RECEPTION OF THE AUCKLAND MEMBERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2686, 6 November 1876, Page 3

RECEPTION OF THE AUCKLAND MEMBERS.

, ...*_*)+■ ■■■ I : SIR GEORGE GREY AT AUOKLAND. \ [Br Tbibgkaph, pbom thb Pbbss AOBNCT.] AtrosLANs, Nov, 4. The Theatre Royal was orowded last night, about 1800 being present to moot Sir G. Groy and the Auckland members. Many ladies wero present. The Representatives on the platform were Messrs O'Rorke, Reoß, Swanaon, R. Wood, Dignan, and Tolo. Mr Lusk sont a letter of apology on aooount of illness. Eaoh member was rcoeived with ohoerfl. Sir G. Groy was driven from the hotel in a oarriage, provided by tho Rooeption Committee, surmounted by a large standard, and on entering the hall tho audienoe roso and loudly applaudod for sevoral minutos. An address of welcome was presented, expressing at some length the popular appreciation of his noble efforts to proßorve tho rights of self-govern-ment, to secure purity and economy of administration, and obtain justioo for tho Provinoo. They had observed with the dcopeat pain tho cruol mannor in whioh he had boen aspersed in oflloial despatches by tho Ministry and a portion of tho Prose. i In roplying, Sir G. Grey spoko of tho ! speoial disadvantages of Auckland, tbo loss of the soafc of Govornmont, want of a land fund, and unfair share of tho publio works expenditure ; also, at somo length, on tho advantages of tho Provinoial system whioh thoy had lost, and tho diffloulties of central administration. To remedy those, separation resolutions wore proposed, whioh would have boon oarriod but for a section of thoir moon representatives and tho unequal distribution of Boats among the various electorates. Tho throwing out of theso resolutions had lost Auokland £120,0C3 yoarly. Ho denied that Abolition had beon put fairly to tho oountry. Tho Bill was passed first, and tho sanotion of tho Governor and tho Imporial authorities sooured for it, boforo the oleotions had shown tho feeling of tho oountry. The Govornment of Great Britain, through thoir aotions and tho Governor, wero to some extent to blame for for >ing upon thorn this form of Government. He referred at length to the land fund, and maintained that if tho Colony is to remain ono, tho land revenue should bo paid into a common fund, and every distriot get. its fair proportion. Ho declared his boliof that Canterbury opposed Separation with tho oapital at Ohristohuroh, beoauso she was afraid of getting Otago peoplo with liboral ideas in among them who would open tho oyos of the people to thoso great runs and landod

aristooraoy. He urged the people to lay to heart the idea of two foderatod islands. All tho other members spoke in referonoe to an alliance with Otago, and wore repoatedly oheer od. Mr O'Rorke thought Auokland ought to work with Otago, and not wait to follow its example. The Roy Mr Wallis proposed an amendment, censuring tho Auokland mombors for increasing tho honorarium, but was roarod down. Tho meeting oonoludod with three ohoers for Sir G. Groy, and threo for tho members. It was throughout of a most enthusiastic j oharaotor. i