The Examiner. MONDAY, JUNE 29. Topics of Everyday Interest.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXI, Issue 3571, 29 June 1903, Page 2

The Examiner. MONDAY, JUNE 29. Topics of Everyday Interest.

The speech delivered by Sir William Russell in acknowledging the presentation made to him by his constituents at Hastings on Monday is so good that we need make no apology for republishing it. ‘‘The 23rd of June,” said Sir William, “ has ever been to me a memorable day, and from this day henceforth it will be more memorable than it has been in the past. This day 41 years ago 1 packed up my traps of scarlet and gold and embarked myself and all of my world’s goods in a small steamer called the Stormbird and started for Hawke’s Bay, and for a new career and with a desire to make progress in the country to which I had come. We were all young then. The method ,of my disembarkation would amuse those of you who have come to the colony only in recent years. The breakwater in Napier was not dreamt of then. The wharves were unknown and small vessels came into what was known as the ‘lron Pot,’ because it was said that ‘ vessels did go ashore there.’ And so it was with me. The Stormbird was run on to the beach. The horse which I had brought with me was slung over the side iuto the water. I climbed down the halyards on to bis back and so triumphantly rode ashore

SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL,

i»t6 that which was to be my new home. The whole population of this provincial district in the days when 1 first came here was considerably less than that of the borough of Hasting at the last census. The census taken just before 1 arrived here was 1667 men and 944 women for the whole of the province. The men were so much more numerous than the women that you didn’t see young men leaning their backs against the walls of a ball-room as they do now, and a young man was considered precious lucky if be got any good-looking girl at all. (Laughter.) When I arrived here life Was indeed rough. The very horse 1 told you of carried my pack to the outside stations. By degrees roads were made and communication opened op. 1 came here young with a desire to get on. The daydreams of my youth were the daydreams that we all have. They were of love and wealth and ambition, and 1 cau say that those day-dreams with the aid of my wife have been more than realised. With great courage and endurance she underwent with me all the vicissitudes which were inherent in early colonial life. She has shared with me great joys and the most profound sorrows, and between us we have reared a large family, of whom we have good cause to be proud. Therefore, 1 say that daydream of mine has been realised. And as for my dreams of wealth the realisation might bare been greater than it has proved, though I have no cause to complain about that. When 1 was young in years and wore a uniform I said to my old soldier friends that in a few years I would return to England, and would drive them all to the Derby in ray own drag. Such was my dream. But [ remained here and won two Derbies with my own racehorses on ray own account. My friend Mr Williams, in alluding to my political life, was more kind to me than 1 feel 1 have aright to expect.—( ,l No, no.”) I have endeavored during a period of 34 years of political life to do what I believed to be my duty to myself first of all, to my country afterwards, and then to my constituents, because no man can be true to his country and to his constituents unless be is true to himself also. There may be some amongst you here present who blame me—as I have been blamed —for not having been able to adapt my opinions to the current opinions of the day. I think they have no right to blame me for adhering to principles which

I honestly and genuinely held, and to alter which for the sake of current opinion would have been unworthy of an honorable man. It has been laid down .by President Roosevelt that a man who entered upon a public oarver ;< ml noted honorably, faithfully and honestly in support of what lie considered to be right, rendered valuable service to his country although he never occupied office for a single day. I believe that is a true representation of the case, afid that one ought to remain, rightly or wrongly, true to one’s convictions whether they are popular or the reverse.—(Hear, hear.) Ton have shown by your magnificent present to-day and by your handsome address that you believe my endeavors have been honorable and for the best ad vantage of ray constituents, and 1 thank you all heartily for honoring me to-day more than I bad ever hoped to deserve.— (Loud applause).

In the House of Lar Earl Grey’s Bill for abolishing the

king’s lung’s accession deacoession cl strath n, on the declaration ground that it was superfluous, was rejected by 109 to 62. The Archbishop of Canterbury udinitud that the declaration was needlessly offensive, but some guarantee the sovereign was, however, s'ill necessary. The Duke of Devonshire said that the Government was willing to reintroduce the Bill of 1901, if the Catholics (Wired. Loyd Rosebery hoped that the Government would not act without the "complete cooperation of the Bishops and Catholic peers.

Dobing last week the rope on which the punt at the Lower the Gorge crosses the lower river parted when the gorge ferryman was conveyferry. mg a horse and trap across. Fortunately the punt swung round and reached the bank before it bad gone far down the river. Since then the punt has been useless, and travellers by that route have either had to go through the Siberia property or else return. In the ease of. the latter, complaint is made that after being blocked at the other end of the Gorge and applying for a refund of the toll paid' at this end they have been refused. This is not right, as the acceptance of the toll fee should be a guarantee that the road is passable. Will the Lowe? Gorge bridge ever be erected ? The Manawatu Standard now favors the reerection of the bridge.