THE GOVERNOR AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1006, 1 December 1881, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR AND THE VOLUNTEERS.

Under the title of “What might, could, or should have been,” a correspondent sends the following to the Editor of the New Zealand Times :— “ Sir, —After the Naval Volunteers were on board the Hinemoa, the band struck up another popular tune. The wharf, and all along the quay, was thronged with citizens of all classes. The enthusiasm was unbounded, and, as the baud stopped playing, the cheering was as one voice. Just then, loud voices were heard— ‘ Make way for the Governor,’ who descending from his carriage, passed through the dense crowd of people, who kept silence, which was, no doubt, due to the fact of its being generally supposed that His Excellency was adverse to any movement being made against the Maoris. . When he arrived at the s. s. Hinemoa he waled to the bridge, and addressed his listeners thus:—‘ Officers, Volunteers, and Citizens, —I cannot, as the Representative of Her Majesty the Queen, let this occasion go by without saying a few words. Officers and Volunteers, —You are going to the “ front ” to uphold the dignity of the British flag, protect the settlers, restore peace to New Zealand, by crushing the present hostile opposition that certain natives have raised against all law and order. I well know how the settlers in the disturbed districts have suffered—how nobly they have seen their property and their prospects destroyed without a murmur, knowing they would be protected when the proper time arrived. Volunteers, go Imd do your duty, and I will take the earliest opportunity of laying before my Sovereign how nobly you sacrifice all to protect the hearths and homes of the poor ruined settlers, and restore peace for ever to New Zealand.’ “ His Excellency here had to stop in consequence of the cheering. Again and again it was repeated. At last he concluded his speech by saying, ‘ln the name of the Government and people, I thank you for your patriotism.’ Immense cheering. His Excellency then re-entered his carriage, but the horses were taken out, and it was dragged in triumph by the citizens till it arrived at Government House. When the bands played • God Save the Queen,’ the enthusiasm of the people again found vent in cheering, and His Excellency had to appear on the balcony to thank them. “ Alas ! I awoke. It was only a dream, and I was told that the Governor never went to the wharf at all.”