RECEPTION OF MR BRYCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7863, 19 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

RECEPTION OF MR BRYCE.

AUCKLAND, Mat 10. Mr J. Bryce, M.H.E., who arrived in Auckland from England by the s.s. Tainui, was presented with an address, signed by a number of leading citizens, at the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. The following is the text of the address : —“ To Hon John Bryce, M.H.R.— The undersigned inhabitants of Auckland have much pleasure in welcoming you on your return to New Zealand. The success which has attended your efforts to vindicate your character against malignant aspersions cast upon it, has afforded us great satisfaction. Wo admire the fixed determination with which you have met and overcome many difficulties and obstacles which you have had to encounter to effect your object. We feel that the Colonists of New Zealand are deeply indebted to you for demonstrating the untruthfulness of some of ; the reckless calumnies which have affected, not yourself as an individual, but through you, as a public man, and a member of the Colonial Legislature and Government, the Colonists generally of New Zealand." Mr Bryce, in reply, said he knew of nothing more gratifying than a cordial welcome, and to him, after a period of great anxiety, it was especially welcome. In-

ferentially, he had obtained the credit of taking action on public grounds. His first duty was to his family. He had been chiefly actuated in removing from them a heritage of shame. He had also felt that he had a duty to perform to a troop of Cavalry with which he had been connected, and beyond that he could say, without egotism, that he had felt he had a duty to perform to the Colonists. He appreciated the cordiality with which he had been received here. His opponents had relied on the prejudices of the English public, and he had relied on the fair play of an English jury. The manner in which they had appreciated the result had afforded the highest gratification to him, and he thanked them heartily. Mr T. Peacock, M.H.E., in moving a vote of thanks to the Mayor for calling the meeting, said, had time permitted, the address could have been signed ten times over. Three cheers were given for Mr Bryce, and the proceedings terminated. H® leaves for Wellington by the Tainui. WELLINGTON, Mat 10. The following address is to be presented to the Hon J. Bryce, on his arrival in Wellington:— "To the Hon J. Bryce, M.H.R. " Dear Sir, —We, the undersigned, inhabitants of the City of Wellington, desire most heartily to welcome you on your return from England. When you left the Colony, in order to prosecute the author of the so-called ‘History of New Zealand,’ who had, in the pages of that work, bitterly traduced, not only your own character, but that of many old and esteemed Colonists, and generally that of the whole of the European residents in these Islands, we felt that yours was in every sense a Colonial mission, and wished you all success. Your arrival in England, and the progress of the case, were watched with keen interest, and when the nows arrived that an English jury had unanimously absolved yourself and fellow-Colonists from the charges made against you and them, and decided you were entitled to exemplary damages, there was a universal feeling of satisfaction throughout the whole Colony, all political parties rejoicing that justice had been done. We cordially congratulate you on the result of your mission, which is a great triumph, and adds another to the many public services you have rendered to New Zealand. We trust that you will be spared for many years to take part in those Parliamentary and public duties which, it is our pleasure to know, you have at all times discharged with honour to yourself and credit to the Colony.”