Sir George Grey's Birthday. Presentation of Addresses, Etc, Auckland, April 15.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 151, 24 April 1886, Page 4

Sir George Grey's Birthday. Presentation of Addresses, Etc, Auckland, April 15.

The high esteem in which Sir Geo. Grey is held and his great popularity received fresh attestation from the large and thoroughly representative assemblage which gathered In the Opera Houso last night to witness the presentation of compliinencavy addresses to him on the occasion of his 74th birthday. Fully half-an-hour before the time fixed upon for commencing the proceedings the dress circle was thronged, the ladies largely predominating. The lower parts of the house were also crowded, and many ladies occupied seats therein likewise. In the orchestral box were stationed the Artillery Band under Mr Hunter, while the first two rows of seats on the stage were consecrated to the use of the choir which had been formed for the performance of Mr W, R. Wills' ode. Amongst the gentlemen who occupied seats upen the stage there were Colonel Kooke, Messrs T. B. Hill, J. L. Wilson, W. S. Wilson, M. Montague, T. W. Leys, J. M. Haslett, A. G. Horton, R. H. Barfclett, J. M. Shera, J. King, Rev. W. Gittcs, Colonel Fraser, M.H.R., Messrs J. Burtt, W. J- Suiter (Mayor of Newmarket), T. Thompson, M.H.R., J. Lundon, E. Mitchelson, M.H.R., Jas. Grant (President of Trades and Labour Council), G. M. Reed, O. Mays (Chairman of Waitemata County Council), D. J. McLeod, Professor Aldis, Messrs W. J. Napier, W. P. Hoffmann, Dr. Kilgour, Messrs E. W. Burton, W. Gorrie, H. Keesing, Crs. Montague, Crowther, and Kidd, Messrs J. M. McLachlan, F. Jeune, R. Cameron, Reader Wood, Thos. Wood, M. Gallagher, P. Darby, Seymour T. George, M.H.R , J. Mason, Thos. Mason, T.Henderson, jun,, L Ehrenfried, P. MeNaught, Capt. Daveney, Dr. Beale, Rev. Father Walter McDonald, Cr. Garratt, Mr P. Comiskey, Mr Thomas Peacock, M.H.R. , Cr. Aickin (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce), and Messrs J. Coates and J. Winks (Mayor of Parnell). The tedium of waiting for the proceedings to commence was pleasantly relieved by the Artillery Band, who played a number of well-known Scotch airs. The entrance of His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. R. Waddel), followed by Sir George Groy bearing a bouquet of flowers in his hand, wa3 the signal for an enthusiastic ovation, the whole audience rising to its feet, and the gentlemen cheering, while the ladies fluttered their handkerchiefs. On the motion of Mr T. Thompson*, M.H.R., seconded by Mr F. Jeune, His Worship the Mayor was called to the chair. His ATorship the Mayor assumed the chair amidst loud cheers. He expressed the pleasure which he experienced in presiding on such an occasion. They were, he Baid, met to do honour to Sir George Grey on the occasion of his natal day. In doing so, they drd honour to themselves. His Worship proceeded to relate the course of events connected with the arrangements for the presentation. As they were aware, he said, an advertisement was inserted in the papers a few days ago convening a meeting to consider tho best form of recognition of the event. The meeting was held at Robson's, and there was a fair attendance of gentlemen. It was then thought that the most pleasing form would be that of an illuminated address, which might be presented at a public meeting of citizens. The present meeting was the outcome of those arrangements, and was a fair indication of the estimation in which Sir Goorge Grey was held. This was not a political or party meeting, and it evidenced the high esteem in which Sir George was held by the peoplo, They had a full programme prepared, and as other speaker* were to address them, ifc would be unfair for him to traverse the ground over which they intended to go. There would also bo instrumental and vocal music, presentation of addresses, and Sir George Grey's reply, and as the programme was a lengthy one, he would not detain them with further remarks. He then called upon Mr Reader Mr Reader G. Wood came forward amidst applause to move the first resolution. He said that when first the idea was started amongst a few friends of Sir George Grey that it would be a pleasure to him to receive, and a pleasure on the part of the people of Auckland to assist in presenting, a congratulatory address to Sir George Grey upon the anniversary of his birthday, it was thought that if 3,000 or 4,000 signatures were obtained in the short time that there was between the inception of the idea and its realisation, that that would be a great success. Some people had been sanguine enough to think that the number of signatures would reach to 4,000 or 5,000. But what was the fact ? The most sanguine expectations had been doubled, for the address had been signed by upwards of ten thousand inhabitants of the district of Auckland. (Cheers.) They were all aware of the pleasure that they received individually tuchin the narrow precincts of their own family circles from the congratulations of their relations and their iriends upon the occasion of any little domestic red-letter day. Bearing this in mind, they might, perhaps, understand what must necessarily be the feelings of Sir Geo. Grey when he found this anniversary of his birth that he wa3 wished many happy returns of the day by the thousands of his fellow citizens. (Applause). So nobly had the people responded to this desire on the part of Sir George Grey's friends, and so anxious had they been to come forward to do honour to Sir George Grey and to make thh address a success, that it had exceeded every expectation that could possibly have been raised concerning it. Now as regarded the address itself he wished to say a few worda. When they had had an opportunity of seeing it and of examining it, he thought they would agree with him when he said that, from the beauty of its design and the artistic merit of its execution, it wa3 well worthy of being compared with many of the most valuable illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages, and was well worthy of a place in Sir George Grey'a house besides his own valuable works of art. Sir George Grey in his time had eerved his country well. The first commencement of his c&reer as a public man was as an explorer in the western portion of Australia; and what exploring in those days meant, what hardships explorers had to go through, what pluck, what courage, and what endurance were required, they might find in that book of travels which Sir George Grey had ■written, a book which he read many yeara ago, and which he read with all the interest as a man that he had experienced as a boy when he read " Robineon Crusoe." He often wondered why that book was eo little known and so little read, for he had never read anything more interesting than those adventures in the western portion of Australia. It was that book, or the appendix to that book, which gave Sir George's viows of the relations that should subsist between civilised and uncivilised races when they were brought together, and the principles upon which the two races should be governed, that first brought him into notice amongst public men in England. The consequence was that he was quickly appointed to the GoverLorahip of South Australia,

Governor Gawler thoro having made such a horrible mess of it. But it was not as Governor of South Australia that they had had much to do with Sir Geo, Grey. It was as Governor and as a colonist in New Zealand-. (Cheers. ) To him, he thought, they were doubly indebted. It was to his military and diplomatic skill to which they were indebted to a very great extent, for the present quiet position of native affims, aud there was no nobler testimony to his statesmanship than that which they saw before them that evening ; that when they considered the relations that had existed between the Europeans and the natives in this country, they now saw the natives mingled with the Europeans in congratulating Sir George Grey on his birthday. (Applause.) To his sagacity they owed many of the most useful and liberal laws on our Statute Book, To him also, and to his suggestions, they owed the liberal form of representative government under which they lived, (Applause.) Socially, Sir Georgo bad always been liberal and hospitable to the last degree. He Mas invariably glad to see, not only his friends, but the people at large at his residence at Kawau. No one ever came to him for counsel and advice that had not been received and entertained in the most friendly manner. Sir George Grey's popularity wag unbounded. He had seen nothing like it. From one end of tho couutry to the other, let him go where ho would, he was received with enthusiasm, and when he addressed the people crowds upon crowds assembled to hear him, and listen with patient attention to his words. He had known nothing like it in New Zealand or the neighbouring colonies. For a parallel he thought they would have to go to England, and Mr Gladstone. (Loud choers.) And now, how were they to account for this populaiity, and for tho great influence he wields in this country ? What had he to give ? He had not bought it either with j his own or other people's money. He had won it by his character, by his disinterestedness, and by his ability. (Cheers. ) He was a sufficiently old colonist (interruption) to recollect Sir George Grey's arrival on these shores. He was present when, at his Sovereign's command, the late Sir William Martin, then Chief Justice, conferred upon him the dignity of Knight Commander of the Order of tho Bath. He was present at the banquet given to Sir George Grey in 1S33, just before he left for the Cape. (A voice : So was I— laughter ) He was present also at his return to New Zealand in 1S61, and ho witnessed the most enthusiastic crowd, the streots filled with people to welcome him as he drove from the wharf to Government House. He was with him also in 1875, on his return froii Wellington, when tho whole of the road from Onehunga to Auckland was crowded w ith horsemen and with carriages, and when they arrived at the bottom of Wake-field-street tho whole of that largo space was filled with people welcoming him with enthusiasm. (Cheers.) and now on the occasion of this great ovation, for a great ovation he must say it was, on this occasion he said the honour had been done him of filling no unimportant part in the proceedings, for he had now to move the resolution, that this address which had been so largely signed should be presented by His Worship the Mayor to Sir George Grey that evening (loud cheer*). Mr McNacght said that it gave him his greatest pleasure to second the resolution. In attesting their signatures to the address now to be presented, many were desirous of giving pleasure and doing honour to Sir George Grey. They therefore thought that that address should be presented to him by the Mayor of the chief city in the province. Perhaps they would allow him a few words to simply analyse what it was that induced them to append their signatures to the document which is to be presented. When he eaid that it was ambition which seemed to be one of the motives which prompted them in their action, it might seem strange, but it was not personal ambition that prompted them, but rather the ambition of seeing this adopted country of ours become the home of a happy and contented people. When we looked through past times and saw among the many good and noble men who had devoted their time and talents to tho service of their country, he recognised the man. Sir George Grey, standing high among his peers as one who had devoted the talents and the gifts of a gigantic mind to his country's service, in order that blessing after blessing might cleave unto us and unto our children's children. These were the reasons that induced them to put their names to that list, to do honour to the gentleman who had done so much on their behalf. They wished to do him honour,andjthey felt that in his heart of hearts it beat with theirs. They knew that they loved him, and they felt that he loved them in return. Their hopG3 were his hopes, and they eawthat his objects were based upon these hopes— the hopes so pointing out the glorious outline I of New Zealand (applause), and he wae also I teaching them to get these same aima impressed in their hearts, so that they might have the kind of life that we may receive the blessings that we desire to obtain. He bad much pleasure in seconding the resolution, and moved that the Mayor now present tho address on their behalf. (Prolonged appiause. ) The resolution wa3 put and carried unanimously amidst great cheering. The " Birthday Ode " was then sung by the members of St. Thomas's Church choir assisted by otheTs under the conductorship of Mr Philpot, the musical composer, Miss Hamilton playing the accompainent on the harmonium. Sir George Grey listened attentively and appeared to be visibily impressed. A petition was then presented by AREKATERA.and interpreted by MrMackay, as follows : — "Sir George Grey, the former Governor, — Salutations to you. The Chairman of this meeting, greeting to you, and to the Europeans both ladies and gentlemen, and also the Maoris that are present, greetings to you also. 1 cannot express my great feeling of pleasure at your having severally and in such numbers assembled to concongratulate our friend Sir George Grey. I am standing hero in the middle of this great assembly to say that we unite with the Europeans in their congratulations. This document which I hold in my hand is a document 3f congratulation, which has been signed by the Maoris, representing the whole of Now Zealand, who have lately been in Auckland ! —not only those chiefs and people )f the native race who resided in he immediate neighbourhood of Auckand. I wish the native document tobebound ip with these of the Europeans, to show hat they and the natives are all of the same >pinion, and are bound together in this natter." I will now read the address to 'ou, that all the European ladies and genemen met here may hear what it is. (Here ollowed the address which was published in ast evening's Stab.) Kongo siiitiao Arekatera Te Puni, of Sgatiraukawa, next addressed the meeting, •esticulating greatly, much to the amuseaent of the audience, Mr Mackay interpreted as follows :— I greet you, old chief, greet you, the Chairman of this meeting, nd I salute the whole assembly. I am peaking my feelings towards Sir Geo. Grey, nd I also have strong feelings in seeing uch a large assemblage here, and I salute

you again, When Sir George Grey came to New Zealand there were difficulties, but when he arrived, hehealod the halt, the blind, and the mained. What I havo to say is just that I hope Sir George Grey, who has been acquainted for a very long period may live for a long time together, and I also wish that the Almighty may also direct and grant long lives to all those now assembled here." (Prolonged applause). Mr Mackay explained that the signatures of the address were representative of the whole race, although the late time at which the lists were circulated amongst the natives provented many Bheets forms yet being returned. The first documont contained names of natives chiefs in all parts of the colony, in Otago, Wellington, Kaipara, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, and Waikaro. Ho anticipated, that whon all the sheets wore returned, the native signatures would include some nine hundred names. A Maori seated amongst the audienco here arose, and having boon granted permission to speak, proceeded as follows, Mr Mackay interpreting : — "I am one of the chiefs of the Arawa tribe, and I am delighted to see this large assembly. I ain much gi-atifiod at it. Our pai'ents were c;lad to see you (Sir George Grey), as you were tho friend of our old people, ho have departed to another world. ( ffo then wont on to say that Sir George Groy was the friend and protector of all the great chiefs of the Arawa tribe now dead.) I would say that I highly approve of Sir George Groy being a member of Parliament, and doing his best for both races. I have only one more thing to say, and in doing so I repeat the wish of all others of the native race, that God may prolong the lifo of Sir George Grey, so that he may still assist in doing good to all of us. May we all have long lifo, and may God protect us." Master Walter Barry then came forward and recited in a clear voice, correct modulation, and due elocutionary eilect, a poem entitled, " Who is the greatest ?" by Mr J. L, Kelly, the piece being inspired by Sir Geo. Grey's munificent gift of his library to Auckland. When tho boy camo to the lines addrossod ppecially to Sir Gco. Grey he turned towards that gentleman, who listened to him, evidently moved. The recitation was followed by loud cheering, and in response to repeated calls, Master Barry camo forward, and bowed his acknowledgments. Iho Chairman said that he need hardly express the pleasure, and also tho honor, lie i felt in being called upon to present Sir j George Groy with tho illuminated address. Before performing that duty, although he was not desirous of entering into competition with his young friend who had jusfc sat down, yet he wished to road a fovv linos which ho thought to bo most appropriate to tho occasion. It was one of tho many poems which had been composed for tho occasion, and it had the merit of being brief and to tho point. His Worship here recited a very meritorious poem in blank verse, composed by Mr Walter Kerr, B.A., Assistant-master of Grafton Road School, Sir George Grey standing the while. The Chairman then proceeded to say that the reason he had selected this poem as most appropriate was that during his own term of office he had received from Sir George intimation of his intention to leave to Auckland his works of art, his library, and also the many curios and treasures which ho possessed, and for which lie was sure the citizens of Auckland would for over keep his memory green. (Loud cheers. ) Having exhibited to the assemblage the illuminated address, His Worship read it as follows : — Auckland, April 14, 1ES3. To SirGeorge Grey, K.G.B.. Kawau, formerly Governor of South Australia. New Zealand, Cape of Good Hope, and New Zealand (second term). Superintendent of tho Provinco of Auckland, Premier of tho Colony, and at present M.H.JtJ. for City Katt, etc., etc. :— We, the undersigned settlers of this part of New Zealand, have much pleasure in offering you our hearty congratulations on the attainmont of your Heventy-fourth birthday, and we desire to wish you many happy returns of tho day. For the past foity yeara your name has been identified with tho history of this country, and we feel that your remarkable and distinguished career, and your disinterested public services call on this occasion for some special recognition. All parties gladly acknowledge the pure eenso of public duty by which you havo been animated, and that your actions have been prompted by a desire to secure the happiness and welfare of all classes of the people. You havo consistently acted up to a high standard in public life, aud havo shown 'a bright example to be followed | by the present and future public men and benefactors of the colony. Wo recognlso in you a generous patron of tho arte, and an ardent worker in the domain of literature, As a8tatesman,your sagacity and foresight have been long known and appreciated — not only in thi3 colony, but also in other parts of the Empire— where, as the repre cntative of the Sovereign, you havo widely and beneficently ruled. Your eloquent and sympathetic advocacy of all measures calculated to promote the moral and material advancement of tho people -will cause your name to bo ever held in grateful and affectionate remembrance. AsBuring you that it is our earnest prayer that your useful life may bo prolonged for many years, and that every happiness may attend you la tho future, we remain, your obedient servants and f ellow-colonLts. The Chairman- then said : I, therefore, Sir George, have much pleasure in presenting you with this illuminated address, to which are attached over 10,000 signatures, expressing the concurrence of the signatories with the eentiments which the address sets forth. Mr Duncan has just informed mo that the signatures numbers 11,000. (Cheers ) He would now ask them specially to give expression to the wish that Sir George Grey might bo long spared, and that he might havo a happy life still beforo him. As if to give emphasis to thoir endorsement of this sentiment the whole audience rose to its feet and gave vent to loud, prolonged, and enthusiastic cheering ; the men, by a simultaneous impulse, waving their hats, and the women again fluttering their handkerchiefs. Sir George Grey, evidently much affected, bowed his acknowledgments. The Chairman then formally presented the address from tho native chiefs. After this "The Kawau March," composed in honour of the occasion by Mr Alfred Pooley, was performed by the Artillery Band, Mr Pooley himself wielding the b&ton. The prelude was slow and stately, the opening movement being repeated in a higher key. The i march proper waB introduced with rolls ' of the side-drum. Its rhythm was well '. marked, the air was pleasing, and the < Band played in good time and with due « expression. j The audience signified its satisfaction by i loud applause, which Mr Pooley duly i acknowledged. e Sir George Grey, on rising to acknow- t ledge the presentations which had been i made to him, was received with another out- \ burst of enthusiastic cheering. He began \ by saying : Mr Mayor, ladie? and gentlo- a men, how can I properly return thanks? r How can I choose language which could ex- t press my views upon the present occasion ? ii What I havo felt from the first moment v that I heard of such a demonstration as thia s was that a young nation had, as it were, y sprung into active life — that'the people had "R become conscious that they bad done some e. great and heroic act which must influence all g time, and that they knew not how to give ir expression to the great thoughts which ¥ swelled within their minds upon reflect- di ing how noble, how mighty had been the di act in which they had all taken some w share in calling into existence, and I

hat then at last their minds sottled pon some one man to be the representative f tho whole yoving nation, and I stand iere as that man. (Cheers.) I am not my - elf. I represent in one the whole young New Zealand nation. (Cheers). And they, in >aying me this honour, really pay that lonour to thomselves, which is their just ind righteous due. What could ono man ichiovo ? Nothing ! And how can I support all the praiso that has been bestowed jpon mo this night without sorrow when [ reflect upon the many who have aided me, and who have paesed away into the grave without being allowed, as I have been, to witness this first springing of young New Zealand into public lifo? (Loud cheers.) How is it possible to think of this nightmore like a fairy scene or something in a romance than anything that has, perhaps, been witnessed by men before — whon art, music, eloquence, all have been united to do honour to a single individual ? But I accept this as a proof of what Now Zealand ia boreafter to be. One of the greatest historians of the age, a man profoundly skilled in the history ot all times, has come to the conclusion, from obsorving what has taken place in New Zealand, that from this country, from its bosom, and in its very midst, aro to spring great statesmen, groat soldiers, great poets, great orators, great masters of every art, and I say that what you have done to-night must give encouragement to the youth of this country to follow in such pursuits. (Choers.) In doing what you have dono formo this night, you will havo awakened in a thousand young minds the hope that thoy may achiove somewhat similar honours. (Cheers.) You will havo shown thorn that though you can bestow no titles upon those who sorvo you — though you grant them nogreat wealth, you can yet boatow upon them that which is the greatest honour in tho world — tho approbation of their fellow citizens. (Loud cheers, ) You can show them that all that has been written of old ago froin tho time of Cicero to the present day, magnifying what may bo the comforts and solaco of old nge, are as nothing in comparison with the honours which you are preparod hcroafter to givo to those whom, lilce myself, you may please to honour when old. (Choers.) 1 thought to-night when ono of tho first acts in this great performance was a speech mado by one who, in tho very oarliest peiiod of my coming here, had served as a volunteer in adventures that wero then desperato, and upon which the safety of this town depended — I thought when he came forward to speak to night how strange it was that T, who was helping on that occasion, should bo bore to listen to his spooch, and then I thought of tho multitudes of men in all classes who have during forty years aided me in the things I had undertaken, and whose lives wore as dear to them as my own is to me, and who had no hope of these honours which I have gained to-night ; men whose fate in the Held was much harder than my own, and who now remain neglected, and yet who, in many respects, rendered service surpassing my own in this country. Why did Providence single me out to receive those honours which they should have shared equally with myself ? And then I thought how deep a debt of gratitude you owed to those men — those noble people who have preceied me in this country. You have had groat statesmen, far groater than myself. (Cries of " No ! no !") You have had great missionaries, great bishops, not of ono denomination only ; great soldiers, some of whom now remain noglected, and cannot get the trifling spots of land to which they aro justly entitled— (cheers) — from mere tricks of what I should call office, papors mislaid, certificates losfc, they remain unrewarded. Why should Providence let such great rewards fall upon me ? These are things I feel. From my heart I thank you, but I feel that I am not worthy of the great honours that you have bestowed upon me. (Cries of "Yes, you are," and cheors.) You make old age look beautiful to many. What wealth could be equivalent to what you have done forme? What worldly titles could be equivalent to what you have dono for me? (Cheers.) Here, in a remote corner of the world, citizens of so small a portion of tho Empire can bestow honours surpassing that which Great Britain bestows upon those whom she wishes to honour ; and in showing that you are capable of doing this, you convince me that from amongst yourselves will come men who will do honour to this young nation, who, animated by what thoy have either seen or what they will hereafter hear of the proceedings of this night, will be stirred up to render service to you, which shall from many families now in New Zealand raise up individuals who will do honour to this country, will spread abroad your farno throughout all the world, and will reward those who have done so much to encourage their public men to devote their life, their energies, all their talents and abilities to eorve a people who can bestow rewards of the kind which I have received afc your hands. (Choers,) I cannot find worda to utter what I a\ ould fain express to you I feel this, that, alike to natives and to Europeans, I and tho whole peoplo f of New Zoaland o;ve much. Amongst the native? there were when I came to this country as groat and noble men as the world has ever seen. (Cheers.) They helped to savo Auckland in tho days of ifcs early and diro distress. They were true to their worda. They were bold in the field. I recollectoneman, one great chief, shot through the body. I saw him fall —saw him lying on tho ground, surrounded by some of hfs tribe. I wont up to him, concerned at hia state, and asked him to let me examine his wound, and he said, "Is it fatal?" I said, "It depends on whether the entrails have been penetrated or not : I cannot toll, butl think thechances are that the bullet has passed through in such a way that you are safe ;" and he said, "Never mind ; first give me your hand ;" and I gave him my hand, and ho said, "Have I dono my duty?" I said, "Yes, nobly." Then he said, "Then I care not whether it is fatal or not, if I have done my duty." (Loud cheers.) That was the brother of Tamiti Waka Nene, a man you must all have heard of. (Cheors.) Such was the conduct of somo of the native chiefs. And I have seen again amongst the Europeans the brave, the good, the young cheerfully lay down their lives in your servicos. Only yesterday I received a letter From an old soldier, reminding mo of his meeting me with others and showing me bhat the momontbeforeas noble a young man is I ever knew hadfallen, and he reminded me ;hat the tears stood in my eyes, and I could lot help it. And many such died ; many such vere wounded, and received but slight reYards. When I think of all those things, md of this night, a sort of sadness ningles with my joy ; but I do hope that his ovation which I have received to-night a a recognition of the merits of those to ' phom we owe so much ; and that it is, as I J ay," not a compliment to myself, but it is a ' oung nation rising to thank those rho have helped it to attain the great 1 levation which it has in so short a time * ained. I will not delay you, because * i truth I cannot say what I feel. r 7q must all feel grateful to the Provi- 5 ence which has led us through theee c angers and troubles to the stale at s hich we have now all arrived ; and e think that thisnight will make us a

all thoroughly determine that we' will by every means in our power give to our rising youth the means of rendering themselves great benefactors and servants to their country. (Cheers,) To that end we will devote all our energies; and I ask those young men who may hear me -I as?k them to accept what has been done to myself as an example to them of the honours that a grateful country will give to them if thoy will do their best to serve her— (cheers)— and I ask them resolutely to determine that, led on bv hopes of a renown of this kind, and of treatment with such generosity, they will steadfastly nerve themselves to the duties which they will have to perform in life, resolve that New Zealand shall set an example of justice to all other nations and to all other people, and she will sob an example of raising a race of statesmen who, forgetting all personal considerations, will think alone of the benefit of thoir country (applause), and that, animated by thoughts of this kind, they will enter cheerfully on the contest of life, and beliovo indeed that they have had now such an example set them that old age may not bo a period of suffering, of murmuring at a decline of facultios, but a period in which joy may fill their hearts in thinking that thousands of hearts have some affection and love for the old man who is sinking into the gravo. (Loud and prolonged cheers.) Sir George Grey then resumed his seat amidst prolonged applause. Those who were near him could see that he was quite ovorcomo by the depth of his emotions. The Chairman stated that the band would terminate the proceedings by performing the National Anthem, and he would beg of the audience not to leave their seats until the band had ceased to play, and ther dismiss in good order, Sir Geokge Grey here rose to his feet and said that before the band commenced, he felt compelled to call upon the audience to give a unanimous vote of thanks to His Worship the Mayor for the manner in whicl he had presided that evening. This was carried with acclamation, and the audionce then rose to their feet as the familiar strains of the National Antherc wore played. The cheering then renewed. When the Chairman had obtained order, ho informed the audience that the band had requested to be permitted to escort Sii George Grey to the Northern Club. As Sii George was agreeablo, an opportunity would be afforded those who chose to forrr themsolves into a procession. The audionce then dispersed in an ordorlj manner, and quickly congregated arounc the doorway from which Sir George musi emerge. In a few momonts Sir George appeared, | when tho cheering again began. He de elined to get into the cab which was wait ing, and signified his intention of walking with the crowd. The procession soor formed and the band struck up " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and led off dovr Queen-street, followed by an immense crowd, amongst which wore many ladies, Sir Georgo, accompanied by the Mayor and Dr. Beale, fell in behind the band, and Ser geant Pratt and a few constables succeeded in restoring tho crowd into something like an orderly procession. The people were sc onthusiastic that as they walked along thej frequently burst in cheers. As thej marched along the band played " Auld Lang Syne," "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow, "St. Patrick's Day In TheMorning,' and the British Grenadiers. Upon reaching the Northern Club another crowd was found waiting, and immediatly the chcei ing recommenced. The police in attendance drew the crowd up in a line on either side of the main entrance, and Sir George walked up to the doorway amidst ronewed applause, most of those present Branding uncovered. Upon reaching tho entrance Sir Georere paused, and stood bareheaded while the band played "The Sweet By and By" and "Home Sweet Home." He then in a loud voice shouted out fi Good night to you all," which was answered by a perfect chorus of " Good night to you, Sir George," whilo many near the doorway rushed forward eagerly to grasp his hand. He i shook hands with many of tho crowd, whom he apparently i ecogniaed as old friends, and ultimately withdrew as the band concluded their services by again playing the National Anthem.