The Hon. J. G. Ward.

Southland Times, Issue 11654, 7 February 1891, Page 2

The Hon. J. G. Ward.

RECEPTION IN INVERCARGILL. It having become known yesterday afternoon that the Hon. J. G. Ward, Post-master-General and M.H.R. for Awarua, would arrive in town by the express a number of gentlemen in Invercargill determined upon giving him a fitting reception and congratulating him upon his selection to a position on the Government. The word was passed round accordingly, and when the train drew up at the platform a considerable number of gentlemen had assembled to do the Postmaster-General suitable honour. As he alighted from the train he was greeted with hearty cheers, the Mayor (Mr VV. H. Hall) welcoming him on behalf of the citizens and congratulating Mr Ward upop the honourabla position to, which he had attained. Mr Ward expressed his mos>fc sincere thanks for so cordial a welcome, and all round greetings between him and hia many assembled friends thereafter ensued. An adjournment was then made to the Southland Club Hotel, where the Mayor and a number of representative gentlemen waited upon Mr Ward. The Mayor proposed the health of the Hon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General, in brief but appropriate remarks, most of the gentleman preseut endorsing his remarks with complimentary observations. Mr Ward said he was greatly obliged for the very cordial nature of his reception, and extremely glad to get back to Invercargill. He could only say that he would do his best as he had done before in the interesta of t^i district and the colony. He was sure th# at such a gathering he would nut be $x\ pected to make any disclosure of the fntufe% policy of the Government, and at anyrate \o do such a thing — although of course he might do so — would, at such a time, be injudicious. He might say that he intended to remain in Invercargill as much as possible. Of oourse he would have to go, and perhaps sometimes suddenly, to other parta of the colony, but he intended to work the Depart* m«o,t over wuichbe bui control m rouohwh^

could from In vercargill. YV hen the posi tion was offered to him he had considerable hesitation, upon private grounds, about accepting it. After thinking over the matter, however, and consulting with a number of friends, he decided to accept the responsibility of work ing with his colleagues, of whom he was proud. He wished to say that the members of the present Ministry were men of whom all might, be proud ; with one exception they were all men who had risen from the ranks — self-made men — and all most anxious to do their very best for the colony. However, the beat means of judging of the Ministry wonld be when they brought down their policy in May next, and the only thing further he would say was that he sincerely trusted that under the newly elected Government New Zealand would greatly prosper. Mr J. Mackintosh, M.H.R., said he be- *^ lieved the present Government would get a strong support in the House, much stronger than was in some quarters anticipated. Mr Ward said that two members of the Government, the Hon. Messrs McKenzie and Seddon would soon visit Invercargill. The Premier had many important and pressing demands upon his time, but he too might be expected a little later on. The Premier, he knew, was auxious to visit all the important centres in the colony. After Mr Ward had proposed the toast of the Mayor and Borough Council of Invercargill, and the Mayor had made suitable acknowledgment, the impromptu gathering broke up.