Farewell Banquet to Mr Murray Smith. (BY CABLE – COPYRIGHT.)

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 150, 17 April 1886, Page 5

Farewell Banquet to Mr Murray Smith. (BY CABLE - COPYRIGHT.)

Londox, April 8, A complimentary banquet to Mr Murray Smith, on his leaving for Australia, took place last evening. Amongst the principal guoata were Earl Granvillo (Secretory for the Colonies), the Earl of Eosebery (Secretary for Foreign Affairs), Earl Kimberley (Secretary for India), Mr Osborno Morgan (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), Sir Arthur Bly the (Agent-General for South Australia), Sir Saul Samuel (Agent-General for Now South Wales), and the Marquis of Lome. Earl Granville, in the course of his speech, eulogised the patriotic feeling which had resulted in the despatch of the New South Wales contingent to the Soudan, and referred in terms oi praise to the men who served in the force. He was in favour of a much closer connection between the colonial and Imperial forces than at present existed, and expressed a hope that the Australasian colonies would co-operate in placing King George's Sound in an adequate state of defence against foreign attack Referring to the recidiviste quostion, Earl Granville stated that the French Government has suggested the immediate abolition of the system of deporting convicts to the Pacific leiand3, in exchange for certain concessions on the part of the British Government. The Cabinet had decided to be guided by the Australasian colonies in the line of action adopted in dealing with tho subject. The Duke of Cambridge, in proposing the health of Mr Smith, eaid that he (Mr Smith) had rendered great assistance to the Empire on colonial matters'. lie strongly urged the establishment of Imperial unity. Mr Smith, on rising to respond to the toast, was most enthusiastically received. He eulogised tho founder of the Federal Council, while at the same time he lamented that the Government of New South Wales had not assisted in it. Ho looked upon tho death of Mr W. E. Forstor as an Imperial misfortune. He thought that the question of Imperial Federation had already been indirectly solved, and referrod to the fact that four Australiam had occupied seats in the repiesentative crews of the Cambridge and Oxford in the recent boat race. Sir Arthur Blythe, Agent General for South Australia, proposed the health of the Chairman ; and the Duke of Cambridge, in replying, advised tho other colonies to imitate Victoria's defence scheme. Eai-1 Granville, in proposing "The Empire," referred to the miraculous growth of the colonies, and stated Mr J. A. Froude, historian, who had recently roturned from Australia, was charging the Colonial Office with apathy respecting them. Mr Smith, he said, waa the best type of Agent-General, and he could not refrain from praising the singular eloquence which that gentleman possessed. Personally he (Earl Granville) was in favour ot creating more army and naval cadet-ships for competition by colonial youths, and he advocated the formation of an Australian Mi'itary College. The toast of the Colonies, was responded to by Sir Saul Samuel. Lord Roseberry said that Mr Smith had^ during his term of office as Agent-General, endeared himself to Englishmen, and his speech that night was worthy of the oliest statesman. The Duke of Manchester eulogised Sir Alexander Stuart and the New South Wales Contingent. The " Times,"commentingon the banquet states that it was a reliable testimony to the universal respect and good -will in which Mr Smith is held. Sir John Macdonald (Premier of Canada) was unable to be present owing to serious illness.

Chriatchurch Charitable Aid Board mean to forcibly Gject Mr and Mrs Ritchie, the master and matron of the Orphanage. A truly " charitable " proceeding.