SIR JOHN HALL AT HORO, RATA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7412, 1 December 1884, Page 5

SIR JOHN HALL AT HORO, RATA.

On Friday the inhabitant* of „ n . ;l ! oaoembM at Colgate to * ir j,X n S Hall with an addm#*, and to _j-.. a < Welcome home o» hi* return fr., m England 1 As the morning train into I station, the Hororata and 01«ntunn»l Hi*, trkt Brass Band played, »*(«. the «v. n . quering Hero Corns*. He whs welmnu d by Mr John Cordy, on behnlf of the realdents, who read the address, which was beautifully illuminated, engrossed by Mr Goodman, and framed in Now Zealand wood* by Mr Jewell, The address was ns follows 1 —

** To Sir John Hall, K-C.M.O. ** Tho undersigned, being residents of Hororata district, in the Provincial district of Canterbury, Colony of New Zealand, beg most respectfully to render you a most sincere and hearty welcome on your return to your adopted homo, after K 0 *’ recent visit to England- (Cheers.) We trust that the change you have experienced during your absence from the Colony has resulted in such a retnm to improved health os will enable you to resume the duties of life with renewed vigour and activity, and that you will continue to bo found (as hitherto you have always been) in the front rank ns an eminently useful and valuable colonist. (Cheers.) We regret that circumstances have not permitted our taking an earlier opportunity of most respectfully offering Lady Hall and yourself our wannest congratulations on the well-deserved honour which her Moat Gracious Majesty the Queen has been advised to confer upon you. As Colonists, we hall with infinite delight and satisfaction such a recognition of the services of one who has so well served the Colony in the several public capacities of Resident Magistrate, member of Provincial Council and House of Representatives, PostmasterGeneral, Minister of Public Works, and Premier of the Colony. (Cheers.) At the same time we are not unmindful of the many services and assistances rendered to this district during the last 20 years, no person requiring your counsel or advice ever asking in vain, (Cheers.) In conclusion, we bog most humbly to wish both Lady Hall and yourself many long yean of life and happiness, and that your children may grow up to be a source of infinite comfort and joy to you both. We are, most respectfully, yours, on behalf of the residents, "Johk Conor. " ilororata, Nov. 28,1884.” Sir John Hall said he was highly delighted to receive from them the handsome present which had just been handed to him by Mr Cordy. He desired also to thank them most warmly for the kindness which had prompted them to come out that morning to greet him and welcome him back to the Hororata district. He felt that he had done nothing to deserve this /mark of their esteem; but it gave him the utmost delight to receive from them so marked a testimony of their goodwill. To receive such a testimony of goodwill and friendship from one’s fellow citizens was very flattering, but it was infinitely more so when it came from friends and neighboon who bad every opportunity during a long intercourse of ascertaining whether he deserved it. They had had far more opportunities of finding out bis true character than the general public, and therefore it was that be valued their demonstration of welcome that day more than be could express. He had been a resident amongst them for thirty-two years, and had seen the district grow up around them; mid, indeed, he felt he could almost claim to be able to dispute with his friend Mr Cordy the honour of calling himself the oldest inhabitant 0! the district. (Cheers.) When he first came there it was a vast expanse of uncultivated plain. Now it was dotted in all directions with well-kept farms and homesteads, occupied by thriving, happy men and women. (Cheers.) Since he left them he had travelled a great deal in various countries, both new and old, but in all his wanderings he had not seen any country m which, if he had his choice to make again, he would desire to live in preference to New Zealand. (Cheers.) Ho was sorry to say, however, that, owing to family arrangements, his present return was not a final one. In about a year hence, if all went well, he looked forward to returning once more with Lady Hall and his family to take up his abode amongst those neighbours whom he had learned to esteem so thoroughly. He once more desired to thank them for their great kindness in according to him so magnificent a welcome, and for the handsome present they had that day made him. The latter should be treasured amongst the most valued of his possession*, and would be regarded, he felt, with pride by Lady Hall and the children equally with himself. (Cheers.)

Sir John Hall then entered a carriage drawn by four grey horses, which were well piloted by Mr CressweU, and proceeded to Hororata, attended by vehicles and horsemen. On arriving at the road to the estate, where a triumphal arch, formed of evergreens and bearing the words " Welcome Home,” was erected. Sir John was received by the school children, who sang the National Anthem and gave three ringing cheers for Sir John, Lady Hall and family. After saying a few words to tho children and obtaining a holiday for them. Sir John re-entered the carriage and was driven home, tho band playing "Home, sweet home.”