MR BRYCE'S RETURN HOME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7568, 20 May 1886, Page 2

MR BRYCE'S RETURN HOME.

KECEPTION AT WANGANUI.

(Peb United Pjbess Association.)

WANGANur.JMay 19,

The public reception of Mr Bfyce was a great success. He was met at the railway station, and welcomed by the mayor, the chairmen of Wangamii and Waitotara counties, members of public bodies, and the reception committee, on a platform specially erected for the purpose. The mayor read an illuminated address from the citizens and settlers, in the presence of a crowd estimated to be about 1500 people. Three cheers were given for Mr Bryce, who thanked the people most warmly for their expressions of genuine sympathy, and said he never entertained a doubt of success. It had been predicted of him that he would return broken in fortune, broken in spirit, and utterly disinclined for ever re-entering public life again. In one respect the prediction might have come true. Had the case gone against him he would have been broken in fortune, and he might have been depressed in spirit, but neither Mr Eusden nor any other living man could break . his spirit or destroy his faith in his fellow-settlers or his determination to do the best he could for the good of his country. He would rather be inclined to say, " Bind up my wounds, give me another horse, and let me plunge into the conflict." Amidst loud and continuous cheering Mr Bryce stepped down from the platform, accompanied by the Mayor, and entered a private carriage awaiting him, from which the horses were immediately unharnessed by a number of gentlemen present, who quickly attached ropes, and the two gentlemen were then drawn in triumph along the quay and up the avenue to the Rutland Hotel, accompanied by the crowd. Along the route flags and banners were hung out everywhere, and streams of bunting stretched across the avenue in the most conspicuous places, while a large motto, "Welcome," was erected in proximity to a fountain. The banquet tonight promises to be a great success, as numbers of settlers from all parts of the country have come into town to attend it.