THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2614, 4 July 1871, Page 2

THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES.

By invitation to-day, the Provincial Council and several gentlemen were entertained at lunch on board the Nevada, in commemoration of the. Independence of the United States. His Honor the Superintendent avas unable to be present, on account of the severe sprain of his ankle. The guests were courteously received by Captain Blethen, having been gratuitously conveyed free by the Harbor Steam Company. About 70 sat down to lunch. After the cloth was drawn, Capt, Blethen proposed the health of “Her Majesty the Queen,” which was drank with enthusiasm, Mr Bathgate expressed his satisfaction at being present on board an American vessel to celebrate the anniversary of the 4th of July. Many anniversaries were not worth being remembered. Battles on the whole f hou Id be all but forgotten. Two anniversark s were, however, worthy of remembrance—the exodus of Israel from Egypt, and the liberation of‘the United States from the Briti-h rule He proposed, ou account of the President’s position, character, and attainments, as well as an account of his Scotch descent from the Scottish Grants, “The President of the United States.” Drank with cheers.

Mr J. H. Harris proposed “ The Provincial Council of Otago. ” They were met to celebrate not only the emancipation of the United States, but the completion of ar. rang.ments for connecting the Colony of >ew Zealand commercially with them. There was no diffic .ilty in tracing the progress of the States ro good government, and the progress of New Zealand was owing to its Constitution conferred upoie it by the British Government. Re did not say the country had been cheaply governed—the time might come when a better form might be devised, but there was still a good work to ha achieved, before it was replaced by some other form, and ho believed that tne present Provincial Con cil included a greater number of able men than any previous Council. Ho proposed the Speaker and Provincial Council of Otago, which was drunk with honors. The Speaker (Mr J. L. Gillies) thanked the meeting for the manner in which the toast had been received. Whatever the deficiencies or shortcomings of the Council, they had the welfare of the country ai heart. Some differences of opinion must exist,, but credit should be given to everyone for having a wish to do the the best for the Province. Mr E. B. Cargill proposed “ The Mutual Commercial Relations between Great Britain and the United States audits Dependencies.” The subject needed few words to elucidate it. Nothing could be more advantageous to the world than the two nations working together harmoniously. They were of common origin, and in commerce and navigation the two bad worked together, and eaefi supplemented what was absent in thfi other. Each had fulfilled the purpose committed to it. Fritain was working out results felt at the ends of the earth, and the United States were evincing the p >wer of the American race to plant cities and create communities where previously there was a desert. Our country secured through Monarchy every blessing of liberty—the other the same through Republicanism. Nothing was more desirable than the continuation of their co-working. L'e hoped that commerce would hind them more closely together, especially as many of the problems that required solution were resolved; and ho hoped ibis Colony and the United States would be cemented in close union by the commercial relations that had been initiated. He proposed the mutual extension of commerce between the United States and Great Britain and its dependencies—which having been duly honored,

Mr J. S. Gillies (Lhe Speaker of the Provincial Council) proposed the “Health and success of Captain Blethen and the Owners of the Nevada.” There was but one desire and opinion that the connection between America and New Zealand would be a success. The Colony was greatly indebted to the Company for taking up a lino that for (he present could not be remunerative. He expressed the common feeling in the pleasure they felt in being preso.it with Captain Blethen ou board the Nevada. The toast having been honored. Captaia Blethen returned thanks, and referred his further reply to Mr Driver who said he could only assure the meeting ou his behalf that he highly appreciated the visit of the guests to the Nevada. In reply to what had been said, his conviction was that, if the San Fra; cisco line were properly supported, it would be the means of cementing the union between the two countries. Mr Webb fully understood the osition, and he would continue to run his boats regularly, so long as the Government of New Zealand gave the support promised. He wished to propose the health of a gentleman who had been mainly instrumental in promoting the 'establishment of the line—“ The Hon. Mr Vogel.” The toast was responded to, Dr WersT'R, referring to his experience of the hospitality evinced towards the Canadians on the opening of the Boston and Montreal Railway, proposed “The Ladies of America,” The Harbor steamer announced the signal for departure, and the meeting closed, highly gratified with their reception on board the Nevada. We had almost omitted to mention that the lady visitor.-, of whom there was a large number, were priva.ely entertained on board.