SIR GEORGE GREY'S VISIT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 582, 14 March 1878, Page 2

SIR GEORGE GREY'S VISIT.

| The Ministerial party, consisting of the j Hon. the Pivrnic-r iSir George Grey), the I Postma-ter-General (the Hon. J. Fisher), i the lion. •/. X. Wilson (Napier), Mr. i Seynnmr t Jeorge. Mr. Mitchell (Private See- ! rotary), ;uvo;npanied by Mr. Shiinuki, MM. I;.. Mr. U". Cuiiyers, and others arrived in town last evening, having come I>y special train. The train was very nicely decorated, the engine hearing the Koy.il Arms and the words " Welcome, Sir At iiaiiipdeii a short (stay was made,, and an I address w.i< presented to Sjr George Orey ' hv Mr. liiizialiison, Chairman hi the Hr.r----h<~;-.-.::.! Road Boards. To this the Premier r,-plied ;',•> a few well-chosen words. There wa- a laru* ::'imber of persons present, including about iZO school children, and Sir George was cheered At Otepopo the party were greeted by c large number of residents, the school children ifejihe district agrrju lorming a conspicuous portiap of the

.assemblage. The train then came on to Oamaru, reaching here at a few minutes past 6 p.m. At the station Sir George Grey and party were met by the mayor and some of the councillors. There was was a large concourse of people present, including a large sprinkling of the fair sex. His Worship, on behalf of the resident?, welcomed Sir George Grey to Oamaru. The Premier briefly thanked the .Mayor for the welcome given to him. Three hearty cheers were given for the Premier, and three more for the Ministry. The pirty was thru driven to the Mayor's residence, the liailway Band paying "See the Conquering Hero Comes" as the Premier passed from the Railway Station to the street.

PULMJC MKKTIVG. In the evening Sir George Grey addressed a public meeting at the Volunteer Hall, which was densely packed from the stage to i he doorway, there being between 700 and St)!.) poisons present, including a large number of ladies. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the Premier.

Sir George Grey, on rising, was received with enrhusiastie and continued cheering. He said they were as.-embled together upon an important occasion. It was now- the custom that the people of the country were s-'oken to by their state-men generally. JS'o

attempt was made, at least in the Old Conn ry, to govern the nation secretly, or by surprise : they did not now try to introduce suddenly a measure upon which the country had no information, and huny it into law at once. Following that example, he was anxious to do his utmost to let the people of New Zealand know what measures the Government thought the best suited for their welfare, and to give the people themselves an opportunity of expressing their opinion upon those incisures, ami duterminiii" whether or not they had their approbation. There was a peculiar necessity for this being done in the present crisis of the Colonv. A constitution of a very liberal iiiiti'.re was swept away—for a time at least utterly destroyed. Now, the people had a right to determine miller what form of Go- % eminent they cho.-.e. to live. It was fair that they should, be con ulted uiion the in--titutions on which their welfare was henceforth to hang, and that the public voice should de ermine whether or nor: the institutions which it was proposed to call into existence were such as they liked to live ui.tler. (Cheers.) Firstly, he believed that tiie whole of our institutions depended upon the basis on which they were founded Tiiev all knew that he held what some per-son.-'were pleased to call ''advanced views' up..n that subject. Ke tiiihe-itntingiy stated ins opinion that every adult, male who had iced for a certain i-erii.d'of time in an elec rora! district oti'ht to have a vot- as to who ;he reprc.-enta:ive of that disirict ought to be. (Cheers.) After citing Mr. Gladstone as at one time an opponent of manhood ■ uffrage. and now its supporter, the Premier proceeded in detail to combat and reply to a number of objections urged ag-iiost the oohev of giiii.g every man a vote, urging that the allegation that a hrge proportion of those who would be thus enfranchised were too ignorant to be entrusted with the privileges'..; i lectors did not ■ ppl.v to .New Zealand, where already the population did not contain any large amount of uneducated people, ami whi.-iv. ok ii:g to the institutions already cxi-ling. education was pretty gciier.d. ;,nd would soon Income universal under tie- national system w'.i.-h the people theni-.-eives. l,v their rop'-csentatives ill Par ia-

j .;., n". had established- Hi: further alluded ; ti> the that It wa< uiii'nir to give a I ',;!•. v. n drunkard :n: filial privilege us ;ui i el<ct'-r with the sti-ady aii'l imlii.-fci-i-iil-= i-iii-I zee."and ■!!.'. ;i"t collider that it was entitled j to :tny \ie'i_'ht. as a drunkard might ncver- ! theio-s be a man [•[' senilis and o I Miiev.d Puitii:!"".! sense, while the snlifr and ! tciiu.-'ritto i:::i:. v/ielded all influence over h's [neighbour.- winch v.ould induce others to i re.-nect iii.s jii'i-j!;:'.-j!t and yet.; with him. ;iii<l i mi exerci-e i more miiucnee on the re-ulc i<: • u:-': voliim' thai: the drunkard, who would j have !,u! hi. •■:>■■ vote, v.iiilo the latter even ! Ueferrmg to ;ia objection as hj, th;. h-i'el ; -pea !•:•;• .aid tii.it in a young iuii-it ! whe'-e there were no lime hn:io;:red n ! .■';t:itiuns to he il>: troy d —;i-=, lor ini stance, a State church - though even if I 'here Wore a church tli.it would, in hi.s I Lis oi.inioi!. he ;idditi''ii:ii reason fergiantinj srjill'r.vjo :it once, (thee s.) -\gain, there w..s :;o 'he editury house of Pl\-v.< to j to interfere v/iili. there v,xs no danger of j the destruction of an ancient :\i '*.;-<;:r:)cy, i and there v.;i- on t!i:tr account no ro.iso,. to i ur-o ajiinst universal KuiiV.-ig.'. The danger i in this country was tin: possible erection of |:i spin ions landod aristoci.aey. and v. ith that ] danger staring them in the face, lh<-re was i .ill the mi'iv re =s.'U why they should have . i.; ; i'eis:il stiliivige. Sir t.eorjo ■■vcy further . ve»;t ;-n .'o show that men who in England i <>f lh< J onliiiary • uiin.i.Vj., her-: were aliie to |a<pti>e property, and litvl to j educate tie niselvcs in onl'.T to administer i« I advantage' us!y to themselves and their j families, r.nd to perforin tiie duties which j tile possession of ji'-onerty imposed—as for j instance in ui'.derstandiijg matters of title. ■■ and also of testamentary disposition. Under I he i,;..S:h»;ia! system of '< ducation established ■ las.l: .-e«.io;i, within ten years from the pre- : .eiir time e'ery adult male in New Zealand j v.'ouM not on!..- able to rend and write, I l.tifc Would hr.ve i-eevi-.-.-d a:: eoupnrnni jilting j him f r i'nlli hng ;.hno>t .-.ver 7 duty ,'u lite, j including thai of in the seieeiion of i r, to eiutet laws for tiie good j irovenniient of the country. They had an | opuoriuiiity now hefore them of passing | laws, which Woithl ensure to every man a I voice in the in-oiagement of the alia rs of the ' i-on.'-try ; Imt if they did not take advantage I of tliat'oji.'/orcunity, Imfc .-.Unwed themselves I to he i'-.:' hy n privileged class they mi lit ili-ji'-nri npon li t:!»-t their present ! privili:gcs a< a jieople w0.u1.l be gradually [ swept a.way, and it would take a struggle of ■ a century, perhims. to reirain theni. The I position of ti;:,.-e" who would restrict the .':.r:vik'.i,-'i «»f the fniiichise to alone ! was an ahsurd one : even an edni:ationa! j rpn.iiiicarion need not he insisted «pon. as; in that event he thought there were memhers ! even of their Legi-lative Assemblies, who, if | the standatd of i]iialiiicHtion were the jiower ;"> speak th.e Queen's l'ini?lish, would }jo foiiiio' ir- laVi sfcoH of that standard. He, h wever. would say tVi?,t an honest and enlightened man—a man desirf.-js to do his duty to his fellow-eitizens, whether V.c were rich, or poor, whether lie spoke perfect Enghs'n j or ir, some cases imnerfee 1 " English - which Ito his miii>l signified little— would, he j believed, vote right ; would vote for their welfare : would vote i'or their good : and he would not himself attempt to set up any standard, cither of education or of wealth, which would exclude such a man from the right of voting for a representative of the Parliament or" New Zealand. Sir George then went on to show that every man, woman, and child in the Colony contributed t;; the taxation of the country, and that rhe fath'-f of every family was the trustee foy i that faja Iv. aud as such should be able by his vote to assist pi d.vjermining, through tiie Legislature, all matters the ; we'i'iin: of tha't family. The meaning of the j electing of representatives was simply this : They cin se a certain number of people to take money out of their pockets ■; that was really the great duty of their representatives, (Laughter). At first it might not have pre-

sen ted itself to their minds in that way ; but tlie great duty of their representatives was to get a revenue—to get money out of their pockets, and then their next duty was to determine how the money was to he spent. These were really the two great questions which their representatives had to consider. Now, getting money out of their pockets meant in the ease of every family that every child had to give np something in the year—they had nil to be deprived of something—they liad all to make a sacrifice f<>r the public good, and any man who loved his children would desire that thev should make the sma'lest sacrifice possible ; the poorer a man was the greater was his duty in this resM'-ct. and the gi-i a-er right he hail to look after the welfare of Ins family ; and in his opinion no good man would relinquish that right. He would say " This is a right inherent in me as a man and a taxpayer, and as long as I have those children dependent upon me I will not give up the right of having a voice in the choosing a representative lor this district, who is to determine how much a-yeavmy eh ildi enare tohave taken from them, and in what way the sum so taken is to be spent: I have a right to look after their interests. I will maintain that right, and will look after those inteie-ts." (Cheers.) He thought every good man should say that, and act upon it. Kvery honest man, too. who was a property holder would sav that the poor man should not, because he was poor, lie deprived of his vote, and should aim, not at degrading, but elevating his neighbor by encouraging him to exercise the privileges of a free man. After maintaining that every tax-payer and every producer Mas entitled to a share in the government of the conntry. Sir George referred to the reasoning of Mr. Lowe in answer to Mr. Gladstone's opinion on this subject, characterising his assertion that if the basis were adopted of giving every consumer of dutiable articles a vote a cart-horse might be entitled to the same privilege. He showed that Mr. Lowe left out of sight the vast difference between a responsible human being and a cart-horse, and asked if a Hipp.xnt obj"et : on of this sort was a sufficient reply to Mr. Gladstone's argument, (loud cries of "N0.n0.") lie warned them that unless they mceecdod in obtaiirng manhood suiirage they would not sinceed in obtaining anything : they would not attain the privileges which they might now secure for a long period of time. Dwelling here, in la-sing, on the general subp ct of education, he alluded to tin l immense number of capital punishment-* within the recollection of some men of advanced \ears present, ami asked if a state of things which indue, d an Knglish judge to insist, on the extreme penalty of the lav/ being carried out in the case of a boy of nine years of age. could have occurred in a country whe-e education was universal. He proceeded then to contract the condition of t' c population of New Zealand with that of the Old Country, stating that he had travelled from the Bluff to Oaniaru, and throughout the Province of Otago, and aiong the West Coast, and had not seen any children with pinched or famished faces, not one child with rickety limbs from want of food, he. had not seen one child in tatters and rags. He had seen thousands of children during his progress, while, h'd lie seen as many in any part of K.ngland, he would have been horrified by the miseries everywhere apparent. "Would any man attempt, or dejirr. to s/:t up in New Zealand a st-iie of tilings in v/hiek- there should be thousands of children to be Seen warning food or clothing, or de-erred by parents, without anyone to take care of them '! Would it he right of them to deliberately establish in this country institutions which mi. lit bring about class distinctions of that, l-ind ? Ifo was no o'inmtniist. He. was delighted to see p'a.ple grow r'ch. to see industry rewarded, to .see the country covered

ith ha |'.y linni-s in every divert inn, as he

had seen it tliat day. to see the deserving 1 10 the be<t in the world : that m< what. they .-.•I! s}....ih! desire. Then why should they deiilieeatel v (iet •vp.iine thai; {hero should he mi ignorant, class : that the poor should he shut oat from the rights of their fellowcitizens ; that there should be a class ]>'•• ughf up to fee] themselves pariahs, and Hint thev Li.-ildrr.n should erov' up subject -•> like (Ir-i.rivn-rir.ns; \V nv Mn.nj.'l viie./'di-

i'Tin'iia to livintr evils of that kind upon future generations V He felt so strop vdy on this subject that he was determined to do his very utmost to induce the people of this <: hintry— the irrent majority of its inhabitants—to consent to a lav.% such as he had spoken of, which would secure to evei'V adult ma,'..' the ricrht of as-istimj" in ehoosmg a, repves ntative fte- his own district. After siiowiiu ibrt ,'< ('hi;!:im-u might, under the system of thii.i.s, til"

rVaucliise. fhroivjii paving !.! for a miner's right, v/l.'ile there were of their own cmnifrvinen large numbers who wore deprived of the fram-hise. Sir Oeorge said tliat there wire only about (!!,!!()ll names on the rolls, manv of which names were several times repeated for il-'lVerent districts, and allowinir

i j f ii- this, and. h-r ]i i-sims who dierl and rei moved, there were aetuady only ahout | -iit.ijUi) vote-s, ami many of them had no ■ j persona! iutetvsi, hi i.he f-oipjtry. the result J being that there were ahout 1 iO,<jl)U adult ■ males who had no vote at all. line n l ' his opponents had said, "Oh, all those fellows ■ are hi.vers—surely you don't want to give loafer's votes." Well, it was a mclanoholy thing that there should he 110.0(10 loafers in New Zealand— (laughter) : and if that was the case, then where all the wheat came from ITcaven onlv knew, for he did not. hut i there it was. (Cheers.) After dwelling at '! considerable ?eogth or, the ine.j;ialij,v _ oi the present system of taxation, which bore undudv on the p..';or r classes, who did not derive nnv benefit from the carrying out of large pub] : e works, Sir Ceorge pointed to the fact that in Kngbind property owners were called upon to contribute through the income fax. and asked why this should mt he the case in New Zealand, the more tliat here the railways were constructed by thr pnbiic fitiuls : that is. the people had to.ney the. cost and the interest, while those uiiosc pvonert'erj were enhanced in value had this done for them at the cost of the pooler chases—at the cost of the great .pass of the people. He alluded to theiVu that a clause j ; was inserted in the I'nblic Works Act which ' 1 provided. i"V jk-.nds lifVelited by railways i being rated, which disarmed the opposition of himself and iiin.iiy otiiers ; but it was not noticed at the lime that no provision had 1 ecu made for obtaining the rates, and the resu.'.'i; was that the taxes had to lie paid by the whole population,- and in large part bv a population which had in no way benefited by these public works. They would all agree with him that a system of taxation of that kind should not be allowed to continue. There were gentlemen in this country who had obtained large tracts of land, the ?p-operty of the people, op. very easy tennsr ami though "what thoy had lawfully obtained they should be protected in the enjoyment of, still that was the more reason why tlvy should be called upon to contribute fairly to the resources of the country. JTe advocated the imposition of a !a;id tax in proportion to the value of property, <">"' on a proper classification of lands as a m°iins of increasing the revenue, without inflicting any injury, and as discouraging the holding of large tracts of land for merely speeulative purposes. The people wouVl insist that a system of taxation, which operate'ei so unfairly and unequally as that which at pres.eni" obtained pi Njjvy Zealand should nflt b.e allowed to continue longer than next Session of Parliament. Th,e Pr*T '.

mier then proceeded to speak on the administration of the public lands, stating that on the whole he thought that in this Province the lands had been more fairly administered than in any other part of New Zealand, though he thought great changes might be made for the better. Even if they had nothing to complain of here they ought, as worthy citizens of New Zealand, to extend their view beyond their own Province. A man ought to look a little beyond his own home, and to assist people in other places. Now, in the neighbouring Province of Canterbury very unjust things had been done about the land, in particular the extending of the lease 3 of the runholders for another ton years. The present leases expired in ISBO (subsequent to the expiration of the present Parliament), so that another election would have taken place before the titles to these holdings would have enmc to and end. [f a fair rent had been got for those runs, every man, woman, and child in Otago would have had to make smaller sacrifices, and so with regard to all New Zealand, now that the land fund was common property, lie therefore argued, and he thought reasonably, that these runs ought not to have Ivcu meddled with until an election had taken place, and the people had been appealed to. Many of these runs were of enormous extent, and might have been broken up into live or six, or even more, holdings, supporting as many wealthy and happy families, until the runs were required for the purpose of cultivation, while they would have been more carefully managed, made to carry more sheep, produce more wool, and thus the commerce and wealth of the country would have been increased. An opening would have been given to farmers to settle their sons iiMon those runs, and there would have been many families living in comfort, with 1.1000 or L150I) a. year, and spending it in the country, instead of one individual or a company of English capitalists, drawing an immense revenue from this Colony and spending it at home. They should detor--111 He that such a system of things should prevail with regard to the disposal of public lands as should prevent the continuance of such abuses as had occurred. lie then went on to condemn the system of administering tho public estate by regulations secretly made by what were termed Orders in Council, and of enacting lows to validate wrongful acts, a system much resembling that which caused the English nation to rise against the Stuarts. He condemned the plural votes given in respect of properly, as being unfair to the mass of the people, arguing that if the man who paid taxes had bur- one vote, it was unfair that those for whom (lie money was expended should have four or live votes, viz., as to the administration of that expenditure, Sueh a system was not heard of in any other part of the world, and. therefore, he would say let every man have a vote—one vote, and no more (Cheers) When he (Sir (!corgi;', brought forward some of his proposals his opponents flew immediately to precedent, asking if such a proposal was ever heard, of in England, France, Austria, or even in Russia, characterising it, because they could not find precedent, as absurd, and deeming the fact that there was no precedent sufficient argument against the proposal b'-ing carried out. Now, what made heroes and Croat men '■ It was doing that which fitted their circumstances without thinking what anybody else hail ever done. 'What showed genius V What showed talent ? What showed power of fading men ? Why, it was to devise measures suit- d to the circumstances in which men were situated, to make them see and adopt then). (Cheers.) Wore the people in England at any time called, upon to found a great nation in a new country? Were they lever ".ailed up..n to come in and occupy a soil teeming with minerals, callable, of >iro- ■ ducing every produce in the world, with a climate of the finest k ; nd, a country abounding in bcavitifiil harbors. Wore the people i in England ever called upon t> make laws for a state of things of that kind ? Nothing of the sort. They had to make laws to prevent the French, invading, to determine how long Russia and T':rk.\y were to fight(laughter)—to determine subha.ti of that kind : and, lie regrofiud to say. make laws for otlior iM-.nioses —taws under whi.-li landlords might drive their tenants out, as was the case in. Scotland, in order that, sheen and red deer nrgM' come in. (Cheers.) These wore the kind of laws they had to makelaws to restrain millions raised in misery and in viee : laws to provide for supporting a Church and State—a state of things which doe-; not exi-t in this country. (Cheers.) Here they had to make laws for tlic foundation of e. nation, to raise up a new people umter circumstances in which men had never been situated before. No portion of the human re.ee ever hail a ohrmoe of doing sueh great things as • hey had the power of doing. Lot them show that they were men able to make laws fitted for such circumstances. (Cheers.) Let the men of New Zealand determine that their statesmen should sp"ak to them : that they should tell them what they proposed to do ; should toll them of the laws they have devised, and the reasons why the;, have, devised them ; that they should show that they were capable of leading them, or else let them be turned out of their office at once. (Cheers.) Now, he called upon ail of them, especially the. people, of Onma.ru, to help in a policy of that kind. On approaching the. town, he thought of what name ought to be given to Oainaru —what fit tern - \ig!;t to "he applied to it? Well he.it sah.. " From her youth, I v.-Jll call her. a i-.,,uclen : she has youth and beauty." Th nas I looked upon your buildings. elo«o here to the sea—to your buildings risb-.g in stone of the utmost brilliancy, of a kind which I have never seen be.for.', I thought "'Oamaru is a fair maiden tr„ting upon the shores of the sea." When 1 thought of the harbor you have created here, and which 1 must say your representatives have done their utmost in many ways to promote—when I thought of that' I "-aid, "This fair maiden holds the horn of plenty in her hand," arid I ask you all Was such a horn of plenty ever held by such a maiden before? Yc:y. sen the onrliueooia In Enghviil with aiew oars of com sticking out oi- it. Look at your country here, the whole country groaning with sheaves of wheat as I passed along, in snob abundance that J boliovp yon will find it dibiculb to g P t shipping to take it away. Well now, here sits on the sea shore, a maiden fair, none of you can deny this, with a horn of plenty in her hand, ready to spread her commerce over the whole world, with a prospect before her such as I believe no single town or district I have ever been in has had before, and I would implore you not only to think of these material advantages, hut if she is a j maiden of this kind, abounding in plenty, let hoi - ' pour forth not only the treasures of I her wheat, of her minerals, of her wool, to a world so anxious to receive them, let her not only find food for the perishing millions in England—for there is great distress there at the present time—let her show herself worthy of her destiny by helping to pour forth freedom upon the world also—lot hex. strive in the gentleness of her beauty to aid in founding a nation under the favorable circumstances in which we can found this I nation, and let her show herself in every respect— nqt only in her produce, but in all I other respects a benefactor to the world j without, and to the people of New Zealand; for al| time to eome. Sir George Grey resumed his seat amicVst loud and prolonged cheering.

The Mayor briefly expressed to Sir Geo. Groy the thanks of the vast audience for the eloquent address he had delivered. This vote was carried by acclamation, amidst loud cheering.

Mr. Shrimski thought they should go further than merely passing a vote of thanks. He would therefore move, " That this meeting and the inhabitants of the district have entire confidence in the present Ministry, and in their policy which has been enunciated this evening."

The motion was seconded by a gentleman in the body of the hall, and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman, given on the motion of Sir George Grew concluded the proceedings.

INSPECTION OF HARBOR WORKS. At about 10 o'clock this morning, Sir George Grey and party, accompanied by Mr. Sumpter, Chairman, and the other members of the Harbor Board, proceeded to the railway station on route for the Breakwater. The children of the various schools, to the number of about 1000, were drawn up in two line outride the station. A large number of townspeople were also present. Sir George, on alighting from his carriage, walked up and down the lines, and addressed the children in passing, after which the girls of the Grammar School, under the leadership of Mr. Brownlee, sang the New Zealand Anthem, and afterwards the National Anthem. Seven carriages, in addition to the one for the Ministerial party, had been provided for the transport of the children and visitors ; and, the passengers having got into the train, a start was made for the wharf. Arriving there the I'rcmicr and party, accompanied by Mr. Sumpter and Air. .Forrester (Secretary to the Board), went over the works, expressing general satisfaction at the progress everywhere a parent. When the party reached the end of the Breakwater. Mr. Sumpter, addressing Sir George Grey, welcomed him on behalf of the Harbor Board to the harbor works. He said it was quite within the province of the Ministers that they should inspect the various works in the Colony, and this would apply with more force to the l'remior. it might be interesting to the Premier to know that this town was the natural outlet of one of the most fertile grain producing ■ 1 i~t. ids in New Zealand, and it would therefore lie quite apparent to him that the shipping facilities should be their first consideration. Tiie Premier would now have an opportunity of seeing for himself tiiat the works were of a substantial character, and that the money had been well and judiciously expended. Kverylhitig that had been done was (hue in the best possible manner. The works themselves were the lie-t evidence of this. ilothcn drew the attention of the Premier to the subject of their endowments, pointing out how valuable they were as assisting in payment of interest and sinking fund, i ine of their endowments brought them in a revenue of 1.2000 annually, and buildings were erected upon it of the value of nearly L 40,00;», their endowment of (Jo.OOO acres of country laud produced about 1.70; I per annum, but when the present lea-e f• 1L in a much higher rental therefore strike him at once that those roveaucs are of the utmost importance to the B ,ard He had, therefore, on behalf of tin; board, to ask Ministers to render them every assistance to get this endowment vested eiliier in the Board or in trustee;!, with power to lease only. There weiv oilier matters of importance he would lihed to have bought under your no; ice but it would n it 1.0 fair that he should oi.-eiiny more of Sir George Grey's very limited time. He attain, on heliaii of the .Board and the town, thanked Sir George for his presence amoiiL'st theirs. (Cheers.) ' lie then called upon the Secretary to read an address which had been prepared. Mr. Forrest! r then read the following : To Sir lieorcc Civv, K.C.1;.. M.1i.1t., Premier oj the Parliament of Vov V.k dand Sir.-.('ln behalf of the Hamate iku nour linard, 1 have the honour to welcome. y..u i„ t.'io scone of our er.fun rise, to ihi'.n'i ; .m l'or'so cordially rysii.imlintf to our inYii.iti.iii to visit, (lie works, and'io offer our como.atttiatio.is (hat yon arc omtk.Yd to do so in i our cai achy of Premier of this (.'..!onv. Kendcivd necessary by the daii-er ami difliciilt.v of slii|>i imrtlie lan.',- i|Uanti;io- of ji.odu.w c;rown in the ilisirirl. the Oainaru !ii\ akwatcr was stirtod el-hl veats ,-c'o uniler tin.ini.ial a A einriiici.Hn:,' diliiellkits, lint liy the energy and rors'-ieranre of Hie iv;r sontniics of tin; Oamam disUJet, tile sininathv :i::d assistance Hie li >nr:',!-e M•. .Macandrew and other friends in (Vivici 100 numcroiis to lrnmtion heie. an I no'eaoiv !iv the -enerons help of the kc-is. latum who. in Pav'ii iment ass mhlcd testified to tli'cir faith in the omerpris.! and their nvo.irnifioc. „f its colonial importance liy I'ihcrallv endowin-.; Hie institution v. itli land and pincers, the l.'-aoi have lu'imi enabled to make the work, s 1 f..i- as it has !„m, one of tliemost sl'ceessir.l of'.l.u. kind.

Three ye ir.s h:.v." passed sine the Macandrew Wharf was opened !..;■ Ir.iliie. and since that time there has iii>- hce.ii a sin.'!,' wreck in Ihe hay, whereas for the six years preceding .the e.i,uaiticx were i.iil.v ton numerous.

Apart from the .adv.in;:ere derived hv the town ami district from the constni-iioii of ;his :,,rk, it has ho n tho t-j-st work of tin: Colony for ports >i:nil:'.: V. situated, ami, as such, has hcen of importance t... i_h'e eon itry at !aie;e to a value far ex.:c>c:,l.ii.^.tlio cost of iis construction.

'Hi.: works will have co .( :.(■>;,».« v. hen tin: present contra-ts are cemented, ~f wl'.icli LiO'i.ooo has hcon n\U ,1 on il Vl hi:iitiiivs. The greatest care ami economy ha> heeii exercised in its construction, anil although much has lil'ciiilo:ii lor, n !er the port safe and tlie transa-tiiui of shipping im-iness easy, l!ie Hoard. tiiiir't lie w.rk still tin t'her, an." .....viiLatc :■•.-, .ii'.j'i'iwitiun to l'iirliav.ii nt for increased hnrrov.'aie; powers to enibi" h to make provision for fc.rthor ex-'.riiMon, a'>d wiiii a view to strengthen,'.!..., l;.inr<l's land- it is held tihede-irahle that, the endowment, rlreadv set aside for the purp;'.Sisi of this work should lie vested in the i'" v.:'., 1 in trustees, with leasing powers onlv, snUiiit the increasinir value of the land limy afford ;>.,'.;li<U>/,s-.1 support in carryino- out the work.

1 should hc'srlall lo refer to visa.,: i.sik-isn' importance in this connectic.r, which \,..:»nt\ I am sure, lie interesting to yo'.i, hut- ;ii your other e.nifa-vmciils' will not permit ,'•/ :»'».!' trc.ipassliie. further ~-i your \om. sympa hv unit co-operati-.ii may he kindly accorded towards the further iirusueiitiou of a'work of so much local am! colonial Importance. ttKuiiGi-: Sou-reti, <.'liainnan. Titos. FouiiESTKi:, Heeretarv.

Sir George (Jroy, in replying, said ho was very much obliged to t'lom for tiio vury gratifying reception he hild !rxt \vish. 'J.'o a certain extent ho w;;s there as the repr' - sontutive of the people or' New Zealand, they hmt entrusted him and bis colleagues wif-h power as their representatives, and in that capacity it was their duty to make themselves acquainted 'with the wants of every part of the Colony, and thus bu enabled to acquaint the Assembly with all their various requirements, He had seen in the whol", Culoay no work of greater important than the one they were now standing upon, and it would be his pride ami nis duty to do all in his power, to further their interests. The, peoples of Oamaru, as well as the people of other parts of the Colony, might rely upon it that in the present Ministry they would lind iirm friends. (Loud olieers.)

At this time there could not have been less than 1500 people on the wharf, niyl «n passing Sir Ccorgc was greeted with hearty cheers, the workmen and saifors joining in the spirit. The m the harbor were gaily deeon\teu with bunting, and flags were flying i'rovn the government Hag-stalf. The manner of constuction having been explained both in regard to the Breakwater ami the sto;imwlia-f, which latter was also vis:\tc-: f , by the party, the train returned.

TIIU LUNCiiEO'.rx.

The Ministerial party, accompanied by *he and Town Councillors and the. Chairman and members of the HarbwtiB'ir.rd, then made their way to the Masonic rlallj where it had been arranged to enter

tain Sir George Grey and party at luncheon. Fully 80 ladies and gentlemen sat down to a capital repast, provided in Mr. Earle's best stylo. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and on his right were seated Sir George Grey and Mr. Siirinuvi, M.H.R., and on his left the Hon. .1. 'l'. Fisher, Commissioner of Customs. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr. G. Sumpter, Chairman of the Harbour Hoard. The appetites of those present having been satistied, The Chairman briefly proposed the toast of " The Queen and the Kuyal Family." The Vice-Chairman then gave " His F'ceellencv the Governor."'

Mr. Gilchrist proposed "Tin; Army, Navy, and Voluuters," coupled with the name of Major Steward. .Major Steward responded, and, in doing so. said he had no reason to feel ashamed of the body of men under his command.

The Chiiirinan rose to propose, the toast of "Sir George Grey and the Kxoeutive Council." It: was with very groat pleasure that ho found himself in the position of proposing this toast. It was always a source of pleasure to sec Ministers in their midst, and it was all the greater because of its extreme rarity, lie was almost tempted to say, that it was a good thing that it was so, as it taught thorn how to value their presence when they get it. (Laughter.) One thing lie would say for the Ministers, and that was thev improved upon acquaintance, (l.iughtc'r.) Ho believed that whatever came they would do their ]>e.-,t. No matter what body of men might be in power—no matter what the dillerence might be—in their honest convictions they should always be prepared to meet Ministers with a hearty welcome. On this occasion the pleasure was enhanced by the knowledge of Sir George Grey's past services. He then referred in, eulogistic terms to the long and important, career of Sir George, and concluded by asking all to charge their glas<es to the brim todrink the healths of the Premier and lOxeciltive Council. The toast was drunk with the usual honors.

Sir George Grey, on behalf (if himself ami colleagues, thanked them very much for the manner in which tlioy bad honored the toast. Speaking for himself, he would .say that lio was quite overwhelmed by the compliments who'll had been paid him. Ho liardly knew how to lhauk them. As early a« tN.'iti, mention of liis name was made by Archbishop YVhatcly, wlio said that his hcait was set on the Islands of New Zealand : and so it was. And now, looking back, when he had worked in it to an old age, he could not regret it. lie had taken a great interest in it. and he would, not protend to any groat virtue on that account,, because it had been a source of groat pleasure to him. The kindness he hail lately received from its inhabitants would render tiie country dearer to him in his old agethan it had ever been before. So long as hv hid life, he. would do his best to make some return for the great kindness ho had everywhere met with. Sir George drey sat down amid loud applause The Yiee-ch.'iinnau proposed Hie toast of the. two Houses of Legislature coupled with the names of the Hon. .J. T. Fisher and Mr. Sbrimski. Messrs. Fisher ami Shrimski brielly replied. Sir George Grey rose to propose *hu next toa-f. "The Town and Ih'strietof Oamarw," coupled with the name of the Mayor, Mr. J. W. Steward, and said it was fin- something more than being Mayor that they sii'Hilil ilo honor to the g-outlemaiii whose name, he had coupled wttFr the toast. He drank success and prosperity to thetawii of O.iinaru. with feelings of great, satisfaction. Ten or eleven yearn ngo he stood on tile spot, where the breakwater now commences, and he and those with him had sketched, out a plan for a breakwater, and woy.eiercd what the future of the place wouldi tie. Xow he felt as though some fairy hadl awakened him from a dream. While Iwv w.-H there again that day a voice seemed llij> say to him " Fairer scenes than this shall ye* rise ; a superior people shall be. among them in happier homes." But, it, wan ucc-ossary to thin that the people should bo true to themselves, and work haul, in ovcrv way to promote happiness of the district ; tin's done, it would rise to that great portion which Njittire evidently intended it aaould attain, ((.'beers). The t'hairman responded, in suitable

Tin: 11,.n. .1. T. Kislior i], e health nf '•'!')„; ViiM:-('li;iinii! W .," to which .Mi'. .SniiiDi;-:-!' I'p.s|ioikloiJ. The: other toasts insipid wen;-" The. l/idies." mi Ik half ol' vjkom ]\lr. M'C.'urkiniiii!<i rus|»milL'il ; aij.l "The I'nihn," cmt[>luil wish tin; liiini'.'s of Momm-h. Mitchell jiiuC Sy.lii<;y ™. Smith, ,'uhl i'cs]iiiii(li',l tn by this I'll.'lll r.

The |.imi>L'C'tlin;,'M thou IcnutnateiT. 'I'll,: Ministerial party l«ft afterwarils: Tor Wuiinate, ami were, ;\fe,im]>;uiie<l by a large. niiiulier of townspeople.