A COMPLIMENT TO THE HON. W. ROLLESTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 10

A COMPLIMENT TO THE HON. W. ROLLESTON.

CHRISTCHUEOII, January 31. This afternoon a complimentary luncheon vra'i giveii to the lion. W. Hollcslon in the Opera House. Over 300 people were present;. The Mayor of Chrtetchurch presided. Among thofce present -were Colonel Pen ton, Mr Justice and Mrs Dcnnislon, the Hon. Me&srs Bowen, Stevens, JJ ontgomciy, and Peacock, Ji.L.C.'f., Sir John and Mrs Hall, and many prominent citizon*, and several ("'aarcrbury members of Parliament. The

toast of " The Guest " was proposed by the Hon. Mr Bowen, who referred to Mr Pvolleston's proposed visit to England, and hoped he would return in improved health, and ready again to assist the country. In replying to the toast, Mr Rolleston' said that he would not trespass on the field of politics, but he would say that though, defeated, he Avas not cast down. The presence of so many people that day showed that what really did succeed was to follow the path of duty duriug a long course of time, and it was only that judgment of long time that was really worth having. In thanking them for the praise bestowed on Mrs Rolleston, he said that the world .had little knowledge of the secret — he would riot say silent — influence of women on public affairs. Partly through Sir John Hall that influence would in future be less silent and secret, though he did not know whether ifc would be more real. Any credit -that at-< tached to the speaker was largely due to the political and personal friends with whom he had been associated for the past few years, and he specially mentioned the names of Messrs Bowen, Hall, Tancred, Biyce, Atkinson, Francis Dillon Bell, and Sir David Monro among whom he had been as a pigmy among giants. No one could go through this beautiful land without seeing that the work of the past had not been thrown away, and he had every hope that the ideals of the past would ba realised more and more. He hoped to return in a few months, and it would rest with the people and also with the state of his health and strength whether he again took part in the administration of the colony's affairs.