THE PREMIER AT WELLINGTON

West Coast Times, Issue 12346, 30 October 1902, Page 3

THE PREMIER AT WELLINGTON

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION.

MONS'iER GATHERING OF

CITIZENS.

LARGEST AUDIENCE EVER SELN IN WELLINGTON.

Wellington, Oct 29 The Tutanekai with' the Premier and party on board arrived off the Heads unexpectedly at 11.30 this momiDg. Mr Seddon was warmly welcomed by bid colleagues and friends. The Tutauekai anchored in Worser Bayjto await the official reception by the citizens at 3 o'clock. The day aras beautifully fine and a large number of people had assembled oc the Queens Wharf. When the Government steamer came alongside the Mayor and members of the City' Council were ready to receive tha Premier when , he stepped down the gangway and they welcomed him back to Wellington after some cheering. v Mr Seddon then gave an address in which he expressed pleasure at once more beit\g back in the colony. He said that thaaervices rendered by New Zealand in th? : recent crisis would never be for gotten, and would ever be remembered with pleasure by ■ the ; people of Great Britain. By the reception tendered to him^the people had made a further claim upon his services, and those services would be, cheertully and unsparingly granted. , . Tbe party shortly after entered their carriages, and there • ,was some further cheering as they drove off the wharves. The citizens reception to the Premier took place to night in the new woolsbed of the Harbour Board, a huge -building capable of holding several thousand people. All the seating accommodation was occupied and the greater part of the standing space was filled, the audience forming one of the largest, if not the largest ever seen In Wellington. Mr Seddon. and his party got a most cordial reception on their arrival. Mr Aitken, Mayor of Wellington, in welcoming Mr Seddon, said the great gathering had assembled that night to extend to him a right hearty welcome tbe Capital City and to tender to him their sincere thanks and gratitude for his having so worthily represented the Colony at the Coronation and other, functions. He presented Mr Seddon with an illuminated address of welcome from the citizens of Wellington. Mr Seddon received a very hearty ovation on rising to reply. His speech was not political in character and was confined principally to a sketch of his tour and recital of the various incidents connected with it. He paid a tribute to the Acting Premier and his.colleagues for the manner in which tbe public business of the colony had been carried on during his absence. He would be a smallmioded man if he did not give them his whole souled and hearty thiuk3 for what they had done. He had been asked since his return whether he was not .surprised at the satisfactory way things had gone on iv his absence, but he said emphatically, he was not surprised, because New Zealad was not reduced to a one man government With the assistance of his colleagues, he would continue to do what was right and best in the interests of the people of tbe colony, and do it well. On resuming his seat. Mr Seddon was received with a great round of applause, followed by three cheers.