HONOURING THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 May 1893, Page 12

HONOURING THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

The Hon.. J. G. Ward returned to Invercargill ,on the 6th inst., and received an enthusiastic welcome at the railway station from a large gathering of the citizens, whose sentiments were happily conveyed to the hon. gentleman by his Worship the Mayor, Mr D. McJTarlane, and were acknowledged in felicitous' terms by Mr Ward. The Garrison Band’s complimentary concert to the Hon. J. G. vVard at his residence, Bluff, on the ■ evening of the 10th inst., attracted a considerable number of visitors from Invercargill, among whom we noticed his Worship the Mayor and a number of his council, the Hon H. Feldwiek, Major Hannah and other prominent citizens. Mr Ward threw open his grounds to the public, and a great crowd assembled to do honour to the hon. gentleman. The front of the house was nicely illuminated by Chinese lanterns, etc., and the effect was very pretty. During the interval the band were invited to partake of refreshments, when Lieut. Siddall took the opportunity of congratulating Mr Ward on his attaining the Colonial Treasuveship, and thanked him for the many kindnesses received at his hands in connection with the band. In reply the lion, gentleman alluded to the death of Mr Ballance, and regretted that it was in consequence of that misfortune that the band were there that evening. He had always taken a great interest in volunteering, and considered that a good band was an essential element of every, volunteer corps, and while doing his duty in the responsible public position ho occupied, he would be at all times willing to assist the band. At the conclusion of his remarks, the speaker announced that the long service medal had been granted to Lieut. Siddall, who had now completed his sixteen years of continued service in the band. During the evening a number of fireworks were sent off, and at the conclusion of the concert, the Hon. Mr Ward publicly thanked the band and the visitors for their attendance, and in a humourous speech took the opportunity of publicly stating that he intended contesting Awarua and no other seat at the next election, and added that while he had for a number of years considered the Bluff to be Hew Zealand, he now, having control of the purse strings, had to form a different opinion. His Worship the Mayor of Invercargill called for three cheers for Mr Ward and family, which were heartily responded to, and the band played the New Zealand Anthem and “ God save the Queen,” and had just time to catch the special train leaving at 10.15 p.m. It may be mentioned that refreshments were dispensed in a most hospitable manner, Mr Ward regretting that his house did not cover five acres, so that ho could invite all present to partake of his hospitality.