PRINCE ALFRED-HIS VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 18, 16 December 1861, Page 9

PRINCE ALFRED-HIS VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA.

In the year 1860, Prince Alfred paid a visit to South Africa, during the period of Sir George Grey's residence there as Gover-nor-in-Chief. He is the second son of Victoria, the Queen of England, and went to Arnca in the man-of-war "Euryalus," in which he is serving in a subordinate capacity. *or it is the desire of the Queen, and of Fnnce Albert, that their sons should not up in idleness, and ignorance of their people; hence the first is sent into the army, an»i the second into the navv, in accordance wiili the usage of their ancestors; and hence also do they visit different parts of the earth, that they may become acquainted with the various nations, and with their several customs. On the arrival of Prince Alfred, he and Governor Grey took a journey into the interior of the country, to see the natives of those parts; and after much travelling, they reached a place called Heald Town. This is the centre of one of the most important of the frontier native locations, and includes a population of about 6000 people. This village is a regular laid out township, containing many neat couages and farms, and the residences of a few European inhabitants, mere is also a flour mill, a church, and a large school. This Institution was established by Governor Grey, far the use of the Fingoes who live in that neighbourhood. When the Prince and the Governor arrived at Heald Town, they attended Divine Worship, at which about 700 of the Aborigines were present. Major Gowell, the Instructor of the Prince, was also there, with Captain Tarleion, the chief of the man-of-war. About 1400 scholars were also collected together. At the conclusion of the service, the following address in the Kaffir language was presented to the Prince:— Address to His Royal Highness Princk Alfred. We the undersigned Captains and headmen of theFingo tribes of the*Heald Town, and 's? district of Fort Beaufort, beg to tendSr you our heartfelt thanks on your arrival at this place. We desire through your Royal Highness to inform our great mother of our happiness, of the token of kindness she has shewn towards us in permitting one of the Royal family to visit our country.

We feel glad in our bearls that your Royal Highness wiljhe able to see for yourself bow we have advanced since we have been taken under the care of tbe English Government,, as a few. years ago we were ; under slavery to the Kaffirs, and treated by them as dogs. And we trust that your visit upon the frontier will be tbe means of increasing our loyalty and of our becoming more willing subjects of her Majesty's Government. Trusting that our great and highest Chief, God, will keep you in health and happiness, during your visit in ibis country, and take you back in safety to our great mother the Queen, &c" After this was read, it was handed to the Prince, with tbe translation. Afterwards, the following Address was presented to bis Excellency the Governor:--"To his Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, &c.,— " We, the undersigned Chiefs and headmen of the Fihgo tribes of Heald town, avail ourselves of the present opportunity of welcoming you back amongst us, to become our great Chief again. '* We trust that we shall never forget the great benefit we have derived from your fatherly advice to us, and the many advantages you have conferred upon us, one of which will stand as a memento as long as we live T natriely, the Industrial School. We now see—what we never saw before—our children learning to read and write in their own language, and many of them also to read and write in English. "We can assure your Excellency, when you left this Colony, our hearts felt sorry, for fear you would not come back again. But we now hail your presence upon the Frontier with feelings of loyalty and pleasure. And we pray that the Lord would afford unto you, with his Royal Highness Prince Alfred, the best of health." Having looked over the different parts or the Institution, the Prince and his companions returned. The paramount Chief of the Gaikas, with bis principal counsellors, accompanied bis Royal Highness Prince Alfred, in the "Euryalus,'' from the Frontier to Cape Town. These men saw, in their journey many sights to them very wonderful. But, in their own eyes, the most: admirable of all was the sight of a number or hardy, bare-footed'lads, assisting

at daybreak in washing the decks, foremost amongst whom in activity and energy was the son or the Queen of England. These are their own expressive words on this subject, in a letter to Captain Tarleton, the Captain of the Euryalus:— " Sandilli and his councillors give thanks. By the invitation of. the Great Chief, the son of the Queen of the English people, are we, this day, on board ibis mighty vessel. " The invitation was accepted with fear. With dread we came on board, and in trouble have we witnessed the dangers of the great waters: but through your skill have we passed through this tribulation. *\We have seen what our ancestors heard not of. Now have we grown old and learnt wisdom. The might of England has been fully illustrated to its, and now we behold our madness in taking up arms to resist the authority of our mighty and gracious Sovereign. Up to this lime have we not ceased lobe amazed at the wonderful things we have witnessed, and which are beyond our comprehension. But one thing we understand—the reason of England's greatness, when the son of her great Queen becomes subject to a subject that he may learn wisdom, when the sons of England's Chiefs and Nobles leave the homes and wealth of their fathers, and, with their young Prince, endure hardships and sufferings in order that they may be wise and become a defence to their country. When we behold these things we see why the English are a great and mighty nation. " What we have now learnt shall be transmitted to our wondering countrymen, and handed down to our children, who will be wiser than their fathers, and your mighty Queen shall be their Sovereign and ours in all lime coming."