Tho festivities, owing to tho late arrival of some of tho visitors, lasted till long after sundown, and tho tables, lit up with candles, presented a singular hut strikingly pretty spectacle. Mr Eli Smith, county representative, occupied tho chair. After the loyal toasts were disposed of, the health of the Ministry, coupled with the name of tlio Hon Mr 'Thompson, was drunk with musical honours. Tlio Hon T. Thompson, in responding, apologised for tho Premier, whom pressure of work had prevented from being present. Ho had lived over 40 years in the North Island, lie said, but this was his first visit to tho Wellington back country. Ho was pleased to see so many ladies present, because it showed they wore taking an interest in political questions. They had become a groat factor, and would have to bo reckoned with during tho coming elections. The many kindly enquiries for the Premier afforded him pleasure, because they showed that tho Hon Mr Soddon had a secure place in the hearts of tho people, Tho Alfredton district had tho name of being Conservative, hut they appeared ’to get along very well with _ a Liberal Government and a Radical member. (Laughter.) Roads and bridges ho considered the life-blood of settlement, and ho considered it would be much better to spend money on such works than on use less railway linos. If further borrowing was indulged in lie trusted that roads and bridges would receive first consideration. He complimented their chairman and the County Council on what they had dono. With regard t> the Gov ernment, ho said ho thought he could claim for them the credit of doing what they could for the workers of the Colony, and especially for the new settlers in the bush. Thoir object was by practical legislation to improve tho condition of tho people. Tho Minister of Railways had made valuable concessions to tho country settlers j tlio Minister of Lauda had endeavoured |to place the" acquisition of homos within tlio roach of tho masses; tho Premier was identified with every move ment for tho general good; and tho Post imister-Goneral was now reforming tho telegraph system by reducing tho rates, lie could say for himself and the now mem bers of tho Cabinet that they would assist tho other Ministers to thoir utmost in tlio policy which they vero carrying out. 