RECEPTION OF SIR GEORGE GREY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2475, 20 November 1876, Page 3

RECEPTION OF SIR GEORGE GREY.

The preparations made by the committee appointed for that purpose for the reception of Sir George Grey, M.H.B. for the Thames on' Saturday, were honourable to the gentleman upon whom the reception was conferred, and creditable to the committee who carried out the details. At an early hour on Saturday morning the work of .decoration was commenced. A fern decorative archway was erected at the shore.end of the wharf, on the top of which was an inscription," Welcome, Sir George Grey, the people's friend." Extending, from tho Pacific Hotel, to the Wharf Hotel was a string of flags, in the centre of which was_ the motto of a heart,.and. the inscription," Honour^ to whom honour is due." On the reverse side was the inscription " Welcome Sir George Grey." Several other strings of flags wereekteuded in the streets and flags were flown from the moat prominent and conspicuous positions. It was arranged that the steamer conveying Sir George Grey , should arrive about 5.30 p.m. When she put in an appearance, although the weather was most threatening, the reception committee and others, numbering, about 50, and the drum and fife band'of the Naval Brigade started on board, the 'Ruby' to meet the honoured guest! 1 . Just off Tararu..the' Euby' rounded under the stern of the 'Lalla Bookb,' and although a cold water bath tended much to check enthusiasm, those on board the ' Euby 1 gave loud cheers for Sir George Grey, and the band played the " Conquering Hero." It was intended that the' Huby' should reach • the wharf before the ' Lalla Eookh,' but she did not, and the latter had to wait alongside until the committee had landed on the wharf and formed in line before Sir George was permitted to land. However, the landing was effected, and Sir George, accompanied by Dr Kilgour, matched through the distended ranks, when, headed by the brass band of the Thames Yolunteer Company, they inarched to the shore end of the, wharf. Here they were received by a large crowd with loud prolonged cheers. Dr Kilgoub, taking advantage of a lull in the cheering, said he had been deputed by a large number of his constituents to present to Sir George Grey the following address: —

Address to Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Member for the District of Thames, from his Con- . stituents. Sir George Grey,-We welcome your arrival among us with, much pleasure, after tlie long and fatiguing labour of the late s ssioi of Parliament, and we beg to express to you our warm appreciation of the valuable service you have rendered to the colony at large by the determined stand made by you, against the lavish and reckless expenditure of the late Administration against their illegal and arbitrary exercise of the powers of government against the corrupt practices which have been proved to exist in the Native and Land Purchase Department, and finally in your earnest endeavour to procure for the people the widest enjoyment of the blessings of self-government. We recognise with pride the preference which you have shown for this district in electing to sit for the Thames, and cheerfully acknowledge your constant care for its interests, as shown by your efforts to obtain for us a railway through the Valley of the Thames to the WaikatJ, by your strenuous exertions in behalf of the mining interest, more particularly at Ohinemuri and Taitua, by your advocacy of the abolition of the gold duty, by your aid given to the schemeafor assisting the Borough of Thames, without which they must have proved ineffectual, and not least by your support of the Waste lands Administration Act, the value of which was so much impaired by the alterations made in it by the Legislative Council; also in many many other ways, the detail of which we can hardly hope to embrace at present. In conclusion, permit us to congratulate you on the preservation of your health throughout the long and trying parliamentary campaign which is just closed, and to express the hope that it may be long preserved for the benefit of your adopted country, and of your [many friends here and elsewhere,—Jambs Kilgobh, Chairman.

Sir Geobge said he thanked them heartily, but did not feel able just then to reply, and would postpone his remarks until evening. Mr Pine, .on behalf of the Miners' Association, then read the following address:—

To Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Member House ' Representatives.

Sir—On behalf of the Thames Miners' Association,.we take this public opportunity of thanking you for your endeavours during the ■ late seßsion of Parliament to ootain the removal of many unjust impositions under which working miners suffer, more especially for the manly and distinct position you assumed with reference to the gold duty, a tax wrong in principle, . exceptional in character, and fraught with danger to the continued existence of gold mining aB a profitable industry. The fact of the abolition or reduction of the duty not having been effected does not detract from the credit due to you and those who worked with you, but urges us to ask that you will not cease your efforts until the' opposition of those who desire its continuance shall be completely overcome. It has afforded us extreme gratification to notice that amid the numerous duties devolving upon you as the leader of a powerful and active party, you were enabled to devote your best energies to the protection of the interests of the miner, and that while striving with rare consistency to Secure that form of constitution you' believed to be best suited to the requirements of the colony you displayed the highest attributes of true statesmanship in caring for, and seeking to, improve the social condition of the working classes. (Signed) Ephbaim Howe, President; James Harney, Vice-Presidentj C. S. Pihe, Secretary; Bart. Brow, Treasurer. . _ Mr Hawkes, of Tapu, stepping forward, then presented the following address. It created some surprise, as no intimation of its existence had been furnished to the committee.

To Sir George Grey, Barf,, K. 0.8. and M.H.B. Sir,—We, the inhabitants of Hastings (Tapu Creek), king a separate and distinct portion of your constituency, desire to give you a hearty welcome to the Thames after your long ana laborious duties in the. General Assembly at Wellington. At the last general electionour votes were unanimously recorded in your favour, hut regret to say that, through some fault or neglect in complying the Electoral 8011, several of ua were deprived from voting. Our votes were also given in favour of Mr 'Vf. Bowe, his representative here stating that he would support your policy, whereby he gained the popular feeling. Wo regret to find that he has not fulfilled that promise, and wo pledge ourselves to be more careful iu the future in the choice of our representative. We have carefully followed your actions during the session, and your noble and disinterested advocacy o£ tho legitimate rights and liberties of the people kraised our admiration, while your efforts on behalf of education, the apportionment of the public debt, and the separation resolutions have met with our hearty approval. Wo are proud to have such an earnest, talented, and unselfish representative, and it is our earnest prayer thai you may be long spared tj carry out the work you have so well begun, and which we believe will ultimately be for tho benefit of the whole of New Zealand, and make it a happier, more respected, and progressive country. Sir George, accompanied by bis friends, then retired to the Pacific Hotol, and Iho meeting dispersed.