THE IRISH DELEGATES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2295, 6 December 1889, Page 2

THE IRISH DELEGATES.

MR DILLON AT WAIAfATK.

Mr Dillon, MP., acoompanied from Timarn by Major Steward, M.H.8., RevFather Regnault, Pariah Prleat of Walmate, and Mr J. Slnolalr, Mayor.Bleot of that Borongb, arrived at Studholme Jauotlon by the Express on Wednesday afternooo, and were there met by a large oonoourss of residents of the district. Mr Middlefcon'a barouohe, with that gentleman's well known splendid pair of grey ponlei, was placed at the disposal of the visitors, and was followed Into town by eighteen buggies well loaded and ab.ut a doz.n tnr.e_.en, On tbo arrival of the oavalo.de at the Royal Hotel a large crowd assembled, mil photograph having been taken c f tbu assemblage, Mr Dillon In a few words tbaoked.tbe publU

of tbe district fo\ the m»gn fi-eot r=>o p- j tion that had been acoo'ded hur, Th-*-*? j bearty cheers were then given, rid 'ho i crowd dispersed. Dinner wo mmptuons^y furnished by Mr Middle- n :.•■ fi.-st dish belog a W*>l!akl t.-ou', -,f B nb dlgnap'an proportions and of ti«-i qua'iiy, kindly een. m by Mr Mv p - , or Walhso, and which elioited the warm admiration of Mr Di lon, who was sur prised at the capabilities of our waiera In tbis Hoe. In' the evening there was an aitsndanoe of some 400, among whom was a good sprinkling of ladles, In the Or-d-eHows' Hall, whioh waß gaily decorated with flips, ivatgieens, aad mottoes. The Mayor (Mr F. Slee) occupied the obalr aud opened the proceedings wlih a lew brief remarks, after whl. h a beam ruliy executed address on green silk, embroidered for the people of Walmate by ihe Religious of St. OolumbhlU's Convent, Hokltlka, was read by Major Steward and presented to Mr Dillon, followed by a cheque, on behalf of the Bubsciibers of ihe fnnd, for £100, presented by Mr Sinclair, who Intimated that this would be followed by a few pounds more as soon as the accounts of the meeting were made up, and added tbat the sum would bave been larger bnt for the fact that £125 bad been remitted Home from Walmate In aid of the Home Role Fund only some six weeks ago. Mr Dillon warmly thanked the Walmate people for their handsome measure of assistance, and then addressed the meeting on the Home Rule movement, presenting an array of cogent factß m temperate, well chosen, aud convincing language. He was followed by Major Steward, who considered that those were the true conservators of the Union who were laboring to remove the cau.es of discontent on the part of the Irish people by securing for them the privilege of managing their own loo_l affairs. He moved tha following .eaolutlon — "That tblsmeetlngfullysympaiblsfs with the efforts which are being put forth by Mr Dillon and tbe statesmen with whom be la nsoolated In their t Aorta to secure Home Rule for Ireland, aud hopes that those efforts will speedily be orowned with success, believing as It does, tbat tbe privilege of managing their own looal affdrs will conduce to tbe pe.ee, happto s < j and prosperity of the Irish renple, *-■■ d to I the consolidation of the F_--).*r-,-f--i.d if 111 1 add the crowning glory to ihe long and [ beneficent reign of Her Most Graf-hns Majesty Q icon V-ctoilo.'' The resolution was seconded by Mr Sinclair, _nd tup ported by ft- w-tklng roaD am n^ 'ho audience, who made a rhort but telling speech aud on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously with accchmat o?.. A vote of thanks to the ch_!r moved by Mr IH11?U closed the prcoee t'lujjo. On tbe following day (Thursday) Mr Dillon aceonopanied by Major Steward, F.th^r Regnault and others paid a vleit to the Catholic school which was quite en Jete and tbe party were reoeived enthusiast - eally. A number of recitations wera admirably given by the ohildren, and n beautifully got up address and a bouquet of flowers were presented to Mr Dillon, who addressed the ohildren and their friends who were present m considerable nnmbere, Major Steward followed, and bearty cheers were given for tbe both gentlomei . Tbe party then visited the State school., when over 450 ohildren were found buaiiy 8t work all looking happy and well, end subsequently the County Council Chambers, Bomugh Council Chambers, { __Bgllsh ohnrcb, C<urthoo_e and Hospital. In the afternoon tbey had a good send off at the railway station »nd w.re aooompanled by a number of friends to Studholme jnnctiop, whence •mid a final round of cheers Mr Dillon e.arted ou bis way to , Dnnedin. After speaking there he returns, we believe, to O.maru, and subsequently vleita lavaroa-gill and Qieen-.town. where his tone In New Zealand, so far as bis mlsslm Is oonoarned, will terminate. After this we believe the delega.es intend visiting the Hot Lakes to recruit.