SIR GEORGE GREY AND TE AWAMUTU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5125, 20 April 1878, Page 6

SIR GEORGE GREY AND TE AWAMUTU.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Te Awamutu has entered on a new era of existence. For years past the inhabitants allowed themselves to fall into a sort of lethargy, so as to almost entitle the township to the sobriquet of " Sleepy Hollow," which, however, has been appropriated by the neighbouring township of Alexandra. Wednesday last, however, shewed the difference between Te Awamutu and the la3t-mentioned township. At the former was a banquet, a triumphal arch, and a reception on a grand scale, which were attended by very great success. All this, and more, were the outward and visible signs displayed by the people at Te Awamutu to shew to Sir George Grey and the Hon. John Sheehan that the settlers know how to evince their appreciation of the preseut Ministry. Settlers from all parts of the district thronged into the acknowledged centre to join the Te Awamutans in giving a hearty welcome. I understand that the time allowed for arranging for giving a banquet was extremely limited. On Wednesday evening a telegram was received from the Ministry accepting the invitations, and agreeing to come on the following Wednesday. In the meantime, the committee availed themselves of every means in their power of spreading the good news, and of inviting the whole countryside. The manner in which the country settlers responded to the call resulted in the very successful entertainment and reception above alluded to.—l am, &c, Settler.