THE NEVADA.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2570, 13 May 1871, Page 2

THE NEVADA.

A complimentary dinner was given by the members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce to Captain Blethen and the officers of the Nevada, at the Club Hotel, last evening. There were about fifty gentlemen p esent. Mr E. B. Cargill, President of the Chamber, occupied the chair ; on his right being Capt. Blethen, Mr Justice Chapman, and Mr H. Driver (U.S. Consul), and on his left Mr M. Webb and his Honor the Superintendent. Messrs John Bathgate, M.H K , and J. A. Walcott acted as croupiers, and the company included the following The Provincial Treasurer, the Mayor, Messrs W. H. Reynolds, M.H.R., George M‘Lean, W. A. To mie, J. H. Harris, H. Houghton (North German Consul), W. J. M. Larnacb,, Win. Hepburn, Miller, H. M‘Neill, H. Tewsley, John Davie, 11 M. Robertson, J. F. Watson, E. P. Kenyon, G. S. Brodrick, C. Herbert, W. W. Blair, G. L. Sise, John M‘Gregor, it. A. Low, L. O, Beal, G. H. Campbell, J. Copeland, C. S. Reeves, Louis Thoncman, &c., Ac.

After the excellent dinner provided by Mr Jones had been done justice to, The Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were enthusiastically received. In giving that of “ The Prince and t’rincess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family,” special reference was made to the Marquis and Marchioness of Lome.

In proposing the next toast, “The President of the United States,” The Cua kman observed that no doubt we all entertained our own ideas and feelings towards America; but if we were to be judged by what sometimes appeared in some of the newspapers in various parts of the world, we were frecpicntly on the point of going to war or having a bitter quarrel with our cousins in America. Instead of that being the case, he was sure he was speaking the sentiment which actuated every subject of Britain when he said there was nothing we took greater pride or interest in than in the progress, in every respect, of the United States. Wc looked upon the wonderful progress made by that country—which, sprung fivm a Colony of Britain, had grown to be a m'ghty nation—with unmixed pride and satisfaction; and there was nothing that could be more gratifying to every Britou than to see that country great and prosperous, and taking that place which in all respects it was entitled to take as one of the leading nations of the earth. (Applause.) The Chairman proposed the health of ‘' Captain Blethen and the Officers of the Nevada.” The Chamber was desirous of giving Captain Blethen a hearty welcome as the commander of the Nevada and representative of the American mercantile marine. A good many persons might have seen the old craft at Port Chalmers—the William Hyde. A few years ago that was a smart ship. Comparing her with a clipper ship of the present day, it would be difficult to imagine they were' built by the same people. Nor the alteration in building and sailing ships, we were indebted to the genius and skill of the Americans. He said it without disparagement to British seamen, that improvements had been made in navigating ships, and their conservatism had been broken down, by the Americans. He was reminded not to fcrgct about Aberdeen, hut as a seaman he believed he was stating what was true. He greeted Capt. Blethen gladly in his official capacity as commander of the Nevada on her lirst visit, and as a representative American seaman; and he hoped in the western ports of America good markets would he found for our wool and produce, and that the Nevada was but the pioneer of the trade. The toast was drunk with repeated cheers. Captain Blethen, not being a speech maker, rose merely to thank tire company on behalf of himself and officers. Ho had not words to express his gratitude for the manner in which the toast had been received. Mr Batik;ate expressed the satisfaction he felt in being present to welcome Captain Blethen. His voyage was the fulfilment of the vidon of Columbus, who sought a short way to the East, and the Americans had accomplished it by bridging the continent of America, and connecting, by steam communication, it with New Zealand. The quiet visit of the Nevada was fraught with more important consequences to New Zealand than more loudly proclaimed events. If no other benefit should accrue to the Colony, one would be to show the necessity to take a lesson from the Americans, whose energy had raised America to a prominent position amongst nations. He proposed the health of the “Contractors and of Mr Webb, junr.” Mr Marshall Webb returned thanks on behalf of himself and the contractors. He trusted that in a few years a commercial relationship would be established between New Zealand and the United States worthy of both countries. Mr Walcott said but for the liberal subsidy voted by the Assembly, and the business tact of the Postmaster-General, Mr Vogel, the contract would not have been completed. He therefore proposed the “ Ministry and the General Assembly.” The Superintendent, in returning thanks for the honor done the Ministry and Assembly, compared the time occupied on his first voyage through Cook’s Straits, and what would be required by the Nevada. Of 7S members whom he meet on his first session, only three, including himself, had now seats in the House. The policy of last session was

the only bright spot in the history of the Assembly. It was an era of railways, of social development, and of communication with America, Their policy was a policy of peace with the natives, and they based their measures not upon gunpowder, but on social deve’opmeut.

His Honor Judge Chapman, in proposingthe “ Commerce of the Unite! .'States, said the term must include the commerce of the world. Owing to improvements in steam navigation and telegraphs, international intercourse was so extended that the “commerce of America” was but another expression for that of the world. As a proof, ho would compare our present state with that of fifty years ago. Commerce was the offspring of colonisation, and America was a groat coloniser. The Eastern States were colonising the Western. It was nearly fifty years since (in 1823) that he visited New York. At that time the population was 180,001). It was now more than one million and a quarter. That increase was the result of colonisation. Steamboats were multiplied one-hundred fold. He crossed Lake Ontario in a small steamboat—the only one—now there were upwards of 200 American and many British steamboats traversing that lake. At that time the voyage between England and America was performed by New York liners measuring about GOO tons. Now it was traversed by vessels of thousands of tons, as well as by a splendid steam fleet. All that was the remit of col misation. Circumstances were looming in the future, arising from the great quantity of unoccupied land. The population was about 40,000,000, speaking English and governed mainly by English laws—their institutions, tone of thought, terms of science were English. Should not we, therefore, as Englishmen, be proud of everything American ? Next to the pride of being an Englishman, he was proud of the Americans. If the American population doubled in 25 years, in a few generations it would re .eh 140,000,000, and England would contain 50,000,000 or 60,000,000 ; Australia in the same period would number 9.000,000 or 10,000,000. Thus one-third of the people of the population of the globe would be people with English feelings and English ideas. He hoped all those little national disputes, which were after all but a nine days’ talk, would be as nought; that those people would unite in brotherly love, and thus from their numbers and influence give law to the world. When the toast was put into his hands, ho believed only mercantile commerce was meant; but there was something more than that in the intercourse between nations. There was a commerce of intellect that was of far more importance th: n pounds, shillings, and pence. Washington Irving fifty years ago was the only writer of note in America, but now in the new world, on science and philosophy, there were writers who elevated themselves to a brotherhood with tho e of the old world. Of late years many writers in America had devoted themselves to the ttudy and examination of the English language. French, German, and Danish writers had followed in that track; but ore, Mr Marsh of America, had produc d two volumes of the History of the English Language that every Englishman might read. Writers in every branch of science had made themselves a nan e. He did not, however, like their prote. tive policy. If it could be defended on political grounds as an int; rnal advantage, it was unwise to tax the raw material. America was a manufacturing country, ai d it was wise to introduce raw material free of duty. la New Zealand we produced raw material, and he hoped Americin statesmen would soon see the wisdom of removing the taxes on tho?e raw materials. Until free intercourse in trade was established, there would be no sincere shaking of hands. He proposed the “ Commerce of America,” coupled with the name of Air Driver.

Mr Driver said lie agreed with His Honor the Judge, that commerce was not altogether that of pound*, shillings, and pence. He looked up. n the subsidy granted by the Government as a means of connecting blew Zealand and America, and that before many years the Colony would reap immense bene lit from the postal service. It was not a mere money question, but was a means of forming a connection with an English speaking people, which would result in mutual advantage. There had been great and prejudiced opposition to the line, but ho hj ,pcd the ill feeling would subside, and that all would join to make the service a success, from personal intercourse with :V r Marshall Webb, and from communication with his fathcho (Mr Driver) was enabled to state that the .Nevada was not a mere trial steamer. In a short time every difficulty would be overcome, and he hoped the Nevada would again anchor at Port Chalmers on the last day in Juno, and unless the Australian Colonies subsidised the lino the steamers would not go to them. The next steamer, the Nebraska, would go to Sydney, and if New South Wales agreed to a subsidy, a similar vessel would be run between that port and Auckland. The contract would be honestly carried out, and all should join to make it a success. Captain Blethex proposed the “Commerce of New Zealand,” Mr Vox men Hyde had never looked upon commerce in the light in which it was put by His Honor. He looked upon that of New Zealand ns identical with that of the United States. The promotion of intercourse with America would effectually prevent national disputes. As Anglo-Saxons, it was gratifying that now a line of commercial communication was established round the world. The Eastern and Western wave of colonisation had met in New Zealand, and thus the commercial chain round the globe was completed. Captain Bletiien proposed the “Chairman and Members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.” Mr. E B. Carrier returned thanks, and expressed the gratification felt by the Chamber in entertaining the Captain and Officers of the Nevada. When tnc invitation was given there was no intention of confining the entertainment to the Chamber ; but, as the notice was so short, no other course than that adopted could have been taken. The Chairman proposed the “ Mayor and Corporation of Dunedin.” They had done good service to the pu lie, and their honor, zeal, and integrity in fulfilling thoir duties should be recognised. His Worship the Mayor, in returning thanks, said the representatives of the various wards gave valuable time to the public service, and deserved public thanks. They were quite content if they had the sympathy of the citizens.

His Honor Judge Chapman proposed the “ Women speaking the English language all over the globs.” Mr. Davie returned thanks on behalf of the ladies.

His Honor Judge Chapman proposed the “ Press of New Zealand. ” Mr. Bell returned thanks on behalf of the Press. The evening was enlivened by some spirited songs given by several gentlemen. Although no part of the entertainment, its success was much contributed to by the excellent arrangements of Mr. Brooker, the head waiter, under whose superintendence the wants of every guest were promptly and efficiently supplied. A quadrilleband, under the leadership of Mr. West, discoursed excellent music at intervals during the evening.