DINNER TO THE GOVERNOR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3527, 31 August 1880, Page 2

DINNER TO THE GOVERNOR.

[by telegraph.] At a dinner given by Sir W. Fitzherbert, in the Legislative Council Chamber, on Saturday night last, his Excellency, in replying to a toast, said had he been at liberty to consult his own inclinations, he should have stayed here. He had told his English friends that he was pleased with the climate and people, and that he should like to settle here after he retired into private life. Expecting, as he had, to remain in New Zealand his full term, he had made private engagements that would have identified him with the interests and amusements of the country. He regretted leaving the country which he said was of surpassing interest. It had an unrivalled climate, unsurpassed soil, and vast mineral resources, and a most favourable geographical position ; but the administration of the country had not always been above critioism. The resources of the Colony were so vast that it could not go wrong eventually. In proportion to the population, New Zealand was more in debt than any other country, but, as parting advice, he would urge New Zealand to rest content with her present pre-eminence in indebtedness. They should not go to the extremity of the last straw, or the result would be disastrous. They were very fortunate in getting so able an administrator as Sir Arthur Gordon, who was a most conscientious, able, and high-minded man ; a better could not be found.