A VISIT TO THE SPRINGS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 June 1914, Page 4

A VISIT TO THE SPRINGS

BANQUET IN THE EVENING

SIR Joseph Ward and Secretary, MiBrown, arrived at Helensville per the 10.10 a.m. express on Thursday, the 4th inst. On arrival at Helensville Sir Joseph proceeded to the Terminus Hotel, where a number of ladies and gentlemen of Helensville and surrounding districts were gathered for the purpose of

welcoming him,

In the afternoon Sir Joseph, accompanied by Mr James McLeod (J.P., Chairman of the Town Board), Mr Hoe (the Liberal candidate), and several others, visited the Hot Springs. Sir Joseph was entertained at afternoon tea. He expressed much pleasure at the great improvement made in the grounds, and said that in view of the number of people who were coming to Helensville a further extension would have to be made.

In the evening a banquet was held in the Terminus Hotel at which there were about forty persons present. The toasts were : " The King," proposed by Mr McLeod ; " Sir Joseph Ward," proposed by Mr R. Hoe, who, in the course of his remarks, said that when the history of our times in New Zealand came to be written the three names which would stand out most prominently would be Sir George Grey, R. J. Seddon, and Sir J. Ward. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply to this toast, remarked that he had been in nearly every country in the world, and he considered the conditions of this country more favourable to the happiness of the people than any other, that while the aspirations of our race were nearly the same everywhere, yet we were free from some of the evils of the older countries; he alluded to the slums.of the large cities. The next toast was that of the " Chairman." This toast was well received. Host and hostess Bishop placed a most sumptuous repast on the table, the decorations being very tasteful and reflected great credit on all

concerned.