PRESENTATION TO MR BRYCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2159, 11 May 1886, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO MR BRYCE.

iBY TELKGHU'H— OWX COKKKSTONnKXT] Accklan'o, Monday Night. Thk Hon. J. Bryce, who arrive^ in Auck-" land fioin England by the Tainiii, was presented with an address, signed by a number of leading citizens, at the Chamber of Coin, tnerce this afternWon. vThe Mayor, in presenting the address, skid Hh.it. it was not of a pretentious character, but he hoped the. tpirit that had actuated them in getting it up would meet with his approval. Mr Bryce, as a publio man, had bedn accused of certain acts which he might have left to time or future historians in clear up. Mr Bryce had, however, adopted the more manly course of going to England and meeting his accuser face, to face. He had been «nccesiful in answering the charge made ag.iiiut himself and tho colonists of New Zealand. In concluding, he hoped Mr Bryce would be long spared to bB.a citizen of tho colony. Mr Bryce Maid he knew of nothing more gratifying than a cordial welcome, and to' him, after a period of great anviety, it was especially welcome. He had obtained the credit of taking' the action on public grounds . HU first duty was to his family, and he had been chiefly actuated in removing from them a heritage of fhame. He had sxUn folt that he hud 11 duty to perform to the troop of cut airy wit'i which he had been connected, and beyond that he could B,vy, without egotism, that he had felt he had a duty to perform to the colonist*. He thought ho had succeeded. He appreciated the cordiality with which he had been received heio. His opponent* had relied on the prejudices of the English public, and he had relied ou tho fair pUy of an English jury. The manner in which they had uppieciated the result had been of the highest gratification to him, and ho thanked them heartily. ' Mr Peacock, M.H.R., in moving a voto of think:* to the uviyor for calling th« meeting, said that lind time permitted, the address could have been nigned ten times ovnr. Thieo choer-? were then given for Mr Bryce, and tlio pr >cjedincf-« terminate.!.