LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 334, 12 January 1856, Page 4

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

DINNER TO HIS BXCEhhEXCY COLONEL GORE BltoWX. On Wednesday last the dinner in honour of his Excellency Colonel Gore Brown, the Governor of New Zealand, took place in the Town Hall, Lyttelton. The weather had been very inclement and unseasonable for some days, and the frequent squalls from the south west accompanied with rain and hail doubtless prevented many from availing] themselves of the opportunity of attesting their loyalty to their Sovereign in the person of her Representative, The attendance however was very respectable Lyttelton very strong, the Plains were well represented, and atabout half past five 70 gentlemen were assembled in the Town Hall, ready to do honour to His Excellency. Among those present we noticed the\enerable the Archdeacon of Akaroa, the Revds. B. W. Dudley, Cotterell and Raven, Messrs. Sewell, Spowers, Donald, Latter, W ant, Le Cren, Brittin, Bay field, Hargreaves, Parsons, Ballard, Watts Russell, Bnttan, Hall, W. G. Britlan, Acland, Tripp, Bowen, &c. & c . v

An unusual feature at public dinners here was the appearance at the table of sis Maories, who appeaved throughout the evening, if lo o k s and actions are safe indications, to derive great satisfaction irom the discussion of the more substantial part of the entertainment, to maintain due gravity and to show a " savoir Jaire" in the after part of the evening, which does them much credit, and leads us to 'hope that the cultivation o f t ne gastronomic arts among our fellow subjects, the natives, may become one oi tn e means o f t ; ie^. complete regen eration.

Ihe getting up of tlie dinner reflected the highest credit on the Messrs. Gee & Co. liie high table on the dais, and three tables the whole length of the Hall, were covered with all that the palate could desire ; the variety of dishes, pastry and confectionery seemed abundant, and not a little of the attraction.ol tlie appearance of the tables consisted in tJ le beautiful show of flowers which were profusely mixed with the edibles. An efhcient choir was in attendance under the direction of Mr. M'Cardell, and the evening s proceedings were diversified by several .songs, choruses, &c. Shortly after the appointed time his Excellency tiie governor arrived, accomjinied by his Honor the bupenntendant, and attended by Captain blewurd aud M r . Gisbourne, and wa» conducted to his S(iat by lh(j StoWßrdg . , . ll. OMOr the Supcrintendant look the chair, havmg his Excellency the Governor on us nght; aud was supported at Hie high table by vie Speaker of the ProvincTai Council and by Mr. Gisbourne, Captain Steward, the Collector of Customs, tb* Archdeacon of Akaroa and the Provincial becretarv Tho \-u-,» ,\ • • i i , fl * • JIIC 1(-« chair was occupied J?> '»c Cornmis.sioner of Crown Lands, oiace before and after dinner having been siiui by the Venerable ArchtJcacon of Akaroa, C} ?" hohls Domiuc" was sung by the

i"nCiiA!RM\>;jra«rc}, as the f, r *t toast, the health «f i|,, ; (2a- : «n," n.iii;,rki,,jr that „,,r present mice was perhaps the wisost nitniarcii who had ever sal on the throne of Eu-laii,!. and oii c why Uioroughly uiiflerstood t!u- Hr.nu-ier of lh v people she w»s culled on t« govern ; not only

lutil she set «i glorious itxainnlc of public conduct .mil domestic virtue throughout, her reign, but liatl lately had occasion to exhibit a tender solicitude fur tlie comfort and well-being of her poor wounded soldiers, an action iliat should endear her even more to die nation —(Great applause) —'Three times three. The Choir now sung " God s.ive the Queen," the company ail standing and joining heart and voice in the chorus.

Ills LloNoit next gave " Prince Albert and the lioyal Family." Choir—" Hail to the Consort." pSHis ti >no«, in proponing the next toast said, that it had always Ween their ••ustom on such occasions as the present to drink the health of the Governor ot Now Zetland. (Cheers.) Tuis had always been the o.ise when the Governor was a stranger to them, and tin? sii.it of Governraent at a distance. Now, he was hippy to ask them on the present occasion to drink to the health of their esteemed' guest, the Governor. (Great Applause.) We had the satisfaction to convey to Mis Excellency congratulations on his safe arrival in the Colony, and to express to liim our delight that he had uk<in an e.ivly opportunity to visit this Settlement. Fie was afraid that His Excellency had heard unfavourably of us in England as a disaffected people ; that he had heard of us as endeavouring to obstruct the course of order ; as being violently opposed to nil constituted authorities; as being the senders of needless remonstrances to the C >lonial Office. "To all this, gentlemen,'1 continued His Honor, " I look for a denial from you. (Great applause.) So far as I cam describe our feelings to his Excellency, it is not a want of loyalty, it isnot a stubborn resistance to-all authority,—it can only be described as an intense desire and longing for those free institutions and constitutional forms of our mother country, beneath which we have grown up. The frea constitution we sought for had been given to us by her Majesty and ratified by Parliament, but owing to the absence of our late Governor we have the pleasure of offering to Your Excellency the title of the first constitutional Governor of New Zealand. (Cheers.) His Excellency has arrived in the Oiliny to put the (wishing stroke to constitutional G ivcrnmsnt by tha establishment of Ministerial Responsibility. Without entering into political discussion, I cannot think1 but that this early visit of his Excellency to all the Colonies will he of gieu benefit, by making him acquainted with the wants of each, by enabling him to estimate their various capacities, ami on his return to the seat of Government to rejoneile their differences, smoothe their asperities, and make them work together as one harmonious whole. (Cheers). I etiinot express to you my feelings of delight at the energy with which his Excellencyhas entered into our affairs, or the lfiuduess and urbanity with which be h.is accepted my explanations. It is only fa lew days since we celebrated the fifth annivers.irv of our foundation us a Settlement, wiieu the first ships with emigrants landed on these shores; then in this spot were there a few huU o-\}y. It is not for us to say what we have dan-,; in that timo. We have, we hope, made it th:; home of a busy and a happy people, and this bo it observed is done without any extraneous assistance. (Hear, hoar.) No Governmr.it his been put to the "expense of sixpence for our support. We have hat! no expensive Government works; w: have had no commissariat depot to swell our prosperity ; wo have had no troops to spaiul their p.iv aui'ing in ; all i-; by our ova industry. Yes, there lias been some assistance : I allude to those noble spirited men the promoters and patrons of the Canterbury selu'inc, who 'nave expended money and uud-.*nak>:n responsibility on our aoe.Mi'U, now, I am happy to s.iy, about to be relieved from their burdens. Wean; alnui to take their debts on ourselves ; and when this is done we shall present the spectacle ol a Colony grown solclv by it.so.vn capital and labour. (Cheers.) His Exuelbsncy before Uis tleparture from Kii^liind hid no doubt heard a great deal about the failure of the Canterbury Settlement. I have been employed for the last f<:.v days in showing His Excellency the melancholy results of tint failure. (Laughter.) I have >lr.iwu it him in ih.' firms and h inj.rsUMds scaUeied <|V''r Ihe fiies of the country. I hive taken his Exotiilcuoy 10 hippy homes where o.ire is unknown, and w.-rit (inih iiigbt of. We have n> di<p\iy_ of wealth I i place before His K*ei.'lleucy, we are but a h.>!ii;;lv pi;>ple, and much of our \v-»rk lavs siill before us; our task yet reiUiius to be done will) the stockwhip and tin? plough. The ;•'■>•• ;< v,.i 1.,- tiisiuiit which i>h.k\l cripple the

♦.•ntjrjji-esof the Colony, or diminish its power to advance. May we imitate the old mother country in its institution.l;, its laws, and its faith! (Cheers.) £n conclusion, I would express a fervent wish, or, if I may he so bold as to say so, a prayer tlr.it His Excellency may long rule over the Colonies of Njw *Z jalatid, uud may see this colony prosperous and hippy; and when in course of time he shall he removed by his Sovereign to fill a higher sphere of Government, he in ly hear with him the real and substantial reward of all true govcnuru'iit, that of having reigned in the hearts and affections of a loyal and free people." (Immense cheering.) i'ije health of ;t His Excellency the Governor" wa? drunk with three tim-is three. Choir—" Long in ly life and health be spared him.*' Fits Excicr.LKscv in returning thanks said that after tha eloquent speech they had just heard it would be impossible for him adsqu ue!y to return thanks in word-;. Fie had been all his life a plain soldier, and wns unable in words to express all that he felt, (cheers.) He was truly grateful for the manner in .vhich they had drank his health, and for the cordial welcome he had received from the first moment he landed on these shores, and lie was sorry that at present he was unable to see as much of them as he should wish. In cmnpmy with their Superintendent he had been wandering in the wilderness- described to them; truly it was a land teaming with riches. He observed here none of that canker worm which seem id to attend on tiie rishes of ths mother country, when men seemsd to till the ground and to draw forth its riches with a constant attending fear. Then again what progress had been made in five years; in England they t:t!k of the opening of a new turnpike road, or a railway, as ;in event; iiere all had to he done: and in five short years the wilderness hid heeu reclaimed and made to yield its hidden riches; homes have been raised on all si lies and he looked in vain for a poor country, (cheers.) He had also seen with great delight that neither tuns nor distance dims j>.n Englishman's attachment to his native country ; but though when living in it we see its faults and short comings, a halo is cast round it when we are distant from it. (ureit cheering.) A few hours only after entsring the harb >ur ha had heard a mighty shout in the town. It was the token of a people's joy at the news of the-* triumph of our arms, and the fall of S:fb-istopjl. A note hud bsen struck in distant Europe vhich re-echoed over the ocean, and found a response in the hearts of Englishmen. \\>i was proud to he called the first Consthutional Governor of NY.v Zealand. He couid only carry the Government on by selecting advisers from those who possessed the confidence of the people. As to any questions of diiScuky which might ari«e in the General Assembly, ha believed that, so far as he had seen the gentlemen elected, that he should be able to call around him men having at heart the welfare of the oo'onv, a'ld thai in: would o":id that there woro m difficulties that miuat not be overcome by enargy and perseverance. Fie should endeavour to the ut'iv !>l of his po-.vcr to smojih any asperities which might exist, and sic trusted thai in a short tim-j they would cease to exist, lit; took credit to himself that h; had not exceeded the esiimites granted by the General Assembly, and though his stewardship had b;>e;i but a short oni» he hoped it would be found tru:?. In regard to the dociriii!? of II ?voonsibie Government, his Hxee'deury said that theiv wvre thos: 1 who nrij^d that !>v folio.viug it. o-.u it would h'jve ilu; G.tveruor but a cypher in lh.; state ; ho would say that he would rather be a uyplw.r i:» thy* stat'! with their confidence than the iartjvU unit without it. (great t;':»v*ering.) lie w >;tUI ever romeiu'.U'r iiis visit, to this settlement, it was marki'd in the calendar of his life as a red-letter day, and he was deeply grateful for their kindness (Great applause and three limes three).

His ifoNOK in prop i>in.r th.? tu,r<t of "ihe Army and N'.ivy," su<l that outturn had j\ir vcars i;ii»l this (imv:> :»>; n;i.» i>f tiie fomr.il to.ists n{ the {M'o.'iia^, aiitl tli:U i.i ivi^hia I h" h;li[ al'.Viiv^ luMl'il it !\N|).)il'l;: 1 to i)V si-n.; 'it vcli-f.ci, a <\Mn'iuis;n.Muv.' i>t" tin: !a>', :, rr!\u Hu-i-iH) -a" str-J^jli;; h.u uo.y in the ti-n■'-■> ■><> w:r.i:-.i Wi' h.i'l raU(.';i, siii-rin,'-i>\-ivi:.f ocoaci-in^ ";i liv' "■[•(>; it thtMtrt-' i>l tij ' \v«»'i'l r>>i!>ui • this n> Ita Ci>nsjil"!t:,! a-; ;i m.T: s.-i o >:u >! !:> >nt. Kvsmi

in this it;:n iti> province of th-- 1> itish empiro, every I)jvt'/.L» Ci)-n t v< eh ir^.'il wiiii the eu':i> :•!' (lit; j^roat strii'jcic'*-' <unv 11>.!4' l)'' >') Europe, ;uid insiea-.i of being an e-.n;ny cu-l >m this la.i^t \v.»>

an act of solemn character, a deliberate mark of our sympathy with our struggling couutrvinen, and an expression of pride at their heroic achievements. To some I know this toast brings feelings of a deeper character ; m.ivy in this settlement have relatives or friends engaged in this struggle. Some of our friends who landed with us on these shores five years ago have gone from among us, and have exchanged the war on the wilderness for the war on their fellow men. Let us trust thej- may escape the bullet and steel, an A let us recollect that the cause for which Eugland is now engaged, that of protecting the outraged liberties of Europe, should ba. especially dear to us, for Liberty h:is ever been a passion with European colonists. (cheer.-). —Three times three. Choir, —" Britannia, Pride of the ocean.'' His Excellency the Governor said that he had no right to return thanks for the army as he had now retired, but his friend Capt. Steward had much wished him to do so. The difficulties their gallant army had had to encounter could scarcely be realized from the accounts we received, their struggles and gallantry could scarcely be estimated. Much on their behalf had been neglected, stores were wanting, food was wanting, Hospitals were wanting; everything was wanting but an Englishman's gallant heart, and his bayonet to the front (cheers) ; all thanks are due to them, and all the rewards their country can bestow (cheers-). Captain* Parsons in returninglthanks for the navy, said, he felt he hid scarcely the right to do so, but he certainly had for a short time served his Majesty George the 3rd., and his Majesty George the 4th in the Navy. He had since served in the mareliaut service for 24 years, and trusted he had do^ie his duty in that station of life. He had brought Mr. Go.Uey to this i).;rt 5 years ago; he h.id been induced by him to remain, and he hypj'.J to end ufs days in the colony, (cheers.)

His Hosoa ia pr.iposinn; the nest toast observed that this was n-n like the l:tst a toast of form, it was one new t<> English ears. Our ancient enemies had bac.mu* our allies, and he would propose the toast of " the Emperor of the French, and the army of France." (cheers.) We must recollect that ths j^reat man who now rule-; the destinies of France was for many years an inhabitant of England, and it reallj seemed an arrangement of Providence tfiaC adversity had compelled him to become ultimate with the character of the English, in order that he mi^ht thoroughly comprehend their sterling qualities, and by a strict alliance to do auray with all the ultra national fee!nigs engendered on both sides during the late war (cheers).

Choir—'• Friend of the B.avo.'' His Exeeitaucv then ro;e, and reg se>ted the cmivrinv to liil bumpers fur the :t?xt tuast.

His Esc si-lexcy said: {n Anevioi.fo taded hue as we m iv s iv recently, her et;iZ3.i> were proud could tn^v trace their de-e:>;it fYwni the pilgrim fathers. Xj-.v we ce;)e: aily figure liiesa -worthies as sour in their tntsiuers, vuiruanica! in their behaviour, and of sad ca.iaionr.nv;-;, with long beards. Tue per^tn wh^.! health I :i(!l gv>i;i;j V) niMps>s^ t«) you, so Jar .<■> I ii.tv-e seen, is iivK sour iv his iv uutsrs, »->■- pu;'u-uc.tl iv beh iviinir, noilher d> I tiiiuk hi- i;e ;i sad c mnteuaiice, u;>r diK-.s !i.> weir a i >;;jf iiet.'d. I have K-amed since I !i tve b^^n hf-v to respj^t him, admire hi:n, ;i:ri "to 1 >ye hi:n, in! I bi.'^ you will drink the hiMitii of 11:? [I.>:.•«■.■ Om S tperiiiteiideat. as it sh mid be dr.itik, wit-.i ihres tiiius tiiivt-*. (Ureat ciio.-r-.) Cii'iiv —•" A man's ;i ai.m ii>ra't!!.it." Hl-5 lIoNo;is;nd: LI: ha i oiiou UaduU hoalth proi>-.i^ed : UL'rtaniiv n'vci' va n >~e uict-w-nntj tonij>. H.; wis aSsjiliaerel by th ■ >.»:<g- last ■sus\ii, as he had iv d •>n>>t it \v .11 i:U^;ii.'d ;■> describe his p.;,-uii ivlUl's ['ta^tuer). A.- he hid bjL'n elocvt'l < t > hi^; nic^-ru .-iii -.> by ih.^ cmt>aists tl^ar^ircs, it wi> t !■.■!;• i>.*- n in:: :r tiii'V were \v>t by tiiem>eiv-.'s ; :,-,- ittnj-.'!t h- l.iokcl it:v»n v lha; ho aid a ?\ >■.;•.- ye tr-1 ici-e. ;uid it den-nde i iuwm i;i.-in<;iv c :< ii' in.-y -r nuod him 1 n.'\v i^ase. I;> to ;■»!■; Un ms:' >v ;< :; t!>;\<* t<» say liiu f.ioir id-i^ irtd r-.::i t '^■•I'li-v. s-^c t'non^'i they ■ni-M^'-nav hi! iiu".v il .-';:* ';:' - r."?!i ws, sill ih-v w.-io i>.u ;.uni!y «j.; v .'-N. •''t had :k;i-.■-';• artV-ouvi J'i::.dr p.-r ai uut -T >■ : t;.: <.-r----sim.ti!)^. i 1-? w >:i d <>:i Lm^i j«- ■■ r;i:i ■■vda them as !-.»a-.n iti> (sS>\'.> ** •«>:■.{ Uln i*-> iV« ti^-lit, wiien that i-ij-a'.A v - io .^.:; u c -. w,>.v tue -a tht'V ill'.l>t |).irl :l id ij iw; :( :i;!. .) Im T^-ul;1!!;. ; baL*!is i■>!»4,- ;is iie c.tKi^i.'i -1 ■>•■■* ''• '*-' , ;i''J >: *'' l.» c'aj-.v tii- o->-.ii t-.tc? .v' civ:. t.Uu idu.il 111 tlu1 scuU'itienl (ii^jiUiii.' )

the health of li Our Representatives in the General Assembly," hoped the company would do j ustice to the to»st by their cheers, and that any feeling of excitement in consequence of the recent elections had now quite passed away. He trusted that as they were our representatives we should respect the will of the nuijurily whether we had voted for them or not, and by our acclamations acknowledge that we understood the principles of representative Government. (Hear, hem.) Three cheers.

Song—" King Canute." 51R. Sbwelx. was loudly called for, and returning thanks, said that it had been written

" Some are born to greatness, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust npon them." Certainly the honour of representing them in the General Assembly bad been thrust upon him, and he hoped be should so fill the oflice as to win the confidence of the whole of the electors of tbe province, (cheers.) At the conclusion of Mr. Sewell's speech, there were loud cries for Mr. Hall (A roice— ".That's all") Mr. Hall said that being so much younger a member than Mr. Sewell, he should not have attempted to return thanks bad he not been called upon so energetically. He was proud to be placed in tbe position he occupied as their representative after an election so severely contested ; he thought that they might safely driuk to the health of all their Representatives whether they voie'd for them or not, ps they really bad no difference of opinion—their common object being the welfare of New Zealand, and the happiness of each and all the inhabitants. He only hoped they(theJßepresentatives) would be aSle to go through satisfactorily the most trying part of their career, and when their task was ended that', they (the electors) would drink their healths as "cordially as they did n»'.v. (cheers.) The Commissioner of Grown Laxds begged to propose as the next toast Si the members of the Provincial Council,"and hoped they would give it a warm reception. There could not be two

opinions as to the conduct ofthofe public spirited gentlemen, who though ignorant of all the formalities required from their position, undertook to work the problem of the constitution. There could but be a feeling of satisfaction as to the \v:iy in which the Provincial Council had performed their duty, and hefhad great pleasure in c oupHng with the toast the name of the speaker, Mr. Boweu. (cheers.) - Choir—" Mr Speaker, though 'tis late." Mr. Buwex, on behalf of the Provincial Council, returned thanks'for the honour done to the Provincial Council by their reception of the'toast, and also for the honour they had done him in coupling his name with it. *

Dr. Donald in proposing tiie nest toast, said that he could not lay claim even to be one of the pilgrim fathers, as he happened to be a preadamite, having; come to the colony about eighteen month? before the arrival of'Mr. Godley. He had. seen the growth of the place from the very first, he traced it from the time when what v>as a wilderness now blossomed like the rose ; he recollected when he had to sleep on the gronnd.'his spaniel doir his only pillow. Where they then counted their sheep by hundreds they now reckoned them by thousands and tens of thousands. Where was once a desert plain now waved niiles of grain, which was gathered into barns by a peaceful and a happy people around us. He witnessed the arrival o7 the first ship ; that ship brought his Honor the Superintendent, who was, alrnohl (he iirst innn to leap on shore. They must not forget that much of this plenty and prosperity was owing to the Canterbury Association, to those noble spirited men who. hai put their hands in their packets rather than fsn the scheme f;>il ; and with the name of the founder of the settlement, Loud Ly itex/tos. he would cmiple the name of the Commissioner of Crown Lauds, Ms.. \V. G. BnrriAN. Toast,—Mr. W. G. Brittan and ihe founders of ihe Canterbury Colony. ■ Clujif--" Sh juld aald acquaintance be forgot." Mr W. G. Bhittan, in returning thanks, said Ibai he. felt overpowered at having liisname coupled with ttiose noble men who liad founded the colony. He only regretted they could not witness the success of their scheme, in the sight of the farms and homesteads on the plains, in the thousands of acres of cultivated land, and In the general evidences of Urn prosperity of the settlement. This is what they would consider their only and best reward ; and nov. that all mistrust had passed away from between the colonists and the Association, and mutual regard and confidence were restored, a morn enduring' tribute than any record on brass'or stone, would be tiie memorial to Lord LyttelUm and the founders of the

colony, by their memories being enshrined in the hearts of ourselves and our children's children, and the continued prosperity of this settlement. (Cheers.) His Honor in proposing the toast of" the sister Settlements of New Zealand " remarked that it was no use disguising the fact that there was a difficult}' in getting over this toast, that difficulty must be boldly met and overcome. We could not conceal the fact that the other settlements were our elder sisters ; we cannot disguise that we have antagonisticjinterests; we acknowledge it; but we have a firm faith in the constitution Act of New Zealand which provides that every settlement shall manage its own affairs. He recollected the old stage coaches when at the outset all the passengers were squeezed and jumbled tog-ether in a very uncomfortable manner, but] as they progressed they shook down in their places, and got ou very well for the rest of the journey.' Ourselves and our sister settlements were now at the starting; we jostle and I incommode each [other; have a little patience i and we shall all shake into our proper places, and be happy and comfortable for the rest of the journey. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Then the only rivalry which will take place between ourselves and the sister settlements will be a generous rivalry,—a rivalry as to who would take the lead in prosperity and civilization. (Cheers, 3 times 3.) Choir —" Now pray we for our country." Mr. Bowler in returning thanks for the sister settlements, said that he was sure bothjWeilington and Nelson felt the same wish for the general prosperity of New Zealand ; to develop which a great requisite was good steam communication between this country and Australia. He hoped to see this soon established. Mr. Waitt on being called for, said that he scarcely knew what the company wanted with him. He then alluded to the fact that he was one of the old Wellington settlers, quite 14years ago,aud to the severe and protracted struggles that they had gone through; he expressed his admiration of this Pro- ■ vince, and his willingness to sign a memorial to his Excellency the Governor to make this place the seat of government (Laughter.) j 'Mr. C. Ward was proud to have the next toast entrusted to his care. They could not look round their tables without feeling that there was a something absent, a something wanted this evening; that something "though lost to siglil to memory deal," and that on this occasion to feast without the ladies beside us was indeed to rob the evening of half its enjoyment. What made them stay awaj 1 ? It was not distance, it was not the state of the weather ; they kept away because they thought that the gentlemen would that night sacrifice at another shine, they would not own a divided empire,l they would reign alone. They felt they would besc attain that end in another place (Cheers). He would refer to the comfort, support, and happiness afforded by the ladies in all places, under all circumstances, whether in the counting house, the farm house, or the station house (Cheers and much laughter). He concluded by proposing "Mrs. Gore Brown and the ladies." Drunk with 3 times 3. Choir —" A bumper to the fair." Mr. GiSBORNE,J;in returning thanks for the ladies, said that he felt a diffidence in undertaking this office; be considered that it should have fallen to the lot of some Canterburybachelor, who would be supposed to be nearer to their confidence than himself, a stranger; however as therewas no volunteer, he supposed that the attractions of the Canterbury ladies were such as not to leave a single individual of that kind in the place to come forward on the present occasion. That there appeared to be a dearth of bachelors was a cheering sign, So long as the supply is equal to the demand [laughter], he thought the sooner the bachelors *s a nice Avere exterminated the better. A bachelor was a most unpicturesque object, view him as you would. (Laughter). The only point of view in which he could be tolerated was as an individual susceptible | of marriage (laughter), in fact as the raw material to be worked up. (Laughter-) The ladies through him returned their best thanks to the company who ' had just honoured them by drinking tiieir healths ; they felt a lively interest in the welfare of the gentlemen ; they wished them all happiness, and every blessedness except single blessedness. (Cheers an«i laughter.)

His Honor would beg to propose one extra toast, the name of one of his friends, of a friend to all of them. He would name John Robert Godley (cheers.) Without him there would have been no Canterbury. Why what was the Canterbury settlement but a direct emanation from the mind of John Robert Godley ? and who were the CanterburyAssociation 1 Why the private and personal friends of Mr. Godley, at Christ Church College, Oxford. He would propose John Robert Godley the founder of the Canterbury Settlement. (Cheers.) His Excellency the Governor and suite here rose, and coffee being served, left the hall. The proceedings however did not here terminate, for his Honour the .Superintendent resumed lhe chair; and the conviviality was continued !o a late hour. The fall of Sevastopol an*l the triumphs of our arms, seemed to form amr'e excuse for keeping up the revelry, and at about haji-pa&i 12, after a gr'anol

chorus of " Auld lang syne,'' "God'save the Quee 11 and cheers innumerable, the company separated.

Two levees were held by his Excellency (luringl his late visit, at which the following presentations took place. AtCimmciiimcH, on Thursday, the 3rd inst., Messrs. A. G. Barker, J. Beard, W. B.'Bray, C. W. Bishop, J. Britlan, W. G. Brittan, P. B. BouUon, C. Bowen, 0. C. Bowen, C. A. Culvert, Lieut.-Col. Cumpbell, Messrs. Croft, I. T. Cookson, C. E. Dumpier, Lieutenant Dinu>age,'Mcssrs. J. W. Eurle, E. H. Fereday, J. Field, VV. B. Fooks, Captains Fuller and Ho'rne, H. B. Greason, J. Hall, T. Hichens, Rev. H. Jacobs, Messrs. A. Lean, T. B. Keele.jßev.C. Mackie, Mesrs.C.A. Marsacfc, J.ff. Martin, Yen. Archdeacon Mnthias, Messrs. J.1 Orton, J. OlHvier, W. O'Neile, J. Packer, B, Farkerson, Yen.'Archdeacon Paul, 0. E. Prichnrd, R. RicWwan, T. Rowley, Capt. Scott, Messrs. Sewell/W. Thompson, J. Tripp, H.I. Tancred, E. J. Wakefield, Capt. Westenra, Mr. Wilkinson, Revds. J. Wilson and W. W. Willouk, Lieut. Wilson. Several Muories wer« also presented. At Lyttjelton, on Wednesday, the 9th inst., Mr. J. B. Aclaud, Rev. J. Aid red*, Messrs. A. J. Alport, H. E. Alport, J. Ashby, J. F. Ballanl, A. Bayfield, C. F. Beeby, A. Biakiston, W. C. Beswiek, G- B. Biakiston, F. N. Campbell, C. E. Cooper, Rer. G. Cottevill, Messrs. It. Davis. H. W. Derry, Rev. B. W. Dudley, Messrs. J. R. Eades, W. Eades, J. G. Fyfe, E. A. ;Hargreaves,■ W. Howard, J. M'Cardell, T. C. Moorhouse,;Capt. Morgan, Messrs. B. W. Molintfort, J. Redmayne, I. Shritnplon, J. Spowers. R. Swinburne* R. Taylor, *E. M. Templer, C. W. Turner, R. Waitt, F. E- Wright. Maories— Ibaia, Wiremu, Port Levy chief.

! The Goveenou and the Natives.—lmmediately after the Levee on Wednesday, His 1 Excellency, according to appointment, met the natives of the district. A considerable number .were present. Paora, the principal chief of Rapaki, had been previously selected as speaker on the occasion. After a few preliminary res marks, this chief proceeded to lay before Hi Excellency the grievance of himself and of his people. He said that the ground of their complaint was, that Sir George Grey had recoguized the claim of the Ngatitoa tribe to land in the Kaiapoi District, and that he had actually paid this Itribe for land which belongs to him and to his friends. He informed His Excellency that his tribe bad been long living in peace: —that an unprovoked attack was made on them by Ngatitoa :—that maiiy of his. friends were slain by the enemy, and that others were borne away into slavery. He prayed His Excellency both on behalf of himself and of his friends, to redress their grievance, and to repair their wrong. His Excellency in his reply began by telling them of the kin:l feeling o( the Queen towards them, and that from Her Majesty herself he had received such insiruc tions as all her Governors were accustomed to receive in relation to the Aborigines of her colonies. The Queen wished them to be treated with respect and kindness. As tv the subject of their complaint, being a stranger to them he could say but little to them upon that occasion. His Excellency told them that he would direct the j attention of Mr. Commissioner M'Lean to the subject, and that they should at an early date be written tr>, and that as soon as Mr. M'Lean I could be spared from the Northern Island he should pay them a visit. His Excellency's reply gave them satisfaction ; particularly the s promise uf a visit from the Commissioner. The principal natives then bowed to His Excellency and retired.