ARRIVAL OF SIR JULIUS VOGEL.

Evening Post, Volume XIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1876, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF SIR JULIUS VOGEL.

* The demonstration in honor of Sir Julius Vogel, which took place last night, was undoubtedly a great success. During the day flags were flying in all directions, and several householders and shopkeepers were making preparations for illuminating their premises. The only attempt at a triumphal arch was in Featherston-atreet, where a strip of canvas was stretched between Messrs. fiethune and Hunter's and Noah's Ark, bearingthe words "Welcome the Financial Hero." The steamer Arawata was expected to arrive at about half-past seven o'clock, and for fully an hour previously the streets were crowded with men, women, and children on their way to the wharf. The Arawata was not signalled, however, until nearly seven o'clock, and some few minutes afterwards three guns were, fired from the Avalanche, to signify that she was in sight. She reached the wharf shortly before nine o'clock, by which time there weje nearly 2doo people on the wharf alone, and thousands more had assembled at various points along the line which the procession was to take. As soon as the Arawata made her appearance round Halswell point, rockets were fired from the various ships in port, and answered by the Arawata, which came alongside the wharf literally covered with flags. In the meantime the members of the Ministry had gone off in the Government steam launch to meet Sir Julius. When the steamer came alongside the wharf, a number of citizens went on board and welcomed Sir Julius warmly. Sir Julius aiid the Mayor, accompanied by the Ministers and others, walked down the wharf, a space having been cleared for the purpose, and on arriving at the bottom, where the carriage was in waiting, his Worship the Mayor read the following address. The crowd at this spot was very dense, and the police experienced some difficulty in keep* ing the public back. The address was as follows :—: — "To Sir Julius Vooel, K.C.M.G.— We, the working men and citizens ot Wellington, well assured of the sympathy of our fellows in other parts of New Zealand) bid you welcome. " We recognise in you the friend and patron ot the working classes. Whereas, before the inauguration of the scheme of public works and immigration, we were without unity of purpose, or hope of future independence, your policy is the bond which unites us, and the lever which raised us to our proper level in the grand scale of industrial civilisation. " For an increase of participation in the profits of industry, for happy homes and contented lives, we have to thank you. "Difficulties there may be in the way of the accomplishment of your grand projects ; but these will certainly be overcome if the Government continue in the course it has hitherto pursued. "We believe implicitly, not only in your genius, but in your earnestness and sincerity of purpose; and we ask you to trust in our confidence and suppdrt. "On behalf of the subscribers— " William Black, Chairman. " John McComisky, Treasurer. "George South, Secretary. Sir Julius Vogel said :—: — "Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen.— Before proceeding to read my reply, let mo thank you very much for the warm welcome with which you have greeted me on my return to the colony. I can assure you that it delights me very much to find myjself once more on the New Zealand shores. This is the first time I have landed in New Zealand since my return from England, after an absence of sixteen months. The cordial welcome you have extended to me gives me sincere pleasure, and I am extremely gratified for your manifestation of feeling towards me. "Painful illness kept me from the colony much longer than I anticipated when I left its shores, but you will I hope excuse my pausing thus much, to say that it gives me pleasure to remember that, notwithstanding my illness, I was able, with the exception of some seven or eight weeks, to unceasingly devote myself to the onerous duties which devolved on me. I hope it will be found that my labors in the several important matters to which I had to attend have not been without service to the colony. I was reminded of one of these matters this morning, as on the beach of a little quiet bay, where probably hitherto few feet have ever trodden, 1 saw a number of carpenters erecting a house to shelter the cable which in two or three weeks will place New Zealand m telegraphic communication with the civilised world. The opinions of me and of my work which you express on behalf of the working classes of the colony generally and of the citizens of Wellington, gratify me exceedingly, and reward me for many years of anxious labor. "The success of the public works policy comprehends the prosperity of all classes of the community. No greater evidence of that success could be desired than the feeling of the working classes, as well as of the citizens, that the policy has carried with it encouragement to active industry, and that it has been the means of making their homes happy and their lives contented. The welfare of a young country like this depends not upon the good fortune of a favored few, but upon the widely distributed prosperity of the many. The general diffusion of wealth is most likely to promote continuous efforts in the direction of that abiding settlement which is really the great object before us. To that end have efforts been made fo gift the land with larger inducements to colonisation by opening through it the means of communication. We have to hope that those who to-day are the employed will in time become employers, and that their ambition will lead them to settling down in their own cottages on their own land, whether in towns or rural or mining districts, as their occupations lead them to prefer. "My colleagues and I are equally anxious to promote the progress of the country and the happiness of the pepple. But on the people themselves by far the greater share of the result depends. The Central Government hat to see that the machinery does not get out of order, but with the great mass of the people rests the working of that machinery. By diffusing throughout the country the true spirit and power arid opportunities of self-govern-ment — call it by what name you will — we give to the people the means of happiness and advancement. Certain lam that never had people a nobler theatre or worthier career. The results not only of my own observation, but of the observation of others much more competent to judge, convince me that New Zealand possesses in an eminent degree, and to an exceptional extent, natural advantages for supporting and rendering happy a large population. Other lands there may be more productive; other lands with even pleasanter climates: other lands with equally gifted people. But for the union of all advantaged — good land, a pleasant as well as useful and serviceable climate, varied resources, a hardy enterprising educated people, for, in short, a combination of all the qualifications which should make the founders of a young country look forward with a faiths no reverse can dim to a bright future, I firmly believe New Zealand has no superior — I question, indeed, anything like an equal on the world srwide surface. " Years since men laughed when I predicted the position among her Majesty's possessions to which these islands would in time attain. Now I believe "the idea is •becoming general that New Zealand will soon be second to none of the colonies of the Empire. The eyes indeed of many countries are on you, and it rests with the people of New Zealand to tread the luminous path to the proud destiny in store for them. My own humble efforts will, I hope, be merged in the glories of the colony with which they are identified. " I thank you, Mr. Mayor and gentlemen, for your kind address and welcome/ Sir Julius having concluded his reply, cheers were given for him by the crowd, and he having taken his seat in the carriage prepared for him, the procession started in the following order : — City Rifle Band Wellington volunteer Firef ßrigade Carriage drawn by six horses, containing Sir Julius Vogel, Messrs. Pearee and Hunter, M.H.R.'s, and his Worship the Mayor Carriage drawn by four horses, containing the Ministry. • Carriage drawn by four horses, containing members of Reception Committee Central Volunteer.Fire Brigade Citizens and Working Men in procession. While proceeding along Lambton Quay, the procession was a very grand sight, the torches borne by the members of the fire

brigades making everything almost as distinctly visible as would have been the case in daylight. Along the route large numbers of citizens joined the procession, which went to Sir Julius Vogel's residence Tinakori Road, by way of Molesworth and Hawkestone-streets. Cn arriving at the ' house cheers were given for bir Julius and his colleagues, after which the crowd dispersed. At the invitation of bir Julius, a number of gentlemen partook of the exPremier's hospitality at his house, and Everybody present wished him success in tKd future; Great credit is due to the police for preserving" order, and to the Members of the Reception Conimittee for -the manner in which they carried out the arrangements. ____