The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1904. THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 58, 12 March 1904, Page 2

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1904. THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

Amongst the round of farewell visits to be paid by His Excellency the Governor before he leaves the colony will be one to New Plymouth next month, when the hatchments at St. Mary's in memory of soldiers and friendly natives, who lost their lives between 1800 and 1870, will be unveiled. This memorial will also calibrate the doings of the men from 11.M.5. Niger at the battle of Waireka on March 28, 1860. We published the other day a brief account of this incident, telling of the murders by rebel natives of Messrs Eord, Passmore, Shaw, and two boys. It was to avenge these murders and rescue the family of the Rev. .MiBrown and others, that a military expedition was organised, the late Sir Harry Atkinson being one of the military captains. The battle of Waireka was fought. The Maoris outnumbered the Europeans,and held a strong position. They were gradually surrounding the small force when Colonel Murray, in command of the military, sounded the retreat at sundown, thus leaving the volunteers and militia at the mercy of the natives. It was then that Captain Cracroft, of the Niger, and u small party of bluejackets and marines covered themselves witli glory. la the twilight, amidst a hail of bullets, they attacked the pah, drove the natives o(T in a panic, and then marched back to town singing, with the rebel flag that had flown above the pah struck on their bayonets. It will be seen, therefore, that the forthcoming ceremony will of itself be of extreme interest to Taranaki settlers, who are sure to attend in large numbers from all parts of the province. Advantage should be taken of such a representative gathering as this to mark the event in local history, and at the same time demonstrate the esteem in which Lord Ranfurly is held by the people of Taranaki, in common with those of other parts of the colony. Our departing Governor, and his charming countess, have indeed taken deep interest in the welfare of the colony during their stay. J lis Excellency has travelled through the length and breadth of the country, and sought to understand the people. He has evinced the liveliest concern in their social welfare, and he leaves behind a monument to |,js energy in the recently opened Veterans' Home. It is safe to say that the people of New Zealand will part with Lord Ranfurly with regret, and we also think that .something of that feeling will be experienced by His Excellency on the fast approaching day when he must say farewell. His visit to New Plymouth next month will therefore be his last, at any rati; in his official capacity us Governor,and some fitting entertainment should be proffered to him, There is, we understand, the probability of a war vessel being here at the same time, and that affords an additional reason why the town should '•come out of its shell" on the occasion. We hope His Worship the Mayor will call a meeting ut an early date to discuss the matter, and that an entertainment worthy the importance of the occasion will be heartily decided upon.