(From Our Own Correspondent )

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 14

(From Our Own Correspondent )

CHRISTC'IU'RCII, Apiil 8 Tlip rummu circulated that the Premier u-ciul<l .a thf I.i-t liioiiiciit refu-p the money «lii(]i had brfii '-uh-ciilxd foi lum set tlip )iul)hu as"'4 «u!i mtert-t and now (led the ('ante: bin v Auiiiultui.it Hall to the doors w itli lif.ti 1\ >~LHO proplf. if. however, they <'\pci ti'd a dwmatic a< t of sacrifice they wore disappointed. The Premier plainly sliourcl tlir-in tli.it it was Ins intention to anept t ho iiiouey the public had subscribed with tlie a'ldie^s tlie public wa-> presenting. It i> safe t<> »ay' that his banking account will be swelled by seveial thousand pounds. Attended by a mo-.t undemocratic fjuard of honour, lie «a-. refoi\ed by the Christchurch Committee of thr> Prc-entatiou Fund shortly after 8 o'clock. Hi? reception was markedly enthusiastic and hearty, and as the evening wore on, and speaker after speaker worked upon the fervent loyalty of the audience, the warmth of the applause increased. The committee played a master move when, they secured Sir John Hal! to make the presentation. Sir John performed his duty with remarkable tact and ta&te. He humorously reminded the Premier of their differencesoa domestic goliti<x K jiu& poutei^tcjt^ it JF^Ji.

the unanimity of all classes regarding his attitude in connection with the war. Going on to deal with that service of Mr Scddon's to the Empire, he struck a high Imperial note — a note which Mr Seddon, to do him. justice, did not fail to sustain. Mr G. G. Stead and Mr T. W. Stringer, who followed Sir John Hall, spoke in a similar vein, the latter particularly making a most; eloquent address. Mr Seddon, in reply, delivered an oration that must i-ank amon<r s fc his best, as well as amongst the most important he has uttered. He strung up tho large audience of undemonstrative Canterbury people to such a pitch of enthusiasm as has seldom been witnessed here. He concluded a remarkable speech with the solemn assurance that he would do the very best that was m him to represent the colony fittingly and well, and resumed his seat amid prolonged and tremendous cheering.