RIVERTON.

Southland Times, Issue 647, 22 March 1867, Page 2

RIVERTON.

According to programme, His Excellency the Governor and suite, accompanied by Inspector Weldon and several mounted troopers, started from Invercargill at half-past seven a.m. on Tuesday last, en route for Riverton via Wallacetown. The party were received by John Morton, Esq., accompanied by Messrs Dalgleish and R. Hamilton, at the Makarewa Bridge, and were then escorted to the house of the first-named gentleman, where breakfast was partaken of. Mr Morton's highly-cultivated farm was then inspected, with the appearance of which His Excellency expressed himself highly delighted, apparently displaying great interest in everything he inspected. The journey was then continued, and the vice-regal party arrived at Riverton about noon. His Excellency was received at the Oddfellows' Hall by the Riverton Rifle Volunteers, under the command of Captain Instone. A procession was then formed, headed by the Oddfellows in full regalia, followed by the mounted troopers, who preceded the Governor~and suite, succeeded by a large number of mounted settlers and school children, the volunteers bringing up the rear. The procession marched through the town to the Jetty, and then returned to the Oddfellows' Hall, the Governor being loudly cheered by the large number of spectators who lined the main street. We may here state that the picturesquely situated, town of Riverton presented a beautiful appearance. The weather was all that could be desired — a clear cloudless sky, and a genial warmth refreshing rather than oppressive, adding greatly to the day's enjoyment. A triumphal arch was thrown across Palmerston-street from "the" Custom-house to the new store of Messrs Whittingham Brothers, the large span across the roadway bearing the words " Welcome to Riverton," and the smaller ones across the footpaths, the letters "G. G." The principal hotels, stores, &c, were tastefully decorated with evergreens, and a plentiful display of bunting was everywhere apparent. On returning to the Oddfellows' Hall —one of the finest buildings of the kind in the province, tastefully decorated for the occasion, and which was densely crowded —the following address was presented to His Excellency by D. S. Lawlor, Esq., R.M. :— To His ExceUency Sir George Grey, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies: May it please your Excellency, — The inhabitants of Riverton, impressed by a high sense of loyalty to the Queen, and very great respect for your Excellency as her representative, assemble to express this devotion to Her Majesty, to say to your ExceUency how much we appreciate this visit, to welcome your ExceUency to this most remote part of Her Majesty's possessions, and to assure your ExceUency how highly we estimate the various acts of your Excellency's administration. We are here, Sir, but primitive people, unacquainted with the forms of official entertainments, and if in these externals we are in some measure wanting, this at least we beg to assure your ExceUency, that none can entertain a more devoted loyalty to our gracious Queen, or more truly respect and honor her representative. D. S. Lawloe, For the Riverton inhabitants. His Excellency in replying to the address, regretted that a copy of it had not been forwarded so that he might have made a suitable reply. He, however, thanked the citizens for the hearty welcome they had given him; complimented Captain Instone on the tine appearance which the Volunteers made, and concluded by saying that he was highly pleased with everything he saw. The following gentlemen were then presented to His Excellency: —Captain Instone, R.R.V.; Lieut. Austin, R.R.V.; Dr Martin, R.R.V. • T. Daniels, Esq.; Messrs R. and G. Stevens, Capt. Howell, Mr Wm. Cameron.; Rev. Messrs Oldham, M'Gillvray and Clark. After leaving the Oddfellows' Hall, the Governor and suite proceeded to the Volunteer parade ground, where the school children were drawn up. Several very pretty bouquets were presented to His Excellency by the children, with a number of whom he shook hands and spoke for some time. The Governor afterwards listened to the speeches of several of the Riverton native chiefs, and replied, to their apparent satisfaction, in the Maori language. A suite of rooms having been fitted up for the Governor and his party in Waldeck house, the private residence of His Honor the Superintendent (J. P. Taylor, Esq.,) the vice-regal party were conveyed across the noble estuaryjjof the Aparima in the pilot boat, which was manned by a picked volunteer crew, under the command of Capt. Tall. About thirty gentlemen sat down to luncheon. D. S. Lawlor, Esq., .R. M., occupied the chair j D. Hankinson, Esq., vice. Grace was said by the Rev, Mr C%rfe, $]# MJ399& wer, the eIMUTO£ call^

on those present to drink the health of ' Her Majesty the Queen, and all the ; members of the Royal Eamily. This hay- '. ing been done, The ' Ch airman then proposed the health of His Excellency the Governor. He said the community, although inhabiting a distant portion of Her Majesty's dominions, felt within it — at what might be called an extremity^— a pulsation of loyalty as vigorous as that of the centre — a sufficient sign of the vitality of the whole system. Alluding to the volunteer movement, and particularly to the local corps, the chairman said that although they* had not yet had an opportunity of gaining medals for active service, yet he had no doubt their training and military spirit would serve in good stead, were their services actually required. He would now propose the health of His Excellency Sir George Grey. (Applause.) His Excellency, in returning thanks, remarked, with reference to the absence of decorations on the volunteers, he had nuti*_ca-___«^^__ of t.he local corps wore three medals which he had gained for service in India. He __4 heard many accounts of the beauty ahd fertility uf that jpart of the colony, but all the descriptions fell far short of the reality, and the' reception they had given him was most gratifying. Recurring to the subject of military honors, His Excellency said the thought had some years ago engaged his attention, and he had then hoped that they might, at no distant period, possess a national Hall of Knights where each — as at Windsor— might in time of peace hang up his banner. In conclusion His Excellency explained that the short time allotted for his stay precluded a lengthened toast list, and proposed the health of the Riverton settlers, coupled with the name of Capt. Howell. Capt. Howell, in returning thanks, said he was proud of the distinction of being one of the oldest Riverton settlers, and was delighted to see His Excellency among them. He had known him a long time, having met him 27 ( years before at King George's Sound. The party then broke up, and proceeded to the river, which they crossed as before. The volunteers were drawn up on the beach, and a great number of spectators had gatheied to witness His Excellency's departure. His Excellency was loudly cheered on landing, and on passing the volunteers thanked them for turning out to meet him, complimenting them on th^ir fine appearance, and saying that they set a good example to the rest of Southland, as he understood they were the only volunteers in the province. Three cheers were then given for His Excellency and for Major Richardson, and the party made preparations for returning to Invercargill. Although a coach and four horses had been provided His Excellency remounted, and rode all the way to town, expressing himself highly pleased with the magnificent " ride " which the beach afforded. The Governor and suite left Riverton about _ p.m., and arrived in Invercargill about 6 o'clock. Great credit is due to the Riverton Reception Committee for the complete i nature of their arrangements, as very short notice had been received as to the definite time when the Governor might 'be expected to arrive Considerable disappointment was manifested at the short stay which His Excellency was compelled to make, as it was confidently expected that he would remain ore night. j The following gentlemen formed the i Reception Committee : — Messrs D. S. I Lawlor, M. Instone, T. Austin, W. H. Nurse, C. G. Whitley, E. Gillow, and J. Crerar (Secretary.)