LORD ONSLOW’S DEPARTURE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2319, 16 February 1892, Page 4

LORD ONSLOW’S DEPARTURE.

The Earl and Countess of Onslow arrived at Wellington on Friday at 2 o’clock, and were met by'the Hons. Ballance, Reeves, Seddon, McKenzie, and Buckley, the mayor, • Sir James Prendergast, Sir Dillon Bell, and others to the number of about 200 on the wharf. His Excellency is the guest of the Hon. Chas. Johnston during his stay. Mr Ward returned by the same steamer. The farewell banquet tendered to Lord and Lady Onslow by the Mayor took place at Bellamy’s, W ellington, on Friday night. Tables were laid for eighty. Among those present were all the Ministers of the Crown (except the Colonial Secretary), Mr Chief Justice Prendergast, Mr Justice Richmond, the local members of the House of Representatives, the Hons. O. Johnston, Grace and Hart, Captain Bourke, and the officers of H.M.S. Ringarooma, Sir James Hector, the members of the City Council, Harbour Board, the heads of the departments of the Civil service, foreign consuls and others. Among the ladies present were the Countess of Onslow, Lady Hector, the wives of the Ministers, and others.

Referring to Sir Harry Atkinson, Lord Onslow said that whether he choose to continue in the dignified position Jio now occupied, or whether ha would return to the battle of political life, there was no one amongst us who would not recognise that the services he had rendered to New Zealand would ever be amongst the brightest pages in her history.

The Premier, in replying to the toast of His Excellency’s Advisers, said that Parliament fairly represented the people, and the Government truly represented the Parliament. He regretted the departure of the Governor, who ■weuld carry back with him the respect of all parties. Eor another reason he was almost-glad that Lord Onslow was returning to England, as he would be able to assure timid people in the Mother Country that New Zealanders ■were not revolutionary people and had not a revolutionary Government. Again, he would be in a position to enlighten the people of England with regard to the resources and condition of the colony. He claimed that no colony under the sway of Queen Victoria possessed truer allegiance than New Zealand. They had no 'desire to separate themselves from the people of the United Kingdom. Much as lie regretted the departure of Lord Onslow he looked past it to the future of that distinguished statesman, and although he would like to see a short period of Mr Gladstone in power, he hoped they would see His Excellency occupy a high and important position in he Government of England. The Premier’s speech was received with applause. After the toast of the representatives of foreign nations had been honoured the company broke up.