FAREWELL ENTERTAINMENT

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2729, 8 September 1868, Page 5

FAREWELL ENTERTAINMENT

TO SIR GEORGE GREY, K.C.B. .+_ Tuesday, September Bth, will bo memorable in the annals of this Colony, for to-day the citizens of Wellington, and the settlers of New Zealand make a public demonstration of respect to the ex-Governor on the occasion of his departure for England. We will not here anticijiuto the expressions of esteem and attachment which will find expression this afternoon in the Odd Fellows' Hall. The preparations which have been made, are of tho most complete and liberal character, and reflect credit on the Committee to whom was entrusted the onerous task of organizing tho whole affair at very short notice. It is calculated that the Hall will accommodate about 250 persons, and fully that number of tickets lias been sold. Three long tables extend the whole length of tho Hall. The stage, which is occupied by four tables will be devoted to Sir George Grey and the invited guests, among whom are his Excellency tho Governor and Lady Bowen and suite, the Lord Bishop of Wellington, the officers of tho 18th Royal Irish, the members of the Ministry, tic. Tho chair will be taken by Sir David Monro, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is an old and valued friend of the cxGovcrnor. His Honor I. E. Fcatherstou, Esq., Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, would have presided, but he is unfortunately confined to his room by illness. Mr Justice Johnston will occupy the vice-chair ; the two side tables being presided over by his Honor Donald McLean Esq., .Superintendent of Hawke's Bay, and J. Dransfield, Esq., Chairman of the Board of Works. The Members of both Houses of Parliament arc expected to muster in strong force, and the presence of a large number of ladies will bo a pleasing feature in the proceedings, and is indicative of an improved tone in regard to public entertainments of this kind. The hall is decorated with banners, &c. Two brass bands will be in attendance, viz., those of tho Artillery Corps and of No. 1 Company Wellington Rilles. Mr Donnccker, of the Club, being the caterer on the occasion, tho dejeuner will doubtless be managed in iirst-ratc style. The Chairman will, of course, propose the toast, of the health of the Guest of tho day. In replying, it is not unlikely that Sir George Grey will propose " Prosperity to New Zealand," which will probably bo acknowledged by the Premier (the Hon. K. W. Stallbrd). Arrangements have been made for the whole of the Sunday School children of the City to witness the embarkation, viz.. children from St. Paul's, Thorndon ; St. Peter's, To Aro : St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) ; tho Wcsloyans, Primitive Methodists, Free Church, Church of Scotland, and Congrfgntionalists, — in all about 500 children. Special arrangements have been made by the police to secure the safety of these juveniles ; and wo have no doubt that order will be maintained owing to tho foresight of Mr Inspector Atcheson. The volunteers, including tho Veterans, Jtifles and Artillery, will turn out en masse, a half holiday being given by the Government, Banks, Merchants, &c. The Sunday School Children will, wo believe, bo regaled with buns, tea, &c, after the embarkation. A procession will bo formed from the Hall to tho end of the pier. Tlio members of the Order of Odd Follows will probably inarch in regalia, and bands of music will play appropriate aira. The Artillery Corps Band will go on board the Airedale (Captain Kennedy) and accompany the party. The Government, steamer St. Kilda (Captain Fox) and tho N.Z.S.N. Go's steamer Lady Bird will accompany tho mail steamer Mataura down to the Heads. The embarkation is fixed for four o'clock p.m. Besides the above named steamers, tho Sturt, p.s., will bo placed at the disposal of the public if she arrives in time. All that is wanted to onsnrc complete success is fine weather. It is the intention of tho Odd Follows and Foresters to form in procession, meeting on the reclaimed land at 2 p.m. A meet ing of a committee (which was appointed on Saturday evening) was held yesterday at the office lately occupied by a contemporary to adopt an address for presentation to Sir George Grey on the oocasion of his departure. Mr Thos. M'Kenzio was called to tho chair. The following address, which was submitted by Mv J. H. Wallace, was adopted by the meeting : "To Sib G-KonoE Gkey, K.C.8., " Wo, the undersigned inhabitants of the City of Wellington, duly appreciating tho high stand that you have always taken in behalf of the interests of the Colonists of New Zealand, over which you have tor many years so ably 2>i'csiclcd as the representative of tho British Government, beg to testify our gratitude for the warm iutcrcst that J'ou have taken in tho general welfare of all classes of Her Majesty's loyal subjects in New Zealand. " The deep interest that you havo taken in the advancement of all religious bodies, the education I of the youth of the colony, the formation of Benevolent, Scientific, and Friendly Societies, and your urbanity of manner on all occasions merits from us our cordial esteem and regard. "On your departure for the Mother Country though you will be absent from amongst us, we trust that you will continue to give your ablo and influential support to a colony with which you are so intimately identified, and for which at a critical period like the present a warm friend at Homo is so much required. " We, therefore, cannot allow tho opportunity of your departure to pass without wishing you a eafo passage home, and that tho Almighty may long sparo you to continue that useful career for which you have been so long distinguished." An amendment, moved by Mr Carpenter and seconded by Mr Cobham, to substitute another i address was negatived. Mr O'Shca was appointed lion, sccretai'y, and was requested to communicate with tho Aucient Order of Oddfellows, Foresters, Rechabites, Volunteers, and the two Fire Brigades, asking their cooperation with a view of making the demonstration as complete as possible, and to endeavor to prevail on tho bankers and merchants of the city to give their employees a half-holiday. The address is 'in course of signature and will be presented to Sir George Grey at 3 o'clock today, on the reclaimed land.