ARRIVAL OF THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2395, 5 December 1870, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

The Hon. Julius Vogel, Colonial Treasurer, arrived at Port Chalmers, by the Taranaki, from the North this morning. On the vessel nearing her moorings a salute of seven guns was fired by the Naval Brigade. Shortly afterwards the Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr M'Dennid, M.P.’C.) the Speaker of the Provincial Council, accompanied by several mpmbers, went on board the Taranaki and were accompanied on shore by Mr Vogel. On the approach of the steamer to the jetty the cadet corps were marched up and formed in two lines. The precision with which the preliminary movements were executed reflected great credit on their officers. Mr Vogel addressed a few words to them, expressing his satisfaction at witnessing so many youths in the corps. He said the Government viewed with great interest the progress of the volunteer movement in Otago, and especially in the enrolment of cadets. The future welfare of the country, its government, and possibly its defence depended upon the youth, and he was glad to see! the volunteer movement take such a firm hold in a Province with which he had been so long and so intimately connected. He had watched their movements from the deck of the steamer as she neared the jetty, and congratulated them on the quickness and precision of them. The party then proceeded to the provincial Hotel, where the Treasurer was ni£t by several members of the Provincial Council aid merchants of Dunedin. There was but little time for refreshmi-nt, as the steamer for Dunedin was about to leave, so the Mayor of Port Chalmers, after a few words of welcome, Mr Vogel’s health. In replying, that gentleman thanked those present for the kind reception given to him which was the more welcome to him after his absence. Immediately on the arrival of the vessel, the Naval Brigade had received him with a salute, and equally gratifying was the welcome ho had received from so many old friends whom he had known for many vears in Otago. He was happy to think 'that to Port Chalmers, which he had so often visited, and in which hc-felt so great interest, he bad been able to confer some benefit. As many present were aware ho had had s.me small share in procuring the construction of the Graving Desk, and now he felt glad as it was the promisor of what might prove the future prospciity of the Port. He was glad to say that early in March they would have the pioneer vessel of the United States, Australian, New ZeaZealand. and European Mail Service, and it remained simply for the Assembly to arrange fori'S continuance for three years, orton years —which he had no doubt would be done. He bad anticipated that the news pf that Service would have beep rereceived with mimixed satisfaction ; but when he looked in the newspapers for a reflex of public opinion, he was disappointed by seeing an expression of disapprobation. [“ It is only the Daily Timex," from several present.] That, however, was nothing to the point; for the service marked out for New Zealand a great future. It would make the Colony the highway to the East. He did not, therefore, apeak simply of Otago. The contractors wero very wealthy, and were disposed to carry out the contract with spirit. It was now in the hands of the Province to make Port Chalmers a large and important place. The contractors said that, if tliove \yere proper convenience for repairs and other necessary works, they should prefer to have them done in Otago, on account of labor being cheaper than in San I'rancisco Ho concluded by proposing “ Prosperity to Port Chalmers, and the health of the Mayor. The Mayor returned thanks, and the party came up to Dunedin by the Golden Age.