EASTERN DISTRICTS.

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

EASTERN DISTRICTS.

Wednesday morning His Excellency Sir George Grey, accompanied by Major Richardson and John Blacklock, Esq., Provincial Secretary, started in a carriage and four to inspect the Company's farms in the Eastern district. The Rev. E. Thatcher (private secretary), Rev. W. P" Tanner, L _T. Watt, Esq., and the Maori chiefs, were in carriages. Major Grey, Capt. Hope, and the rest of the suite were on horseback, as also about thirty gentlemen, including Robt. Hamilton, Esq., head manager of the farms. Mr Commissioner Weldon and several troopers accompanied the cavalcade. The appointed time was fixed at 10 a.m., but the start was not made till near 11. The weather in the early part. of the morning looked dull, but towards noon it cleared up and continued beautifully fine all day. The employes at Messrs Roberts and Ferguson's, Tay-street, saluted His Excellency in passing with several discharges of cannon and rounds of cheers. As the party proceeded on its route the escort received additions to its numbers, but when it reached the entrance to Woodlands, the nearest of the stations to Invercargill, there were 70 or 80 horsemen, mostly in the employ of the Company, waiting to receive His Excellency, arid welcomed him with vociferous cheering. The bridge across the Waihopai had an arch erected covered with evergreens, and surmounted with the motto, " Speed the Plough." The fences nearly the whole of the way from the East-road to Morton Mains, a distance of five or six miles, were bedecked with evergreens. On reaching Woodlands His Excellency alighted to take a close inspection of an 1 8-horse-power steam engine at work with four sets of zig-zag harrows. After His Excellency had made numerous enquiries he expressed his satisfaction at the way the work was done, and then exchanged his seat in the carriage for one in the saddle, the latter seeming to suit His Excellency best, judging from the increased pace put on. About halfway from the main road to Morton Mains there was another triumphal arch erected with animmence crown of flowers an,d evergreens suspended, which barely left room for the horsemen to pass under. At a gateway leading to the homestead of tho manager there WS| a $#! frs, Bipftlss ft | <

the one first mentioned, bearing the motto " Peace and Plenty." His Excellency reached Morton Mains about 1.30 p.m., where a sumptuous luncheon was provided. Mr and Mrs Hamilton entertained His Excellency and suite ; and the rest of the cortege, then numbering at least 150, were heartily regaled in various parts of the establishment. After luncheon, His Excellency and suite were shown some imported Leicester rams from the Duke of Buccleuch's flock, which were highly admired. A twentypound fleece has been taken from some of them, thus showing that they are a profitable breed of sheep for this province. His Excellency then went over the granary, and was shown the wheat which gained the first prize at the show held in Invercargill last week ; also some splendid English ryegrass seed, 50 bushels of which His Excellency ordered to be sent to him. On his return to the house the following address was read by Mr Adam Brown, one of the sub-managers : To His ExceUency Sir George Grey, Knight, Commander of the most honorable Order of t"ho Bath. Governor in and over the Islands of New Zealana ana H»_cpoT_aor_oioo, Com-mander-in-Chief and Vice-Admiral of the same. The address of the New Zealand Land Association. May it please your Excellency, — We beg to express our regret that the disturbed state of the North Island has hitherto prevented your ExceUency from visiting the Southern Provinces, and our heartfelt wish that these unhappy dissensions, rapidly disappearing, may soon cease to exist. We trust your ExceUency may be gratified by a view of the splendid avaUable lands of the Province of Southland. We beg to express our warm attachment to the person and throne of our most gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria. Long may she Uve and reign as hitherto, a blessing to her people. We gladly welcome your ExceUency to the Eastern District of Southland, and hope your ExceUency may long live and minister to the permanent peace and prosperity of the Islands of New Zealand. His Excellency regretted he had had no notice, so as to give a suitable reply in writing, but would most cordially thank them for their good wishes, for the hearty welcome they had given him, and for their expressions of loyalty to the Queen. He expressed the gratification he felt at the improvements made, and, considering the short time that had elapsed — he believed only three years. — since the ground had been in a state of nature, it was almost marvellous. Three hearty cheers wsre then given to tbe Governor, and three for Major Richardson. His Excellency then went to inspect a steam plough at work some two miles farther on. It was ploughing a second time a piece of virgin soil, and turning four furrows at once. His Excellency passed immense stacks of hay and grain in various parts of the property, and through some fields ripe for cutting, others ready to cart, as well as turnips in different stages, showing altogether the great fertility of the soil. When His Excellency returned to the main road where the employes of the Company had to retrace their steps lie bade them all good bye, and led off by Mr A. Mitchell, they gave three cheers and " one more " to His Excellency and three to Major Richardson. The return home was done at oyer 10 miles an hour, causing the escort to His Excellency on reaching InvercargiU to present a more meagre appearance than on its leaving in the morning. His Excellency arrived at the Southland Club soon after 6 p.m., and before dismounting, thanked those gentlemen who had accompanied him, and again repeated the gratification Mr Hamilton's kindness had afforded him. Mr Hamilton then called for three cheers for His Excellency and the same for Major Richardson and Capt. Hope, which were all given with a hearty good will, when the company then dispersed.