ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.

27

A.—No. la.

can afford for the remainder of your days, and at their close derive solace from the reflection of a life spent in promoting the happiness of your fellow creatures. We have the honor to remain, your Excellency's most obedient very humble servants, J. Bonar, Mayor. J. B. Anderson, W. Fitzsimmons, B. Ecclesfield, F. Clarke, B. HuNGERFORD, C. Williams, John Lazar, Town Clerk. W. Cummings. Hokitika, 25th January, 1867. Beply. Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, — I shall always remember with pleasure and gratitude the reception I have met with from yourselves and the inhabitants of this town. My pleasure upon this occasion has been heightened by the remembrance of how little was known of this part of New Zealand but a few years since. It was then regarded as a dreary locality, difficult of access, hardly producing the necessaries of life, and as not likely to be inhabited by the European race until after a lapse of a long interval of time. Now I find around me a thriving and populous town, which has suddenly sprung into existence, an energetic population, already cultivating the soil, which gives unmistakable proof of its great fertility ; an Alpine mountain chain pierced by a great road, and signs of progress and prosperity upon every side. I congratulate you as a Municipal body upon what you have already done, and feel confident that when you enter upon the exercise of your more extended powers, you will establish new claims upon the gratitude of your fellow-citizens. I thank you sincerely for your kind wishes for my future happiness. I assure you that I can feel no greater pleasure than that of knowing that in common with so many of my fellow-countrymen, I have aided in establishing such large and prosperous communities, and witnessing the contentment and prosperity of their inhabitants. G. Grey.

Masons' Address. To His Excellency Sir Georoe Grey, K.C.8., Governor-in-Chief of the Colony of New Zealand. May it please Your Excellency,— In the name and on behalf of the whole fraternity of free and accepted Masons, we solicit leave to welcome your Excellency, upon your arrival in Hokitika, with our heartfelt congratulations. Your Excellency, as one of our ancient order, will be gratified to learn that the fraternity in this Province continues to cherish and cultivate those principles of brotherly love, reverence for our Queen, and respect for the laws, upon which Masonry was originally founded. We hope that the multiplicity of more important concerns, which must occupy your Excellency's mind upon the present occasion, will not prevent your Excellency from viewing with favourable regard tho ancient order of which your Excellency has been so long a member. Begretting that the shortness of Your Excellency's stay in Hokitika will not permit us to hope for the honor of your Excellency's presence within our walls at any of the ceremonies of our venerable order, we conclude with imploring that the Grand and Omnipotent Architect of the universe may grant your Excellency a long and a happy life, and your condescension upon this occasion will ever be gratefully acknowledged by the whole body of masons. Signed by appointment this 24th day of January, 1867, and of Light, 5867. Edwin Taylor, P.M. and Acting Worshipful Master. For and on behalf of the members of the Pacific Lodge of Hokitika. C Louisson, Secretary. Beply. Gentlemen,— I thank you very sincerely for the address with which you have presented me, and for your reception of me on my arrival in the Town of Hokitika. It is very gratifying to know that in this remote portion of Her Majesty's dominions you still entertain that reverence for your Sovereign and respect for the laws for which your Order has always been so distinguished, and that you still occupy yourselves with works of benevolence and charity. I thank you for your wishes that I may enjoy a long and happy life. If Providence grants me this blessing, I hope you may have the pleasure of seeing that I employ it largely in trying to promote the welfare of others. G. Grey. Oddfellows' Address. To His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Governor of New Zealand, &c, &c. May it please Your Excellency,— In the name and on behalf of tho Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society, we bid you hearty welcome to Hokitika, the capital of Westland. As representatives of a body numbering in Great Britain, Victoria, New Zealand, and other dependencies of the British Empire, about 450,000 souls, we beg to assure your Excellency of our unwavering attachment to the throne of Great Britain, and to the person of our beloved Queen.