THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE COAST.

Kumara Times, Issue 2892, 4 February 1886, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE COAST.

+ [by a correspondent.] Hokitika, February 3, 3 p.m. Punctually at twelve o'clock noon bis Excellency the Governor arrived at the Sopieme Court House. The First Westland Rifles formed a guard of honour at the entrance, the band playing " God save the Queen." The Governor then took his seat in the Court and held a levee. Some thirty civilians were preesnfc. The Borough Councils of Hokitika and Ross, the County Council of Westland and the Hokitika Harbour Board presented addresses. There is nothing remaikiblft either in the addresses or the replies thereto. All commenced and | mdcd with the customary uaaurauci; |

of devotion to her Majesty and respect to her representatives, to which thanks were returned; and those assembled were told they were a happy, prosperous, and contented people. His Excellency then proceeded to Cass Square. Some one hundred children were then congregated, and formed >i rhomboidal rectangular crescential figure: the jumble-up could not be otherwise described. His Excellency then addtcssed a few words to those present, and atated he was pleased to find there was an air of permanency about Hokitika, and sure signs that it would not be depopulated for some time to come; also that he was pleased to find that the sectarian differences that existed in other places was absent with those at Hokitika.

The Governor's Private Secretary committed an unintentional slight on the Grey County by not apprising that body of the intention of the Governor to visit that important part of her Majesty's dominions. The mistake arose from a map being consulted, which showed that Westland comprised the Grey County. The offending one will know better hereafter; but, seeing he has only arrived in the colony within the last month, no doubt the error will be overlooked. ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR, AT KUMARA. His Excellency the Governor and party arrived at Kumara at about eleven o'clock this morning, half-an-hour earlier than the appointed time; and the consequence was that there was no one to receive him at the borough boundary; and the vice-regal party drove right through the town. His Excellency visited the State School, and then passing along Tni street, drove down to the junction of Seddon and Main streets, where a dais had been erected to receive him and present addresses. The Volunteers, the Brass Band, and the State and Catholic School children were there present to receive the Governor. On hi 3 arrival at the dais the Band struck up the National Anthem, and then the school children sang two verses. Mr Seddon then introduced his Excellency to the Borough Councillors and to Mr G. E. Rudkin, Town Clerk, who, (in the unavoidable absence of his Worship the Mayor) read the following address : To his Excellency Sir Wit. F. D. Jervois Governor of New Zealand, &c, &c. ' May it please you Excellency— The Borough Council and residents of Kumara desire to offer you a most cordial welcome to this portion of the colony. It is the more gratifying to be able to do this because on very rare occasions the people of this district are able to express to a representative of our Most Gracious Sovereign those feelings of loyalty which have in every quarter of the globe knit together the destinies of our glorious empire; and your Excellency will bear away from this locality the assurance of our most devoted respect. We trust you mau long be spared to promote that harmony and good government which it is the privilege of the representative of the Crown more especially to compass, and that in the fulfilment of your high aud important position you may ever enjoy health and happiness. We have the honour to remain, G. R. Rudkdj, , . , Town Clerk, And the Members of the Kumara Borough Council. February 4, 1886. His Excellency made a short reply. Mr Seddon then introduced the Kumara School Committee, Mr Woodward, and school teachers; also Miami Miss Hamill, the Catholic School teachers. The Governor, in company with Messrs Bevan and Seddou, then visited the Hospital; after which he proceeded to the Masonic Hall, where he was entertained at luncheon by the Borough Council. Some thirty-three gentlemen were present. After luncheon, aud shortlv before two o'clock his Excellency was driven to Dillman's Town, to see some of the hydraulic sluiciug claims at work, first alighting at the head of the incline which leads to the mouth of the sludgechannel. ° His Excellency took his departure from Kumara at four o'clock, by special tram to Greymonth, where he will to-night be entertained at a banquet and ball. The day was beautifully fi aS) aiu i was observed as a general holiday. A fuller report of to-day's proceedings will be given in another issue.