THE BRYCE BANQUET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7644, 22 May 1886, Page 5

THE BRYCE BANQUET.

This promises to be a very grand affair. It is expected that about 400 persons will be present, even a greater number of tickets have been sold. The members of both Houses have been invited by the committee. The representatives of all the New Zealand papers from Wellington have also been invited. A large number of official persons have announced their intention to be present. The banquet will commence at two o'clock. The Mayor of Wellington will oscupy the chair, and propose the usual loyal toasts. Colonel Brett, M.L.C., and Captain Crawford, R.N., will probably respond for the army and navy ; Sir George Whitmore will respond for the colonial forces ; Sir William Fitzberbevt, Speaker to the Legislative Council, and Sir M. O'Rorke, Speaker to the Honse of Representatives, will respond to the toast of The Now Zealand Parliament." The Hon. the Premier will respond to the toast of " The Ministers," which will be proposed by Mr. Kennedy Macdonald. The chairman will propose " Our guests." These are the special features of the programme. SIR G. GREY AND THE PREMIER. Parliament has been much exercised during the last few days with the story of the telegram which Sir G. Grey said he received from Melbourne, contradicting the telegram sent by Reuter announcing the final determination of tho British Government not to sanction the occupation of the New Hebrides by the French. Who did it come from? What was its authority ? These are tho questions asked. The Evening Post explains the whole affair in its issue of this evening as follows : When Sir G. Grey professed to be better informed than the Government as to the position of affairs regarding the New Hebrides, and asserted he was aware of information received by the Government of Victoria which had not been communicated to the Government of this colony, considerable surprise was expressed. Although asked to give his authority he would not do so, beyond stating that his informant was a gentleman who had learned the facta from some one who had obtained the information from the Government of Victoria. Sir G. Grey might just as well have made a clean breast of the matter, for telegrams from Auckland, published in the Otago Times, show that hia informant was either Colonel Sargood, of Victoria, who is now in Auckland, or Admiral Scott, of Dunedin, whose capacity for mischief making and meddling is apparently unlimited. It appears that on the 17th instant Colonel Sargood telegraphed to Admiral Scott urging him to agitate againßt the French annexation, and to send a special telegram to the Auckland Synod assuring it of Duuedin support. Colonel Sargood also stated that tho Premier of Victoria had sent him the following message :—" I trust New Zealand will take our view, and hold up the arms which are inclined to be weary in the cause. The only thing that can enable France to keep up transportation in the Pacific is an extension of territory, therefore the best way to oppose transportation is to refuse that extension." It was in response to Colonel invitation that the celebrated Dunedin manifesto from the Mayor, the Moderator, and the Admiral, was sent to the Auckland Synod. On the same day Colonel Sargood again telegraphed as follows to Admiral Scott" I have received a telegram from Melbourne stating that the telegram in this morning's New Zealand papers of the settlement of the New Hebrides question is not confirmed by the telegram just received by the Victorian Government from the Agent-General." It was, no doubt, on this information that Sir George Grey acted in making the assertions he did in the House. Tho cable messages received by the Premier from the Victorian Government and the reply yesterday show that Colonel Sargood's information was incorrect and misleading. THE RIMUTAKA AND THE FRUITGROWERS. With regard to the question of providing 1 a cool chamber on board the s.s. Rimutaka, for the fruit to be conveyed from Auckland province to the Colonial Exhibition, it is down in the order-paper to bo asked by Mr. W. F. Buckland to-morrow. I have had some conversation with Mr. Hobbs on the subject. He was as much interested in the matter as any settler in Auckland could be. I have heard it broadly stated that the shipping people ordered the fruit to be placed in the hold with other cargo. This appears to be almost incredible. Mr. Hobbs, however, acquits the Colonial Treasurer of blame. He considers that tho shipping company declined to provide a cool chamber because they had some uncertainty as to whothor the Government would pay for the accommodation ; but it seems that nobody appeared to have asked the Treasurer whether the Government would do so.