BALL IN HONOR OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4306, 8 January 1875, Page 2

BALL IN HONOR OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

The ball given last night by the citizens of Wellington to his Excellency the Governor and the Marchioness of Normanby was a remarkable success in every respect, notwithstanding the fact that, the number in attendance was scarcely so great as was expected. Every pains had been taken by the committee of management to secure a successful demonstration, and as a testimony of the good feeling of the inhabitants of the city there was nothing wanting, and nothing to be desired. The fine floor of the theatre afforded excellent dancing space, the walls were hung with mirrors and flags of all descriptions, and the aspect of the hall was most cheerful. The Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby arrived at about nine o’clock, and from that hour the attendance increased rapidly until there were about four hundred people present. His Excellency- and Lady Normanby were received at the door by the stewards, and upon their entrance to the body of the theatre' the assemblage received them with appropriate marks of respect, the band playing the National Anthem. The music speedily set the dancers in motion, and partners were taken forthefirst quadrille, the ball being opened by his Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Moorhouse, the Marchioness of Normanby dancing with his Worship the -Mayor. Erom this hour the company “ chased the glowing hours with flying feet" until about twelve o’clock, when the front scene of the stage was withdrawn and disclosed the elegant display prepared by Mr. W. Light. The supper was laid upon two tables ranged across the stage, a third table at the end being placed at right angles. Every inch of space was occupied, yet not more than one-third of those present succeeded in obtaining seats. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, immediately on his right being seated his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, the Hon. Dr. Pollen, Mrs. Richardson, his Honor the Superintendent, and Mrs. Moorhouse ; and on the left the Marchioness of Normanby, his Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, Mrs. J. E. Fitzgerald, and the Hon. E. Richardson. The excellence of the condiments having been dilated upon, his Worship the Mayor selected an opportune moment to propose the toast “ The Queen,” -which was duly honored. His Worship the Mayor then said : Ladies and gentlemen; It is now my very great privilege to ask you to join me in drinking the special toast of the evening. It is not' necessary for me to allude to the extreme gratification experienced by the people of New Zealand, as represented by the citizens of Wellington, in having the opportunity of welcoming among them the Marquis of Normanby as their new Governor. He brings with him a great reputation as a successful administrator of public affairs in one of the Australian colonies, and we may, therefore, look upon hia lordship’s residence among us as a circumstance of which we ought to feel proud. (Hear, and applause.) I may tell you at once that I am not a successful eulogist. I look upon it, therefore, as perfectly impossible' on my part to do justice to any gentleman of whom I am called upon to speak in this strain, however well he may deserve it. But we know his Excellency by reputation, and we also know him personally, and I might say, on behalf of the citizens of Wellington, whose opinions I faithfully represent, that hia Excellency is regarded by the people with feelings closely akin to personal- attachment. That hia lordship will in a short time occupy a high place in the esteem and regard of the people, and that those feelings of personal attachment to which I have alluded will intensity, I have no doubt. I hope the residence of his Excellency amongst us will he a protracted one. Whether it be so or not I feel quite sure that when the Marquis is requested by her Majesty to undertake the management of public affairs in any other part of the world—when, in the fitness of time, he is commanded by her IJajesty to watch over and direct the government of any other dependency of the Empire—l say that when these - changes do take place I feel quite sure the Marquis and Marchioness will retain pleasant recollections of New Zealand and her people, and will particularly remember the citizens of Wellington, amongst whom they will be more constantly located. I now ask you to join me in drinking the health of the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby. His Excellency the Governor, who was received with loud cheers, said : Mr. Mayor, ladies, and gentlemen; I can assure you I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the land and cordial welcome you have given me to New Zealand. No sooner had I landed in another portion of this colony than I began to learn the kindly feeling which I understand is always entertained towards the representative of her Majesty in New Zealand. (Hear, hear.) You, Mr. Mayor, were kind enough to say that a feeling akin to personal attachmenthad begun to be felt towards myself in this town. I am not vain enough to suppose that in so short a time I could have inspired any feeling of that kind. I attribute it rather to the feeling which is entertained also in the other colonies, namely, the feeling of respect, veneration, and affection towards the- person of, her Majesty—(hear, hear) —which induces * you all to give a kindly and a friendly welcome to whoever she may please to send to preside - over ' you. (Hear, hear.) This feelinmjs most gratifying to anyone holding the jifcaon I now hold, and although I cannot suppose, that at present, in so short a time, you can have any personal feeling toward myself, I do trust that before I leave your. shores I shall bo able to claim a greater, share of that esteem which you have evinced this evening. (Cheers). I can .assure you I come among you -with a full determination to devote any ability I may possess, any energy I can command, to the advancement, as far as in indies, of the prosperity and happiness of the colony and people of New

Zealand, I believe that this country has a great destiny before it. I know of none of Her Majesty’s colonies, though I have seen many, which holds out more promise of permanent and happy results than the colony of New Zealand. It was most pleasing to me upon first landing in this country to see so many evidences of attachment to the mother country, even in the manner m which you have endeavored to introduce from the soil of England the songsters and other birds of that country. The .fields which I saw around me on landing in Auckland, with their hedges and walks, surrounded with sweet briar scenting the air, reminded me very mncK of the old country, and I believe that in other'- - portions of the colony I shall feel equally, if not more vividly, reminded of Home. (Hear, hear.) No doubt the character of the country is different, but you can here rejoice in scenery which would remind one of the lakes • of Italy. I have seldom seen better views than are to be seen in the neighborhood of this town, and when your connection with the interior .is perfected, Wellington will, imr doubtedly, have a prosperous future before it. I do not wish to trespass upon your time, as this is not a proper occasion on which to make a long speech, neither am I a person who cares to hear himself talk. I can only thank you for the hearty and land reception you have given to Lady Normanby and myself. I trust my residence among you may he long, and that we may see your town increase in prosperity daily. When the time does come when we may have to part, I hope we may be able to carry with us your sincere and hearty good wishes, and your respect and esteem. (Loud applause.) His Excellency then led the way into the ballroom, where dancing was r."i-med and kept up till an early hour. The'p.-kimoters.of the hall have every reason to be gratified with its success. A general feeling of satisfaction pervaded the assemblage throughout.