EARL GREY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 28, 10 March 1914, Page 8

EARL GREY.

LETTER SENT BY COLONIAL INSTITUTE.

On account of his state of health, Earl Grey was unable to attend any affair in Christchurch, which involved the making of speeches, ancj. so could not be the guest of the Canterbury branch of the Royal Colonial Institute The secretary of the branch, Mr B, Seth-Smith, sent the following letter to Earl Grey:— "My Lord, —The Canterbury branch of the Royal Colonial Institute have learned with much regret that your Lordship is unable, owing to health reasons, to accept the invitation of the branch to a dinner or luncheon, at which it was hoped members of the branch might give personal expression to their high appreciation of your Lordship 's services, not only to the Royal Colonial Institute, but to the Empire. A meeting of the executive and Reception Committee was held on the 25th ult., the Hon. Sir Charles Bowen, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., in the chair, at which I was directed to write to your Lordship bidding you a hearty welcome to Canterbury, and expressing the hope that your visit to New Zealand will have the effect of completely restoring your health, and that you may long be spared to continue your distinguished services in the cause of Imperial unity and progress." Earl Grey's reply was as follows: '' Dear Mr Seth-Smith,—The kindness of the communication I have received from you and others, makes it quite painful to me to be obliged to refuse to take advantage of the opportunity offered me for making the acquaintance of so many whom it would have been a real pleasure to meet. I deeply appreciate the kindliness of your letter, and shall be obliged if you will convey to Sir Charles Bowen and the members of your committee an expression of my great regret that I should not fitove been able to meet them."