THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO WESTLAND.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 852, 20 April 1871, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO WESTLAND.

VISIT TO BRUNNER COAL MINE. The visit of His Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen to the Brunner Coal Mine took place yesterday, and it certainly appeared to afford great pleasure to a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen who accompanied the Governor on the occasion. The weather was glorious, and with the exception that a light wind blew down the river, everything was favorable for an enjoyable excursion. Arrangements had previously been made by his Worship the Mayor, and Caleb Whitefoord, Esq., the Warden of that part of the Nelson South- West Gold Fields in which the mine is situated, with Mr A. Constantine that he should provide the means of conveying the Governor and his party to Brunnerton, and, accordingly, long before the time appointed to start. = two large and safe-looking cargo boats, comfortably arranged, and furnished with cushions and other conveniences were lying below the steps at Middleton's landing, Invitations had been issued by the Mayor, and also by Mr Whitefoord, and those invited began to muster numerously at about 10 o'clock. A little confusion was at first caused by some of the excursionists not being certain as to the boat they were to take their seats in, or as one of them expressed it, " Who was to go in which boat." This misunderstanding was quickly arranged, and everything was soon in readiness for His Excellency's arrival. This took place at 11 o'clock, and shortly afterwards the boats started. In the leading boat, with His Excellency, were the County Chairman, most of the leading County officials, the representatives of the district in the General Assembly and in the County Council, the representatives of the Nelson Government, and the leading officials at present at Cobden, besides a number of other gentlemen and a good sprinkling of ladies. In the other boat were the Mayor, with a majority of the members of the Borough Council, the Town Clerk, besides a considerable number of other gentlemen and several ladies. The Governor's boat was piloted from the wharf by Captain Allardyce, the Harbor-master, who resigned his charge to Mr Constartine when the boat was well clear of the port. The Mayor's boat was in charge of Mr Constantino's foreman. At the Snag Falls His Excellency had an opportunity of witnessing the intricate and dangerous navigation of the river, and the skill and care required at certain places to avoid accidents. About a mile above Snag Falls a boat from the Luna, containing the captain of that vessel with a crew and some friends, was taken in tow by the Mayor's boat. The Luna's boat had been struggling for some time against the strong current running in the river at tliia place, so that the opportunity of fastening to his Worship's barge was taken advantage of with most astonishing readiness. When the boats reached the still water between Rock Island and the south bank of the river, the Luna's boat was cast off at the captain's request, and its strong-pulling, stalwart crew soon left the Mayor's boat far behind ; but, about two miles of Brunnerton, the current became so strong that the truant was glad to drop down stream to its former consort. It was" amusing to see the marvellous dexterity with which the " tar " in the bow of the Luna'a boat fastened on "to the towline of the Mayor's craft, and the quickness he displayed in making the line fast to his own boat's nose was wonderful. When the Governor's boat appeared within sight of Brunnerton, a salute was given by the miners, and volley after volley continued to be fired until His Excellency landed. He was received with great enthusiasm by ths inhabitants of the town, and, after the usual preliminaries, the Governor aud the large party of ladies and gentlemen who attended him, proceeded to inspect the celebrated coal mine. When the month of the upper drive was reached each visitor was supplied with a lighted torch, and His Excellency was conducted by Mr Dent, the manager of the mine, and by Mr Whitefoord to the end of the audit, a distance of nearly one hundred and fifty fathoms. His Excellency was followed by nearly two hundred ladies and gentlemen, ranked two deep, in his exploration of the mine, and he repeatedly expressed his astonishment at the immense extent of the workings. This feeling was shared by every member of the party, most of whom were under the impression that the Brunner Mine was nothing more than a rabbit burrow. When one of the gentlemen of the party, in answer to a question from His Excellency, stated that the Brum er Mine was larger in extent, with one exception, than ] any coal mine in England, he did not appear to be making an exaggerated assertion. After traversing drives in all directions for nearly an hour, and after the manager had exhibited the workings of the hauling machinery to His Excellency, the party assembled to partake of lunch provided by Mr Whitefoord, and served in the gallery or chamber within the mine in the lower workings, and several hundred yards from any outlet. After lunch, His Excellency left the workings, and after expressing his satisfaction to the manager and other oflicials of the mine, at the manner he had been received, he proceeded to witness the mode of filling the coal barges, and then visited the town of Brunnerton, accompanied by Mr Whitefoord. After inspecting the rare and beautiful collection of fossils and mineralogical specimens in the possession of Mr Theodore Ranft, His Excellency and party returned to the boats, and left Brunnerton amid the cheers of the hundreds of miners and other residents of the place. As the boats got out in the stream, and as long as they were within sight of the mine, volley after volley was again fired. The Governor's boat was preceded down the river by a coal barge, which was laden with coal in his presence, and those on board it fired salutes in ( honor of His Excellency at intervals during the return to Greymouth, where the party arrived about five o'clock. Besides the Governor's and Mayor's boats there were others all filled with excursionists, who availed themselves of the permission given to the public of visiting the mine on the day of His Excellency's visit. His Excellency expressed the pleasure and enjoyment he derived from his excursion, and there is no doubt a deal of good to this district may arise from the knowledge of our resources which His Excellency has now gained for himself. The arrangements at the mine were

carried out by Mr Dent, the manager, assisted by Mr Dartnell, the secretary. The docorations were superintended by Mr Seaton, and Mr Ranft manufactured and efficiently commanded the artillery.