TELEGRAPHIC. (From the Daily Southern Cross ) Wellington, Saturday.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 359, 1 September 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC. (From the Daily Southern Cross ) Wellington, Saturday.

His Excellency was entertained at dinner last night in the House of Representatives Chamber. Major Richardson occupied the chair. A large number of both branches of the Legislature were present. In responding to the toast of His Excellency's health the Governor made a long speech. He said it was with considerable misgivings he resigned the dignity and ease of Governor of this colony, but having once felt the attraction of a Parliamentary career he longed to return to that career ; still if he thought any interest of the colony would suffer from his retirement no personal consideration would mii duce him to leave. He referred to his successor as one possessed of ability greater than his own, and equal to any position he could be placed in, and who must secure their confidence and regard. It would always be his most anxious desire to serve the colonies, with which he had been connected for the last six years, and especially New Zealand, from which he saw a great future from the univer&dl and comprehensive plan with which railways were being constructed. The Governor of Tasmania wrote to him when leaving for New Zealand, and after having seen a great de.il of the country in a short time he could not doubt her works of intercommunication justified almost any expenditure. He considered the land in the colony, taking relative productiveness into account, much cheaper than in the Australian colonies. Ho believed the prospects of the North Island at no remote period will- be brighter than those of the Middle Island. Referring to the policy of the country, he said sums which seemed alarming to a new community were small when the community doubled in population. Who in 1835 could have thought of an expenditure on railways in England of sums comparing with the National Debt without alarm and disquietude, though 'now regarded as a matter of course. He spoke in the highest terms of the dignity of the Parliament and the despatch with which business was conducted- New Zealand could look with respect and pride upon the conduct of her Assembly. He dilated upon the dignity and independence ot the men of the colony, and even new comers, after a short residence, and attributed it to the high wages and short hours. He was certain they would build up a nation of a character higher and more sensible of their responsibilities, because not crushed down by poverty. They must not be surprised if their agents experienced difficulty in attracting the best of England's working men here- They were wanted at homo, and were difficult to get at any price. He thought on the whole that the colony had no reason to be dissatisfied. Of his own knowledge he had seen men of an undesirable class turn over quite a new leaf in the colony. He spoke deprecatingly of the system of our gaols and lunatic asylums, and dealt with emphasis upon the great importance of improving our educational system as the only true panacea against class jealousy, and safeguard against national corruption. The speech was received with numerous bursts of applause. The gathering broke up at ten o'clock.