THE DEJEUNER.

Southland Times, Issue 646, 20 March 1867, Page 3

THE DEJEUNER.

Over eighty gentlemen sat down to a collation prepared in excellent style. The hon. Dr Menzies occupied the chair, John Blaeklock, Esq., Provincial Secretary, officiating as vice. His Excellency was accompanied by Majors Richardson and Grey, Captain Hope,, and officers of H.M.S.S. Brisk, and the Rev. F. Thatcher (Private Secretary). The Rev. A. H. Stobo having said grace, the party assembled commenced to discuss the delicacies before them. The tables having been cleared, the usual loyal toasts, " the Queen," " the Prince and Princess of Wales," and other members of the Royal Family were duly honored. The Chairman then, in a few spirited remarks, gave the "Army, .Navy, and Volunteers," coupling with the toast the names of Major Grey, Captain Hope, and Major Richardson. Major Grey, in responding on the part of the army, excused himself from indulging in more than hearty thanks for the honor on the ground of there being orators to succeed him. Capt. Hope, for the navy, disclaimed being the orator to come. He was, however, happy to respond on the occasion, which was remarkable as being that of the first visit, to the province of His Excellency, and— with the exception of the " Acheron " many years since— of a ship of war. Such visits as the. latter had been rarei and would recur seldom, and he invited all to whom it would afford gratification to avail themselves of a train to the Bluff, and pay a visit to the Brisk, where himself and officers would be happy to receive them. (Applause.) Major Richardson — who was received with great cordiality, and expressed his sense of the compliment done him— said if they had any idea he was the orator to come mentioned by Major Grey, he must undeceive them, and say the expression was possibly due to the Major's vivid imagination or that the mantle had fallen on Captain Hope, who in his cordial invitation had displayed the truest style of eloquence — the eloquence of truth. The first and second portions of the toast had been fittingly responded to, he (Major Richardson) felt that the right was his to speak for the "Volunteers. He might say that he initiated the Volunteer movement in Otago — and up-hiil work it was too — and that he now held the position of Captain of the Cadet corps of the Dunedin High School, a corps which Major Grey said, on a recent occasion, did their work like old soldiers. He would commend the Volunteer movement to the colonists of the province, as the day might come when they might wish themselves prepared to meet some merciless foe, The gallant Major continued-- j •M ask you all to join. anfl support the j^ovemegt, fto4 if ladies were pregeirt I.

of you who do not, and to let no brother of theirs escape being a volunteer." The Major resumed his seat amid a storm of applause. The Chairman- — I now rise to propose the toast of the evening, " His Excellency •the Governor." (Enthusiastic applause.) The cheering having at length subsided, the Chairman after expressing gratification at the reception given to the toast, went on to say that although the first visit to the .province of Her Maj esty's representative; should elicit enthusiasm, yet they welcomed something more than a representative— they welcomed a distinguished statesman who for more than a • generation : had been entrusted with , Colonial governorships. It should be a proud gratification to receive one to whom the title— unused for a thousand years— r of the great pro-consul had been given by the most accomplished statesman at home. There was one other point tp allude to. His Excellency, when Governor of New Zealand — he believed it was no exaggeration to say so — some twenty years ago, had when on a tour throughout the islands predicted with the prescience of a sagacious mind the future greatness of a country endowed with such advantages as the South. To mention this was perhaps . unnecessary ; he would, simply ask them to join in drinking the health of. His Excellency. ■ ; The. toast was followed by three British cheers and 'one more.' His Excellency — whose rising was the signal for continued applause— said : "Dr Menzies and gentlemen.— Knowing that a very short time remains for the entertainment to last, I may at once most cordially thank you for the manner you have received the toast. But as the occasion is an .unusual one, I must also j make a few remai'ks. Within the past few months I have travelled through a large part of New Zealand- — through populations native and mixed, and found everywhere existent the same spirit of loyalty to the Queen. Even ii* native villages where I great losses were sustained during the ! war, I found it— the natives confessed themselves to blame, that it was their fault, and did all they cbuld to show that they^ felt undiminished loyalty to the | Queen, from whom they had received ! only benefits. In the South an enthusiastic loyalty was also manifested. • Everywhere, too, I found the indications of prosperity — a country rich in produce of all kinds, possessing minerals, harbors, and agricultural resources," together with one of the finest climates in the world. I cannot help thinking it destined to greatness. ■ The mind is almost bewilddered in. thinking of the greatness of the age. The poet and philosopher speak to wider audiences than ever before. We see too the spread of Christianity, we see also one set of laws spreading over the world. In all this is visible such a future as history has not told. "We then see how colonization is progressing. "When twenty years ago 1 was off Stewart's Island— l did not land— liieyer expected to see settlement extend so far. .1 thought it might reach as far as Dinedin, but today I find that the youngest colony is actually in some respects beyond the others and in the vigor of youth doing more than its older relatives. In Auckland they have no railway s-^here I haye been along, a railway and arrived at a station that would not disgrace England. (Applause.) Seeing all this I cannot but think a country founded with such energy must become one of the greatest in the world. I feel that this occasion is a great one in what I have seen this day and that the energy which has carried you thus far will yet make the province a wonder ; to others in New Zealand. I have an extensive acquaintance with public men in all parts of the colony, and I may assure you that in all your efforts you will receive their sympathy and as far as in their power, the support and assistance of my responsible advisers. I may conclude by again thanking .you and asking you' to join in the toa3t I will next propose "His Honor the Superintendent," "Dr Menzies," and " Success to the Colonists of Southland." ■■ The toast was received with great applause. v '. The hon. Dr Menzies (the Chairman) as occupying the position His Honor the Superintendent — but for the serious illness which had for many months confined him to a sick bed s and which they all regretted — would have filled, returned thanks on His Honors behalf and for the honor done. himself personally. Mr Joknt Morton briefly replied on the part of the colonists expressing satis^ faction at His Excellency's visit to Murihiku, and confidence in the future of the province. The proceedings then terminated. His Excellency at once proceeded; to the Club-room, where a levee took place. Among those presented were — The Hon. J. A. R. Menzies, Messrs John Blacklock, H. Armstrong, J. Macpherson, W. Wood, C. Granville Whitley, W. Russell, J. Evans, J. H. Baker, W. Jamieson, F. H.Moore, I. Newton Watt, R.M., T. M. Macdonald, C: H. Reynolds. C. Basstian, T. Perkins, D. M' Arthur, J. Waddel, G. S; Crouch, W. P. Grigor; L. Longuet, J. Stock, J. P. Joyce, James Blacklock, F. W. Wade, T. G. Tanton, E. Rogers, D. Hankinson, T, Hankinaon, W. H. Calder, C. F. O'Toole, — Grander, R. Hamilton, . W. Cochran, Holt, "W. j Hill, K. Rose, L. Rogers, W. Russell^ J. M. Macdonald, — Bethune. F. Nutter, W. H. Pearson, J. Harvey, W. H. Aylmer, F. Buchannan, H Rogers^ Tv K. Weldon, D. Hankinson, J. Munro, J. Hare; L. Hume, Dr Deck, Rev. A. H, Stobo, and numerous other gentlemen whose names we could not obtain. The Governor afterwards drove to the Cricket Ground where the children, had been enjoying themselves with the regale prepared, and various sports such as running high-leap, racing, ' &c<; v : 3Es;- ; -Excellency .pTesentect'tlie- prizes, consisting ,o£ elegantly bound books, &c., awaxdeU ta .ti^^^otiye wixmerßj at the same ome

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cessful exertions on the occasion. Mr J. J. Cuff, too, lent valuable aid in regulating the sports.