RECEPTION AT THE BLUFF. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 41

RECEPTION AT THE BLUFF. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

BLUFF, December 10. I The Prime Minister (Sir J. G. Ward), who had earlier in the day been received most enthusiastically upon his arrival at Invercargill, was given a very hearty public reception upon reaching Bluff this evening. The Mayor and councillors, accompanied by the looal band and a large concourse ' of townspeople, met Sur Joseph at the train. Additional interest was given to the occasion by the presence of v the Amokura- boye under the-command of- Captain Hooper. The Mayor, in welcoming the Prime Minister, expressed, on behalf of the citizens, the pleasure it gave them to have him again in their niidst. He eulogised the good work Sir J. G. Ward had been enabled to do at the Imperial Conference, and -spoke in very complimentary terms of the tact displayed. by the Prime Minister in carrying out the work of the session, which from a legislative point of view was a most important one. Sir J. G. Ward, in reply, expressed hie pleasure at once again meeting the residents of the Bluff.. He referred to the experience gained by the lads of -the Amokura, which was fitting them for the mercantile profession and navy service. 'He was glad to see them at -the Bluff. He congratulated the residents on the progress cf the town and the districTof Southland. During the past 11 months and a-half - since his last visit prior to his departure for England the country had continued prosperous, and their national asS et— the land— from Lyttelton to the Bluff looked glorious at present in its wealth, of 'growth and condition. Alluding to his travels, he remarked upon the number of people he found in all parts of the world with friends in New Zealand, and many were the inquiries made regarding these. While his visit on this occasion would be brief, he hoped to return to Southland in about 10 days and spend his Christmas holidays in the midst of his friends. He concluded by wishing the Bluff and district continued prosperity and the people every happiness. At the close of his address Sir Joseph was heartily cheered. To-night the Prim© Minister was entertained by the Mayor and councillors of the Bluff. -