SOCIAL AT THE PROVINCIAL HALL.

Colonist, Volume XLVIX, Issue 11812, 17 December 1906, Page 6 (Supplement)

SOCIAL AT THE PROVINCIAL HALL.

There was a large and representative gathering at the social tendered on December 3rd to the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward). Lady Ward, and party The Provincial Hall had been tastefully decorated for tho occasion and looked gay with the display of bunting, evergreens, and palms. His Worship tbe Mayor (Mr J. Piper) presided, and with him on the platform were Sir J. G. Ward. Lady Ward, Miss Ward, Mr Graham, M. H.R., Hon. F. Trask, Mrs Trask, Mrs Beere, and the Hon. Richard Reeves. Amongst others present were Mr R. MacKenzie. M.H. R., the Bishop of Nelson and Mrs Mules, MiKenny, S.M., City Councilors Afcmore, Grace, Harrison, Hampson, Lightband, Pettit, Turner, the members of the Social Committee Messrs Bannehr, Burnes, Condell, Fraser, F. Hamilton, Harley, Jackson, F. N. Jones, J. Reynolds (Secretary) and Colonel Wolfe. The Mayor considered it an honor to preside over such a large gathering, and on behalf of the citizens of Nelson to extend to Sir J. G. Ward a most hearty vyelcome ou his first official visit to the city as the Prime Minister of the Colony. (Applause). He referrsd to the death of the late Mr Seddon, and said so able a lieutenant as Sir Joseph had proved to Mr Seddon naturally he was chosen to succeed so able a captain. He referred to the. valuable services Sir Joseph had rendered to the Colony as Post master-General and Minister for Railways. In concluding, the Mayor said, he not only extended a hearty welcome to tbe Premier and Lady Ward, but he wished tham long and happy lives and ones of much uaeiulness to New Zealand, and he was sure that bis sentiments were those of the whole of the people of Nelson. (Applause. ) Miss Reeves contributed a song. On rising to reply, the Premier was greeted with hearty applause He thanked the Mayor for the kind mnnner be had spoken as regards himself.. No one regretted more than he did the lamentable circumstance which placed him in the position be now occupied, the late Mr Seddon having the deepest possible respect of all classes in the country. (Applause. ) lie also regretted the death of the Hon. Albert Pitt, who was an able, courteous, and kind gentleman, and whose services to the people and country were lost far too soon. (Applause. ) The speaker referred to the advance of Postal reform, and agreed with the Mayor that Postal communication did a great deal towards cementing the friendships of tbe nations. He referred at length to the evolution that had been going on in Postal matters, and the effort being made to secure "a common language in Esperanto. He also referred to tbe discovery and progress of wireless ! telegraphy, and to the" immense bene- ■ fit it was to those at sea. He hoped before long to have wireless telegraph stations established on tbe coasts of New Zealand. He referred to the Postal Conference held at Rome, and the ignorance there displayed as regards New Zealand, when he attempted to get an independent vote for this Colony on Postal mat--1 ters. Referring to the New Zealand railways, he said it was admitted by world wide, travellers that they were not excelled for safety &nd general comfort. He said there were some questions outside of Party politics he would refer to which were of importance and general interest to all. He was one who believed that these Colonies should give greater assistance to the British Navy, for many reasons. The great nations were at present at peace, but who could tell how long that state of things would last? The Volunteers, however well organised and properly equipped, would not be sufficient in the hour of danger of attack by a foe. The dependencies of Groat Britain should assist to build and keep up a fleet three or four times as strong ad any other nation. (Applause.) Referring to tho Imperial Conference, to be held next year, ho urged that the people of these distant Colonies 3hould have a voice in any legislation that was cal culated to affect their interests or endanger the purity of tbe race. He emphasised it was to the best interests of New Zealand to maintain the purity of the race. (Applauss. ) He concluded by referring . to the continued prosperity of the Colony, and the absence of the dire poverty to be found in other parts of the world. He asserted tLe people of this Colony were the wealthiest per head of any in the world. They were indeed a happy people, and he desired to assure them that the Government, in carrying out their duties, would endeavor to recognise the best interests of every class in.- New Zealand. (Applause. ) Two little ladies (Mises E. and M. Boundy) came forward at this stage of the proceedings, and presenter Lady WarJi and Miss Ward each witfc a lovely bouquet of flowers. The gifts were duly acknowledged, anc the ladies shook hands with tin

givers. The audience greeted tin preentation with applause. Miss Driscoll sang a song. M> J. Graham, M.H.R. . wa pleased his old friends Sir Josepl Ward had received such a heart; welcome to Nelson as Premier of thi Colony. (Applause.) He spoke o Sir Joseph as I a man possessinj business capacity of extra dtgree which had been shown in his ad ministration of the Postal, Telegrapl and Railway, Departments. He as serfced that the telegrahic service o New Zealand was the cheapest am best in the world, and that, wai mainly due to Sir Joseph Ward's abli administration. He referred to thi increased railway facilities, and t< the fact that Sir Joseph had materi ally reduced fares and freights. H< considered it was useful to tb< people to have a personal knowledge of the Premier, and he hoped th( Nelson people would see more of Sii Joseph Ward in ihe future. He hac found the Premier to be a man whe meant what he said, and one whe always fulfilled his promises, although at times there might be some waiting for the fulfilment, but they had to remember that the Governmenl found it difficult at times to do whai they wished. They had to go by the means supplied. Excepting the railway, fair justice had been done tc this part of the Colony by the Government. (Applause). He was pleased to see so mauy present that evening to welcome the Premier. He felt . sure the more they knew Sir Joseph Ward the more their respect would increase for the honorable gentleman. ( Applause. ) Mr Richards contributed a song. Mr Graham, on behalf of the Committee, presented the Premier with a group of four photographs, illustrative of the day's proceedings, an<i the opening of "the new Post Office building, which had been taken, printed, and handsomely framed by Mr F> N. Jones, junior. Mr Graham spoise in cpniplimentary terms of ths artist's skill and smartness. JThe Premier, in acknowledging the gift, thanked Mr Jones, junior, for his thoughtfulness and kindness as displayed by his acceptable present. It certainly was the quickest work be had seen done, and he would be able to say the Nelson people were in a good sense tbe fastest people he had visited. (Applause). After the Committee had handed round an abundance of the excellent refreshments provided by Mr L Johns, the caterer, an instrumental duet vas given by Messrs Ford and Cummings, of the Citizens' Band. Miss Ward favored the company with a sorg. Hon. R. "H. J. Reeves said he had known Sir Joseph Ward perhaps longer than anyone present. As a private member, as a member of the Cabinet, and as the Premier he had found Sir Joseph mo9t courteous. (Applause). With regard to the railway, it was impossibe to keep it back, and he hoped at no distant date to see Sir Joseph visit Nelson for the purpose of turning the first sod of the extension from the Tadmor to the Buller. (Applause. ) Sir J. G. Ward and Mr Bunny each contribued a song. The Premier moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor, for presiding, and to the Committee for their labors. He said the visit had been a very pleasurable one, and they would carry away happy .memories, of a happy people, who were very happily placed in sunny Nelson. (Applause.) The Mayor acknowledged the vote of thanks, and the very pleasant gathering was brought to a close after the audience had sung Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem. Miss Stevens presided at tbe piano for some of tbe vocalists.