THE LATE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 165, 31 October 1876, Page 2

THE LATE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

From the columns of the Auckland Star we give the following abridged account of the reception given to the Agent-General by his former constituents. After devoting about a column of introductory matter to the preparation for the illustrious visitor, our contemporary thus details his arrival at the wharf :

Shouts of "Here he comes !"._. and "Which is he !" were heard on all sides. As the launch came nearer, a stout figure was observed in.the stern, and some of the more enthusiastic called out "There's Julius !" Then a cry went up in the . night which was not good to hear, and the gentleman in the stern was observed to look a little nervous. Someone close to him said in a-voice loud enough to be heard on the wharf, "Sit still for a minute, Julius," and then of course there was no doubt that it was the expected visitor. It was now a little after ten o'clock, and in the darkness it was not very easy to distinguish faces. One gentleman who had seen Sir Julius Vogel in Parliament said he- was quite sure the dark figure in the stern was the great man, but when the launch got alongside it turned out to be Detective Jeffrey. Someone asked, "Jeff, where's VogeU'' and that officer, pointing to the pantryman who sat forward, replied " There he is !" There was a great laugh when the " sell" was perceived. In the next boat a person was observed sitting in the stern in a fur cap and cloak, and this time there could be no doubt that Sir Julius Vogel had come at last. Just as the boat got alongside the steps the supposed Agent-General sang out "I'm not Vogel, I don't want any rotten eggs." And then there was much laughter from the crowd of Sunday evening strollers who had been attracted to the spot by the sound of the gun. Shortly afterwards it became known that Sir Julius Vogel had been apprised of the spontaneous demonstration which awaited him ; and had expressed his intention of deferring his landing until next morning. It was also stated that Sir Julius added a remark that he did not wish to put the citizens of Auckland to 1 any trouble on Ms account, and that if it was all the same to them he would prefer to land without any unnecessary ceremony. This morning at eight o'clock Sir Julius landed quietly and unostentatiously in the steam launch. He was accompanied by a Canterbury gentleman, and by Detective Jeffrey, who had gone on board to welcome Sir Julius, and to see that there was no unnecessary demonstration at the landing. The landing-stairs were guarded by Sergeant Martin, and Constables Tapsell and Simpson, who were stationed on the right and left of the top of the waterman's steps, on the western side of the wharf. The launch had been seen by a few of the strollers on the wharf, who were taking an early constitutional, and by some of the lumpers and workmen, and about the same time the steamer from the North Shore landed her passengers. There was a rush to the landing-place, and about a score of people were ready to receive him. Sir Julius was attired in a suit of dark grey, and wore a white billycock hat. He appeared to be suffering a good deal from gout, and experienced great difficulty in getting up the steps, being assisted by Mr. and Detective Jeffrey. On reaching the wharf, Sir Julius bowed in a stately manner to the bystanders, and proceeded up the wharf at a slow pace. Just as he started, two or three persons attempted to raise a groan, but it was a failure, and he was permitted to proceed on his way without any other marks of esteem.

THE DESAKTUBE. At about a quarter to one o'clock, Sir Julius Vogel was observed coming down

the wharf/, supported on left by two gentlemen. A nui, jW of others followed Sir Julius,, and a crWd of people had mustered at: the watermen's steps/expecting that he would embark from there. He, however,;proceeded onwards, but his further progress was barred by Mr. Walter M'Gaul, who stepped forward, and in a modest and unaffected manner presented the following TESTIMONIAL. " Auckland, October 23, 1876. " Sir, —I have the" honor to enclose extracts from the New Zealand Herald, Oct/ 17th, with a most appropriate card, showing your most disgraceful flight from Auckland. lam only astonished that you had the impertinence to show your face in this city. The secret manner in which you effected your entrance to, and exit from, this city, is to me a plain indication that you dreaded receiving what I think and feel certain you -most deservedly merit—the punishment that Sir Robert Walpole proposed in the British Parliament upon the authors of the South Sea Bubble. "I am, sir, yours, &c., " Waiter M'Caui,.

"To Hon. J. Vogel." A duplicate had been previously sent to the Club, to enable Sir Julius to prepare a suitable reply. In deference to Sir Julius' well-known, modesty, Mr. M'Caul refrained from reading the testimonial, but presented it in a covered envelope, which also we have since learned, contained a photograph representing a ship in a storm, with an immense wave, marked "£20,000,000," threatening to overwhelm it, while a tar in sea-boots has just abandoned the helm, and is making tracks for a companion-way, on which is printed "Agent-General's Office."

Sir Julius appeared to be much overcome at this touching souvenir, and was about to turn away to hide the unbidden tear, when Mr. M'Caul said : Did you get a letter from me to-day ? - . Sir Julius hesitated, and the question was repeated. He then replied: "Ye 3, and I am sorry that I should receive such a letter from anyone in Auckland."

Mr. M'Caul: Sir, that note expresses the sentiments of my mind, and let me tell you also, the sentiments of the people of Auckland generally. I was one of the first to sign a requisition to you, and I am sorry that you have been a traitor to the country. Sir JuHub : Just let me say a dozen words in reply. lam very sorry to hear you express such an opinion, but I am quite sure that when the results of my policy are apparent, and- when that policy is fairly judged, you and those who think with you, will change that opinion. I look forward to a period of time when you will see that the present political changes will produce justice to Auckland, and when you will recognise that I have been earnest in my desire, to serve this place. I do not see that I have done anything to justify your change of mind, or that you should now oppose me, where you formerly supported me. I hope you will change your opinion. Mr. M'Caul: I have changed it, since I first voted for you. Sir Julius Vogel: I hope you will change it again. **" ' .'--. : Mr. M'Caul: I did not know then that I was bringing out a serpent that would afterwards bite me.

Sir Julius Vogel here turned away and proceeded along the wharf. The crowd formed an irregular procession. As they went on one individual made himself conspicuous by offering half-a-crown each for rottens eggs, but apparently these articles were scarce, as no one responded to the appeal. Upon arrival at. the steps beyond the Auckland Steam Packet Co.'a Tee, the steam launch was in waiting, and Sergeant O'Connor was there with a posse, of police to prevent Sir Julius being inconvenienced by any overcrowding on the part of enthusiastic admirers. Sir Julius 'shook hands with a number of gentlemen who were near him, and was then assisted, into the boat, being accompanied to the ms 3 steamer by Messrs. Daveney,-Wardrdppi Comisky, Donne, and Weston. As the launch steamed away, a ft' parting groans, cat-calls, and whistles were given by the crowd. One shouted ont, "What have you done for City East!" another, " There goes a traitor to Auckland," and a third, " Lend us anothei million, old man," while a fourth, ft Hibernian accents, yelled out, "Go it old cripple, while your young," to all o

which salutations Sir Julius answer never a word, but sat there in the stei with an umbrella in his hand, and snul< sweetly and philosophically, his mind heii wearied of the past and hopeful of tl future. And so sailed he away, the brig! mid-day sun shining down upon him, tl flash and plash of the waves around bin and each well-known object and historic! spot fast receding from his view. And* his form grew indistinct in the distant

and as the bystanders began to melt awaj said one, sighing deeply the while " He i gone. We have lost him. We shall o>

look upon his like again." Whereat sponded one, in a tone sad and mourn t: And a good job, too !"

Four ladies, who interest themselves' the employment of the middle classes, * cently put four separate advertisements the Times, asking for lady helps. fy did this to see how many answers wo" come to them. The four advertiseme 1 drew over 9,000 applications from girls, married women, and widows, * mostly widows—a large number of wh° were the widows of clergymen and doctd Is it a fact, by the way, as stated in ® of the applications, that doctors & clergymen seldom insure their lives 1 The legend of the building of the Tot of Babel has been discovered among' Assyrian tablets in the British Museum