BANQUET TO THE HON. J. BRYCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1510, 25 May 1886, Page 1

BANQUET TO THE HON. J. BRYCE.

The Hon. J. Brjce was entertained at a banquet at Wellington on Saturday afternoon, 148 persons, including a number of ladies, being present. His Vvorsbip the Mayor presided, and the Hons. Mersrs Sto«t and Ballance, the Speakers of both Houses, and Major Atkinson and Mr Rolleston were among those present. The Mayor proposed toast of the evening in most eulogistic terms, and, in returning thanks, Mr Bryce said the welcome prepared for liira on his return was a surprise, and alluded to the presence ol the ladies as appropriate when the honor of public men was concerned. He paid a graceful compliment to members and political opponents for their presence. He had been advised from the first that his case w&s a good one, and the only fear he bad was a prejudice in some quarter against the colonists on account of the alleged bad treatment of the aboriginals. He argued that all history showed no instance of the subjected race oeing so well treated as it was in New - Zealand, They had equal representation, large reserves, and plenty of oil er laid most of which paid no taxes. He had relied on the just rice of an English judge and jury and it had not failed him. He desired distinctly to avow bis belief that Dr Feathcrstone never made the assertions against him which were alleged to have b'en uttered in conversation eighteen years ago by a man whose defective memory must bo a curse to him. The doctor, if he had anything to say, would have said it openly to his face, In conclusion he said it was evident from the welcome he had received that the fame of its public men was dear to the colony.