TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3994, 31 August 1874, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

INTER-PROVINCIAL. DINNER TO HIS EXCELLENCY. [rKR ANGLO-AUSTIIALI AX TELEGRAM COMPANY.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. His Excellency was entertained at dinner last night in the House of -Representatives chamber. Major Richardson occupied the chair. A large number of both branches of the Legislature were present. In responding to the toast of His Excellency's health the Governor made a long speech. He said it was with considerable misgivings that he resigned the dignity and ease of Governor of this colony, but having once felt the attractions of a Parliamentary career he longed to return to that career; still, if he thought any interest of the colony would sutler from liis retirement, no personal consideration would induce him to leave. He referred to his successor as one possessed of ability greater than his own, and equal to any position he could be placed in, and who must secure their confidence and regard. It would always be his most anxious regard to serve the colonies with whieh he had been connected for the last six years, and especially New Ze.i 1 • for which he saw a great future from the uniform and comprehensive plan with which railways were being constructed. The Governor of Tasmania wrote to him when leaving for New Zealand, and after having seen a great deal of the country in a short time he could not doubt her works of intercommunication justified almost any expenditure. He considered the land in the colony, taking relative productiveness into account, much cheaper than in the Australian colonies. He believed the prospects of the North Islandat no remote period will be brighter than those of the Middle Island. Referring to the policy of the country, he said sums which seemed alarming to a new community were small when the community doubled in population. Who, in IS3 ">, could have thought of an expenditure on railways in England of sums comparing with the National Debtwithout alarm and disquietr.de, though now regarded as a matter of course. He spoke in the highest terms of the dignity of the Parliament and the dispatch with which business was conducted. New Zealand could look with respect and pride upon the conduct of her Assembly. He dilated upon the dignity and independence of the men of the colony, and even newcomers, after a short residence, and attributed it to the high wages and short ie-urs. He was certain they would build up a nation of a character higher and more sensible of their responsibilities because not crushed down by poverty. They must not be surprised if their agents experienced difficulty in attracting the best of England's working men here. They were wanted at home, and were difficult to get at any price. He thought on the whole that the colony had no reason to be dissatisfied. Of his own knowledge he had seen men of an undesirable class turn over quite a new leaf in a colony. He spoke deprecatingly of our system of gaols and lunatic asylums, and dealt with emphasis upon the great importance of improving our educational system as the only true panacea against class jealousy, and safeguard against national corruption. The speech was received with numerous bursts of applause. The gathering broke up at 10 o'clock.