THE GOVERNOR AT TAURANGA.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 163, 28 March 1874, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR AT TAURANGA.

THE ARRIVAL. Hts Excellency Sir James Fergusson. Lady Fergu sson, ami party, consisting of Captain tergusson (Aide de-Camp). Mrs Ferguson Captain the lion. Seymour Kgerton, Ciptiin La Pafpurel, Mr Frederick La Patourel. and the Rev. F. Hare (Private Secretary), arrived at the Tauranga Hotel at half-past five o’clock on Thuraday afternoon last. No great preparations had been made for his reception in accordance with his Excellency’s expressed wishes, conveyed by telegram, and published last week in the columns of the Bay of Plenty Times. There was, bow«wer, a large assemblage of Europeans and natives. All the places of business were closed, banting galore was displayed, and the little town presented a red letter day appearance. The natives were j invited to attend the reception by Mr Hopkins j Clarke, instructed by the Native Office, and a I moderate amount of provisions were supplied ’ to them in honor of the visit of her Majesty’s | representative. The appearance of hia Excellency’s carriage “ round the corner ” was the sign for a round of hearty cheers from “everybody and his wite. In the carriage were Sir James and Lady ttergusson, Captain Fergusson, and servants ; and shortly afterwards the remainder of the party arrived on horseback. The carriage was driven by Mr Michael Hannon, the enterprising mail contractor, who also supplied the horses—as bonnie a team of four greys that could be found in a day a march- The carriage was preceded by an advanced guard of the Armed Constabulary, lollowed by a number of civilians. His Excellency was met m front of the Hotel by a must er of the TAURANGA RIFLE VOLUNTEERS, Who presented a most soldierlike appearance under the able command of Captain E G. Norris’ Iwo or three men were specially noticed for the honorable decorations they wore. Corporal Simms had four medals and four clasps, which Sir James II ergusaon, carefully inspected ; Private Cleal bad on a Waterloo medal ; and Private Oliver three meoals. Perhaps a finer corps of Volunteers ! >ot I 3 ® in New Zealand. Tneir mode ot tailing in, marching, forming fours, &c., under the excellent Sergeant-Major (Downey, of the bSLh) was creditable to witness. 1 hey paraded at eleven o’clock in the morning, continued on duty after parade, and remained until the Governor a arrival, when they presented arms. Captain Morris, M P.C., read the following ADDRESS. “To his Excellency the Right Honorable Sir James Fergusson, Baronet, a Member of her Majesty’s Most Honorable Privy Council Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the aarae. We, the inhabitants of Tauranga, while refraining from any great demonstrations in consideration of the fatiguing journey your Excellency and Lady fce-gnsson have just terminated, desire to accord a most warm and hearty welcome to your Excellency. “F® congratulate your Excellency on being the first Governor to accomplish a j mrnoy overland by coach, and that without, a military' escort. We regard these facts as earnests of the* permanent and friendly relations established between the two races in this colony, also as indications of the sure advancement and progress of this part of our Island. r “ It is but a few years since the memorable events of the Gate Pa and Te Ranga, and only a short time since our district and town have been relieved from apprehensions of war. Prospects of lasting peace now lead us to look forward with future 6006 t 0 a bri B bter aud more prosperous The loyal chiefs and natives of the Ngaiferangi trine join their welcome with ours. The character of this tribe for docility under rule and honesty is beyond praise.

_ Wo trust that your Excellency and Lady Fergussou s vmt to the wonderful luxes and hot spnngs may have afforded you much gratification. Wo rejoice you have been favoured with a specieaut^ul climate during your travels. Wishing your Excellency and Lady Fergusson a pleasant voyage when you leave us, we have the honour to subscribe ourselves, on behalf of the inhabitants of Tauranga, your Excellency’s obedient servants, “ L Moehis, M.P.C., “ T. Tunes, 41 S, L. Clabkk, J.F 44 A. To vet, J. P., 44 Thomas Weigley, ~ ~ “A. W. Eueeowes." Tauranga, March 26, 1874.” THE BE PLY; His Excellency said : Captain Morris, ladies and gentlemen, I thank ail present for their hearty welcome, and for assembling in such numbers to greet us. It is delightful to me to see the European and the native population thus mingled together in evident friendship and regard Our journey through the extensive district betwoe i this place and Napier has not only been interesting and agreeable, but it has been most gratifying, as evincing the vast change which a few years have brought about in rendering a region so lately insecure now one through which vhe Gtovernor may travel with his family and friends unguarded. I visit with pleasure this growing and promising settlement, which, I hope, nt no distant period may attain a high degree of prosperity. I cannot but recal some touching memories of the dangers and conflicts of the past, for your times of trouble here not only were important in the history of the colony, but illustrated the course of British progress and perseverance. I am glad to learn that the brave tribe who resisted us heroically, and w ho were as generous as they were gallant, ■-<e now dwed ng side by side with the Europeans

m peace and harmony, ami also that they are so orderly and respectable in their own community. I cannot remain long among you at this time, but 1 trust to visit you again, and to sco vou making corresponding progress with others in this prosper oua land. At the conclusion of the Governor's speech the crowd g:l vo vent to their lovaltv bv repeated and ne:u*ty cheers for ids Excellency and his Lady. ITis Excellency then entered into a short convocation with Oapt m Morris, of i,h« Riflet, highiy complimenting him upon the appearance of his corps— of ivlnah he has, indeed, good reason to bo proud. I NT ROD UCTIONS. Cupfnin Muir, N.C., who accompanied the party on the trip through from Taupe, then introduced his Excelkmcy to several influential settlers who were close by, and also to some ~f tne more import, ant native chiefs. The Volunteers were bore dismissed, and iu» .Excellency proceeded ‘ ON BOARD lIIS YACHT, Returning at seven to the T s U RANG A HOTEL, VThere a sumptuous dinner awaited him, and within that hospitable roof he passed the night, and, it is to bo hoped, “Slept the sleep of the just.-’ 1 AN HOUR’S KOBRRO WITH THE NATIVES. His Excellency the Governor met the natives according to appointment in front of the Court house at half past ton yesterday morning. Captain Mair acted aa interpreter. " As soon as the Governor and suite had taken their seals, Ilohepa Hikutiua road an address at follows ; 14 To Sir James Fcrguasoa, Governor of New Zealand and its .Dependencies, “ ° h > sir > salutations! Welcome ! Como and see your people, the Ngaitoraugi, residing at Tauranga under the shadow of the Queen. Welcome both you and Lady Fergusson. It is good for you to have come and seen us. There is no strife between us. In former days we were opposed to you in arms, but now one law governs us Now we are intlucnoed by the law of peace and goodwill, which cannot be broken. Wo have nothing further to say but that you are right welcome to lauranga.

Te Puru then stood up ami said; Welcome Governor, to your own land—to Tauratum. Hori NgaUu : My speech will bo very short. Welcome Oorernop. I have nothing further to say. We are living afc peace. Hohepa Hikutaia : Welcome, O Governor VVe are living at peace. Tho war wo are waging is wnh the ground—fencing and cultivating foot!. Welcome to 1 auranga. Wi Pare a : Welcome, O Governor, to Tauranga. You are foot the first, second, or third Governor that, wo have welcomed. We have still a welcome for you, come and see ua in our own district. Tareha : Welcome, Governor. War has ceased. Ihe storm has passed; it is now calm: wo are one with the Europeans, Maihi Fohopohe : Gome and see us, your children ; come and do us good; J Hori I’upaeas Welcome. Oo.no with tho loving kindness of ivlr McLean ; come and see ua in love and tmth. Hainiora Tu then sang a song of welcome. His Excellency replied as follows : My friends Maoris of this place, 1 thanked von last night, together with the Europeans, for your hearty welcome, but I am happy to see you this morning by yourselves. I am rejoiced to meet in peace those whom our people found in war brave and generous foes. sou fought gallantly and yet spared the wounded, and you have the respect and regard of the English, your neighbours. I am not surprised that war should bo mentioned because it is so recent, and because you have lost so much by it; but it is satisfactory that it should bear no ill-will. I see among you men who took opposite sides, but who are now good friends ; and I. who lost a relative » at the Gate Pa, come in peace and friendship among you who lost so many of your kindred. But 1 would rather speak of the present, and I am pleased to know that you who were brave warriors are now conspicuous for your good order in time of peace, setting an example not only to the Maoris of all New Zealand, but to the Europeans themselves. Some of your speakers have said that they had no now words for me ; I too have no new message to deliver. I have but fo follow the Governors, my predecessors, in assuring you of tho good-will of the Government towards you, and of my desire for your happiness and prosperity.. lam glad to know that you are cultivating your lands well, for that will bring profit to yourselves, and bo useful to the whole community. May you go on in your good cause, and may your tribe be found here flourishing for generations to come. I shall hope to visit you agauvand again that w e may know each others s faces, and that I may see you increas* ing in numbers and in prosperity, Songs, dances, and cheering by trie Maoris Drought the meeting to a close.

GOD’S ACRE. Immediately after the native meeting, the party paid a visit to the Tauranga cemetery where so many departed British braves are sleep’ ing their last sleep. His Excellency was accompanied by the V encrable Archdeacon Brown Captain Mo-ria, M.F.0., Captain Mair, NO.’ Captain Tunis, Chairman of the Town Board* and Mr Samuel Clarke, J F. ’ LUNCHEON TO RECEPTION COMMITTEE. At 1 o’clock Ins Excellency entertained the members of the Reception Committee at luncbeon. THE DEPARTURE. _ His Excellency and party left shortly afterwards m the jacht Blanche tur Auckland, We believe that if the wind proves favourable they will pay a visit to White Island en route. We wish them a pleasant passage. * Charles, son of William Mure, Esq., of Caldwell, Ayrshire, late Captain H. M,T3rd ttcp'xnent, killed at the Calc Fa.—Kin