BANQUET AT WELLINGTON.

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

BANQUET AT WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, April 10. Tho Premier was entertained at a banquet at ihe Empire Hotel this evening. There was a large and representative gathering of citizens. The mayor (Mr J. G. W. Ait ken) presided. The toasts honoured were "The Governor" and "The Guest of the Evening."' The latter was proposed by Sir James Prendergast, who paid a tribute to the humanity and bravery of the troops in South Africa. He also eulogised tho services of the Premier to the Empire in regard to the war, and hoped adwfl-tage would be taken of the Coronation to show the world the solidarity of the Empire. The colony, he said, could not be better represented on that occasion than by Mr Heddon. — (Cheers.> - He manifestly possessed tho capacity of gauging public opinion and announcing what was likely to be acceptable to the people. Dr Grace, supporting the toast, said although he differed from Mr Seddon politically he admitted the sagacity cf the Premier and of what he had done for the colon}-. The Premier replied in a speech freely punctuated with applause. He announced that he had just received the following communication from Mr Allardyce, Administrator of Fiji: — "Desire to offer you and the people of New Zealand congratulations on the occasion of this colony being connected with New Zealand by cable." — (Loud and continued anplausi 1 .) That communication was o'lly thr> forerunner of a much closer communication with Fiji. — (Hear, hear.! The Premier was still speaking ac midnight, when the telegraph office closed.