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medal to Mr C. Descroizilles addressed the assembly in 
the following terms : 
“ I am desired by Lady Gordon to express to you the 
great pleasure it affords her Ladyship, to deliver to you 
this medal presented by His Excellency the Governor for 
the finest specimen of Silk — and which has been awarded 
to you by the Judges of the Intercolonial Exhibition. 
“ I am at the same time charged by the Governor to 
express to you all, with what real regret and disappointment 
His Excellency has found himself prevented from being per- 
sonally present this day to deliver not only his own medals 
but also to distribute the various other prizes which have 
been open to competition at this Exhibition. 
“ Previous to his departure His Excellency specially 
enjoined me to impress upon the Committee and all con- 
nected with this Exhibition, in as strong terms as I choose 
to use, that he would on no account have been absent 
from this useful aud highly important annual display of 
products, had he not felt bound to redeem a promise 
made long ago to visit Seychelles about this time, upon 
matters of important govcrmental duty. 
“ The opportunity which presented itself of a passage 
in the Flag ship — a favorable chance of such very rare 
occurrence — and the unavoidable departure of Her Ma- 
jesty's Ship “ Forte ” on Saturday last, have unfortunate- 
ly deprived the Governor of the gratification which he 
assured me, and over and over again begged me to assure 
you all, he had so long anticipated. 
“ I wish also to be permitted to observe that in the 
name of the Governor and of Lady Gordon, I heartily 
congratulate each of the successful competitors, upon the 
result of their enterprising exertions to introduce into 
this Colony and to improve the propagation of so many 
valuable native productions. And I trust sincerely on 
