FAREWELL DINNER TO SIR JAMES FERGUSSON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4194, 29 August 1874, Page 2

FAREWELL DINNER TO SIR JAMES FERGUSSON.

His Excellency Sir James Fergusson was last night entertained at dinner by the members of the General Assembly, the Chamber of the House of Representatives making a noble dining-room for the occasion. The tables were arranged so as to form three sides of a quadrangle, the place usually occupied by the chair of “Mr. Speaker” being filled by the cross table, whicli was the place of honor. The Hon. Major Richardson presided, His Excellency the Governor being seated at his right, Mr. Vogel (the Premier) on his left. The other gentlemen seated at the table were ranged as follows : —Sir Donald McLean (Native Minister) to the right of the Governor ; the Bishop of Wellington, the Hon. Major Richmond, Mr. Reynolds (Commissioner of Customs), and Sir Cracroft Wilson, C. 8., K.C.S.I. To the left of the Chairman, and next to the Premier, sat Captain Simpson, of H.M.S. Blanche, the Hon. Dr. Pollen (Colonial Secretary), His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, Mr. Richardson (Minister for Public Works), and the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Amongst the guests were His Excellency’s Aide-do-Camp, the Rev. Mr. Hare, Private Secretary to His Excellency, and a number of other gentlemen. The other tables were presided over respectively by the Chairman of the House Committee of each branch of the Legislature—The Hon. Captain Baillie, and Mr. G. B. Parker. Attempt at decoration there was none, save the neat disposal of fruits, flowers, and plants, upon the tables. The general effect, however, was very pleasant to the eye, while the exquisite music of the Blanche’s baud, which played appropriate airs throughout the evening, was in itself a treat for the ear. The tables were seated at about seven, and at the conclusion of the repast. The Chairman proposed the health of Her Majesty the Queen, which was drunk with the usual demonstrations of loyalty accorded to that toast.

This was followed by “The Eoyal Family,” which was duly honored. The Chairman : Gentlemen, the toast X have to submit to you on the present occasion is one that I could have wished had fallen into more capable hands. It appears to be one of the duties of the office. I may say is one of the duties most pleasant to me occasionally at meetings like this to preside and to propose the health of His Excellency the Governor. (Cheers.) I know you are all aware, being principally members of the Legislative Assembly, that the chief duty of a Speaker is to be silent. (Laughter.) I am very glad that my hon. friend on the left has not forgotten to cheer. The eloquence of the grave and reverend seigniors over whom X preside, is of that grave and sonorous character which highly behoves the intellectual quality of that Chamber. I feel great diffidence in coming from such a Chamber, where even now the echoes of the eloquence which prevails during the session may be heard—(laughter) —-when beauty from the galleries smiles down on the speakers and incites them to excel in debate. No such pleasure is afforded to us in our sober regions. There is occasionally bestowed on us, a smile of beauty, but after having heard two or three of the notes which have been uttered on the occasion, we soon found the door of the Ladies’ Gallery open. (Laughter.) I feel greatly dispirited on the present occasion, because I find on the last occasion when I was in the presence of royalty, and proposed the health of the Governor I was cheered, and I must say I was almost inspired by the presence of ladies on my right and left, so that if my voice was faltering and my lips almost listless, I had only to look round and see their bewitching glances to draw an inspiration. (Applause). I must say on the presentoccasion I miss that. (The Hon. Col. Brett; No, (no; look up.) The gallantry of my gallant friend tells me to look up. I was about to do so ; but I must say this —I would much sooner have seen them seated round this table. (Loud cheers.) I know it is generally considered that distance lends enchantment to the view ; but I say that distance .lends no enchantment to my view. I would much sooner see them alongside the table enjoying with us social intercourse, than perched up aloft I may say that on an occasion of this kind, it is better to take a retrospective view of the past. lam not going now to refer to that prehistoric—l might almost say pre-Adamite—-—which is known as the period connected with the Treaty of Waitangi. I will only speak of the Governors known to me since I _ came to New Zealand. I will venture to say this, that in no Colony of the British Crown, in any part of the world, have we been so fortunate in our Go-

vcrnors as we have been in this. (Cheers.) Those who can go back to the almost sacred New Zealand names of Colonel Gore Brown, Sir George Grey, and Sir George Bowen, will be able readily to understand what I say ; but if there is one name among them which I cherish with more devoted affection than another,- it is that of one whom I have known as having given his extreme devotion to the interests of the Colony, who has sacrificed all the dearest pleasures of life to the political questions which he may have looked to with pride. If there is one name in New' Zealand which would give an additional throb to my heart, it is the name of Sir George Grey. (Loud cheers.) Following in the line of these illustrious Governors is His Excellency on my right—a name not unknown on the heights of Alma—a name not unknown on the sth November-, when the dark and dense masses of Russian troops assailed the British flag at Sebastopol, and at Inkerman, when the Guards, with which he w-as connected, though almost taken aback, rushed to the strife, and kept those hordes at bay until assistance came. I say we ought to feel highly gratified that we have amongst us a chief w-ho has been in action in those scenes. (Cheers.) These scenes at an end, His Excellency returned to England, and as he could no longer do any good to the State by his sword, he brought his abilities to bear in the positions of—l think the Under-Secretary ofWar and of the Home Department. When. the Ministry with which he was connected retired from office, he then'transferred his services to the Colony of South Australia; and after a short time entered on his career in this island. I must say but a short time has been given us to see him walking in the path illumined by preceding Governors. Suddenly, almost in a moment, before we knew anything about it, we understand that he has retired from office at his own request. I have no doubt, and I dare say His Excellency will be good enough to inform us, that when the party with which he was intimately connected in politics—the Conservatives—came into office, be longed as a soldier always does long, whether in the field, or in the political strifes of ■ the day, to join in the fray. I hope his appetite will be satisfied, and that he -will be able to go to England and join the Conservative ranks, defending the liberty and everything that was sacred which were likely to be shaken to their very foundation. (Loud cheers.) X have only a few words more to say. When His Excellency returns Home, I dare say amidst the strife and tongues of contending parties he may find a few moments to cast a retrospective glance over the past ; and 1 am quite sure when he looks around him, and sees the fair form and beauteous features of her whom he has taken from the isles of the Pacific (loud and prolonged cheers) —it will act as a pleasing remembrance,, and requiring scarcely any more, of his sojourn in these Colonies. Having had opportunities, as it were, of travelling from the Dan to the Beersheba of New Zealand, and, having lived amongst people of every class, I am quite sure His Excellency will agree with me, that while he found a people who would have nothing to do with aristocratic exclusiveness, he found a people who would not subject themselves to the demoralising influence of ultrademocracy. (Loud cheers.) If what I have said be true—and true it is, I am sure—you will agree with me in this, that when His Excellency returns to England we may lose a Governor, but we shall find an advocate. (Enthusiastic cheering.) The toast was drunk with marked enthusiasm. His Excellency the Governor who, on rising, was received with loud and prolonged applause, said :—Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen ; I assure you that I feel it a very high compliment to be entertained in this most handsome manner by the members of the two Houses of the General Assembly. When, as you, Sir, have said, the news came very suddenly to the Colony, that at a comparatively early period of my term of office, I had resigned it, I- could not have wondered had the effect been a feeling of great surprise, or even had it been, one of disapprobation. It is, therefore, most gratifying to me to have paid to me such a compliment as this, which would have been a high tribute of honor even had I passed through the whole term of my appointment with the highest credit and honor. Perhaps no Governor, however distinguished, has had a higher honor paid to him. If I may allude for a moment to the terms of the speech of my hon. friend the Chairman, I might perhaps say that the announcement may, besides surprise, have thrown you into some confusion, because I cannot forget that my presence on the floor of the House may be something more than a breach of order —almost a breach of privilege —but when I think that our Chairman is perhaps as little known on the floor that he occupies, as myself, and that he may possibly feel at least as uncomfortable and as dependent as I do on your indulgence; when I see the legitimate occupant of the position relegated to a corner ; and when the Chairman goes still further and proposes, not only female suffrage, but also female members of the House—(Hear, hear)—l may well tremble at the contusion I have wrought by this untoward termination of my office most unaffectedly. But gentlemen may I say that tills compliment on your part is not only gratifying to me, as enabling me to hope that you have given me credit for an earnest desire to do my to the Colony—(Applause)—but because, believe me, it -will be reassuring to those elsewhere who take an interest in my career, and to whom so early a retirement might seem ambiguous; but you, gentlemen, to whom a Parliamentary career has been so attractive, that you have devoted ,to it your best energies, can understand how one who has been for many years engaged in that honorable task, has longed to return to it, has felt in a position, full, of dignity and ease,perhaps too little of an active character. I do, indeed, doubt whether I am doing right; I confess that the step I have taken has caused me many misgivings, but there must be an account which everyone renders to his own conscience in the first place ; and I have felt a doubt whether on the whole I was usefully occupying myself. Gentlemen, I may, as I say, have made a mistake, and in great steps in life man must often feel a doubt—(Applause) —but I assure you gentlemen had I thought that any interest whatever would suffer from my retirement, no personal consideration would have induced me to decide upon it (Applause) and although wishing not to trespass too long upon your attention on this point, I would nevertheless plead on my own behalf that in resigning a position of much honor anywhere, but which in this Colony is always treated with special respect, and in returning Home, where to regain a seat in the House of Commons involves, in the first place, the gaining of the confidence of a constituency, caimot at all events be reckoned as purely a selfish motive. (Hear, hear.) And, gentlemen, I do know that he who is to succeed me is one worthy of all your respect and confidence. (Applause.) He is a nobleman possessed of abilities much greater than my own ; one whom it has been my privilege for many years to know ; one whom I sat with many years ago in the House of Commons ; and one who I am sure mil be found not only equal to any difficulty in which he may be placed, but who will soon win and retain your regard. (Applause.) Thus, gentlemen, I trust I may carry -with me those sentiments of friendship which I hope I have gained, and which I trust I may always retain from many in the length and breadth of this Colony. It is time the time I have been among you is so short, that there are many whom I now address with whom my acquaintance will still be slight, but, notwithstanding, I have seen enough of New Zealand to know how many men there are in it worthy of a high career, and who have the interests of their country at heart, and of whoso friendship any man might be proud. Of one thing gentlemen let me assure you, that whether it be my lot to regain the envied position of a seat in the House of Commons or not, I hope to do my duty to the best of my ability in a private station, and I shall always have a most anxious desire to serve tho Colonies, with which for the last six years I [ have been honorably connected, and especially to serve this Colonv, in whioh l shall always 1 take a deep interest, and for which I seo

so great a future (Applause.). No one, even the least profound of observers, will doubt that New Zealand is only at the commencement «f its career of prosperity. As yet you have had great difficulties to contend with—difficulties varying in their nature but of a very severe character—and even now, when so much has been surmounted, those who live at a short distance from the sea coast are laboring under great disadvantages; but to anyone who has visited the various quarters of this Colony, it must be evident that in proportion as means of communication are rendered more easy, the increase of the population and the prosperity of the Colony must go on with rapid strides. As each section of your railways laid out, as they are on a uniform and comprehensive plan, is opened, I am certain that great resultj will constantly be experienced. The settler will obtain a readier market for his industry, will procure his supplies more cheaply and readily, and trade must be enormously increased and population more readily and profitably placed upon the land. (Applause.) I believe, and I may say that it was a remark made by an old friend of mine, a man not undistinguished in the world—the Governor of Tasmania—who managed in the short period of his visit to see a great deal of the Colony—he wrote me bn the eve of his embarkation, that from what he had seen of New Zealand ho could not doubt that it would justify almost any expenditure on works of intercommunication. Gentlemen, comparing this Colony with the neighboring continent of Australia —and I have visited portions of nearly all the Colonies, and have always felt since I have been in New Zealand, that comparing their relative advantages, land in New Zealand is at this moment much cheaper than land in Australia. I speak of facts wellknown to most of you; and if you consider that average pasture-land in Australia will hardly cany one sheep to three acres, while land, even when newly-cleared in New Zealand, can do more than that; but with the expenditure of £2 or £3 per acre, an acre can carry four, five, or six sheep, and yet the price of land here is not more than it is in Australia, while much greater results can readily be obtained. (Applause.) That is not nil, for in many parts of the Colony wheat can be raised to double the extent per acre that the best wheat growing Colony of Australia can produce. (An Hon. Member; Treble the amount.) My hon. friend on my right says, treble the amount; but I wish to be ■within the mark—and in this North Island, for which I believe. there are prospects at no remote period, even brighter than those of the Middle Island, we have great tracts of valuable land on which, without doubt, crops can be raised perhaps not of the same character, but certainly of not less value than those of the other Island. We are opening out tracts which as yet have been hardly known, and which I am sure can accommodate a population manifold larger than that which we have yet received. I need only allude to the very great resources of the Colony—its valuable minerals of all kinds; its coal, which will enable the Colony to compete with any part of the. Southern hemisphere—a seaboard, on the whole, not inconvenient —a climate well fitted to develop the vigor of our race to the fullest extent—(Hear) —I say no one can doubt that this great ‘country is calculated to receive by degrees millions of oar race—(Hear) —with all the happiest results that can flow from its natural advantages. (Cheers.) Well, gentlemen, if that be a true and moderate picture it seems to me that the great Assembly which I have the honor to address has before it a task not less important and far more onerous than those which have already been surmounted. This Parliament of New Zealand has had -great problems to face. In the early days you have had difficulties which might have checked the progress of the Colony for many years to come; you have had most difficult and dangerous wars, and all the evil consequences which ensue. But I believe the colonists, from the very first, have never feared the result, and have you deplored the occurrences which in the early days brought the races into collision, but which we all now know can live in peace and amity. You have been always equal to the occasion, and since war and bloodshed have passed away, we hope and believe for ever—(Cheers) —you have matured measures for the development of your country, and to repair your past losses, which struck us elsewhere with astonishment by their boldness and magnitude; you are sustaining those eifdrts, and determined to carry them out with a resolution which shows you look to certain results for your justification. Well, gentlemen, it is evident that the task you have before you will call for efforts, compared with which those you have already made are perhaps trifling. Sums which at .first seem alarming to a new community seem small when that community has doubled in extent, and has reaped the advantages which that expenditure has chiefly achieved. Who, in the year 1835, could have thought of an expenditure on railways in England of a sum comparing with the National Debt without alarm and disquietude, and yet.we who now look upon these things so much as matters of course cannot estimate the" alarm which even a portion of that expenditure caused to the last generation. Well, gentlemen, when we look at this great work which has to be done, which your fellow countrymen look to you to carry out—l say, anyone who watches the public proceedings of this Colony with a candid spirit must look to this Parliament with respect and with hope. I am drawing no inviduous comparison, but say it vdthout fear of contradiction that New Zealand is entitled to look with respect and pride upon the conduct of the great Assembly which represents her. (Hear.) I say, in this Parliament business is done with despatch, with dignity, and yet with due deliberation. There is an absence of all language which could cause regret to those who wish well to New Zealand, or which could cause ridicule in communities beyond the seas. I say it as a matter of great, satisfaction to one who has sat as a spectator to observe the dignity and great business-like habits of this Parliament of New Zealand. Addressing an Assembly which contains so many members, from whom I might learn much, I would need to be chary in offering suggestions, yet I trust you will believe—l would scorn an attempt to flatter—-I desire to say these few words, with all sincerity. (Hear.) And gentlemen, let me say, in the years I have passed in the Australian Colonies X hope X have learned much ; indeed, one would be insensible if he did not learn something which would be useful for life in witnessing the struggles and efforts of great, new and free communities, and one reflection I shall carry Home with me-—a conviction I should rather say—which might have been longer in coming upon me, is the great advantage which is conferred upon the working classes by easy circumstances, by the amount of wages which they earn, and by the shortness of the toil they undergo. I think no one can doubt that on the whole these conditions lead to the happiest results upon our population. (Cheers.) No one can compare a newcomer to this country with the working man going and returning in his working clothe) to and from his daily toil without seeing the great change that is coming upon men of the same race and class since their arrival in the country. There is an independence of spirit, a dignity of manner there is (ease in circumstances ; there' may be often self-indulgence, but I say there is very little excess ; and I am not certain that the same amount of work is not done m a few hours at a high rate of pay as with long hours and very small pay. I have no doubt the progress of the country is checked to a certain amount by the dearth of labor; but of this I am sure on the whole, you will build, up a nation, and have coming generations of a character far higher and more sensible of their responsibilities because not crushed down by poverty. Here, the workingman leaves his daily task, unexhausted in mind, with energy still sufficient to enjoy, it may be the family-circle, or it may be social amusements or mental improvement. But, at at all events, he lias something left in him o take pride in his dwelling, and more than that, he is not so tempted to resort to undue stimulants as the hardworked ■ and broken-down operative of other days. These are some of the causes which are at work at Home where the working men are

undergoing a very great change, and you must not be surprised if your agents find difficulty in attracting to these shores great numbers of the best working men of England. We do not want to part with them. I can answer for it, as one who employs labor, that it is very difficult to get the labor we want at any price in the country places at Home. Therefore — and I say it to you respectfully—do not scrutinise too severely those who come to your shores. I have pointed out the contrast between those who have lived here for some years and the men who cross the seas. Whatever may have been their antecedents, they will be found to turn over a new leaf in a new country. (Hoar.) I have seen men in this Colony who came from, perhaps, a class as unpromising as any for the purpose—l mean hand-loom weavers—and yet they have stood before me well filled-out, substantial men, earning daily wages and doing their duty in this community. I confess nothing has given me greater satisfaction than to receive a deputation of these men, who came to me at Invercargill to tell me of their prosperity. I remember not many years ago I myself contributed, with scanty hopes of their success, to sending those poor fellows abroad. But, gentlemen, you will pardon me making a remark which, on the eve of my departure, I should hardly venture to make : it is that some of the institutions of the Colony strike me as being inferior to those of Australia. (Hear.) In your gaols, asylums, and hospitals there is certainly an inferiority to be seen to the institutions I have been accustomed to see in the Colonies of Australia which I have visited. I do -not undervalue your difficulties, and yet I say I think you who have looked into these things will see that the condition of some of these necessary institutions is not so good as it ought to be. But whatever may be the course of events in this - Colony and I will not assume there will he any important change in your institutions X think this Parliament, if it has the good of the country at heart, will set its mind to make these institutions as good as they can be made —as good as those of the Colonies around you. (Cheers.) I do not undervalue the difficulties you have had, nor do I forget that it is only two years since our institutions at Home were rescued from a state not creditable to the country. How many years’ labor of devoted men did it take before education was provided for the people of England ? A whole educational generation six years passed away after a Boyal Commission, of which I myself was a member, had reported on the terrible deficiency of Primary Education in the towns of Scotland; and reported, as we did, that in the great City of Glasgow two-thirds of the children of a school-going age, were not receiving education worthy of the name. I can remember when the Lunacy Commission reported, presenting a report that appalled the people of the country; and many now living remember when the gaols of England were managed in an unscientific manner. Therefore, I don’t wonder, when I consider the special circumstances in your early, days, that your institutions are not al that could he desired. Then, gentlemen, you hftye established principles and go_od models to work upon ; and I believe that'reproaoh will lie upon the Colony, which you will not endure for many years longer, if the Judges of the Colony are able to style the gaols of the Colony as nurseries of crime, or any of your own members who have devoted themselves to the subject, are able to point to any public institutions as unworthy of the cause to which they are devoted. (Applause.) But, gentlemen, I am sure I will be excused upon the only occasion on which I have the honor of addressing you if I express tie deep conviction I have felt ever since I came to man’s estate, that the duty of a legislative body is to see to the thorough education of the people of the country. (Cheers.) I know good work is being done in several Provinces of New Zealand ; and I know also the scientific management of the schools and their generally efficient character, but there is no doubt that is not the case at present throughout New Zealand. (Applause.) The want of education and the want of zeal on the part of the people in the cause of education, give rise to much anxiety in the minds of many thoughtful men; and whatever be the course of events in the Colony, I am sure there is no subject of more importance than to see that before many years pass nw tWn shall ha no child living, except those living very remote from centres of population, who has not received a sound education. (Hear.) But, gentlemen, let me remind you with all respect, that it is not sufficient to have a school in every hamlet, it is not sufficient to set apart funds for its maintenance, it is not sufficient to compel a child to attend it, hut to see. that those under whose charge the children are placed, are thoroughly competent to teach them. It will not do for those to become schoolmasters with whom other trades have failed (Hear.) Education, if it be not real will produce hut poor effects ; and a schoolmaster himself is of a highly honorable and scientific profession. The art of teaching must be taught, and it is not sufficient that children should be sent trooping to school for a certain number of hours every day, unless Parliament sees that the education that is given there gives a fair return for the money that is expended on it, and unless payment be made contingent on results, and those results be ascertained by independent inspection, you cannot for a moment depend that your education will be satisfactory. But, gentlemen, to have schoolmasters, which are absolutely necessary for the purpose, you must manufacture them for yourselves. The supply at Home is not greater than the demand, and you must have the means of preparing your schoolmasters in the first place, and make the profession one of honor, so that the most important profession in the country may attract a fair share of the best men to he got. I was privileged in the Province of Canterbury to lay the foundation stone of the first Normal School in New Zealand, and I was glad to know that it was to ho erected and maintained on a scale which might he expected to produce an adequate supply of schoolmasters, not only for that Province, but also for others. I, know that Otago is doing something in the same direction, but all New Zealand is not comprised in Otago and Canterbury. If I might take advantage of my position to do so, I would most earnestly commend this subject to your individual attention. It has often been said that in these young communities one prevalent evil and danger is undisciplined youth. In some countries this has risen to be an evil of great magnitude. How, gentlemen, isthis evil to be guarded against and checked, but by home and school discipline. Homo discipline the State cannot supply, but school discipline it is its solemn duty to secure. With abundant schools, with organisations such as are wholly within your ; means to secure, you will raise up a population to whom you may safely confide the destinies of the country, for I firmly believe that among an educated population, no matter how far the franchise be extended, you may look for the only true panacea against class jealousies, and the only safeguard against national corruption. (Cheers.) I will trespass no, longer upon your attention; perhaps I have almost abused my advantage (No, no) but I hope I can carry away from New Zealand with me, in taking leave of it, the thought that if I had done any good while here, short as my time has been, great has been my advantages; and, gentlemen, in leaving these pleasant shores believe me, the tie that binds us will not bo severed—(Cheers) —and in many happy moments I shall be thankful to recall the proof of your esteem which you have this evening given me. (Loud and long-continued applause.) The Hon. Major Richardson then proposed the toast “The Army and Navy,” coupled with the names of Captain Simpson, of H.M.S. Blanche, and Captain Fergusson, of His Excellency’s suite. Captain Simpson, who returned thanks for the hearty manner in which the health of that branch of Her Majesty's service, represented by himself, had been drunk, said he experienced Some degree of satisfaction in knowing that the admiration and respect proverbially entertained for the Navy by Englishmen generally was not misplaced even in the present ; for never was the Navy in a more effective and powerful condition than at the present day. Speaking from his knowledge and experience, he felt that we had yet to learn that the hands and

hearts of those who represented England afloat, had degenerated as compared with their ancestors. Another source of gratification to him was that owing to the peculiar relations between those offshoots of the Empire—the Australasian Colonies—and the mother country, the Navy was almost the sole link connecting the one ■with the other, and was, on that account, perhaps, likely to receive a large share of the sympathies of the Colonists ; and he therefore hoped that the presence of HerMajesty’sshipsin these seas would insomeslightdegreetendtobiud the Colonies more closely to the old country, notwithstanding the remoteness; and that when New Zealand would occupy that forward position in the world which she was destined to occupy, the relations with the Imperial country would be strengthened instead of weakened. He could not but feel strengthened in that hope when he recollected the never-failing courtesy and the generous hospitality the Navy had always received in the Colonies ; and wherever theirwanderings in the perfonnanceof theirdnty might take them, in changing from station to station, he could assure them that they should always cherish a lively recollection of the hospitalities extended to them, and the pleasures they enjoyed in New Zealand, and for a large portion of which they were indebted to the society of the ladies of the Colony. (Applause.) Captain Fergusson said he rose with much diffidence to acknowledge the toast which had just been proposed, and with which his name had been coupled. He saw round him so many old soldiers, men who were in the Army, he might say before he was bom, men who had won laurels, and who, judged by the laurels that they had won, not only in the field but on the forum, were much more able to respond to the toast than he was. However, as his name had been mentioned, he could not, as a soldier, shirk the duty which had been imposed upon him, and would therefore most heartily thank them in the name of the members of the Army, both past and present, for the way in which the toast of “ The Array and Navy ” had been received. The Hon. Colonel Brett, who, speaking as an old military man who had turned his sword into a reaping hook, and settled down to a more peaceful occupation in life, could not help adding a word of acknowledgment to the compliment which had been paid to the Array ; but he hoped that while all honor was paid to those who had fought for their country and worn the laurels they had so nobly won, and that while they entertained a just pride in them they would not fail to entertain a greater pride and admiration for the mothers of the nation—of the children who had gained such distinguished honors. The Hon. Major Richardson said he won forego, in favor of his brother Speaker, the pleasure of proposing the health’ of Lady Fergusson. He could not, however, refrain from expressing his sincere conviction that wherever her ladyship went, she would carry with her the respect and warmest sympathies of the people of this Colony, and especially so of those who had had the good fortune to be brought into intercourse with her in the interchange of the socialities of the Colony during her brief residence in it. Sir F. Dillon Bell said nothing could give him greater pleasure than to propose the health of Lady Fergusson, and in the course of his remarks referred to the deep regret which would he generally felt throughout the Colony at the departure of Lady Fergusson. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. His Excellency the Governor, who responded, said he could not resist the satisfaction of acknowledging the manner in which, Lady Fergusson’s health had been proposed, and the cordial manner in which it had been received. He could say that she was very sensible of the kindness with which she had been treated by the many ladies she had come in contact with. A kind consideration for her had been shown at all times, and a thoughtful discrimination displayed in calling upon her as little as possible when her health was such as to cause her naturally to desire an abstinence of what, under ordinary circumstances, were exceedingly gratifying. He trusted, however, .that short,as their time had been here, she had made a good many friends ; and he could truly say that while she had hopes of much happiness before her elsewhere, she regreted leaving many who had shown her .very, considerable., kindness, . As. for the younger members of the family, he could assure them that there were some very long faces when he told them of the change about to be made, for he felt that they would not soon cease to look back with affection upon their stay in New Zealand. He had no desire to propose a toast, but he should like to propose the health of the General Assembly of New Zealand ; and though, to a certain extent there was an absurdity in asking those who were his hosts to drink their own good health, he should ask them to drink the health of two gentlemen whom all the General Assembly of New Zealand had special reasons for honoring and respecting. He would, therefore, propose the health' of these gentlemen alone—though he felt that on that occasion they owed something to the gentleman who occupied the chair while the House was in Committee. As the two Houses were joint Houses of one Legislature, their two heads ought to be recognised together on the present occasion. They all knew how much the dignity and order of popular legislative Assemblies depended upon the character of their heads, and he felt sure that those' present were conscious how much of the general dignity and elevated tone of their Legislature was the result of the character of their successive Speakers, and especially of the present Speaker) of the two Houses of the General Assembly. He knew that Major Bichardaon, who filled the chair on the present occasion, had, besides having gained an honorable name before being known in New Zealand, steadily risen in the respect and esteem of all with whom he had been brought into contact. Ho therefore proposed the honored names of the Hon. Major Richardson and Sir Francis Dillon Bell. (Applause.) •The toast was drunk with three times three and one cheer more. The Hon. Major Richardson briefly returned thanks on behalf of the Council he represented, for the gratifying manner in which they had received the toast. Sir Francis Dillon Bell, in returning thanks for the kind terms employed by His .Excellency in referring to the New Zealand Legislature, said he was quite right when ho referred to the early times and struggles, and to the dangers' with which they were then daily threatened ; and he hoped His Excellency would take away with him the recollection that the ' first steps of our Parliament in a time of trouble, difficulty, and danger, before they had hardly commenced work under the Constitution just given to them, and when they found themselves involved in a civil war—a conflict between the two races—-were, he could safely say (and it was their greatest pride) that in all that long and trying struggle they never allowed the interests of one race to overshadow those of the other—they had always endeavored to reconcile their disputes iu such a manner as to enable the two races to mingle together iu brotherly love. And with respect to the rest of our parliamentary questions, it. was gratifying to hear one who was not an unknown person in one of the great Assemblies of the world, say that we tried to carry out with wisdom and fairness the high duties that were imposed upon us as one of the" numerous offspring of our people engaged in talcing the English language all over the world. He trusted that the gentleman who was about to leave them for another arena, would, with that, gift of oratory which they all saw ho possessed, bo able to defsnd them against unjust attacks and aspersions by showing that in our parliamentary life we endeavor to do the best we possibly can to justify the great privileges entrusted to us, and to pursue the high destiny before us in a spirit of justice and freedom. He thanked them for drinking the health of himself and brother Speaker, and said he was quite sure they would all follow His Excellency’s career with a keen terest. The company then broke up, the time being ton o’clock.