CHINESE WELCOME TO THE GOVERNOR.

Evening Star, Issue 3387, 29 December 1873, Page 2

CHINESE WELCOME TO THE GOVERNOR.

A deputation representing the Chinese residents of the < ity waited upon the Governor at Fern hill to day, and having been introduced to his Excellency by the Mayor, present! d the following address : To his Excellency, &c. — May it please your Excellency,—We, the undersigned Chinese merchants and residents of Dunedin, beg to tender our most hearty welcome on this your Excellency’s first visit tothis City, and to offer our congratulations upon your Excellency having accomplished your journey in safety. Wo feel that, as the representative of Her [Majesty the Quean of England, under whose benignant sway we enjoy peace and prosperity, we cannot too warmly express our happiness at seeing your Excellency in our midst, and we trust that your visit will be an enjoyable one. May your Excellency’s rule over us be productive of still more cordial relations between us. as representatives of the Flowery Land, and our European fellow-citizens, and we beg to assure your Excellency that we shall always carefully obey the laws of the country, and pay due respect to you as {representing the greatest best beloved sovereign, Queen Victoria, on whoso dominions the sun never sets. Through your JuceJJency wo beg to assure Her Most Gracious Majesty of pur hearty allegiance, and to express our hopes that she may long be spared, and rule over a happy and united people. We conclude this our address by offering your Excellency our best wishes for your happiness and prosperity, both M your public capacity and private relations.— (Signed) Kum G oou Leo Sun War On Sew Hoy Lo Keong William Ah Chow Finn Shing Me Waw And others. His Excellency, iu reply, said be received vvitu pleasure this expression of the hearty and loyal sentiments of the Chinese towards buns if and his Government. He knew that in many British possessions the Chinese had founded most orderly, useful, and industrious communities. He was glad to know that the Chinese commuuity here l was distinguished, not only for its enter- ) prjsc, but lor good order. He trusted they i

would continue to respect the European? even more than they h.id (Lme already. It was eeply t--> he regretted that these win e une from different branch -a of that great human family entertained feelings ot j ai .nay on> towards another, though in th--.se British possessions we have been free from si mil.u j. aloiusy towards the Asiatic race. They had the rem dy in their bands, and by giving signs of their good grace and citizenship, they would contract such feelings as would assurthe ' iiropeans that they were valuable addi tions to the Colony, and of great a-sistanc. in the develo incut of the country’s resources. Tiic people of Otago and c-ew Zealand wuulo look with satis acaon upon this expression ei good feelin.', while he (the Governor) would retain grateful recollections of it. His Excel ency shook hands with each member of the deputation a? he withdrew.