THE BIRTHDAY ADDRESS TO SIR GEORGE GREY.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 46, 23 August 1892, Page 4

THE BIRTHDAY ADDRESS TO SIR GEORGE GREY.

4. PUBLIC PRESENTATION. Tho addrcßs from the citizeiiß of Wellington to Sir George Grey, on the attainment of his 80th birthday, was presented last night at tho Columbia Skating Rink. Fully 2000 persons, of both sexes, attended tho ceremony, and honoured the veteran statesman with a reepption worthy of the occasion. His Worship tho Mayor, Mr. H. D. Bell, presided, and amongst those who occupied Heats on tho platform were Mr. Speaker Stoward, tho Hon. Mr. Seddon, Messrt. W. Rolleston, J. Duthio, G. Fisher, W. M'Lean, A. Saunders, W. Buchanan, and Scobie Mackenzie, M.H.R.'s, Messrs. J. Plimmor, J. H. Heaton, T. Dwan, and ft. J. Duncan. Several othor members of the Legislature, and of the City Conncil and various public bodieu, were amongst tlio audience. Above tho platform whh a strip of cloth boaring tho words " Many Happy Returns of tho Day." Sir George arrived at ilve minntoa to 8 o'clock, and was accorded a most hearty reception on ontoring the hall. He was accommodated with a chair in a prominent position on tho platform. Ab soon as the cheering had Hub-idud, Jfis Worship the Mayor rose and remarked that in one sense it might bo said the mooting had not been convened, bat had asHornbled spontaneously to pay its tribute of rospoct and honour to tho venerable statesman. (Cheors.) His own part in the proceedings waß merely to introduce the business, because the arrangements of the meeting were in tho hands of the Committee whose privilege it had been to inauerurato the presentation of the address. But he claimed the privilege of saying, as he had known Sir George Grey all his life, that no matter how much anyone might have differed with him in the past, or differed with him still, all were ready to recognise that, by his untiring sense ot public duty, the courage and fortitude with which he had borne pain and suffering, his dignity of presence, unbounded enthusiasm, and matchless eloquonce, he had attained tho greatost honour that man could attain — tho rotrospoct of an honoured life in the sorvico of the State. (Cheers). Sir George had left a record which would live for ever in the memories of people whose delight it was to honour him. (Loud Applause). Mr. G. Gapes then, at tho request of the Mayor, read to Sir George tho addrcHs, which had been skilfully designed and illuminated in rod and black ink by Mr. J. IJ. Ingram, and was onclosoJ in a handsome gilt frame The following is tho text of the addroßH : — To Sir Goorgo Grey, K.C.B. Sir— Wo desiro to tonder you our heaity congratulations upon your Inlying attained your 80th birthday in the enjoyment of good health and unimpaired vigour. Ah residents of Wellington and colonists of New Zealand, wo recognise the fact that whilo your long life has been devoted to honourabjo and distinguished sorvico to the Empire in many lands and various capacities, your name will over bo most intimately associated with that of this colony, in which so great a portion of your life has been spent. We fully appreciate tho devotion you have always shown to tho interests and welfare of this colony, and your unwearied efforts to bonefit your fellowcolonists, to improve tlioir condition socially, economically, and politically, and to do all in your power for tho olovation of the masses and the ensuremont of doing the greatost good to the greatost number. On many of the measures you have passod opinions must necessarily bo divided, but wo can all unite in admiring- the noble motives by which your public life has been actuated, in thanking you for the great services you have rendorod to your Queen and country, and in earnostly praying that you may yet bo spared for many yearß to devote yonr groat abilities to the promotion of the best interests of your fellow men, and continuing to advocate tho welfare and prosperity of tho colony, which affectionately recognises in you its " Grand Old Man." Wishing you many happy returns of tho dav ' We remain, Yonr sincere friends, (Signed) G. M. Dorney G. Gaveb Thos. B. Dwan J. FITZOERALD John H. Heaton J. W. POYNTON And 3000 others. Wellington, New Zealand, 14th April, 1892. Mr. Thomas Dwan, in an interesting speech, sketched the career of Sir George, and paid a handsome tribnte to bis zeal in the interests of colonists. Mr. J. Duthie, M.H.R., expressed the ploaßure he felt at being present on the occasion of the public recognition of the philanthropic career of Sir George Grey— a career which was distinguished in every way. To Sir George the colony owed the settlement of the early native trouble, and during his term of Governorship and ever since he had shown himself devoted to the interests of the people. He (the speaker) joined most heartily in the sentiments expressed in the address. Though their gnest was getting on in years he still possessed health and vigour whioh he (the speaker) hoped he would aontinue to enjoy for many long years, so that he might still exeroise that indomitable spirit of energy whioh was characteristic of him. (Applause.) Mr. Dwan next stepped forward, and, amidst cheers, presented Sir George with the address. Sir George Grey, on rising to reply, was received with loud and prolonged cheering. He said he found great difficulty in speaking, that night, to so largo an assembly. Politics must necessarily be excluded, hence he was driven to speaking, in a great measure, regarding himself. (Cheers.) He wished it had boon otherwise. It was true he wm 80 years old, and also, as they had been told, that he was born shortly after the death of his father, in a foreign capital — Lisbon. Therefore, his early youth was passed in a home of sorrow and sadness. It had had a great effect upon him all through tho 80 years of his life, and at times he had beon subject to fits of sadness, which it was difficult for hint to shake off. It was only by working for his fellow-men, and in seeing the happiness depicted in the facea and appearances of others, that ha was able to care that melanoholy which so often affooted bun. After the first few years of his life his mother married again— married a Mr. Thomas, afterwards Sir Godfrey Thomas, a Cburoh of England clergyman, who was one of the most excellent or men. He commenced Mb stndies in the company of his stepbrother, afterwards Sir Edmund Thomas, in the country, away from society, and subsequently went to Sandhurst and entered the Army. All through life it had been his aim to do his utmost for the benefit of his fellow-man, and if he had succeeded, he felt himself well repaid. He had been told that hjs name would ever be ultimately associated with the colony. (Cheers.) He was but one man among many. He oonld hare achieved bnt little alone; it was through those honourable men who had stood by him, and assisted in the accomplishment of his aims, that the real work had been done — men who hod sacrificed their lives and undergone every conoeivable hardship, whose relations might possibly be amongst the audienoe present that night. It was they who helped chiefly to lay the foundation of New Zealand. Tho father of their worthy Chairman, Sir Dillon Bell, was ono of those who was a partner of his thoughts and deatens. Then it had beon Btiid that he had laid himself out to ensure the greatest good for thß greatest number. (Hear, hear.) In that pursuit, it was true, ho had often been employed, but it was with this object in view — that by the ensurement of the greatest good to the greatest number ho would ensure good to all. tOheers.) That was tho maxim of (the founders of Nmv Zealand, who worked to attain happiness, prosperity, education, industry, and comfort for all ; and if the progeny of those who ontertained such principles would complete the task which had been commenced, then this would he a blessed country and an example to the rest of the world. (Cheers.) Sir George referred at some considerable length to the days when Provincial Government existed, and remarked that never was the colony more prosperous than /it that time —no ono could dony it. He had lived to hear men who had helped to bring about the change in the Government of the country bewailing that the change was evor mode, and had heard them say that if they could restore things io their original state they would gladly do it. The present form of Government had been worked oat in New Zealand. (Hear, hear. and Cheers.) In the days of Provincial CounoiU better laws existed, and thero were fewer mistakes made than now— a testimony to the ability of the men the colony then possessed. Tfaa Councils, by the pnblicity givon to their transactions, afforded an excellent training to the rising generation. Sir George detailed how the Constitution Act of the colony was framed by himself in a tent on the bank of tho Wanganui River, and how it was adopted by the Imperial Parliament, except as to tho Second Chamber, which in his opinion shonld have been an eLeotive Chamber. Tho addresß had referred to the services he had rendered tho Queen. To that he would again reply that Jt was not he alone who rendered these services, bat those who worked with him, including the p&tives, whose services had been most valuable. It was these men whose names should be revered and pat forward as examples to our jonth. For himself, he needed no further reward than to «ea a. healthy and hearty popnlation in the enjoyment pf tho benefits they had attained. What reward could equal that ? Although he was not very strong now. his heart w*s still with them, and ho would serve them as Jong as he could. He was quite satisfied with tbo rewards which his fellowmen hod bestowed upon him. Sir George concluded his speech, which occupied forty tninntes, by moving ft vote of thanks to tho Mayor for presiding. To do this afforded Jiim rory great pleasure, becauqa he was the son of one who was his early fri<end, It yre* pleMunr also to see a man from amongst themselves filling suoh a high position as that occupied by Mr. Bell. He hoped the time would come when all high positions in the colony would be filled by New Zealanders, and when there would be no neoeaaity for sonding Home for heads of departments. (Applause) Even our Generals might be chosen from amongst ourselves, for he thought tho time had come when New Zealand could furnish proper soldiers for herself. On Sir George resuming his seat, the largo audience stood up and cheered him vociferously. Mr. G. I'orney, as Chairman of the Committee, seconded tho motion convoying thanks to tho Mayor, and in doing so spoke in high terms of tho assistance the Committee had received from Mr. Bell. The motion was carried by acclamation. The Mayor made a suitable reply. Sir George said that with tho'approval of tho meeting he would requost that tho address whioh had been presented to him should be found a place in the new Free Publio Library, as the first address placed there. (Applause.)

Tho Mayor, in rcplv, oroaHniy on behalf of the citizenH, <mid tho gift would bo uccojitrd as a great honour, and would be prpHprved tin a memorial of the meeting and of Sir Gcorgo Grey's association with the city and its inhabitants The proceedings then terminated.