Banquet to the Governor.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 5205, 11 February 1892, Page 3

Banquet to the Governor.

(bt telegraph.) Christchurch, February 11. The citizen's banquet to the Governor and Countess of Onslow took place to-day in the Tuam-street Hall. About 200 were present. The Mayor of Christchurch occupied the chair, supported on the right by the Governor, and on the left by the Countess Onslow. The Chairman proposed the toast«f the Governor, and in doing so said that the Governor was regarded here as something more than a mere inanimate object. We had had many Governors none of whom had advanced the position more than Earl Onslow. He had made himself familiar with all our institutions and industries, and governed the colony with marked ability and impartiality. He all uded in graceful terms to the Countess of Onslow, who had endeared herself to all in the colony, and bid them and family God-speed, with a special regard for their future. Councillor Bonr.ington proposed the toast of "His Excellency's Advisers," which was responded to by the Post-master-General, who expressed regret, on his own behalf and that of the Government, at the departure of the Governor and his wife, than whom none had endeared themselves more to the colony and the people. Mr Charles Louisson, ex-Mayor of Christchurch, proposed the toast, "The Countess of Onslow." No one, he thought, would accuse him of flattery if he said that from the date of her arrival in the colony her name had been a household word. She had endeared herself to the hearts of the people of New Zealand. Her hospitality had been unbounded, and so many present had enjoyed it that he had no need to enlarge upon it. Hers had also been the open and ready hand and kind heart to assist distress. They all knew Lord Onslow's successes, and he asked whether they had not been enhanced by the attention of his wife, or by her presence on social occasions. (Very loud applause.) He concluded by wishing Lady and Lord Onslow and family every happiness and a speedy voyage, and said he hoped that they had spent a pleasant three years in the colony (applause). His Excellency the Governor responded on behalf of the Countess of Onslow. He said that the wife of a Governor was no mean help in the discharge of his duties, which were mostly social, and it had been Lady Onslow's endeavor to treat all those with whom she came in contact as equal subjects of her Majesty the Queen. Even could she forget the name of the place where she spent three happy years, she would have someone to remind her of it and its beauties in the one who was born to her in the colony. It would be their pleasure to bring that son up so that, when he arrived at the years of discretion, he would wish, as they expected he would wish, to visit the land of his birth, associated with so much happiness. (Loud applause.) The toast of "The Ladies" was proposed and honored, after which the proceedings closed.