Auckland's Past and Future.

When I first took office In 1869—I would refer to the different position Auckland was in then to what it is at the present time. At that time there was no telegraph to connect Auckland with the rest of the colony; no cable to connect New Zealand with the rest of the world. You had no docks here, a very inefficient water supply, and, but for the discovery of the Thames, you were, I may say, in a position which was felt to be one of great hardship. And I think, gentlemen, that if you trace the course of events since that period yon will see that I have not been uninstrumental. In assisting the prosperity which has new overtaken this city, and overtaken this province. (Cheers.) I meet heartily congratulate you upon the splendid position Auckland has attained to, upon its enormous growth, and its great prospeots for the future; and if I were here for personal objects to-night I might recall to your recollection that it has only fulfilled the prophecy that I en several occasions indulged in when I pointed out the enormous future which lay before this district and before this city, on account of the numerous resources which it possesses. (Cheers) However proud, and justly proud, you may be who have been, so to speak, the pioneers of Auckland's present position, I will venture to indulge in a prophecy that its position to-day is as nothing be what its position will be in the future. (Cheers.) When I consider the prospects you have—the immense mineral resources and forests, and the soil to produce for you all that is to be obtained from temperate and sub-tropical productions; I when I think what will be the consequences when the railway is opened right through to Wellington on the one hand, and to the North on the other; when you are connected with Taranaki, by the opening of a branch line to the main line; when you are connected with Tauranga and Gisborne—I ask you to think then what will be the growth of the city when it taps the enormous districts which it will have to tap in the future. (Cheers.) And I must not omit to say to you that such are the natural and inherent charms of the place and its capabilities for enjoyment, that you have also already to some extent an instalment, and you will receive a very much larger in the future, in the shape of persona who, having secured a competency, come to this charming place to enjoy for the remainder of their lives the ease and peace the toilsome exertions have earned for them. Again you may expect that this will be the resort of visitors from all parts of the world, and notably from the other colonies, to visit what I may call the Nature's hospital in the Hot Springs, with which I hope it will not be long before you will be connected by railway. (Cheers.)