WINCHESTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2163, 14 February 1891, Page 2

WINCHESTER.

WELCOME fO MR AND MRS ROBERT SMITH. Mr and Mm Robert Smith having returned from a lengthened trip to the Old Country, a public welcome was accorded to them in the Public Hall, Winchester, last Wednesday evening. The hall was nieely decorated with native flax, toi-tois, flowers, etc. At 5 p.m. the children, to the number of about 70, were regaled with tea and "fixings," Mr and Mrs Smith, the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, Mrs Hamilton, and a large number of friends being present and assisting to make the little ones happy. At 7.30 p.m.the doors of the Public Hall were opened to admit the adult population for the "welcome." The whole of the inhabitants having vied with each other in providing sandwiches, cake, fruit, 9tc. the committee wisely resolved to make the admission absolutely free, it' was pleasurable to witness the hearty way in which Mr and Mrs Smith were greeted, handshaking, smiles, and warm words of welcome being the order of the day; At 8 p.m. the hall was well filled and the proceedings commenced. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton (chairman), Mr Robert Smith, and Major Young occupied seats on the platform.

An instrumental duet having been prettily played by the Misses Gimsou. Mrs H. E. Smith, supported by a chorus, Bang " Home Again," and was heartily applauded. This was followed by the chairman's address. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton was glad to be present on on this interesting occasion, but sorry that the date had fallen upon Ash-Wednesday, interfering as it did with special services, for which he had been obliged to make arrangements. Whan the date was first proposed by the deputation he had objected, but finding that no other date could be fixed, unless it were a month later, he had consented to the arrangement. The season of the year reminded thorn of self-denial, and he might with propriety point out the noble example of self-denial Bet to the district in various ways by the guests of the evening. Mr Smith, on leaving New Zealand for his tour, had given the children a free tea on the occasion of the opening of the new Sunday School. He hid .- given seating for that building, and a handsome lectern for thu church. Both he and Mrs Smith had given years of self-denying labor in Sunday School work, and had now crowned all by bringing back with them a splend id library for the children. (Loud applause). Mr Smith's work in various public capacities was well known to all. He had served as n volunteer, and had ably filled positions on the Road Board and School Committee with conscientious zeal and integrity, but chiefly he and his wife had endeared themselves to the hearts of all by their loving interest in the children of Winchester. The illuminated address to be presented that evening was intended as a slight token of the hearty appreciation of Mr Smith's services in the district, and also of the goodwill and esteem of the people of Winchester. The chairman then called upon Major Young, as chairman of the Reception Committee, to present the address. This was done in a felitious manner. Major Young, after detailing the work of the committee in arranging for the reception, expatiated on Mr R. Smith's qualities as a soldier, citizen, and sailor. He could testify to Mr Smith's efficiency as a soldier, an the latter had served for soma years sis senior sergeant in his old company—th& Temuka Rifles. As a citizen his energy and perseverance were much admired, and (he establishment by him of two industries had been the means of giving employment for labor, and had conduced to the general welfare of the district, JNo doubt Mr Smith had visited many of the beehives of industry, and keenly observed the advances and improvements made in all branches of arts and sciences as well as machinery, and he felt cure that the results of his travels would ultimately benefit Winchester. (Applause.) Hearing of his arrival a numuur of Mends held a nieetiog, and, forming a committee, decided to hold a free social and present an illuminated address of we some. The committee had faithfully done their p .rt, and he now held in his hand the uddroep, which was a splendid piece of work from the hands of Mr G. W. Wade, of Timaru. BsiDg shortsighted he would ask the chairman to kindly read it. The Rev. T, A. Hamilton then re-»d the address as follows; "To Mr Robert Smith, "SmitbfHld, Winchester. " Dear Sib, —We the undersigned, ou behalf of the inhabitants of the Winchester district, desire to congratulate you most heartily upon your stf<s return to New Ziilanel, after a lengthened visit to the Old Country, and bag to accard our warmest welcome to yourself and Mrs Smith upoo this occas 00. Ws are gad of the opportunity now siffitded us of thanking you for ihe many services rendered in past years in various public capacities, and for iLe great iuterest uniformly displayed by you in all matters affecting the material welfare, progress, and prosperity of the district; but especial y we desire to record our high appreciation of your vo unl.ry labours as Superintendent; of the Sunday School during the pas! fifteen years. We fully recognise that ihe excellent behaviour of the youth of Winchester, and the healthy moral tone prevailing, are largely due to the self-denying efforts of yourself and Mrs Smith in the cause of religious education. We are deeply grateful for your continued interest io this work and also in the promotion of healthy recreation and amusement for the youog people. We trust that Almighty God will bless you with happiness itid prosperity, and that joy and giadness may be yours in returning to ' Home, I3weet Home.' ' There is a spot of eartb supremely blest, A.dearer, sweeter spot than all the re.-t, Where shall that land, that spot of earth be founiJ ? Art thou a man. ? a patriot ? look around ! And thou shalt find, howe'er thy footsteps roam, That land thy country, nnd that spot thy home!' " Thomas. A. Hamilton. "J. A. Young. " H. J. Gladstone. " William hewiet. " William DeKenzy. " William Harrison. " lIOEKRT Wakely. " William Carston. " JoaN Twigo. "John DuNKITSQRNE,"

Major Young, in handing the framed address to Mr Smith, congratulated Mi and Mrs Smith on their safe return, and heartily welcomed them in the name ol the people. He had hud some experience on the '• brioj ocean," aad knew what pulling hard ngainst the stream meant in business matters. In resuming command of the ship of his home aflf-iirs be trusted that, favorable winds and tides of prosperity would carry it safely over the ocean of life, and brirjg unalloyed happiness to \ himself and Mrs Smith. (Applause.) Mr Cox then Faog a comic song, and, being encored, gave another. Mr Smith on rising to reply, was greeted ■ with hearty cheer*. Ho was glad to be ■once more among familiar ficee. He had heard of the "loneliness of a lonely imn in London," and had now experienced that feeling for himself. The sight of any face ■ which conjured up recollections of New Zealand \\. 9. a relief in the wanderings , lately parsed through. He could only give a rough outline of their journeyings, us time would not permit of entering into any detai'ed account. Leaving New Zealand by the 'Frisco mail they called »t Honoluln in the Sandwich Island?. This was the loveliest spot they witnessed. There could be no spot on earth more nearly resembling Paradise,. (The chairman—" Except Winchester,") Well I he would admit that home after all was Paradise on earth. They stayed nine days at San Francisco. Then travelling eastward by rail through Oregon, a county of magnificent scenery, they reached Minneapolis, after having journeyed 900 miles and reaching at times an elevation of 4500 feet obove tbe sea level. Afterwards they went, on to Chicago. This was not a pleasant spot. It was a flat, dreary place, and not over clean. There werp, however, many fine buildings. It wan intended to hold the " World'B Fuir" there shortly, but to him it seemed a strange prooeoding, as they would practically have to build on water, for Chicago wsb on a great sheet of water —Lake Michigan. This seemed an absurdity when there must be plenty of dry land available in a continent 3000 miles long by 2000 miles wide. Here they witnessed tbe Niagara Fills. It was a grand eight to witness the immense volume of water seething and foaming as it leaped 175 feet in a shrer desceot. We imagine New Zealand rivers to be large, but all combined would not equal this mighty cataract. Journeying on they visited Albany, and here the great reaper and binder establishment of W. i. Wood and Co. was inspected. Albany was at the head of the Hudson River, and tbey went up the river in an immense Btaimboat carrying 1009 passengers. Tbey next went to New York. This city was noted for its cleanliness, as a smokelesß coal. wa'B universally used. After visiting New Plymouth, aDd seeing tbe stone marking, the spot where the "Pilgrim Fathers" land*d, they returned to New Yoik, and, taking passage on one of the ocean *' greyhounds" (ihe Majastic, of tbe White Star line) they proceeded to Liverpool, travelling at the rate of 19 miles an hour. Various parts of Wa'es and Scotland were respectively viaited. Then Yoik,. with its grand old Minster. The roof i»f the nave is 96 feet from the ground. London with its five million inhabitants was next visited. Winchester would bo lost in that vast area of 15 miles by 10 miles. After sight seeing to the full they were glad to take passage by the P. and O. steamer for Australia. JFw route they called at Malta, and here they encountered the beggars, and endured the incessant clanging of bells so vividly described by the chairman in a recent lecture. If he remembered rightly the lecturer likened the tongues of the fair sex to the " Maltee bellclappers." (The chairman Oh 1" Laughter and applause). Christmas was spent ut the mouth of the Suez Canal.; They passed through the Red Sea in the coolest month, but even then the beat was terrible. Owinst to the contiguity of desetts on either side the breezes which blew were always heat laden and oppressive. A graphic description of Aden and Ceylon followed, and an amusing account of a smallpox scare and consequent vaccination troubles of 115 passengers. He remembered an incident at Honolulu, when a band played •' Home, Sweet Home;" it proved too much for the feelings of many on board the mail steamer. He was sincerely clad to get back to Winchester. After all there was no place like home. After travelling as a Btranger in strange lands he returned regarding Winchester as the most blessed spot in nil the world to him. The climate of New Zealand was here contrasted with the extremes of .America and England. Although we had various "samples "ma day theie was no day in the year when woik was stopped as in England when he left. The Thames was frozen over, the thermometer registering seven degrees below freezing point. Happy New Zealand to be free from extremes of heat and cold. Many parts of England were beautiful, with shady lanes and forests of trees. If people in New Zealand weuld persevere in planting, etc , New Zaalaud might become us beautiful. Mr Smith then addressed a few remarks to the young men on the advantage of volunteer drill and discipline, and then added that having now come home he would tettle down for good and do what he could for the district. In the past bt? had made mistakes, «a most men did—» it was impossible to please 8.11 when placed ia a public office—but ha meant, with the hep of God, to do what was right in all the affairs of life. As regards the Sunday School, he should always take an interest in it, aa he luved children, and he felt deeply grateful to Air Gladstone for the Home provided for them in the splendid building erected by him. (Applause), He thanked them heartily for their cordial welcome, and hoped to always merit their esteem, and he and Mrs Smith would ne»er forget their kindness as loDg as they lived. Mr Smith sat down amidst coatiouou* applause. ' Horns, Sweet, Home' was then sang as a duet by the Misses Hart and Giinson. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton and Miss Cox contributed songs, whioh were well received. Mr Deßeczy proposed—'That a very hearty vote of thanks be accorded to all who had contributed to the saccass of the meeting,. either by donations or refresh meats, to the reception committee anc ladies, who bad woiked so energetically and also to Mr Mcintosh, for the kinc loan of the piano.'—This was duly se conded by Mr Gladstone, and carriec by acclamation. Mr Smith proposed a vote of thank's t< the chairman for presiding, and in doing bo said he had spent many pleasant noun

with Mr Hamilton's relatiyes in Yorkshire. The proceeiings were then concluded by the whole assembly joining in singing a verse of tha National Anthem. Refreshments having been liberally dispaised, a very enjoyable evening was afterwards spent in a social way, the party breaking up about twelve.