we certainly ought to have the credit of conducting those affairs. (Applause.) And I hold also that the conduct of our owu affairs is the only policy for us iv the future. Unless we get Separation we must make up our minds to descend to a third or fourth rate position in 1 elation to all the other provinces iv this colony. (Hear, hear.) Those of you who have watched the events of the last Parliament through its live sessions, must have come to the conclusion that good government for a united colony is no longer possible. (Applause.) We have had, as you will remember, during the past live sessions of P.uliament, five changes of Government. (Laughter.) Each session we have had the Government of the previous session going out of office, and a new Government coming in. The interval of time between the sessions has been spent not in good government of the country, but iv arranging and settling political questions , &o that re.vlly tor the purposes of Government we have had no Government at all. (Applause.) Now, gentlemen, I believe that, whatever the experience of the past may have been, it will be worse in future, so long the colony remains united. Looking to the provincial jealousies that exist— one province being jealous of another— and looking to the bitter feeling in some poition of some of the pinvmces— for I will qualify the asseition in that way — against the province of Auckland, I will say, it is utterly hopeless for us to go on any longer as a united colony. (Appl.iusfe.) I hold, thereto] c, that it is the only policy for us to sepaiate.' We will hold what we have got by that 'means, and go on still higher. (Applause.) At, you may have observed, from the reports of the dobates in the House, there weie various schemes proposed for obtaining for this part of the colony substantial Separation. By Separation I meau the right to manage our own affaiis. (Hear, hear.) One plan was to out the colony in two at Cook's Straiti, aud constitute the Northern Island a sepaiate colony. That was the course proposed in my resolutions which I moved iv the House. Another proposal was, that the province of A uckland should be constituted a separate colony — (hear, hear) — and the third proposal was, that we should substantially obtain the same ends by some resolutions moved by Mr. Macandrew in the House, and by wuioh the province would be made almost independent of the General Government. Now, by either of these motions,' I believe, we could 'gain what \ve want. All that we want — all that we ask is, to be permitted to legislate upon our own affairs, and manage our own conccrnt. (Applause.) And now, wliit aie the chances aud probabilities of our succeeding in this mattei? Now, I must confess that when I went to the Assembly I had no hope of accomplishing- so much as we did accomplish in regaid to the Separation question; but as already stated by the Chairman, we have opened a hew campaign — we have brought the questiou before the colony j we have found allies iv the General Assembly, aud have allied ourselves to a number of gentlemen in the South, who are seekiug to secure thu same object, but for a different reason altogether. They are, seeking, Separation to save their pockets, but we, are seeking Separation for ,the purpose ofi being permitted to , manage our own affair* ; and, in some measure, ' also to save our pockets., There are other gentlemen in the ,Houso, I may do them the justice to t ,say, who desire also to' withdraw from' interfering, 'in Northern affairs. They recognised theiu justice of our 1 interfering i\n matters which do not concern ua; 'and for the same reason, they will vote with us that w ( e may manage our own affairs. Now, I say, we have effected an- alliance with, these gentlemen f and I believe the question has been' so prominently brought .before the constituent* of , the Middle ,Islaud toat I imagiue next session we shall have a majority of members iv the House in ,fayour of Separation.^ (Applause.), ;But what, I ask , the people of Auckland .to ,' do is-j-to take* oare i that no member goes ,d»wn po Wellington ,'f/bm this' province who is not thoroughly pledged to go in ' entirely for substantial Separation iv one form or another. (Applause ) lam quite certain we are united on this question, and that

if we persevere no G.ov'ernme'nt in "'Now, Zealand ' ,'oan withstand the united will •ndpui'pose^of 30,000 people. Lan therefore quite sure that 'if ' you' return to the Assembly next session fifteen me'nibers' pledged for Separation, although we may fail' in the fir«t 'instance, : wo muifc .ultimately obt»in'"'dHr ob-je'ot-,-the Separation,' df.'thi*" portion'" \>f /'the colony from the South. (Appla'us «.').', Then, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen; we shall b.ave'be'fore luPan 1 .opportunity of, shbwiiig 'what, is mearit'by' *''true J arid genuine, and not a *h»m, s'elf.Veliftnt' polioy. (Ap- 1 plau'se.) The people of ' Auokland'wttl Wen' have to < ( confront one of the greatest difficulties' 'perhapi that colonist* have over had to ' contend against in the Southern, teas ; 'but great 'as 'will be 1 the difficulties— and I do not .conceal them— I believe, as prudent men; measuring our ' means ' in keeping with those difficulties, we shall find" the greater the difficulty tbe greater will be our' success.' ' t believe* that we 'shall most successfully .triumph, '' and found in this Northern part of the island of New Zealand one of ' the most flourishing and prosperous communities in the Southern ' seas. ' (Immense applause.) ' ''" i' 1 1' • t> , i ' Mif. Johst Wii.i.iAmsok next rose to respond' to the > toast, and, was received with vociferous chriering.' He' said : Your Honor and gentlemen, I feel that there' has been very little left for me to say after the speech , which has just been delivered by 'my' friend* Mr. ' Russell.' I would much rather indeed have preferred (if one of the'senior members of the Ho'useof ''Bepre- \ sentativM—l meanMr.Carleton— wHdse'name'l find •' follows mine, had been called upon to address you, instead of myself ; but I suppose we must go ' in f une- • ral order on this occasion,--sr(laughter)— and'leaVe'the' high officers' until the last, 'and that' 'the ' junior ' members should proceed first in'brder',' I 'must express to you the great gratification that 'I' have felt ; in returning to Auckland 'and] receiving 'such ; open marks of approbation for pur services— not ouly in the streets, but npon'the huntings,' and now at "this' sump- ' ,tuous banquet, as a testimony of your approval oh the part of myself and colleagues for actiitg on 'your behalf in late session of the' Genera l' Assembly. ■ Sir, it is indeed 'gratifying to men who come forth with an earnest desire to do their duty, however, feebly, they may have dove it— it is very gratifying to them to receive such marks of approval as ( have been' heaped upon iv since we returned here. , (Cheers^)' ' I a ; m sure I only' express, the feelings of my colleagues when I say that we feel y'eiy grateful ( to you indeed \ for' this significant manifestation of your approval -^ of the feeble efforts we have made on your behalf.. We went forth from Auckland a 'small biifi united ' band, and determined to do the best we coSild on \ your behalf — to obtain and achieve for yoii u 'the accomplishment of an object .which we, knew 1 wafc deir to yon. We felt that we could hardly hope^ fforV r success— that, indeed, we could nob' hope for succeW in the late session of the General Assembly ; but we felt that it was our duty, on your behalf, to go and ' ' open our case, and let it appear before' the colony. ' Although we did not hope for a satisfactory, verdict before the Assembly, yet we, did feel that, ' prior to the elections about to ensue, ' it was our business to lay' the case before the country at ' large, aud we did hope that the result of the elec tious would give to us a more satisfactory verdict, \ and one alto which would be conclusive ; and. I*' believe also such will be the result of the efrbrti made by your members during the late session of the General Assembly. I am glad, sir, that Colonel Kenny has'stood by ud to-night after having visited Wellington, and been a spectator of what tookpUce there. lam pleased that such testimony has been laid before the Auckland people of tho great results that have flowed from the attendance of your representatives there. Although Colonel Kenny was himself unable to do niuoh to assist us, yet he was a witness of what was done, and could see also, apart from the very great object which we had in view, that there ' were minor and subordinate ones which indeed it would have been unsafo to have left in the hands of those persons who were inimical to Auckland. That gentleman watched closely the efforts made by the representatives of Auckland, not merely in the House, but out of it. I must say the people of Auckland know little of the unceasing attention which was required to guard their interests ; and if it had not been for very careful watching on our part it is hard to say what Auckland would have to complain of now. (Hear, hear.) Sir, before your representatives ' had arrived at Wellington, the animus which was entertained towards Auckland exhibited itself in unjust charges being made against your members for' non-at-teudance at the opening of the session ; but I xra% glad to find that one of our members was there— l lefer to the Chairman of Committees, Mr. Carleton — who defended us from the charge «f not 'being there, and explained that our absence was due to no fault of ours, and thath we had been ithjustly aspersed. (Cheers.) Mr. Chairman, it has be»n said "Union is strength," but never was that saying so fully exemplified as it was by the conduct of your members in the last session. If it had not been for the steady and compact opposition which we gave to those whom we believed to have no frieudly feeling towards Auckland, I say again it is hard to tell what the consequences would have been to this much-hated proviuco. (Cheers.) Ido not wish to say a syllable against Mr. Weld, who \va3 the head of the late Government, I believe he took office with a colonial desire — I fully believe that ; but I believe, sir, that Mr. Weld was put iuto that position to serve the purpose of a clique— a party ; and, sir, their conduct to Mr. Weld at the time when he required their support proves that 1 am correct. Sir, when most important questions were brought forward, upon which the honour and integrity of Mr. Weld's Government rested, where were the men who had for their own purpose iuduced him to remove the -seat of Government, and establish it at Wellington ? They wera not to be found in the division list, and I must say this, that had Mr. Weld been supported in the time of need, he would not have been so ready to throw down the reins of Government at the time he did. Sir, we did not go there to overthrow the Government ; we balieved that that Government was the choice of the mvjority of the representatives of the colony ; but we went there with a desire to carry out your intentions — to obtain for this part of the colony that sort of government which we believe to be absolutely necessary for our welfare under all circumstances ; and over aud over again it was our duty to say totho^e representatives that it was not ou'rdosire to deprive them of that government in which they seemed to delight. But whon the time come — when we had sifted and tried the question of Separation, then came another question which did affect us, as one of the great commercial units of the colony — the questiou of taxation. Wo were determined that until after the elections no additional taxation should be imposed upon the people of this colony. (Hear, hear.) In this we wore strongly supported — naturally and properly supportod by the representatives of that very great ceutre of commerce, — I mean the province of Otago. (Applause ) It was this question of taxation and that great one of Separation which brought us together. We cemented a union which will exist until these questions are satisfactorily determined — (hear, hear) — for whatever may be said by the Cook's Straits settlements as they have been described by a member for Canterbury, we feel that we shall have the tupport of the Otago members until these questions are satisfactorily terminated. Sir, iv our consciences we feel that we have done our duty, and we are not ashamed of tho part we have taken. ( '^Ye have never offered 'a factious opposition, although we have been charged with dciiug so. ( '(Hear, hear.)' ( We opposed the Weld Government so long as we felt that they were likely io do anything against the welfare of the colony at laige, 'and this portion' s in ' particular. " ' Sir I ,' I recollect the d ft y ou which we left Auckland — it wosonaSuiidav afternoon; we might havo'goh* forth, believing we had only the good wishes of 'a purtion of the people of Aueklnud with us ; but there were crowds assembled on the wharf to witness our departure., We knew there was a difference of ' opinion existing in Auckland as to tho propriety of, our going to the "Assembly at all; but we felt in our, owu iniuds that we were ' doing that which was right. We felt that there was among ' those who crowded the wharf those who wished vi God speed ; and we felt oh' g'oiug there, whatever might be the opinions of wise and intelligent gentlemen iv A uckland, that wo wei c going in a riglit cause. AY lien' we least 1 expected it, that event took place— the resignation 'of the Ministry— tha benefioiafeffects of which I think will be felt in this colony for all time to borne - (oh'eeis)— for they were running headlong and plunging the colony into financial embarrassments, from which it wdulcVhave'bee'ii' difficult for the colony to h«ve ( rid itself. 'After the dissolution of 'the Geneial' Assembly, it will be the duty of the people of Auckland to^eleot representatives 'ih; the General Assembly. I do not claim for my colleagues a renewal of 'your ' confidence': ' that'] leave freely to your own 6lioice— (hear,' hear)— 'm I should be aihamed to say there were ' 6nly fifteeii 'men in A'u'qkland worthy of your confidence, ' When'l'look ', aionud me here to-night' T see' many nien' who,' by , , position and other ciiauintta'nces," are well ''fitted to take their place' in tbi General Assembly ; but 'if any '' of 'the old in'tmbeb 1 are' Returned," we shall Ward " it' 1 , as f 'a,",' 'further 1 . ' appreciation of 'their obtidifofc, '"and "'as' '»" higher r honour still conferred upon us. (Applause.) I believe, the old members are sent Again to Wellington, they

will not disappoint you, but will do their duty as i well | astbeycliavji.doiie.it Ware. Jt».*F«e £»*«•*"! have been.,points «P.on ,wluch Affered-a, time will .^^V«t f ,gene^^po4. q on UJ ( great questions of .importance ,to, AuckUu Me worn aU, unanimous., .there , was I k now, u parity, , of, „meu at one time *ho S AwhJmd may/rely upoa it 'that Now Zealand Sdl bcSo a grJat empire ; and if we have no men SSon^ "B^ovcMtting dowii, alto* me to say .1 woiil m reference to what lias fallen from my friend Major Heanhy, as ho has attrilmb>d a part, to me winch I wish to ooirect before tho gentlemen leave the banquet. It is true Hint I have takou some part in obtaining that amount of encourageuwnt for tho militia and volunteoisto ■which I believe them entitled ; ,but I must say (lining ,thn last .session I Know nouo of >ny colleagues, who, wore not as pager to do the fame, Although tho Militia Bill had originated with tlje late Defence Minister (Major Atkmsou), 1 must say his predecessor, Mr. Kussell, rendered every aid he contd to carry that measure to completion (Cheers), I will not detain you by touchiug upon minor queatious ; but will tuauk you on behalf of mycollo.ur,uesand myself fortku banquet to-night, , and for the, full denial which you luvo given to the charge brought against us at Wellington, that we ouly represented ouiselves, and not you, in the Assembly, in the co,ius.e tlufc wo took there on your, b,ehalf. (Applause) , , Mr. CaRLKTON was loudly called upon, and pn rising to leturn thanks wab received -with repeated applause. He said the gentleman who had just sat down (Mr.'WHliamsou)'had just told them that little remained for him to say after the exhausting speech of his common friend Mr. Russell ; how much less then reniaiued for Kiln '(Mr. C.) to say, after listening to what he (Mr. W.) had himself said. He (Mr. C.) could do Jittle else than to lise, not on behalf ot the other members if tlio Assembly, but to evpiess to those present' his owu individual thanks for tho ni eat honour that had been done to tho members ' of the Assembly by their respective constituents that *a»y. (Cheers.) They 1 weio proud of the h mou'r that " had beon done to them ; aud let no man present abuse them for that pride, Jqr it was their duty to be proud of it, for if they were uot proud of it it would be an undei valuing of their feelings. (Cheeia.) lie would b.\y they wero pioud of the honour done them by theii con stitnects ; but novoitheless bis modesty led him to think it possible that their sei vices in tho good niitute of the people of Auckland might be somewhat ovei valued. ("No, no.") What had been «aul to them by the Supeuntendeut of the pio\mco that evening wns peifectly true; that they weio aided by eii'cumstinces. He was perfectly willing to admit that it was a mattei of most serious consideiatiou befoiu they \\<.nt down 'South to serve them — whether they would serve th?ni better by remaining inactive up in Auckland, or by goiug down Sou'h to tight; with the enemy. He admitted that there was much to be said on both sides of the question. For his own pait it was well known tlufc he had veiy sti.mgly advocated the going down of the Auckland membeis to Wellington ; but possibly that w.is not so much from a clear peiceptiou of the future ns fimn th.it instinct which always beset him— wheu he had to fight a man he liked to stick to him. (Laughter and cheeis ) It •w.i«, indeed, a matter of very seiious, considuiatiou ; but he was one of the fiibt to admit that circumstances had favoured them. He would say that it wa-> most fortunate that they did go down . and without speaking at leugth, he would indicate those few main points in which it appealed theii services had been really of use. (Hear.) In the first placp, by going down, lie believed they had hindeied the apportionment of an undue amount of debt upon the provinc3 of Auckland. (Cheers.) He would not B.iy that any very unfair play was shown towards them do\ui theie; he meant to say that there was a fair disposition shown towards the Northern Island there , but he would ask, had not the Northern Island been down, and the Auckland membeis hold their own, who could have said what other feelings would not have been, evinced? (Cheers.) In the next place, in going down there they were able to £»ive support themselves to some good and staunch allies, who would have been eveu in their places had the Auckland members not g«ne there (liear), ard had it not beeu for their assistance thosa allies would have been swamped by what they might call the Cook's Straits faction. (Hear,) By 'the Cook's Straits faction, he was very far from meaning to spe.ik of the v.hole ot the settlers of the province ; but ho did speak of a faction which, by whatever means it obtaiii'-d rule, did rule the Cook's Straits province. (Cheers.) They were able to do a good turn to those faithful allies, and by them it would be duly reciprocated to Auckland. (Loud cheers.) In the next place they were at least, although beaten on the question of Sopar.v tion— aud they expected nothing ohe — -they were at least able to break the ice, and to make a hole into which many members of the late Assembly, wha theic opposed them — into that hole many of them would assuredly slip. (Chetrs ) Tlum'uig had slipped in already, aud theie were others already on the descent. (Loud cheers.) Again by goiug down, although they did not intend to do it — to turn them out — yet they had been instrumental m tho natural bleak down of a Ministry which, whatever mi<,'htbe paid of it, was, he might say, at all events — and he said it in all respect to the membeis — not disposed to give fair play to the Auckland province, (Hear and eheeid ) When lie said that, ho most heartily reciprocated the generous expiession which had fallen from his hon. friend Mr Williamson towards the hon. member at the head of tho Go> \ eminent. He (Mr. C.) would tell them — and he had been as much as most of the members presenl behiud the scenes — that the member at the head oi the late Government was not the main offender, (Hear.) He was a good, easy man, but carded away by his colleagues, and much further than he (Mr. C.) really and honestly believed he intended te go when he assumed the reins of office. (Cheers.) But they were all likely to be judged by the com' pany they kept ; and the head of the late Ministrj was judged by his followers. (Hear.) He (Mr. C ] had one word more to say on the question ol •Separation. He thought it likely, looking into th< future, as far as ho was able, that they would succeed in obtaining Separation. (Chceii).) None knew so well a* those who had been engaged in battling out the question the many difficulties that were likely to ensue — (Hear, hoai) — and none, let him tell them, were so ready to bravp those difficulties as th6se who had aheady »tood up to them. (Hear and cheers.) Jt did appear to him that although they had been beaten, yet— peihaps not in the next bes'sion, but eventually — they would obtain S'epaiation. (Cheers.) He would, however, tell them that the greatest difficulty of all would' not then be conquered ; the gieatest difficulty was to come — tho terms of Separation. (Hear, hear.) A simple vote might cairy the question of Separation, but when it came to the question of terms, then came in the time for that ability in debate which he must say for Auckland was manifested to a lemarKable extent in the last session. (Cheeis.) He would ask them, looking forward to those difficult times, at any sacrifice to return to the next Assembly the very best men they could find. (Hear.) He could only speak for himself : if they found a better man, let them retnrn him for hi» seat. He did not attempt to disguise the deep disappointment he should feel ; but if they found a better man he woUId not complain ; because ail private wishes and feelings in the preient emergency must be swamped in one common and united effort for the general good. (Loud cheers.) He had not .risen to male apolitical speech upon' that occasion, for more than one reason. 'In the fitst place, he had come theie, not to listen' to the dulcet tones of his own voice, but to enjoy himself most heartily with those who had been kind enough to invite him to be preient that evening. In, the next place ( 'he was not ' disposed ' to throw down the glove where there was no one to take it 'up. (Laughter and' otieers.) ' He was' npV 'disposed" to raise, .questions^ debate where all were unanimous, and where there was no one likely to antwer them. Lettjbem show him the fight, »ndhe would be one of the f first, to be into il^olieers)— upoii all" pobiible occasions, and upon all possible subjects! ' '(Renewed cheers.) That vfan his instinct, and be' could not help it. (Laughter,, and cheers.) Where all wer« unanimous^he.coiild not ruiie'a question of debate j and,,he would, f olio w f the' gnnorous example ket 'by Mr. ."Williamson in 'not attempting to aisail gentle' men wljo woi'e pot present to .answer for themielyes, and^Ko, he believed in his heart— although thej h«d bie^ actuated by undue and unfair prajudicei towards. A.uQkland.^wjhere'^uokland.^M aot don

o'rned, were sincerely actuated by n dt»lre tctfl»«P«{>W ths uood of the rest of the colony. (Loud oLwara.) ■IK J: O'NEiLL,'dn fismgTwai War »iy^reetodr H6 said :« Y6nr HJdnor and 'gentleman, 1 — Arafitnon. Stratidn <uoh a's we «ow witness is', I believw,' the fust bf Us kind iv the'colony, and 'may stand oloiioin its political history. 1 I cannot 'put' my ideas mtO' words' tfluob. would" citry with them lny feeling* «> gratitudo fur your generous oouduot ; Hist, in affording vi moral support by mount 'of the great ' pub-ho meeting, ami now by this public banquet. <{Cb.eerW.)' 'Feeble as'my Words are,- let me thank yonj sif, ami this' largo party, representing, as they do; the talent and wealth of tho piovihoe, for tile cordial Welcome given to myself and brother "members bfi bur return froni Parliament, as well a* for the honour of eating and drinking in your presence.' (Olieera.) ' It is uuquestionably the duty of every settler to give' up as much, of his time for the good of the" colony as ha conveniently oau, after 6f course directing his own affairs so as not to suffer any material ' lose. Tho country derives great advantage from such mon as youiself, but when thoy cannot be- 'found in sufficient numbers willing to offer ■themselves, or, through prewuie of' piivtite affairs, nro unable to give up their tune to the' public, it follows of necessity lh.it men of humbler attainments mu>t be accepted to represent our views ns best they can ; and if you, sir, and this province are pleased to bo satisfied with tho humble efloits put forth by us in our places in thu Gonoml Assembly, it cannot fail of boiut; very gratifying 'to us, and must stimulate those c.f us whom you may consider worthy of a renewal of yout 'confidence to display even more energy tho next time the P.viliament is called together. ' (Cheers ) [t is woi th wliile giving up the comforts of home dining three or four in6w ths in the year, and risking one's, health with long sittings, an xiety, and the excitement ot debates, when a geucral welcome awaits us on our return, accompanied with the approbation of > our nmsteis. (Hear, hear.) A table groaning with all the good things of thii life is a fine sight ; but it is imuieaiuinbly of greater comfoit to your returned members to receive a pubbo ackn'owledg.ment that we did 'our duty to the utmost of our abilities, mid to your satisfaction. (Chet>rs ) If 1 could have my desire, affcor pleasing my constituents, it would bo to'Buo amongst m tonight the late Native Minister, Mr. FitzGerald ; that he' might witness the hearty hospitality of our province, and then hazaul the opinion, as he had done, that we were not faithfully 1 representing Our fellow colonists, ' when rising ■in our places wo denounced his schemes for solviug the native difficulty as wild nnd impraoticable. (Cheers.) 1 could wish for no richer treat than to see by your side, sir, the portly form' of the late Attorney Geneial — not lor tlio lmrposo of following Out the Bautiug regimen of cold cabbage and water, but, while cnjo>ing life's comforts at your generous boaul, to listen to tho speeches of tho evening, and theu say whpthor Auckland's vernacular is inferior to anything he ever heard away fiom the centre of civilisation. And wo«> I to have a third wish, it would be to call from Cook's Straits the lute Treasurer for the colony, that yon might be regaled with lm H >wcrs of rhe'toi ie, heaped, as it so abundantly is, upou every one who opposes him or Lowry Bay. Tulle of a local vernacular if yon like j after listening to his poioiatimi, jo\i would be forced to the ' conclusion that nibbing 'shouliieis with an ostler or lisliermau might give bis ganh'ents an unpleasant aiomi, but His mind could not be stoiod with a choicei vocabulaty than ho air. ady possesses (Hear.) Whatever satisfactory results have been achieved, thcie is no doubb but it is owing to the good feeling that existed among your members while in Wellington, and their united action bi ought to bear upon the pioceedings of the Government. (Cheers.) I am f.u rrom being in advocate for exacting pledge* fiom lepresentatives, thus lowering then position ami usefulness to the meru delegate; but I do think that upon such an emergency as the present, when l.uge inteifsts aie at stike, and when your meniben .no fow in number compared with the bulk of the House, that at least two promises may voiy icasou.ably bo icquued fiom candidates — the fiiot, to be friendly to and promote, as far as possible, privata meetings of jonr membeis during the sittings of P.uliament ; and scco-idly, for the ninioiily at such tenitoiial meetings to be guided by the opinions of the majoiity. By such a procedure befoiehand there is no unseemly difFelonce of opinions in the House, and the speeches of youi membeis following in the same giODVO will commind lcpect, and carry with them the. appearance of strength. As an example of my meaning, i may mention that my views wete against taking over the confiscated lands clogged with bo gro.it a burden oF debt, because I felt that if the General Government tried the axpenment for six months to utilise the lands of the Waikato, they would be tired and disgusted with the self-imposed task, and be glad to transfer those lands to ihe piovincc with less liicumbrances on them; but the majority thought diffelently, and the qurstion was decided. In liketn.umei I disliked tb» idua of seeing an Auckland member in the Ministry for fear of compromising our position as Separattomsts, because it may bo said in the South that all Auckland lequirei is to get a Ministry of its own making and it will be satisfied. (Cheeis ) I am sure we are .all of one mind that no boon offered to our province, or overtures ever so desirable, ought for au instant be entertained, if accompanied with any underotanding foi an united colony. I have always supported Mr. Stafford's Government-, but for the future I fchall be free to oppose hU or any Ministry that will not leave Separation an open question to be decided by the House, without the interference of the Colonial or Imperial Government. (Hear, hear.) Loug speeches are not desirable wheu so many gentlemeti are expected to address you, and theiefoio I will not occupy }our time by speaking of the Government House, the debate on tho addiess, the Militia Bill, the allocation of the loan, or the attempt to divide our province into four parts, so as to lessen our influence in the Assembly. All our proceedings were placed before you in a reliable form by the energetic gentlemen sent down by the Auckland press. You had been pleased to approve of our conduct I again thank your Honor and the geutlemeu presentfor yourmarked kindness, as such an example cannot fail to be productive of lasting benelit to this section of New Zealand (Loud applause.) Mr. J. C. Firih, in a lengthened speech, proposed " The health of Mr. Stafford and his colleagues;" but the gieater portion of his remarks weio inaudiblo to the reporters, owing to the distance at which they were seated f i oin him. (Ihe toast was enthusiastically received.) Mr. Thomas Mac^'Arlane said : I do not know, Mr. Chairman, what effect the speeches wo have just listened to has had upon yon, but to my mind they convey a most instructive example of the truth of tho old adage — that union is strength, and that light will ultimately triumph over might. The battle of tho session from beginning to cud was conducted with great tact and perseverance. Every one of our members seemed to feel tho responsibility of his position ; each one was equally determined to do his duty. Actuated by one motive, they united cordially for the general welfare They were surrounded by enemies, but they wcie never off their guard — they never presented any openings in their rauks, and were always ready to take advantage of any slip by the enemy to strike out with finnnesi and decision. Such self-sacrilicing perseverance deseived a ricli row.vrd,and it received it. Gradually the ranks of the en^my began to exhibit symptoms of wavering, and defection. This imparted increased confidence to our'bandof wairiois ; and at last tho leaders of the Southern host.unable to keep their meu togother, threw down their aims and fled from the field, fairly overcome by the indomitable perseverance' 6f their antagonists. (Cheers ) In a Campaign' where all did so well, it might be invidious to point out individual acts of prowess ; and yet' t cannot refrain from singling out one, viz., when the giant of the South was encountered by the stripling of the North. No two 'men could have engaged 'each other on more unequal terms. On tho ouo side there was the choice of the ground, and there were sources of information to which ho alone had accets,' and these advantages were bafcked by groat skill in debate. On the other side there was youth, comparative inexperience in debate, and symptoms of recent illness. On the one side there 'was great confidence, and much of that boasting peculiar to the big-mouthed Arawns. (Laughter.) On the other, there w«s evident anxiety lest the cause should suffer at his hands ; but there Was no 'sign'ot hesitancy or fear. (Hear, hear.) 'To all out-! ward appearance no two men ' could be more unequally matched, and yel they close.in mortal combat, and for hours the battle rages. In no 'one attack had the champion, of the South the slightest advan' taee over his youthful antagonist ; whilst' 'the latter not only skilfully parried every, thrust made at 'him', but ' ultimately ' disarmed his foe,' ' and' completely placed him hors'de combat. This was a sight Worth' 'seeing.. It was the ep'ifcode of the" sossion. All honour "to the braye 1 ! (Hear, hearj and' ch'eera.) I don't think I' am wrong when 'I' Say ,that Mr. ' Russell* gallant conduct on the occasion 'alluded to wjai 'the 1 turning point' "of the sesiion, 'nud'"gave tlie North an advantage which it' never' aftorwards lost, ( and which ultimately led to ( the downfal of one of the moat' visionary and" corrupt Miuntriei over 'e^xUting in the ; colony. '/Thii ;unexpected xiix\\ m you all Itnovrj'wemV through the proviuoQ like ari elocMo •hook,' and tip jiddr^b'wuh

in it., fplQiimselt, a' jioher, a ihftppioji 1 mtuf. ?Evqryone Tolfc as if a heavy burden had" been removed— i« if"a"dark and threatening* cloud" had~bcen-dis pellcd and ri glorious sunshine had bur»t upon him Here'i'espQoiMiy' was tho news 'of the'downfal of l|is Weld' Ministry 'received with feelings of imurinijled fhtisfaotion. t Everyone felt that' fair play, would' bo accorded td all rWts . of tho colony, and especially that fait" opportunity would* be given 'to develop tho 'botmdless resources •of this province — that the 1 lands'which had b»erf bought' with the- blodd of our citizens' should be'<*eoured for them.; ,nnd that, in carrying 1 oltt the original proposal for.; the settloment of'tho Waikato, wo should have ample security foi 1 the future ponce aud prosperity; bf 'Auckland. We felt then, as wo feel now, that all we' want ito accomplish this i» to be allowed to<nianngo our owu affairs. ' We know that we had men amongst us possessed of sufficient politioal skill to enable us to do this with credit to ounolvos < and with groat bonoftt to the province ; and if wo had no othor men than tho indomitable fifteen who wont to Wellington, we should feel veiy woll satisfied. But our choice i-f not limited to those W« have other good men and true to join with them in forming our Piovinciiil Council- a Council which will now bear- a favourable cOmpaiison with any Council of the kind out l of England, and will bo prepared to (discharge anj duty that may devolve upon it.' '(Cheats..) >lti« mo*t gratifying to find that almost every member ol the Gen^ral'Assemlily his been elected to the Pro. vincial Ctmnnil. , Their wisdom and experience will be most valuablo in this Council, nnd will secure unity of aotiou and fixedness of purpose, and < bring 1 order out of confusion and'prosperity out of adversity. (Cheers') The Council, 1 &« now constituted, ' fairly 'represents all cla<ie* and interests in the 1 province, and while no particular interest or section will be overlooked, there will, I feel assured, be 1 a total ' abnegation of self interest and a g«tirioitB rivalry as to who 'shtll do most for the goneral welfare. (Applause.) The Council has work bof ore if which cannot bo overtaken in a shot fc or specified timo. I'l lie peculiar circumstances in which wo are now ph-ced mtufc bo fully oonmdeied with Ihu view of do vising tho be.»t mo mis of getting out of onr difficnßien, and piepanng tho way for future prosperity. (Hoar.) Tho'iesources of tho province must bo dovelopod as speedily as posstblo, so an to raise means for fuither improvement. We must be ' able to rear crops and cattle at least for our own use, 1 and j the country mint bo opened to enable this to be done, aud these crops tihd c.ittle brought to a' good 'market. Our mineral wealth niust'alao-be developed, a'nd eveiy facility afforded for- doing so. (Cheei*.) Tune, patience, and por&everaiiif are • all that are wauted from us to' secuto these objects ; and there are men in the Council able and willing to do all that is necessary to secure the future prosperity of the province, and these men wo ought to ciicoutago by every meaus in oui power. We have now one of our abloat men di Supeiiuteudent, and no doubt the Council will solect a 1 elHoieut Kxi'outive, nnd thereby secure unity of action and the pioper working of tlie'inachiueiy of state. Union, tine heart*, and courtesy must now bo our watch word; -and if we are true to this, Uiccess must attend oureflorts. A long pull, a strong pull, anil a pull altogether biought down the Wellington prop, and all its corrupt machinery, and a stmil.tr pull now will somi place Auckland on n basis of prospority which no Administiation, howovci hostile, will bj able to shake. Gcntlcrnon, I propose to you tht health of t( The Members of the Provincial Council.' (Loudapplaus".) The toast was drunk amidst qi eat acclamation. Mr. \V. T. Buck land, in responding, siud ho had to thank them fur the invitation he and his colleagues had received that evening. It was agi atifioation which they had not expected while in thu South ; but it \Vas veiy welcome now, as showing that their constituents approved of llto couisc thej took. There wcio among them but few who could devote their time to public business without loss to themselves, aud he did not know any lctuiu gieatct than had been made to thorn th.it evening. When any one of tho colonists deserved well of the people the same thing bhould be done, and he should be let know fiom a conclave of the citizens that he had done well. That would bring many men forwaid who would not come, because it was said they w ere such an ungrateful set of men. He did not quite agree in much that had been said of the Southern meinbtis, who, as well as themselves, looked at things from a provincial pjint of view. He thought they had no right to call the Southern gentlemen the names ho had heattl them called fchut night. He knew that there weie among them men who would not do anything they thought wrong or improper. (Heat, hear ) They looked 'at politics from a different platform. J.et them fancy themselves fixed in the boulh Island, with no native difficulty, and having their funds set aside foi the suppression of the native rebellion. lie would not enter into those questions now— (Hear, heai)— but he thought they should believe that the Southern gentlemen weie actuated by pet fectly good mottvea.' (He»r, hear.) Ltet timing now to the toast which he was to letnrn thanks for, he might say that he had been a long time in the Provincial Council. 'iho uiajoiity of them had for some timo past been so busy making nisney that they did not caio one "dump" about their provincial institutions. They would now have a better Council than for many years past, which showed that they weie getting into trouble, aud looked to it to get them out of it. He might remind them of the couutiyman who prayed to Jupiter to asswt htm, aud who was told to put his own shoulder to the wheel. The go.ls assisted those who assisted themselves, and if they wanted the province to go ahead they must put their own shoulders to the wheel. To suppose that anything tho Council could do would give them an export, and put them in a thriving condition, was monstrous. Eveiy one should do what he could. God had given them as fine a countiy as ever was given to any people, and it would be theii owu faults if they did not diag themselves out of the mire, and place themselves mthe high position to which they were entitled by natuie. Mi. J. O'Neill said ho had been asked to propose the toast of "The Agricultural Interest." They nil took a great interest lv this subject, because they could not do without the stall of life, and did not like the dear loaf. He hoped aud expected that, instead of importing wheat, m a shoit time they would be exporting it. While their fellowcolouists in the South Island had been anxious to dot their hills with sheep, thoir policy had been to hll tho country with smiling homesteads. He hoped that with new native land regulations, and with greater encouragement to large capitalists, they would soon have enongh agricultural produce for themselves, aud a good deal to spare for others. (Cheers.) Mr. R. Graham, in rising to respond, was. received with immense cheering, which was sevoial times renewed, lie said the membets felt the honour of being invited there that evening. the more because they had been accused at Wellington of not repiesentmg the people of Auckland, and it wan with heartfelt giatitude he hoard that their constituents approved of their conduct. There was no one better aware than himself of the advantages theprovince possessed, not only with reg.ai d to land, but climate, and men to cultivate it. He was aware of the good quality of the soil, as he had compared it with the Southern Island and the other piovinccs of this island, and noivliere had he found land equal to it. It was idle to talk unless they had the power to manage their lauds themselves, and unless they had separation. He felt confident they would obtain that, if not in the first, in the next session of Paihament. There 'had' been one cause of their success in Wellington, namely,' the fact that they had been unauitnous. They intended to be unanimous, they went down to bo unanimous, and while there they ■ had been on the most fnendly terms, m they were now. They had throughout communicated their thought! freely to. one another. He had to tell tho present Superintendent that he had a duty to petforra. He had nobly come forward to take Office at tho pieaont crisis ; he. had now to go down to. Wellington, and there take up his position. (Cheers. ) II c had there to call the memberß together and say to them— Now let vi go together as one man, as was done last session. 'The work would not be complete till that had been done. He- thought/ it was fortuuate that the Auolcland members had gone to Wellington. (Hear, heir.) The late Ministry, were prepared to introduce a measure which would have divided the province of Auckland into three parts, ' but the Government did not get leave even to bring in the bill. ' Some people had been surprised. that Mr. Weld' had thrown up -the reins of. Governmeat; even after the knoolis and kicks it. suffered from members, -which they took quite 1 kindly. ( Laughter . and i cheers ) There was 1 ! one ,veracious ge'ntleraan, the" lata, AttorneyrGeneral, to whom they certainly gave it- right 'land left/ '(Laughter.) After «ome further remarks} Mr. Graham concluded by returning thanks again for the toast .01 tho agricultural interest. ' -' Mr. Newman said- the toast allotted to him was "The Commercial Interest of Auckland;" but lie would extend the toa»t, and- givei" The Commercial Interest of New^Zealand.' 1 . (Cheers) - Afteivsoine further remarks, Mr. Newmiuij proposed the toast, which was drunk with enthusiasm. ' • '1 - ' I Mr; Thomas Hkndbrbow rose <to respond to the tdast, and expressed liisi regret that the committee .'jbkdnat consfdewUti juiwious to fcleoti iome other

' pWfl'oit fcVreia 0 "^* 0 thesaB^ke|Hi.{n|t filing tjjo)r had made a proper selection. 'However, he might say he had novaTTjhrunk'from talringhis-parfc-irrtho' affairs of theiproviYiqe, /and he had . lik^wiie erideavburodto bring-fchai(ro3ouroM'6f othorlcauntiiesjinto thif'at a chehper rat?. (Ohoers. ) , It' was maay- years i iginoeho had an.opportumty. of. meeting with so many friends, and homusb express his acknowledgment ito, tlie gentlemen, who hadleutortamod tliem that ov,oniiig t * He^nesd only) shy I . .that his,, best energies .would always bo ulevotedl .towards, promoting tho progress', of this.pmt of the. colony- ; 1 >and. he tnisbed' ho•hould never bo found.hicking in the prouiotiott of its? commercial prospeiityj' <" i"t>u „< „ i,!', ' .Mi" B? W.lQsk thouiproporfed J.'/rho'Press,", which was'responded to by Mr. 'U W. Micchitni,. - im ' Mr. George WKES-ricA proposed ff/Phe Ladiei, 1 ' in complimontaiy terms, andiitiwas veceived ,with soveial i ouutls of applause; i i, « > > 1 i „ i Mr. J. M.' Odark responded on behalf of ,the fair sex. ' ' ' ■ I ' ■ ' .' u ' Mi. Jbkome Oadmah briefly proposed, " Meisrs Dftvid Graham and On., mill thanks for thd use of tho room," slating that ho Iwd known dUa. firm. for.2oj yenrs past, and felt 6nro they were entitlod to', audwould receive, the thankt ot those prenout for the use of tho 100 m in which they wore met together.. Mr. U\.vid G«Ait\M responded, expressing the pleasmo ho folb at seoing so laige and .respectable a body of gontlninen present on the occasion . " 'J'ho health of tho Chiirman" was then given amidst much applause, and tho meetiug separated at a few minutes before 12 o'clock. i