EXCURSIONS. XXXIX 



also interested in the charming appearance of the country in its neigh- 

 bourhood. 



Thursday, 22nd January, 1891. 

 Visit to Lincoln College. 



The weather was fine, and the party numbered about sixty. A start 

 was made at 10.30 a.m., and the route chosen was by Tai Tapu, enabling 

 the visitors to get a look at the fertile homesteads in that favoured dis- 

 trict. On reaching the College the party were received by the Board of 

 Governors, headed by Mr. F. de C. Malet, the Chairman, and Mr. and 

 Mrs. Ivey, and at once inspected the grounds, the garden, and orchard. 

 The visitors were then entertained at luncheon by the Board of Gover- 

 nors. The chair was occupied by Mr. Malet, having on his right Sir 

 James Hector, the President of the Association, and Lady Hector ; and 

 the vice- chairs were filled by Messrs. H. B. Webb, J. Grigg, and the 

 Hon. J. T. Peacock. 



After lunch the Chairman gave the toast of " The Queen," which 

 was loyally responded to. 



Sir James Hector said that his friend the Chairman had hinted 

 to him that there were to be no speeches. But he (Sir James), though 

 in .dread of the authority of the Chairman in his domain, could not 

 allow the opportunity to pass without expressing officially (speaking 

 as the President of the Association and in the name of its members and 

 himself) their deep appreciation of the kindness, hospitality, and cour- 

 teousness which had been shown to them by the Board of Governors 

 of Canterbury College and the people of Christchurch as a whole. The 

 Governors of the College had in the most handsome manner placed their 

 spacious and commodious buildings in connection with the Canterbury 

 College at their disposal for the work of the Association, and now this was 

 crowned that day by the hospitality extended to them, and the opportunity 

 afforded of inspecting what to him, and, he felt sure, to all the visitors, 

 was one of the most interesting of the many institutions to be found in 

 Canterbury. Of the kindness which they had received at the hands of the 

 people of Christchurch, what could he say except to record their heartfelt 

 thanks, and to say that the remembrance of their visit to Christchurch 

 Vvould long remain a green spot in their memories ? With respect to 

 the institution in which they were now met, its success was known and 

 appreciated throughout the Australasian Colonies. He took a special 

 personal interest in it from the fact that one of his boys had been a stu- 

 dent, and, under the able instruction of his friend the Director, Mr. Ivey, 

 had been able to acquire a knowledge of scientific farmwork and business. 

 Like every other institution in the colony, Lincoln College had its initial 

 difficulties. These, however, had been bravely surmounted and overcome, 

 and he was pleased to find the Board of Governors fostering and encourag- 

 ing, so far as they were able, so admirable and important an institution. 

 In a country like this it was impossible to overrate the importance and 

 value to the community of an establishment like the College, particularly 

 when it was carried on under such able management. As they had yet 

 to go through the interior of the buildings and to see what was most in- 

 teresting to their lady friends, the dairy, he would not detain them longer, 

 but would ask them to join with him in wishing continued success to the 

 Lincoln Agricultural College. 



The Chairman said he desired to thank Sir James Hector for the 

 kindly words he had spoken as regarded what had been done by the Board 

 of Governors. He might say that his colleagues and himself had the 

 greatest possible pleasure in doing anything they possibly could to make 

 the meeting of the Australasian Association a success. 'They in Christ- 



