The tour of inspection over, the bell sum moned those on board to lunch, which was laid in the saloon—a splendid apartment,. elegantly fitted. The spread was excellent in the extreme, every delicacy of the season being placed on the table in a manner reflect ing the greatest credit on the taste of Mr H. Bennetts, the providore of the eompany, of whose efforts in this line, pas sengers by the New Zealand Steamship Company’s boats have often had to speak in terms of high commendation. The serving and attendance alike were good, the wines choice, and as all were in good humour and thoroughly determined to enjoy themselves, the result was most satisfactory to all parties concerned. About sixty gentlemen sat down, the chair being occupied by Mr James Mills, supported.by Honor the Superintendent, Hoh X T. Peacock (Secretary for Public Works) Messrs J. Lawson (railway manager) J. G. Warner (railway engineer), J. W. Oram, M. H. Oram, D. Davis, L. B. Nathan (chairman of Chamber of Commerce), J. Inglis, G. Stead, H. R. Webb, Moore, (Dal gety, Nichols, and Co), A. C. Wilson, H. P. Murray-Aynsley, Meyers, H. Redwood, &c. The vice-chair was occupied by Captain Malcolm, supported by Dr Donald, Messrs A. Duncan, G. McLean (Dunedin), D. Craig, G. Mackay (New Zealand Steamship Com pany), A. Garrick, W. Day, T. W. Maude, &c. Ample justice was done to Mr Bennett’s very excellent providing, and the heavy portion of the engagement being over, The chairman rose and gave the health of her Majesty the Queen, which was drank enthusiastically. The chairman then said he would now ask them to join with him in drinking the health of his Honor the Superintendent and the Executive. [Cheers.] His Honor and his Council were, he was glad to see, carry ing out large and important public works in the province, more particularly harbor works, which he noticed were progressing rapidly. They down South were doing their best to imitate Canterbury in the pushing forward of public works, and he thought that ere long they would be able to give as good an account of themselves in this respect as the province of Canterbury. | Cheers.] He begged to propose the health of his Honor the Superintendent and the Executive Coun cil. 