Sir J. B. Thurston in Melbourne.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 242, 18 February 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

Sir J. B. Thurston in Melbourne.

Melbourne, February 9. Sir J. B. Thubston, the new Governor o^ Fiji, was entertained at luncheon to-day by a number of gentlemen interested in thafc colony. In responding to the toast of his health, he said he had every confidence in the future of Fiji. From inquiries made h* was convinced that by the end of the year the Sugar bounties would be either dead or dying. Ho especially had come to Mel bourne to confer with Mr Gillies on the subiect of a possible remedy for the dft pression, but till he had seen Mr Gillies he could not speak on the subject in public. He said that the Sovereignty of the Queen will shortly be proclaimed in British Kew Guinea, and that Dr. McGregor will be> the first Governor. He had come almost direct from the Colonial Office, and was convinced that it was the honest intention of France to carry out its engagement* as regards the New Hebrides. He said the speeches made by Sir Henry Holland and Lord Kosebery at the banquet to Mr Service showed thajf, whatever had b«en the "sfate of affairs in the past, .the legitimate | aspirations of the Colonies' Would receive I the fullest and most careful consideration of her Majesty's Government.

"I walked the floor all night with th» toothache," said he. To which his unfeeling listener replied : "You didn't expect to walk the ceiling with it, did you ?"