SIR JAMES FERGUSSON at AYR.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3833, 17 June 1873, Page 2

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON at AYR.

During the mouth of April the European telegrams received here contained the brief announcement that " Sir James Fergusson was entertained at dinner by a number of Ayrshire friends." By the Albion we have received copies of the " Ayr Advertiser," from which we see that Sir James Fergusson was entertained on the 20th March at a banquet given in his honor by the tenantry of the Kilkerran estate, and at which about 120 gentlemen sat clown. He was also entertained at a public dinner a few days after by the tenantry of the Dumfries House Estate. About 200 gentlemen were present., amongst them being most of the principal inhabitants. As the proceedings on both occasions are fully reported, they occupy considerable space, and contain a great deal of matter highly interesting to New Zealand readers at the present time; but as the space at our disposal prevents us making more than limited use of the reports, we extract only such portions as relate to his Exellency's past history and present opinions. HIS PUBLIC CAREER. At the banquet given by the tenantry of Kilkerran, Mr Couper, Whitehilj, who was chairman, in proposing the health of Sir James Fergusson, made the following remarks : — The Chairman said the next toast, for which he craved an overflowing bumper, was the toast of the evening— '■The Right Hon Sir James Fergusson." (Loud and continued cheering) . I approach the toast (he said) with a feeling of much diffidence. We are met here to do honor to our esteemed landlord, his Excellency Sir James Fergusson of Kilkerran, Jiarc, and in doing so I feel that I must in the outset allude to his public career. You are all aware how worthily he served this important county as its member, and how distinguished he became in Parliamentary circles. (Applause.) You also know how his ability secured for him from his Sovereign and her advisers the honorof' representing her Majesty in one of her colonial dependencies ; and that as G-overnor of South Australia, a position calling for the high qualities of the statesmen and the sagacity of the man, he won for himself encomiums from all classes, whether friends or foes. (Loud applause.) And it is now gratifying to us to learn that Sir James has been further honored with the conilJenee of those in authority in the mother country, by receiving at their hands the appointment of Governor of NewZealand—(applause) — that prosperous and growing colony in which we feel deeply interested — a feeling which will now be made the more intense by the consideration that our

esteemed landlord is at the' head of its affairs. In his future caiteer r sfre""ftH"-' heartily wish Sir James " God apeedv" (Loud applause.) But while I thus:endeavor to give expression to our warmest wishes for Sir James in his - public capacity, wilKhe pardon me if I say I hat we could $i|have wished hear* tily and sincerely s inat he, along with his amiable and accomplished lady, had I seen fit to take up his residence at the lovely house of Kilkerran — (applause) — wh'.ch has been the home of -his fathers for upwards of (pur hundrj|£<j years ; for then we should havevhad hittv^' personally superintending the manage* ment of his extensive estatesV;<for which he is so eminently fitted, ? (Applause:) If, gentlemen, Sir James could now have said to us that such was his intention, X feel assured that the announcement would have given the utmost gratification to us all, and we should have hailed it with prolonged and ringing cheers. (Cheers.) Sir James has* proved himself a distinguished inheritor of the ancient and revered name of Fergusson, and by his public efforts as a statesman, as well as by his sterling worth as a private gentleman, he has added a lustrous example to the long: and honorable roll of the proprietors of Kilkerran. (Applause.) Need I here, in the presence of. those who have known him so long and so well, enlarge upon his earnest and unwearying desirethat his tenants should sit under fair and reasonable covenants, satisfactory alike both to proprietor and tenants,, furthering the interests and conducing 1 to the material advantage of the latter, as well as of those under them. Inproof of that I ttave only to refer to thefriendly meeting which we had with our landlord on his recent return to Kilkerran, and to the kind and considerate words which be then spoke. (Applause.) Taking, as I can well do, a retrospect of the conditton of the Kilkerran estate for the last 20 years, within which' period the influence of our proprietor has been felt through his managers, I can safely assert that there is very gratifying evidence of a marked stride in advance, both as regards the comfortable and commodious character of the houses, and the improved appearance o>f the land, producing among all tenants, from the largest holder to the smallest cottar, but one feeling, that of contentment with the arrangements, and entire satisfaction with the proprietor and those who have prudently managed the estate for him in his absence. (Applause.) Gentlemen, in the presence of Sir James, I feel that I cannot say more. I ask you to excuse any shortcomings on my part in endeavoring to discharge the important duty committed to me, and, in conclusion, I call upon you to join me in drinking, with all the honors, " Long life, happiness, and success to our esteemed landlord, His Excellency Sir James Fergusson, of Kilkerran, Bart." (Enthusiastic cheering.) Sir James Fekgusson replied at great length. In his opening remarks he referred to his past connexion with the people of Ayr, and said that the meetings he had had with them had been like land marks in his life; and'any success which he had achieved he attributed entirely to the earily confidence extended to him, no doubt more on' the score of those who had gone before him than any claim he could have advanced. But he was happy to say that this confidence had been renewed again and again ; and he was proud to be able to say that politics had never bred enmity between him and any part of the constituency. Among those who differed with him on fundamental principles were his most cordial friends. In reference to his acceptance of the Governorship of* this Qolony, Sir James says : — " I am sureyo'trwill believe me when I say that - had : I consulted my own inclination I should not have desired to go abroad' again. But while I know that the feeling which the chairman has expressed is shared by many, more, I nevertheless have confidence that you will approve the sense of duty which dictated my acceptance of an office still more honorable than even that I lately held, and from which I felt that, if I shrank, I should be consulting my, own inclination rather than my sense of duty. (Applause.) If I should be so fortunate as to do credit to the selection of the Minister who nominated me to the Governorship of New Zealand, I - feel sure that every one whom I have the honor to address will take pleasure in that success, and I myself shall feel greatly increased pleasure if any degree of credit be reflected upon my own dear native county." Eespecting the fact of his being^an absentee landlord, he instanced raMy facts to show that the Kilkerran estate had not suffered from that cause ; that the condition of the tenants had constantly improved, and that they were now in a position to carry on their operations with the proper appliances necessary to enable them to contend with the vicissitudes of the climate ; and that, as a natural result of all this, very few left their farms from choice. Thore had been new tenants during his time, but in the majority of cases the changes had been beneficial to all concerned. Regarding the relations between landlord and tenant, he said there was no reason why these relations should not be maintained for any period, however long, and " that if changes are brought about it will be from one class of the community not considering the rights and feelings of the other, rather than from any necessity which the times has forced upon us." The following&jms. a political bearing : — " I believe oiil^H the happiest changes of the present time is the extent to which other classes than the proprietors of land are -interested in the management of pubpo affairs. The time was when landed proprietors alone were- represented,; ; directly represented, in Parliament. \ r Still more • recently, they alone, with f the olergy, :had the entire adminis- ■<•' tration of the relief of the pdor^^but '%, now the middle classes have 'ISeen ; admitted to a large- Bhare ; of the lqcal^

government, and it is highly probable that they will bemuch further admitted." On the question of education, Sir James Fergusson referred to the satisfactory working of the Scotch Education Act, which makes education compulsory. In deploring the sectarian bitterness sometimes displayed, he remarks: — "It really seems incredible that Scotchmen should introduce disturbing elements into a matter in which all are substantially agreed. I know of parishes where this matter has been got over Inmost happily. <I would not quarrel with parish where the keenest contest was carried out, if it 6imply be a contest of opinion as to who are the best men. Let the parish be polled, if necessary, to find out the men who have the confidence of the people ; but, for the sake of religion, for the sake of education, for the sake of all we hold dear, let their be no jobbery, or spite, or narrowness, or bitterness in the election of the school Boards." Equally pronounced are his views upon the sceptical tendencies of the day. He says : — " There may be a justifiable search for truth, with a desire to verify before we believe; but, depend upon it, there are truths, especially the truth of old, once dedelivered to the saints, which can never be shake-, and regarding which scientific researches, if not agreeing with it, and if carried too far, can only bring danger and trouble. . . . Let us search as deeply as we will after truth, but I say let us not weaken our hold upon the truth, without which all science is but as wandering in a maze, and leading us into deeper darkness. The Rev Mr Find lay, in responding to the toast of the clergy, made use of the following remarks regarding Sir James Fergusson and this colony : — He has, as you are well aware, had the great and unusual, I might almost say the singulnr, honor of being promoted by his political opponents to a new and higher sphere of duty in the colonial field ; and he will, I doubt not, carry with him to his new field of labor those many excellent qualities of head and heart which have hitherto distinguished him. He will rule in New Zealand as he has ruled in South Australia, not with a rod of iron but with a sceptre of love. (Applause.) He will gain the affections of out? fellow-countrymen abroad, as he has won the hearts of all at home, by his calls of courtesy, his words of sympathy, and his deeds of kindness. (Applause.) He will, I doubt not, prove eminently successful in conciliating the natives of New Zealand, in stimulating and directing the colonists, and in developing the resources of that great and interesting country, which so much resembles our own in size, in scenery, and in climate, and which, under his fostering care, may yet become, not only geographically, but commercially, socially, and religi ously, the Great Britain of the southern hemispheie, and a light to dispel the heathen darkness which yet broods over so many of the countless islands and the boundless shores of the Pacific Ocean. ON THE COLONIES. In the evening, Sir James Fergusson delivered ah address to the members of the Maybole Working Men's/ Club, in aid of the funds of that institution. The lecture, of which only an abridgement is given, appears to have been alike useful and interesting to his hearers. Speaking of the high rate of wages paid in the colonies, his Excellency touched upon those current at home, and said that in spite of all the emigration which had taken place from the old country, they found working men now paid at a rate double the amount of that earned a century ago, and yet employers were able to hold their own. The rate of wages had risen with abound, and although there might be some relapse, he Relieved that there would be a considerable permanent rise in the amount of remuneration to the artisan, which would be most beneficial to the community. In conclusion, Sir James referred to the future of the Australian colonies, remarking it would be well if they could be united in the same manner as our North American colonies Then the Government would be less expensive, and the colonies would be able to unite their forces both in times of peace and war. The jealousies, however, which prevailed between Victoria and New South Wales was very unfavorable to unity. REMINISCENCES OF HIS LIFE. At the public dinner in Oumnock the Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, said — When war was declared between England and Russia, there marched forth with Her Majesty's Household Brigade two young Scottish officers, defenders of their country's honor. The elder was the representative of his native county in Parliament, the younger had barely entered on his inheritance. They were comrades and brotherß-in-arms. In one of England's glorious victories, when the " thin red line" executed those marvels of valor that called forth the admiration of the veteran French marshal, the elder officer fell in the moment of victory mortally wounded. With his last breath he commended to his constituency as their future representative his young comrade, ■whose merits he had early discovered. The monument that is erected on one of Carrick's highest hills attests to the world the admiration with which Ayrshire viewed her hero-son — (cheers)— while responsive to his dying request, his comrade, ere he could return to his native land, found himself invested with the honor of being representative of the ,^Kgat an d important county of Ayr. iSach, gentlemen, was the advent of our guest, Sir James Fergusson, to public life. (Loud cheers) Gradually advancing up the ladder of promotion, he became one of her Majesty's principal Under Secretaries ; and on the retirement from power of the party whose opinions he adopted, he was more than solicited to undertake the government of one of England's most promising colonies. (Applause.) Entering on the duties of bis office at a time of deep depression and disappointment, he has

conducted the government of that colony with wisdom, success, and tact until, upon the completion of his official career there, he leaves it in a position of eminent prosperity, and its inhabitants distinguished for their boldness and their enterprise. (Applause.) Chiefly through his energy and spirit, telegraphic communication has been established between Australia and England. An arduous task, when we consider that the wire had to be dragged through trackless forests, where the foot of white man had never before trod, and over arid deserts where no water was, and where sometimes the exhausted workmen were glad for a few moments to bury their faces in the sand to try and extract a breath of cool air to enable them to proceed in their undertaking. (Applause.) Indeed, with auch judgment and success has he governed South Australia, that a hostile Ministry, deaf to the intercessions of many of their own party, who doubtless desired the dignity, to their honor, be it s«id, have conferred on Sir James the governorship of a still more important colony : which comprises some of the finest " isles that gem old ocean's royal diadem" — the government of New Zealand. (Cheers.) There is no country in the world more redundant in undeveloped resources than New Zealand. Added to a salubrious climate, it possesses miues of gold, ®f silver, of copper, of iron, and of coal. A mountain ol chrome rears itself convenient to one of her most commodious ports, and sulphur may be dug up by wagon loads. While its colonists are celebrated for their un flinching loyalty in spite of rebuffs and disappointments, its native inhabitants are a splendid race : even in their mat cloaks, their bearing is princely, while their hearts are »s bold a? a lion's. (Applause.) I have seen a New Zealand chief and his followers man the lifeboat and dash gaily off to save a shipwrecked crew, where white men stood aside and quailed before the storm. (Cheers.) With such material, and with such a Governor, we do not hesitate to say that we expect renown to our native land, and advancement to this young but greaf colony. (Applause.) Four years ago we assembled near this spot and entertained Sir James on his proceeding lo occupy the government of South Australia. The cheers we uttered were cheers of encouragement, but the cheers we now utter are those of confidence, for our Ayrshire lad has been tried and proved himself equal to the task— (cheers) — and nothing but his untarnished Buccess will in future gratify our expectations : the reflex of his reputation extends to us, his county and countrymen. (Renewed cheers.) Need I recall the magnificent banquet with which the Lord of the Manor introduced hicaself to us on his taking possession of his inheritance. Need I remind you of the occasion when Sir James Fergusson's health was drunk, and the music, responsive to the toast, struck up " Will ye no come back again ?" of the crashing cheer which then burst from that great assembly, and was only allayed by Sir James declaring that, if spared by Providence, he would return among us. (Cheers.) This day he redeems his pledge ; but, alas ! the day of its redemption is also the day of its consummation. His merits have been discovered, and he is called on to go forth on a more important misson. We wish him God speed in his undertaking. (Long and continued cheers.) He goes forth with our confidence, for he is our own conceit, and we tell him, when his work is done and his laurels culled, a cheer of welcome will await his return to his native land. And proud will ever be his countrymen and friends should he leave behind him a record of deeds such as will adorn a page in the future history of a new world. (The toast was drunk amid enthusiastic cheering.) Sir James Fergusson replied in a long and eloquent speech, but we shall content ouraelves with the following extract regarding EDUCATION AND RELIGION . "You will allow me perhaps iurther I to say, if I do not weary you — (applause) — that, in the prospect of changes which some people expect, and some people fear, may take place in this country, we do no need to fear them, if in the meantime we sot our houses in order. Ido not believe that any great institution has fallen, or is destined to fall, which has not to a certain extent deserved it. If churches, if classes, if individuals who are invested with great duties and responsibilities will lay them to heart, and lay an unsparing hand upon internal abuses, the institutions and classes which they represent will endure long after ideal theorists have passed away, and their visionary imaginations have given place to many another. (Applause.) If churches have fallen, if empires have crumbled, and old institutions have passed away, I think it will generally be found that their time had gone by, and that abuses had sprung up to such an extent that they no longer either possessed or deserved public confidence, (Applause.) I do not believe that the National Church of Scotland can come under such an accusation. But if she will be true to herself, if those who are charged with the instruction of her clergy are true to the old standards, if those who are sent forth to do her work have that work at heart, they will retain the confidence of the people of the country, and the people of the country, though perhaps not belonging to her own pale, will not see her cut down. (Applause.) The same holds true of classes, whether they be landed proprietors or employers of labor; if they have respect for the rights of others ; if they have a sense of the duties which belong to them ; if they cultivate friendly relations with the classes around them, and are not Blow to give up privileges they have prized ; if they feel that the time has come for doing so, depend upon it revolutionary changes will be far from us, and we may hand down those institutions, under which we ourselves have rested, undisturbed to posterity. i