HON. JOHN BRYCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2995, 24 September 1891, Page 2

HON. JOHN BRYCE.

FAREWELL VISIT TO WAIKATO. Thk Hon. J. Bryca arrived in Waikato by train on Tuesday on a farewell visit, to hie luto constituents!. On tho arrival of the train at Huntly Mr Bryce was met by a deputation, headed by Mr Primrose, chairman of the Waikato County Council, who read the following address signed by electors from all parts of the district :— "Hiintly, September 22nd, JB!H. air John Bryue. Honoured Sir,—Wo, the resident* of Waikato and electors of Huntly, do herewith tender our sympathy for tho manner in which yon have been treated by the present Government, causing you to re«igu. Wo thoroughly endorse Ihe many sentiments expressed by yourself at the banquet recently given in your honour at Wellington, and we herewith express our sincere hops that the Government will shortly repent its unparliamentary action towards you, and that you will again honour us by coming forward as our representative. Wo have the honour to subscribe ourselves your obedient servants." I Here followed some fifty signatures. Many more could have been obtained if time had allowed). In reply t.i the address which was quite a surprise to him, Mr Bryce said :—Gentlemen,- You do me a great honour. Amidst the troubles upon my mind of late, none have pressed with greater force than the fear that the public of New Zealand, and especially my late constituents, would disapprove of the course I have felt compelled to adopt in retiring from the House of Representatives. I could not, in self-respect, have placed my decision on a point of honour, each as this was, in any ocher hands than my own—not even in those of my constituents. But although my honour could not be left in the hands of my constituentH, their honour was in mine, and i so regarded the position. It would have added very much to my distress if my action had been disapproved of ; but I feel well assured now that it is freely admitted that in intention at least I have acted well. 1 feel able to say, add I ara proud to believe yon agree with me, that I have returned the trust you reposed in me untarnished and unsullied by anything I have done Among those present on the platform were Capts. Steele and McPherson, and Messrs T. H. White, F. R. Claude, T. &. Sandes, F. J. Johnson, L. B. Harris, Dr. Bronme, and a largo number of leading settlers from the surrounding districts, the platform being quite crowded. OHAOTO. On the arrival of the train at the Ohaupo Station quite an ovation was awaiting Mr Bryce. As had been arranged on Saturday at Cambridge, Mr McNicol, just before the timo for the arrival of the train, had adjourned the auction, in order to give those present an opportunity of meeting and welcoming Mr Bryce at the station. A large crowd of the leading farmers in the district were assembled on the platform 0 and as the truin dnw up to tho station, Mr Bryce was received with hearty cheering, On alighting from the train Mr Bryce s many friends pressed forward to bid him welcome, and to express their sympathy with him over the late proceedings in the Hruse. After a fiw minutes spent in hand shakings the assemblage returned to the suleyards and during the remainder of the afternoon Mr Bryce was to be seen moving about conversing with his friends upon the unfortunate tarn events had taken in Wei lin«ti>n, which was naturally the principal topic of conversation. Shortly after fivo o'clock Mr Bryce left with Mr Lake for Hamilton, where tha latter gentleman had arranged to make his first address to the electors of Waikato.