THE GOVERNOR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9648, 13 February 1892, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR.

[Special to Press Association.) SYDNEY, Feb. 12. Lord Onslow has booked on an excursion to China, leaving March 1. THE WELLINGTON BANQUET. [Per c'wbbs Association.> WELLINGTON, Feb. 12. The Earl and Countess of Onslow arrived at two o'clock, and were met by the Hons Ballance, Reeves, Seddon, M'Kenzie and Buckley, the Mayor, Sir J. Prendergasfc, Sir Dillon Bell, and others, to the number of about two hundred, on the wharf. There was no demonstration. His Excellency will, during his stay here, be the guest of the Hon Charles Johnston. The Hon J. G. Ward returned by the same steamer. The Governor is to he entertained by the Wellington Club to-morrow evening, and by Dr Newman on Monday. Hia Excellency will probably leave for, Auckland overland on Tuesday morning. The farewell banquet tendered to his Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Onslow by the Mayor took place at Bellamy’s to-night, the tables being laid for eighty. Among those present were all the Ministers of the Crown (except the Colonial Secretary), Chief Justice Prendergast and Justice Richmond, the local members of the House of Representatives, the Hons C. Johnston, Grace and Hart, Captain Bourke and the officers of H.M.S. Ringarooma. Sir James Hector, the members of the City Council and the Harbour Board, the heads of Departments of the Civil Service, foreign Consuls and others. Among the ladies present were the Countess of Onslow, Lady Hector, the wives of Ministers and others. The Governor arrived shortly before 8 o’clock. The Permanent Artillery formed a guard of honour. The dining-room was specially lit with the eleotrio light. The speechmaking began much later than was expected, as the banquet, which was timed for 7.30, did not begin till some threequarters of an hour afterwards. After the toast of “ The Queen ’’had been honoured, the Mayor said it was now his privilege, as the first citizen of the city, to invite those present to drink the health of the Earl and Countess of Onslow. The only complaint that anyone could make against Lord Onslow was that of which any man might be proud, namely, that they had seen too little of him. He declared that the Governor had undertaken the duty he owed to the Queen and this country by making himself acquainted with all the districts, and, in doing this, he could not be long in any one part. No doubt it was of great benefit to the Colony for persons holding high counsel in England to accept the position of Governor of the Colony, and no one doubted that Lord Onslow had the interests of the Colony at heart. By his visits to various parts of the Colony Lord Onslow had learned something of all classes of residents and their desires. All recognised the unaffected kindness and consideration received at the hands of Lord Onslow and the Countess. The toast was accepted with musical honours.

Lord Onslow, who on rising to respond met with long and continued applause, eaid he was desirous of appreciating the generous statements of one who had been worthily appointed to a chair he could so ably fill. Referring to his successor, he said he had no personal acquaintance with him, as he had come into the title since his departure from England. He had, however, heard something of him. The Earl of Glasgow had gained honours in the Navy, a service which was very popular in the the Colony; he had also distinguished himself at the Crimea. Lady Glasgow was a woman of ability and amiable disposition. Referring to past and present Ministers, his Excellency said there was no body of men who were brought together for three years among whom differences did not arise; and where differences had taken place between him and his advisers, ho bad endeavoured to keep them from the public gaze. He had endeavoured to meet Ministers with confidence, and his views had been reciprocated. He thanked both Sir Harry Atkinson and Mr Ballance for the support extended to him. The political institutions were not the outcome of to-day, but were the embodiment of the British race. The Governor had not much influence in the trade or commerce of the Colony, but he would make a short reference to the public debt, which up to 1888 had gradually increased, but since then had only advanced .£423,000, and the annus! charge for interest had been less than previously. There was a great future for the Colony, but this was largely iu the hands of the people themselves. He was a great believer in constitutional doctrines, but regretted that among a certain class the opinion was expressed that the presence of the Governor in Parliament would put a curb on discussion. He had, however, followed the debates of tne Legislative Council very carefully, and among those who had taken the most hopeful view of the Colony were those who had recently been appointed to the Council. He was pleased to see that the House of Assembly had sustained its reputation for the decorum of its proceedings. Death had, he said, been busy among eminent politicians since his arrival in the Colony, and he paid a high tribute to the memories of Sir P, Weld, Sir F. Whitaker and Sir William Pitzherbert. He also welcomed back among the Colonists Sir Dillon Bell, who had ao ably represented the Colotay. He referred to the drainage of Wellington, and would be glad to hear that the enlightened policy of the Mayor had ‘been adopted, and much-needed reforms instituted, as he looked upon Wellington as the oity which was to become the principal town of New Zealand. In concluding, his Excellency thanked them for the honour done to himself and the Counters, and assured them that during his stay in the Colony he had endeavoured to do Iris best for both rich and poor. (Loud applause.) The Hon W. P. Reeves proposed the toast of “Her Majesty’s Judges,” remarking that the Colony had not only been fortunate in securing gentlemen of high character, but it appreciated them. The Chief Justice briefly replied. The banquet is still (midnight) proceeding.