MR BRYCE AT WANGANUI.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1421, 20 May 1886, Page 2

MR BRYCE AT WANGANUI.

PUBLIC RECKPITOS,

Wanganui, May 19

The public reception of Mr Brjce was 1 a great success. He was met at the Kal - 1 way station and welcomed by the Mayor, 1 Chairmen of the Wanganui and Waitotara I 0 *llOllO3, and members of the Public I B >diea Reception Committee. On the J platform, specially erected fur the purpose 1 the Mayor read an illuminated address 1 from the citizens an i settlers, in the I presence of a crowd estimate! to be about I 1500 people; and three cheers were giveu I for Mr Bryce. The latter thanked the J people moat warmly for their expressions J of genuine sympathy. He said be never 1 entertained a doubt of suoceia. It had | been predicted of him that he would return broken in fortune, broken in spirit, utterly disinclined for ever to re-enter public life. In one respect the prediction might have come true ; had the case gone against him he would assuredly have been broken in fortune, and he might have been depressed in spirit, but nithet Mr Rusden or any other living m»n could break his spirit, destroy his faith in his fellow settlors, or his determination to do the best ho could for the good of his country. He would rather be inclined to say, “Bind up my wounds, give me

another horse, and let me plunge into ihe conflict.” Amidst loud andcominual

cheering Mr Bryce stepped down from | the platform, and accompanied by the I Mayor entered a private carriage awaiting j him f om which the horse was immediately I unharnessed by a number of gentlemen I present, who quickly attached ropes, and I the two occupants were then drawn in triumph along the quay aud up the avenue to the Rutland hotel, accompanied by the crowd. Along the route fl gs and banners were hung out everywhere, and streams of bunting stretched accrcss the ] avenue in the moat conspicuous places, while a large motto ‘•Welcome,” was erected in proximity to the fountain. The banquet to Mr Bryce in the Princes Theatre to-night was attended by about 150 people, and the gallery was crowded with ladies. Mr Bryce, on rising to resp jud to the toast of his health, proposed by.the Mayor, was received with deafening cheers. Letters and telegrams expressing regret at not being able to be present were read from the Hon. Mr Ballance and Messrs Samuel and J. G. Wilson, M ’sH.R. Mr Biuce, M.H. t<. for Kan gltikei iwas present, having come from Wellington on purpose; aud conveyed to the meeting and Mr B yce the congratulations and well-wishes of his fellow members.