TESTIMONIALS TO SIR GEORGE GREY AT WELLINGTON.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 772, 7 September 1853, Page 2

TESTIMONIALS TO SIR GEORGE GREY AT WELLINGTON.

Wc referred in our last, as well as on a former occasion, to the zeal with winch various classes of the Wellington community appeared to vie with each other in offering tributes of respect and esteem to His Excellency and Lady Grey. The following account of one of the most interesting of those tributes is taken from the Independent of the 3rd August:

Yesterday morning a deputation wailed upon Sir George Grey, to present (he following address and’inedal from the artisans of Wellington :

To His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Governor of New Zealand.

Way it Please Yoru Excellency, —We, (he undersigned artisans of Wellington, most respectfully request your acceptance of the accompanying medallion, as a trifling mark of our sincere respect to your Excellency as ruler of (ids colony, improver of our settlement, as an esteemed fellow-colonist, and as the civilizer of the native race, feeling that the friendship now existing between us and a once hostile people, the roads which intersect portions of this once almost pathless wilderness, the universal peace w'e now enjoy, and the amended prospects of the colony, are owing to (he prudence and personal exertions of your Excellency, for our welfare. Morally better and more durable are (be bloodless laurels of your politic course of peace, justice, and conciliation, than the vaunting, came, saw, and conquered of the Homan Cajsar, (he useless results of whose conquests was to leave I lie smouldering embers of imperishable hate amongst the remnants of half exterminated barbarians. You, with nobler views of the mutual rights of mankind, are rapidly elevating the once ferocious Maori to British habits of respect for the laws, and of peaceable industry ; in fact, you have so far destroyed the habits of the savage, and created those of the Briton, that you may now' apply with truth to this settlement, the poetic legend of ancient Ireland — “That a defenceless woman decked with gems can now travel without insult or injury, amongst the once foes of (he British Settlers,” We feel that you have industriously applied your time, genius, and toil to (he welfare of the human race. Holding the highest station in these islands, you have kindly mingled amongst us more as a friend than a ruler, being always ready to sympathise with tiie distresses, and relieve the wants of the poorest settlers. We now bid you a temporary farewell, not with (he cold formal respect which merely your office of ruler of these islands and representative of our Qu:en would of course claim of us as British subjects, hut with (he warm feelings of personal interest in your welfare with which we should regard (ho departure of an esteemed friend and respected brother colonist. Rejoicing that your toil has been at least rewarded with the fame dear to all honourable minds, which may you ever happily enjoy,—sincerely hoping that you may acquire more honour and peaceable laurels by siill promoting civilization and the happiness of mankind through a long and happy life; wishing that your honors and happiness may for ;\ Ion" life be shared by your amiable lady, we, with (lie kindest wishes for her and your sate voyage to England, and safe return lo these islands, beg with profound assurances of our sincere respect for yourself and Lady Grey, lo subscribe ourselves, Your Excellency’s humble Servants, (Here follow 110 signatures,) The medallion consists of a massive gold ring with silver centre, the contrast of the medals producing a very chaste effect. On the obverse is engraved— To Sir George Grey, K.C.IL, Governor-in-Chief of tho Islands of New Zealand. On (he reverse From (he Artizans of Wellington, in testimony of his ability and private worth, and in grateful remembrance of the interest he Ims ever evinced in their welfare.—July, lust!. On the edge of the ring AUSTIt ALI A N G OLD. Enclosed in a box of native wood, with the order of the Bath engraved on the lop. His Excellency was pleased lo return the following answer :—•

Gentiemen —ln the now-long course of my official career, I have never received an address which has afforded me more sincere gratification than (hat which you have presented to me ; not that I for one moment conceive that I merit the flattering eulogiums which you have bestowed upon me, hut there is one passage in your address which explains why you regard my actions in so favourable a light, and which is in itself as a high reward as any colonial governor could receive from the people he governs. When you tell me that holding the highest station in these Islands, I have still mingled more among you as a friend than a ruler, having been always ready to sympathise with the distressed, and .to relieve the wants of the poorest settlers, J feel that you address me in the language of real regard, and render me a tribute which to my mind is the noblest you could bestow. It has ever been my desire so to act as to deserve the regard of the people of this country; but beset with such numerous difficulties, and having such varied and conflicting interests to deal with, it seemed very doubtful, however much I might merit this, whether I should obtain it. I Your address, however, shews that many ' generous hearts have felt (lie difficulties of my situation, and have seen how good at least my intentions were, and to me it is peculiarly touching, that many of those who have felt this, and who thus address me in the warmest language 1 of gratitude and encouragement, belong to a class of life which rendered it impossible for me to have gained their regard without having really striven to deserve it. The rales of the colonial service prevent me from accepting any present without her Majesty’s permission. 1 will, however, apply Cor the Queen's leave to retain the medallion you have now' presented to me. I shall carry nothing from New Zealand which I shall more highly prize, and I am sure that no servant of her Majesty ever requested permission to retain a gift which w as more honourable alike to himself and to those who presented it. Lady Grey desires me to return you her warmest thanks for your good wishes for our future happiness and welfare; we shall on our part, whether in Europe or New Zealand, strive in every way in our power to promote your’s. (Signed) G. Grey, Governor-in-Chief. Government House, Wellington, August 2. 1833. In the New-Zealander of the 20lh ult., wo copied the Address to His* Excellency from the Office Bearers and Members of the Wellington Athenaeum and Mechanics’ Institute. The following report of the Reply is from the Spectator of July 27 : Wellington Athenaeum and Mechanics’ Institute.—On Saturday morning last a deputation of the Office-bearers of this Institution waited upon Sir G. Grey to present to him the Address of which a copy appeared in our columns a few days ago. His Excellency returned the following reply:— Government House, Wellington, July 23rd, 1833. Gentlemen, —I feel it to be impossible to reply as I should wish to the Address which you have presented to me, it is always difficult to find words to say in palling, under circumstances which render it very possible we may not meet again, from those with whom we have long lived ou terms of friendly intercourse, but it is far more difficult to find filling words for such a parting, when they must he public ones. You will therefore, I am sure, pardon me, if 3 now only briefly say, that it is with no ordinary feelings of admiration tli.il s have seen you so sedulously endeavour to render the Wellington Athenaeum an Institution which should confer such great benefits upon this Settlement, as it undoubtedly has done. Thai it was with great pleasure I found you had so judged of me, as to think that notwithstanding my many harrassing avocations, I should still find pleasure in labouring with you in so useful and important a task, and that actuated by such feelings you chose me to he your President. That 1 return to you my best' thanks for the kind consideration you have invariably shown me whilst I acted with you, and most of all lor the feelings which have induced you to give to Lady Grey and myself so affectionate a farewell as is expressed in the concluding words of your address.

Upon our parts, Lady Grey and myself beg you to rest assured (bat wherever our future lot may be cast, vve shall always feel the most lively interest in your personal welfare, and in l!:al of (he Institution which you represent, and that if any opportunity of promoting its interests presents itself in Europe we will not fail to avail ourselves of it, and thus if possible to make some return for the kindness we have received from you.

G. Gret. To the Office Bearers, Committee, and Members of the Wellington Athenaeum. The Spectator adds, — At the same time the deputation represented to Sir G. Grey the great desire that existed among the Members of the Institute to obtain bis Portrait, a subscription having been enlered into by them for the purpose of defraying the cost of it—which has already received the names of GO contributors. His Excellency slated that be would be very glad to meet the wishes of the Members in this respect: and we understand that Mr. Barrand has been desired to place himself in communication with the Governor for the purpose of executing the work.

- JQic Spectator of the 6th August, (which vve have received since our summary in Saturday’s paper was written), gives the following account of yet another Address, which was to be followed by the presentation of a Piece of Plate : The following address was presented to Sir George Grey on Tuesday last, by Mr. J. Yarnham, lion. Sec , and the Deputation of subscribers to a Piece of Plate as a Testimonial of their regard and respect for His Excellency:— May it Please Your Excellency, —lt is one of our noblest gratifications to offer tribute to exalted worth, this is, however, enhanced when (he testimony is not only to record a sense of acts of goodness and wise beneficence extended towards those who may bestow it, but a record of similar benefits derived from the same source by a large portion of their fellow men. It is in our desire to express this sentiment upon our approaching separation that we beg your Excellency to accept the humble tribute which wo bring to you to-day, together with our deep regret lor your departure, and heartfelt wishes for the future happiness of yourself and your kind and amiable lady, la reflecting on the great benefits our colony has derived from the kind, wise, and able career of your Excellency amongst us, we shall have an enduring memorial in our hearts, for which we can oiler no suitable acknowledgement. We therefore beg your Excellency to accept cur ottering not for its own value, but because we would desire its every atom to speak to you our admiration, esteem, and gratitude. To this address the follow ing answer has been returned by his Excellency:— Government House, Wellington, August -41b, 1803.

Genti.emen, — I was so unprepared lor the kind and flattering terms in which, upon Tuesday last, you requested nay acceptance of a piece of plate, that I fell quite unable to wake an appropriate reply to you.

In fact I can now only say, thal I will request Hpi* Majesty to permit me to accept the present voa wish to confer upon me—that I feel very muS obliged to you for this mark of yoor regard f me, though I am even still more obliged to v o ? for the support and encouragement which Vof in common with many others, have affordedm through nearly eight years of trial and diSicnuJ —and that I hope you may hereafter have tii satisfaction of thinking, that the words spot 6 to me in your presence, aud on your behaif if Tuesday last, have had an influence in encou’ra ing me in a career which I hope may prove as£ ful to my country, and to ray fellow men. J#e ' I have the honor to remain. Gentlemen, Your very faithful Servant, G, Gkft To John Yarnham, Esq., and the .Deputation’ i»r Merchants, Traders, and others of Wellinf ton. Q " The following Inscriptions are lo be on the Testimonal: — 3 u J Fundatori QuietisA Presented to Sir George Grey, K.C,B, fin vernor and Commander-in-Chief of land, from a body of Merchants, Traders ana Settlers of Ihe City of Wellington, in testimony of their high esteem of his private virtues and of the public benefits he has conferred upon the Colony during his administration of the Government. The following are the names of fbe suU scribers: — ■K* ~ Messrs. W. W. Taylor, Wra. Spinks, Robert Stokes, John Yarnham, William S. LoxW George Moore, J.P., R. J. Duncan, G. H. ford, A. Frazer, James Green, D. Munn, Georim Hunter, J.P., John King, William B. Rhodif J P., Phillip Murch, G. D. Barraud, William N. Luxford, James Wallace, James Taine James Wilson,. Abraham Hort, Senr.’ J.P., William Coupcr, J. E. Welkin, T. k| Warburton, Peter Laing, Lipman Levy, Rev. J. Walkin, Messrs. George Crawford, Charles Mills, Henry Shaflo Harrison, Robert Hart George Hart. ! * To the Eslablisher of Peace.