LATE TELEGRAM

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1706, 6 August 1875, Page 3

LATE TELEGRAM

WELLINGTON. (Per Press Telegram Agency.) This day. O'Connell Centenary DinnerAt the O'Connell centenary dinner last night, at the Oddfellows'" Hall, about 150 were present, Travers, solicitor, in the chair, supported on the right by the Governor, and on the left by jtbe Hon. Mr Bowen ; vicechairmen, Messrs O'Shea and Buckley. The usual toasts were given, then the health of the Governor. ; In reply to the toast, Lord Normanby made an excellent speech, referring to Mr O'Connell. He said his was a memory for which he had a high respect, because he had struggled for the liberties of the people. He (Lord Normanby), when in the Houce of Commons, said he had done his utmost to prevent the continuation of that system which excluded men of certain cast or religion from the rights and privileges of their fellowsubjects in other countries to obtain such rights and privileges. The people had to resort to violent and unlawful acts, but our constitution was so elastic that all these could be obtained by lawful means, and herein this colony the highest price he could give to our laws and constitution was that they were based on those of Great Britain. Therefore he impressed upon the people that any changes in the constitution they might desire might and should be effected through their representatives and that in a peaceable friendly manner, and he strongly expressed a hope that imputations on conduct should not be made where the people did j Dot aejree as to the manner or necessity of changes. The Governor was loudly cheered.

CapUin Chapman, of H.M. Dido returned thauks for the Navy in a very humourous manner.

Mr Travers proposed the toast of the evening, " The Memory of O'Connell," and in doing so gave an interesting outline of O'Connell's career.

Sir George Grey proposed the next toast, " The Land we live in," which was enthusiastically received. He said he would advert tor five minutes to the great man whose memory they had met to celebrate. In doing bo ho drew a graphic and eloquent picture of the former state of the Irish people and compared them to a garrison shut up in beleaguened city, and out of communication with the rest of the world. He Baid Daniel O'Connell opened the gates of the city, and brought that noble army of statesmen, generals, admirals, lawyers, and poets, whose names have been famous, and whose acts have benefitted mankind. And coming back to his toast—"l he land we live in and those we live among." He said, " Have not one of us some kindly recollection of our Itish fellow-subjects— the descendants of that army which O'Connell helped so materially to release from their city of bondage." Sir John Richardson propose the "Ladies." He thought he had been chosen to do this because the Queen had lately made him Knight Bachelor, It was a very pleasant and successful affair.