RECEPTION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CANTERBURY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 4, Issue 192, 25 May 1861, Page 5

RECEPTION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CANTERBURY.

(From t7i.e Lyttelton Times.) On Monday last the usual quietude which pervades the good city of Christchurch was disturbed by an event of some importance. On the previous evening the inhabitants had been warned by the discharge of cannon that the Superinfcendent had arrived at Lyttelton on his return from Melbourne, and early on Monday morning an extra sheet of the 'Times' informed the public that he had brought with him a contractor to examine and determine on the undertaking of the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway. For some days it had been determined to give his Honor a public reception, and when it was known that he would leave Lytfcleton about 1 1 a.m., on Monday, preparations were made in Christchurch to meet him. At about half-past eleven, a large cavalcade of horsemen had assembled at the Heathcote Ferry, and shortly after, his Honor arriving there, was received with most cordial cheers and greetings by a body of 100 horsemen. His Honor having taken his seat in a carriage which was placed at his disposal, accompanied by Mr. Maude, Provincial Secretary, a procession was formed, an advanced guard of 20 riders leading and the remainder following in a column of three deep. As the procession proceeded along the Ferry Road various signs of greeting were observable in the way of flags, &c, and at the Town Belt the Christchurch Band headed the march to the tune of c See the conquering hero comes.' It is certain that the ' oldest inhabitant ' never saw such a concourse of people as were gathered together on that occasion. Continued cheers, gatheringstrength as the procession neared the Town Hall, greeted the peoples' representative, and proved beyond a doubt that, whatever difference of opinion concerning the railway may exist in some quarters, with the people of Christchurch it is in the highest degree popular. Having reached the Hall, his Honor left the carriage and ascended the balcony, accompanied by several gentlemen of his escort. As soon as he appeared he was received with three cheers from the people who filled the street below, to the number of at least five hun- ; dred. After the enthusiasm had in some degree subsided,

His Honob said, It was with feelings of the deepest gratification that he witnessed the warm display of feeling expressed towards him. As a member of a popular government, and as the chief magistrate elected by the voice of the people, he felt proud of the reception he now experienced after a three months absence ; a space of time which had been spent by him in earnest endeavours to carry out' their views and further their interests. It was a source of great satisfaction to him that he felt that he could meet them with the full conviction that he had spent this period in their service, and could now stand before them with a clear conscience on that score. He appreciated the value of popular feeling fully, and therefore was proportionately gratified with the display he now met with. (Cheers). He accepted this demonstration as a general endorsement of his proceedings with regard to the railway question ; but he must remind them that it would not do to crow till they were out of the wood. Things were not finally settled, though they were in a fair way to become so. He would now enter upon what they were all most interested in, and give them a short account of what he had done about the railway. He had succeeded in negotiating a preliminary arrangement on the most satisfactory terms with a contractor of good standing ; he had brought him down with him, and by to-morrow lie should know -whether his terms had been accepted. But he .would assure them that though he was satisfied that the railway was the greatest wantoftheprovince, they might restequally satisfied that he was not going to buy gold too dear, and that if term 8 of an exorbitant nature should be proposed to himself and his executive he would certainly advise^'that they be refused. If this contractor would not do the work for a reasonable rate, others would be found who would. From the assurances he had received from the best financial authorities in Melbourne, there would be no difficulty in raising the funds. He had no doubt that in a few months he should negotiate the. loan considerably above par in He had received the most satisfactory testimony from the managers of the chief Banks as to the soundness of the oredit of the province. He would now say a few words on a matter that had occurred

during his absence, and would preface his observations with stating that he never would quarrel with those who differed in their opinions with him. (Cheers). He hardly liked to allude at any length to the matter. Insinuations had been conveyed against -his motives and his policy during his absence, and attacks had been made on him through the press, of which a very short time would prove the fallacy. He felt greatly obliged by the support he experienced from the people of Christchurch. It. would not make him one whit more proud, but it would strengthen his hands and materially aid him in the pursuit of a policy which he had determined to carry through. He had been accused in the public prints of being " mad, reckless, and a gambler,'? but if by God's blessing his life was spared, he now again promise them that he would make a railway to the north and another to the south; (Enthusiastic cheering.)