The Opening of the Thames River.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3500, 13 March 1880, Page 2

The Opening of the Thames River.

CELEBRATION AT MATAMATA.

The anniversary of the opening of* the navigation of the Upper Thames Eiver was celebrated at Mr Firth's estate at Matamataon Thursday. There was a large number of guests invited from all parts of the proviucial district, present, including the hon. the Premier, Mr John Hall. At the luncheon, which was provided for about 200 persons, the speeches (as reported in last night's Auckland Star) were as follows :—

Mr Firth presided supported on tbe right by the Hon. John Hall and on the left by Hon. F. Whitaker. Mr Every McLean and Mr J. B. Walker occupied chairs at each end of the head table. At another table the chairs were filled by Captains Steele and Bailey, 0.8., and the third table by Messrs John Cosgrave, and •Catwell, manager of the Malamata estate. When.the tables were cleared, Mr Firth rose, and after giving a cordial welcome to the visitors who had come such long distances to see the other extensive operations at Matamata, he proposed the usual loyal and patriot toasts. After they were disposed of, he called on the company company to fill their glasses as the Hon. John Hall, Premier of the Colony, was about to propose a toast. The Hon. Mr Hall then rose amid loud cheers. He said it gave him great pleasure to have to propose success to the Thames Navigation. He was sure everyone would feel gratified' at witnessing the extensive works carried on, and at the hospitality held out by Mr Firth and the great treat he had provided. He felt grateful to an extent they could not feel, as he was enabled to see a part of the colony he had never before seen, and he was pleased to say that the fertility of the soil, resources and natural advantages surpassed what he had expected to see. (Cheers.) He .felt grateful as an individual, and also as a Minister of the Crown, at the opportunity afforded by their noble host of obtaining useful information. This part of the country was fertile and capable of maintaining a large population. It was equally gratifying to find not only rich lands but a bodyof settlers improving the country so rapidly. As he travelled from Auckland he noted the various improvements, but, singular to say, the further off from Auckland the greater was the amoiint of improvements. Others besides himself -could see' the improvements effected by Mr Firth, and his enterprising neighbors, and it was pleasing to find, at the conclusion; of the journey, the greatest improvement of all. (Cheers.) This magnificent property of Matamata had' suffered through the want of a market. The general custom of colonial, communities was to apply to Government for assistance.in such a matter, as his hon. friend to the right (Mr Sheehan) could testify. Mr Firth had doubtless many difficulties in the way, but he saw in the obstacles preventing the navigation of river a barrier to the prosperity of tbe district, and he looked only to himself to remove that barrier (Cheers) and to unlock the. great gates which locked him out of the , market of Auckland. (Loud applause.) I He hoped Mr Firth would explain how he overcame the'many difficulties. They would then, hoar of the innumerable obstacles he must have encountered before completing so important a work. The self-reliant policy in connection with native affairs had been questioned^ but here they had a specimen of the selfreliant policy, on which there could be no difference of opinion. . People had got' into the habit of looking to the Govern* menfc for every possible thing. It was a I very different example that the noble host' (Mr.Firtb) had set. (Applause.) The' hon. Premier then referred to the financial position of the colony, which, he said, would compel us to be relfrelianfc. He paid a high tribute of praise to Mr Firth's work by saying that it would be better for the colony if, in other respects, it had shown a like spirit of self-reliance. He ' referred to the loans raised by New Zealand, which were larger than those of other colonies. - When they got the last one they found it half pledged, and the country unable to raise further loans for throe years. The Colonial expenditure 1 had been too great—one and a half mil* lions had been spent yearly of late, and it was necesary to reduce to half that amount. He acknowledged that it was a somewhat chilling topic to introduce to such a gathering, yet it was a subject affecting the interests of all colonists. He had great pleasure in tendering to Mr Firth hearty thanks for the present treat which he had afforded to his visitors, and for the great pains taken to secure every one's comfort, and allowing them to be present to celebrate the important work now brought to completion. He would propose -success to the Upper Thames Navigation, hoping the same would prove a great advantage to the noble host, and to all neighbors, [both of the European and Maori race, and to this part of the colony of New. Zealand, coupled with the name of Mr J. C. Firth. (Great applause). , Mr Firth, on rising, was received with cheers. He thanked the large number of gentleman who had shewn such disregard to personal comfort as to travel a long distance in pouring rain to visit him.. He delivered an interesting speech on the great work accomplished, alluding as he did 80 to the difficulties experienced,

After reading the report which he had presented to the Hod. Mr Oliver, he said tbat the important work of opening the navigation of this beautiful river had not been thoroughly appreciated by the natives, some of whom could not compre- , hend its advantages. At the commence* ment of snagging operations he was ordered by some obstructive natives to take his boats and everything off the river. He met the Maoris at Oamaba, and an old chief indignantly said, " Ooe Pakeba asks., land for a road. „ You waut the river, and very soon the poor Maoris will have no land to walk on, and no river on which to paddle their canoea.' 1' The Maori concluded by saying, "I do not like your pakeha workg. The snags were ia the river when I, my father, and my ancestors were boys.. Leave the river alone." Mr Firth checkmated him smartly by pointing to a gaudy shawl on a nalive as a pakeba work, and the Maori collapsed. Mr Firth said it was unoeces* - sary to point to the advantage, the. work accomplished would be to the surrounding districts. If the work wag good, the holder of every* acre of land would be benefited by it. _ Mr Firth concluded bil appropriate remarks by thanking those present who had, under such trying circumstances, honoured him with their presence. He muted the Aaettsad visitors to take a trip in the Kot^ff* when the assembly rose. - '-■ -■'■

The visitors left Matamata yesterday, morning, after thoroughly enjoying the excursion, and with the opinion that the future of the Upper Thames district it very bright.