AUCKLAND WELCOME TO THE NEVADA.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2568, 11 May 1871, Page 2

AUCKLAND WELCOME TO THE NEVADA.

The complimentary luncheon to the 0 Beers of the pioneer boat of the new trans-Pacific mail service was an unqualified success, whether we consider the substantial bans provided in the excellence of the viands, the representative character of the assembled guests, the harmony of feeling, or the gushing eloquence that testified to the warmth of Anglo-American friendship and the excellence of the wines. The coup d'tvll presented on entering the large hall of the New Zealand Insurance Company’s buildings was beautiful in the extreme. The galleries were all hung around with flags of all nations, waving pracefully over the assembled guests, while over all a galaxy of female beautjUeut a charm to the occasion, which nothing but the sweet smiles of pretty faces can supply. . , The following were amongst those present: —His Excellency the Governor, Sir Geo. F. Bowen; Major Heaph", Messrs. Bees, J. Wil iamson, G. M. O’Borko, B. J. Creighton, Colonel Harrington, W. Swanson, D. Nathan, T. Bussell, J. Smart, J. C. Firth, Colonel Beil, a. O'Neil, Hon. D, McLean, McLeod, Colonel Balnea vis, A. Eoardman, Chas. O’Neil, A. Bucholz, Captain Machell, Captain Smith, and Mr. S. Cochrane.

Punctually at one o’clock, His Excellency (he Governor entered the room, and the band struck up “God save the Queen.” His Excellency preside 1, the chief guest of the occasion, Captam Blethen, commander of the Nevada, being on his right hand, and Thomas Henderson, Escp, occupying the the vice chair. After dinner, His Excellency a- osc, and in a brief and fitting words proposed the health of Her Majesty the Queen, which was drank with all the honors, the band playing according to usage. Next His Excellency, in high complimentary terms, proposed the health of General Grant, President of the United States of America, the mention of which was received with loud applause, the band playing the Star Spangled Banner. Sir George remarked that the President had deservedly won the respect of all foreign nations by his wise administration in trying circumstances, resulting from a war of such magnitude, and stated that of him it might be said, as of the great first President of the Hepublio, that he is first in peace, find in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. —The health of “His Excellency tlm Governor” was then proposed by (he ViceChairman in complimentary terms, and cordially received, wilh three cheers for the Governor, Lady Bowen, and family. The next toast, “The Mercantile Marine,” coupled with the name of Captain Blethen, was given by the Governor, and cordially received.

Captain Br.KTHEX rose, amid prolonged applause, and begged to be excused from making a speech, but thanked them for the toast, and proposed “ The New Postal Service.”

'J ho lion. D. M ‘Lean said it was very gratifying to be present on an occasion when the citizens showed such approv. 1 of the now service. Ho considered it marked a date in the history of the Co’ony. He compared the early history of Mew Zealand with that of America, and commended Mr Vogel for his enterpr sc in inaugurating the service, which had fairly b-en established beyond all contradiction. Mr. Gray had also assisted materially in establishing the service. Without impugning loyalty to England, it was a matter of great importance to be linke t to such a vast country. He trusted the present difficulties between England and America

would soon be adjusted. America had been first to establish the great mail routes, and he hoped her efforts benefit futu>e generations. He did not think the service would have any rival in the Southern hemisphere.