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Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1765, 29 August 1874, Page 2

The .valedictory banquet to Hia Excellency the Governor last night—a very brief account of which, has been wired to us—afforded His Excellency an opportunity of laying how much he was impressed with the extent of the Colony's resources, and tbe dignity and businesslike character of our Parliament. The compliment contained in the latter portion of His Excellency's speech was only what might be expected. His tenure of office has been brief, but from different quarters we learn that it has been satisfactory to himself and his Responsible Ministers, his exercise of the powers

of tho Quoen's viceroy not hating come into antagonism -with what'Miniptors advised as the Executive power in our Con-! stitutional system. There is much 1 of truth, too, in His Excellency's assertion that the proceedings of the Colonial Parliament are dignified and business-like. Notwithstanding the, faci, that there',are radicals in the Lower House, they are kept in some measure in subjection by the conservatism of members of the old regime—the Sir Harcourt Courtlys of tho House; and Sir James Fergusson was justified in paying the compliment he did to our legislators. There has never occurred anything like a disgraceful scene in the House, such as the records of neighboring colonial assemblies would lead us to believe are of periodical occurrence. This being the case, we have no doubt that the retiring governor spoke in all seriousness when he paid such a high tribute to the present Parliament. His administration has been an equable one; not a discordant element has been introduced. We lose an able Governor in, Sir, James Fergusson's retirement, but iri going home to assume a prominent posi-i tion in the political arena of our mother country the colony will have gained a powerful ally. Sir James Fergusson will be able to exercise a friendly influence in tho Councils which control the relations! of the Imperial and Colonial Governments; and in this respect his resignation cannot be viewed as a cause for unalloyed regret.

The Parliament assembled to-day for business of a (formal character, and on Monday th« Houses will be called to" gether for prorogation. His Excellency's speech on the occasion may possibly prove to be something out of the ordinary way. His resignation will have to be noticed, and Ihe departing Governor will have to say something of the reasons which have induced him to take leave of the colony io long before his term of office has expired.

Ous telegrams inform us that the Luna will leave Wellington for Aucklandjto-j morrow at eleven o'clock, being detained! till that time for the Suez mail. We may therefore expect the Thames portion of the mail about Wednesday, wind and weather being favorable. We shall ac-; quaint our readers with the arrival of the! Luna when it takes place, as her mail will be a heavy one from the South as well as English.