Sir G. Grey at Auckland

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 10, 9 July 1887, Page 2

Sir G. Grey at Auckland

1 PEB UNITED PBESB ASSOCIATION.! Auckland, July 7. Sir George Grey addressed a crowded meeting at the City Hall to-night, Mr Fraser in the chair. Having first referred to his enterprise in political life, Sir George went on to apeak of the present system of dealing with native lands, objected to the present mode of ■ assessing by one man*; and noticed the bill introduced for the settlement; of Grown tenants. He urged that the scheme *f pensioner settlements should be introduced, and noticed the Laud Acquisition Biil. He denounced the preseut system of working the railways, and sympathised with Mr Vaile in his scheme. He (Sir George) would encourage local industries. A vote of thanks was adopted at the close of ihe meeting. ; • : ...'

Welcome to the Rev. A, Hermon The welcome accorded to the Rev. A. Hermon and Mrs Hermoh/ntjthe s Public Hall on Thursday night mttet havo been most gratifying to them, j Not only was there a large attendance of Church of England people, ; but members of every other religious denomination assisted by their jpres-j ence. liberal provision was made in the shape of comestibles with copious ii supplies of tea and coffee. After tea the Key. Mr Hermon made, an interesting speech in which he thanked the people for the cordial and hearty welcome they had given him. In a manly and straightforward way he told them he intended to, do his duty to the. best of his power and ability,assisted by thejgreater Master to whom all owed equal obedience. The address made a great impression in the mintls of his hearers in his favor. The second part of the business, or pleasure of the evening, then commenced, when a number of ladies and gentlemen sang several songs and duets, among the performers being Mesdames FitzHerbert and Holden, Madameiselies Atkins, Ada and Grace Bruy, Young, Emily and Helen Goodbehere, and Roe, Messrs Gilmer, W. Bray, and F. Goodbehere. Mr Sherwill was a most efficient director and general manager. : There was a " side show " in one of the corners of the Hall consisting of a galvanic battery under the direction of Mr Worsfold, the Superintendent of the Sunday School. The youngsters appeared to be highly delighted with the "shocks," and their expressions of surprise or joy militiiated occasionally against the pleasure of the harmony from the stage. Where .all were thoroughly happy trifles such ais these were hardly worth considering. The Art Gallery, another "side show" in one of the front r^oms, was, well patronised, and the young gentleman who tested as "guide, councillor, and friend" proved himself to be no novice as a showman. Several tables were placed in various parts of the {[all, on which were exhibited sea shells from all parts of the world, fo^ils, stalactites, medals, &c. Among other -objects of interest was a Bible that • was dated 1661, which we noted with some: emotions of regret, bore very few marks of old age, or traces of having been much used. Un> doubted! j it was too well preserved, but still as acuriosiiry its intrinsic value must be considerable.. The decora- f tiohs -were ereditible indeed* showing .great taste on. the /pait qt the laws' _who undertook the work. An exhibit—Mottoes' an d[' Texts— was seen ta'great "advantage. We regret to note, that some; youngsters 'indulged themselves,,}!! ■cratohing off the- frosting f^cQm t^e inside of the glass panes, to/ jinake, up doubt,- preparations for' future occasions when, frpm f pecuniary neeeßßifey, they might be kept outside. At nine o'clock tea and cake was again handed round to the visitors, and when the remnants were gathered upi a number of tne vocalists assembled on the platform and sang the National Anthem, in which they were assisted by the whole of the assemblage. This concluded the best and most enjoyable gathering of the kind we have seen in Feilding.