Mr Coster Benquetted.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4854, 31 July 1884, Page 2

Mr Coster Benquetted.

THE GOTJCRNOK ON N.Z. DEFENCES. (Pjeb Pbess Association.) CHFisTCHDifcn, This day. The banquet to Mr Coster, manager' of the New Zealand Shipping Company, took place last night. 2CO were present. Mr J. D. Mc"Pherson, President of. the Chamber of Commerce, presided, being \ supported by His Excellency the Governor. Mr Coster was unable lo be present, ,owing to indisposition. Letters of apology were.read from fcir J. Vogel, the Premier, and,!Mr Macandrew, who expressed in warm terms their appreciation of the benefits conferred on the colony by the N.Z; Shipping- Company,; especially in connection with the direct steam service. The Governor, replying to the toast of his health, said he hoped to have the. pleasure, during the next two years, of being not ah unfrequent visitor, to Christchuich. The establishment .of direct steam communication with Great Britain wa3, he considered, a benefit the advantages of which could not be calculated then. He referred to the question of colonial defence, especially in reference to the protection of the great ocean scaways^over which (lie colonial trade passed. /Great Britain protected these routes by her fortresses and fleets, and it involved upon the Australians to do their part in the general dtfdnce of the empire. Since he first visited the colouies seven years ago, many of the Australian Governments had been fortified and protected with troops and ships, but as yet very little bad been done in New, Zealand. As it must be remembered that the more important harbors of "Australia were- protected, the more would those of New Zealand be liable to attack if they were unprotected! So soon as Major Cantley's plan for New Zealand defence was completed, he (Sir W.. Jervois) would lay it before Government. That plan would provide for the defence of the harbors of' the BlufF, Duncdin, Wellington, and Auckland; These defences, however, should have been supplemented by powerful torpedo boats. The time when it bad to be defended against internal foes was passing away, but it was their duty and privilege to have to guard it against external attack. The remainder of the speeches did not contain anything of importance. During the evening, a solid gold beaker, which had been subscribed for as a testimonial for Mr Coster, was filled with champagne and handed to His Excellency, who pledged Mr Coster's health, amid great enthusiasm. After tbe banquet His Excellency left for Wellington. .