A deputation from the settlers of the North Shore Availed upon his Worship the Mayor this afternoon, at 2 o'clock, at the City Council offices, and presented au address from the settlers in that dis trict. The deputation consisted of Mr O. Mays, Chairman of the County, Messrs R McKay, and M. Shea. The address is a very handsome and chaste one, and executed by Mr Charles Palmer, and reflects great credit upon that gentlemen's artistic skill. Mr Mays, in presenting the address, said he had not often pleasing tasks fo perform, but he had one to-day, in being the mouth piece of his neighbours aud friends who had requested him to picsent the address which bore their signature. He had great pleasure in being their representative ou this occa sion. He had always felt that some ac knowledgement was due both to Mr Whitaker and Mr jjurst for the great boon they had conferred upon the district in procuring the construction of tho New Shoal Bay Road. Besides this ..ork, however, Mr Hurst had done an immense amouLt of good to the district in a variety of ways, and l.c was an excellent example of the amount of good one man may do for a whole district. He ventured to say the Lake district was one of the loveliest spot in the Southern hen i phere, r.nd Mr Hurst had done a great deal to make it approachable and popular. Mr Mays then read the address as follows :—

"To W. J. lluiist, Esq., J.P., " Takapuna Lake, "Auckland, N.Z. "Dear Sir, —We the undersigned resident in the Takapuna district desire to avail ourselves of the opportudity afforded by your approaching visit to your native land, to convey to you our grateful acknowledge ments of the many benefits you have conferred upon this district by your exertions as a member of the Executive Council of this Province. To your efforts and public spirit wc are mainly indebted for the new Shoal Bay Road, which has conduced so much to the settlement and popularity of the dis trict, and tho improvement of the property therein. We heartily wisli you and Mrs Hurst may enjoy a pleasant and prosperous trip to the old country, and that you may both return in health and strenghth to dwell again among those whose confidence esteem and friendship you have both deservedly merited. 