THE GOVERNOR ON THE STUMP.

Manawatu Herald, 3 September 1880, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR ON THE STUMP.

— » . At a dinner given by the Speaker of the Legislative Council a few days ago, Sir Hercules Robinson made the following speech, in response to the toast of his health : — He said he was moat grateful for the cordial manner in which the toast had been drunk, and when he saw men there from all parts of the colony, he felt their kindnejs all the more. Had ho been allowed to stay the full term he should have formed for more attachments than he haA ' " aa •bo Oeen at liberty to consult lii-s own inclinations, he should have stayed here ; he had told his English friends he was ploaaod with the climate and with the people, and that he should like to settle here after he retired into private life. Expecting, as lie had, to remain iv New Zealand for the full term, he had made private engagements that would have identified him with the. interests and amusements of the country ; but all this had been swept away when, on returning 1 home a fevr days ago, he had found a telegram on his table offering him the Governorship of the Oape in such terms th:it he could not refuse ; he felt bound to place his services at the disposal of the Queen. He wouM leave the country with feelings of sincere regro!, being sorry to break up tho numerous ties ho had formed, but it was one of the illfrtes of colonial Governors thut their careers were a constant succession of broken ties ; s<> booq as a Governor hail formed one set of ties he had to go away and make new ones. Governors themselves were not faultless, but they received from a generous public quite as much commendation as they deserved. So had desired during his short stay to make acquaintance with the people and the country, and he bad always tried in his relations with the Legislature to strictly uphold thu letter and spirit of the Constitu tion. This country was one of surpassing interest; it had an unrivalled climate, unsurpassed soil, vast mineral resources, and a moat favorable geographical position ; - — everything, to constitute a young: and. happy Britain, without all the want, and' misery in the old one. But the administVa* tion here had not always been above criticism. The future had perhaps been discounted too much, but with care and frugality everything .vould be right in the end The resources of the country were so vast that it could not go wrong eventually. In proportion to popu'ation New Zealand wa» more in dabt thai) any other country ; a<) a word of parting advice he would urge New Zealand to rest content with her present preeminence in indebtedness. They should not go to the extremity of the last straw or the reiult would be disastrous. They were very fortunate in getting so able an administrator as Sir Arthur Gordon ; ha wa=< a moat conscientious, able, and highminded man; better couli not be ; fo.uudt Ha ("ir H. Rob'.nson ) had watched his "career ever since he began public life. He was the best public man they could have got ; he had many very high q>alftie», and but one irreparable defect — Gordon was not an Irishman; (Laughter ) They knew Lord Dufferin had said Irishmen were the best administrators id the world. No doubt they all agreed with that sentimont. That was Sir Arthur Gordon's only shortcoming, and that he could not help ; but being a Scotchman, he would have congenial feel ings from the people of Otago. He had written and congratulated Arthur Gor don, and told him if he was not happy in New Zealand it would be his own fault. If Sir Arthur Gordon only did his duty here half as well as he had done it elsewhere he •would have the confidence and experience the generosity of the people of New Zea. land. He thanked them once more for their kindly feelings. When at tho Cape his thoughts would' often revert to the happy days he bod spent here, where his affections in so short time had taken such deep root. In conclusion, he hoped the Almighty would pour down abundantly his choicest blessing upon New Zealand in all future time.

Si>tne correspondence wafc>-»^.. read, including two letters fei^i Miss > M'Phee, in reference to herretirement from the school. .. Some discussion took place on a letter read from the Secretary of the Board, stating that it had been re* solved to reduce the capitation paid ing was..done in thematter. An application was read from Miss Phillips, applying for the post of assistant mistress to "the school. Mr Burgess proposed, and Mr Gray seconded — " That this Committee approves of the appointment of Miss Phillips, and .the same be notified to her by telegram," : • ■>• • Mr Gray brought under the notice of the Committee the fact that should the present master retire, they would have no master's residence, and hV thought the Board should be asked to erect a residence at once. : He proposed—" That the Board be requested to erect a schoolmaster's residence, there being non« attached to the school." The proposal was seconded by Mr Burgess, and carried. This concluded the business, and the Committe adjourned.