VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2839, 21 March 1878, Page 2

VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

+ His Excellency the Governor and suite, accompanied by Hon. J. Sheehan, Native Minister, and the Hon. G. S. Whitmore, Defence Minister, arrived yesterday afternoon in H.M.S. Nymphe. Owing to the large draught of water required by the Nymphe, she lay fully, nine miles from the wharf, and about fire miles from the Miranda shore. H.M.S. Nymphe Was commissioned at Sheerness on the sth January, 1876, and is a sloop of-war, carrying nine 641b guns, also provided with a ram. Her tonnage is. 1084, and her engines, made by Maudesly and Co., are of 300 horse power. The following are a list of her officers :—Captain, Samuel P. Townsend; Lieutenants, Cosmo F. M. Gordon and Thomas E. Cochrane; Nar. Lieut., Alfred E. Stanley; Staff Surg., Attley Cooper; Paymaster, William H. Whichelo; Chief Engineer, Wm. Ironmonger; Sub Lieuts., Francis E. Groube and Alan B. Leslie; Surgeon, Archibald McKinlay; Assist. Paym., Alfred H. L. Giles; Engineer, John Crichton; Gunner, Henry Arnold ; Boatswain, Thomas H. Burnett; Carpenter, James Henderson; Assist. Eng., .Robert W. Edwards.

At six o'clock the new steamer Tongariro left the Grahamstown wharf under charter from the authorities with Captain Fraser, Messrs Brodie, County Chairman, McCullough, Treasurer Banquet Committee, Capt. Best, Harbour Master, and Capt. Butt on board, and proceeded to the N jmphe for the purpose of waiting upon His Excellency, making concluding arrangements for the reception and banquet, and taking the Hon. J. Sheohan and Hon. Colonel Whitmore ashore. The deputation were introduced to His Excellency, who expressed himself pleased with the arrangements that had been made for his reception, and how pleased he was to hare the opportunity of tisiting the Thames. The Tongariro, with the deputation and Hon. J. Sheehan and Hon. Colonel Whitmore, then returned to the Goods Wharf. The Decorations. In the way of decorations the loyal citizens of Thames had resolved to give Her Majesty's representative a hearty welcome, judging from the numbers of flags and the tons of evergreens with' which the town was decorated; in fact these decorations, with the assistance of the a any trees lining the principal streets of the Borough, contrived to give the town quite a rus in urbe appearance. At the extreme end of the Goods Wharf a large arbour or arch of evergreen foliage had been erected by the Harbor Board. It was surmounted with flags, as also was the mainmast of the schooner Young Dick, the only craft of any size at present in harbor. Further down the wharf the signal staff was a perfect mass of bunting, the harbourmaster having call«# his entire stock of flags into requisition. The graceful fronds of the nikau and tree ! fern palms ornamented the toll-house and approaches to the wharf. On the confines of the Borough, where the Beach road crosses Burke street, a large and handsome evergreen gothic arch had been erected by the Borough authorities. On the side facing the sea it was surmounted by a scroll of canvas bearing the words, 11 Welcome to the Thames," and on the reverse side the word "Welcome" appeared. On the pinnacle of the arch ; the corporation flag bearing the coat of arms and motto of the Borough of Thames was to be seen flaunting in the soft morning breeze. Close to the arch was the platform covered with evergreens, and the houses in the vicinity showed several union jacks, &c. Stretching across Brown street from the Governor Bowen to the Freemasons' Hall was a row of largo red white, and blue flags (they might be recognised by some as " veils "), and lower down the street at the Theatre Eoyal another festoon of bunting was displayed. At the Bank of New Zealand corner considerable attempts at decoration were visible. From Messrs Macdonald and Miller's offices to the Bank hung a siring of bunting, the centre-piece of which was a scroll bearing the legend " God Save the Queen." All the flagstaff's in this vicinity were arrayed with flags, while from the Corner down Albert street a number of trees had miraculously sprung up during the night. The Borough Council offices were also adorned with streamers, and on the flagstaff on the chief civic building of the town appeared the Union Jack. Pollen street, which was to be the principal line of route, was decorated chiefly by flags, though two or three loyal citizens had their residences and places of business decorated with evergreens. A string of bunting, spanned the streets at the fire-bells, County offices, and Butt's corner. The Landing. At about 9 o'clock this morning the p.s. Enterprise went off to fetch His Excellency ashore, and at 9.30 a crowd of gome 1500 or 2000 persons assembled in Burke street, and in the vicinity of the Goods Wharf. The Volunteer companies who had been ordered out to act as a guard of honor to his Excellency the Governor, were also in attendance ns follows: — Detachment of Navals, 30 strong, under Capt. Best; Native corps, 30 strong, under Capt. Taipari, Lieut. Eaika Whakarongatai and sub-Lieutenant Matiu Poona; Sti f George's Naval Cadets, under Sub-Lieut. Vernon, 25 strong. A detachment of about twenty of the Navals, under Lieut. Gavin, were mustered on the embankment a little to the right of the wharf to work the howitzers, which had been brought round from their usual position to belch forth the viceregal salute of seventeen guns at the timo of His Excellency's landing. The military display was under Major Cooper's command. At a few minutes past the half hour a murmur passed through the crowd, " She has left the ship," meaning that the Enterprise had commenced her return trip. The infantry detachment of the Navals were then marched up the wharf, the remaining companies taking open order, and forming an avenue. The Hon. Colonel Wbitmore, Defence Minis-

ter, Hon. John Sheehan, Nativo Minister Mr W. Eowe, v.H.K,., the members of the Harbor Board, and others then pro ceeded up the wharf to await the lauding. While passing the Native Corps they saluted in preciso military style. After waiting some time on the" wharf the Enterprise slowly steamed alongside, and the gangway being fixed his Excellency stepped on to the wharf, accompanied by Capt. Maling, A.D.C., Capt. Townsend, of H.M.S. Nymphe, and several of her officers. Mr Sheehan introduced to His Excellency the Chairman of the

Harbor Board, Who asked permission to present an address of welcome to His Excellency. He then called on Mr A. Fleming, acting secretary to the Harbor Board, to read the address, which, with the exception of His Excellency's titles, was as follows :— To His Excellency the Mont Honorable George Agustus Cokstantinb, Marquis of NoRMANBrj Earl of Mulgruve, &c, &c, Governor and Comumnder-in-Chief in nnd ovor Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies and Vice Admiral of the came. Mat it please Your ExcEtxEUoy,—

We the Chairman nnd member* of the Thames Harbor Board have much pleasure in according to your Excellency a hearty welcome to the Thames, and desire through your Excellency to at'est our loyalty and devotion to her most gracious Majesty the Queen. Wo hope your Excellency may find much both to interest and gratify you during your stay within the district the part of -which we havo the honor to be representatives.

In reply His Excellency said: " Gentlemen, I thank you most cordially for the address, and assure you that I am always gratified at visiting the various towns and districts throughout this Colony and see the loyalty expressed by the people. There are so many calls in one's time that I am sorry I cannot visit you as often as I would wish." Accompanied by Mr Davies on one side and Captaiu Townsend on the other, His Excellency proceeded down the wharf, followed by the rest of the party, while the great guns boomed forth their loyal greeting to her Majesty's representative. While passing the detachment of volunteers on the wharf they presented arms, and when the shore end of the wharf waS reached a similar compliment was paid, the Band of the Thames Scottish playing " God Save the Queen." The Borough Address. The Governor, escorted by the Mayor and others, at once mounted the platform erected at the end of the wharf, where he was introduced to the Town Clerk and a number of other gentlemen, members of tho Borough Council and other local governing bodies, after which Dr Kilgour said the Borough Council would have the pleasure of presenting His Excellency au address, which he called upon the Town Clerk to read as follows :— . To' His Excellency the Most Honorable GeOESB AffGU3TfJ3 CONSTAKTINE, MABquis of NOBMANBT, Earl of Mulgraye, &e\, &c, Governor and Commander-in-Chief on and ovor Her M'ljestj's Colony of New Zealand, and Vice-Admiral of the same. Mat it pleas h Yottb Exoeltjeitct,—J We, the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Thames, with o»ery feeling of loyalty nnd personal respect, deare to express the great pleasure we experience on receiving i your Excellency at the Thames. The occasion which gives us the honor of this visit is one of great interest to tho Borough and district, and we conceived it must bo gratifying to j your Excellency to be associated with the successful completion of any works tending to the progress of the country* We give you a cordial and ) early welcome, and trust that your visit to tho Thames may provo at agreeable as we desire to make it.

His Excellency in reply said he thanked the Mayor and Councillors very cordially for their welcome to this Municipality. It had given him great pleasure to pay the visit, especially as it was to open a new road. He hoped the completion of the work was an evidence of the friendly relations between the two races. He trusted that these friendly relations would continue, and that ultimately an amalgamation of the two races would take place, and have a beneficial effect. Whoever helped to bring about that amalgamation would conduce to the welfare of both races. He would again thank them for their address of welcome.

Captain. Taipari and' other volunteer officers were then introduced to His Excellency when the vice-regal party got into the carriage in the following order:— FIRST CARRIAGE. Chairman of Harbor Board, Chairman of Parawai Board, Town Clerk, and County Clerk. SECOND CARRIAGE. The Governor and Captain Townsend, Mayor, and County Chairman. ■rniRD CARRIAOB. Hon. John Shcehan, Hon. O. S. Whitmore, Captain Moling, and Naval Officer. FOI'KTH CARRIAGE. Hon. Hoani Nalii, W. H. Grace, C. F. Mitchell, and E. W. Puckey. , JUtTll CARIUAGK. Two Naval Otficers, Capt. Frascr and W. Howe, M.H.It. SIXTH, SBVE.NTII, AND .JBIGIITU CABRUQKS. Borough and County Councillors. NINTH CARItIAOK. J. Read, and Members of tho Press. TENTH CARRIAGE. Members of other Local Bodice. The procession followed the route up Burke street, along Owen street and Brown street, Albert street and Pollen street to Grey street, and was accompanied all tho way by a crowd of citizens. On reaching Grey street bridge, which had been decorated with a floral arch, a halt was made for the presentation of an Addrsse from the County Council. A platfornr had been erected,, and the vice-regal party alighted and took possession of tbe same. The County Chairman, Mr Alexander Brodie, welcomed the Goyernor to the' County, and after somf more introductions the County Clerk, MrE. W. Hollis, read the address as follows: To His Excellency the Moat Honorable tho Mabquis of Nobmanbt, Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, Ac, &c, &c. May it Pxease Yopb ExobuiENCt—

On behalf of tbo Council and inhabitants of the Thames County, wo greet jou with a hearty and lojal welcome. At Her Majesty's Representative, we desire to offer you an assurance of the loyalty and affection the inhabitants entertain for the. person and throne of our gracious Queen. Your Tieit to this District as the Governor of tlie Colony will be marked in the histery of the County as the occasion upon which your Excellency formally opened for traffic a portion of an important public work, which the Council trusts will promote the welfare of both races.

With our best wishes for tho continued health snd happiness of Lady Normanby and yourself, we have the honor to subscribe ourselves, Tour Excellency's most obedient Servants, Autx. Bhodie, County Chairman, E. W. HoMdts, County Clerk and Treasurer.

His Excellency briefly returned thanks. Ho said he received tlieir address with pleasure, aud thanked them for their expressions of loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen. There was no country or part of the British doniiuions where such expressions were more cordially or demonstratively given than in New Zealand. He wan glad to hare been asked to open their new road, and trusted that the completion of the work was an evidence of growing friendship between the two races. He trusted this good feeling would increase day by day, and year by year, until they had become a united people. This closed the formal welcome, and the Governor, suite, sad public bodies once more ascended the carriages, and proceeded to Kerikeri, the Thames Scottish Band leading the way, accommodated on Griffiths' big- 'bus. There was quite a large number of horsemen and horsewomen, and the procession looked very pretty as it passed through the green lanes of Parawei. There were numerous decorations on the way. Mr James Marshall's place was very pretty, small flags being stuck in the hedge and floating from trees all about thu front of the ground. These flags were miniature ensigns, tricolors, <fee. On the new County road there were quite a score of arches, some of them displaying great taste in the manipulation of tfew Zealand foliage. The designs were various, and reflect credit on the .Natives, whose handiwork they were, we believe, directed by Mr A. Aitken, County Surveyor. The drive out was very enjoyable, and many who saw the-road for the first time expressed surprise at the amount of work that has been effected. On

Arrival at Eexi Son the whole cavalcade halted once more, and the Governor and suite weie escorted to a tent pitched under the shads of a large peach tree. A number of Native Chiefs were introduced to His Excellency, and Mr Hoani Nahe, M.H.8,, presented an address in Maori, a translation of which was read by Mr Fuckey. It was redundant in expressions of loyalty to the Queen, affection for the Governor, and good feeling towards the palceha, but we were unable to obtain a copy. 'I he Governor, replying, thanked th« Natives for their address and the loyal expressions towards Her Majesty. He could'assure them that it was a source of sincere pleasure to be present on that; auspicious occasion. He was glad to see the improvements taking place, and the evidences of growing friendship between the two races. It would ever | be the duty of Her Majesty's representaI tive to consider the welfare of her Maori subjects as well as European. He trusted that ere long any feeling of animosity that might have existed would be extinguished, and that the two races would grow up a united and contented people. He would thank them once more for their cordial address, and congratulated them .on the completion of the road. Some light refreshments were partaken of, consisting of melons and grapes, and the Native people brought out for such as desired fish, potatoes and kumeras, and as there was a barrel of beer under a peach tree quite convenient, a number of the European visitors par* took of the Natives' hospitality. The real business of the day was then proceeded with, namely— Opening 1 the Road. The County Chairman, addressing His Excellency, said they had already, expressed their pleasure at His Excellency's visit. He would request him to formally open the road. He might say that in the difficult and delicate negotiations they had had to acquire the. land they had been greatly assisted by the Native Minister, Mr Puckey and the Chiefs Taipari, Eaika and Nikorima, to whom he tendered his thanks. His Excellency said nothing gave him greater pleasure than to be present on that occasion. He would declare that road formally opened. He was pleased to learn thnt the Natives had been mainly employed in the construction of the road, and hoped the opening would conduce to their mutual welfare. Three cheers were then called for the Governor and heartily given, as also for the Marchioness of JNormanby. for the County Chairman, Ministers of the Crown and the Native Chiefs.

Tlio Chief Kewi made a short speech, which was translated to His Excellency by Mr VV. If. Grace. He said, after welcoming His Excellency, that the Europeans and Natives were now working together. They *vere friends. The road was for the Europeans, but the land adjoining it still belonged to him. He hoped His Excellency would live long and be a friend to the Natives, and concluded by warmly shaking the Governor's hand, and pronouncing some word?, meaning, w« believe, " for ever." Very shortly after this the carriages were again resorted to and the company returned, calling in at Parawai Gardens, in the pavilion of which was prepared a luncheon. Till Luncheon. After an excellent luncheon, prepared by Mr Forgie, and at which His Excellency and suite, members of local governing bodies, and others, were present, The Chairman said that the first toast on all such occasions as the present was the " Health of the Queen," and he knew it would be loyally responded to, especially on the present occasion when the representative of Her Gracious Majesty was present. Drunk with three cheers. The toast of " His Koyal Highness the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the lloyal Family, 1' was also proposed by the Chairman and received with cheers. "Vice-Chairman Mr Bagnall said he would not detain them lon» in proposing the toast in his hands, and he knew that it would be enthusiastically responded to on this occasion. His Excellency the Governor was au experienced Governor, and when he (the speaker) was only a very small boy was Governor of Nova Scotia; He would ask them to drink the " Health of His Excellency the Governor." Drunk with three cheers.

His Excellency said in response: Mr Chairman, Vice-chairman, and gentlemen, I hare had the greatest satisfaction in coming among you to day, and I thank you lor the manner in which you hare received me. You bare been kind enough to mention the name of Lady Norman by, and ihe only regret I hare is that she is not present. One of tlie businesses that brought me here to-day was the opening of the road to Ohinemuri. If anything was wanted to show the wisdom ot the course, namely, taking their own matters in their own hand was the great success achieved. He congratulated them upon that success, and felt sure it would

be of great utility jo the neighbourhood, and add to the welfare of both races. He hnd great pleasure in being present today, and trusted again to hare the pleasure of visiting tho Thames. (Applause.) His Worship the Mayor said hia toast was a timo-honorcd one, and one that was always drunk with enthusiasm, namely, "The Army| Navy »ud Colonial forces." Capt. Towniend of H.M.S. Nymphe was received with cheers, and ho said he hud great pleasure on behalf of the Navy to return thanks for the toast, aud also for the favor of being present at the ceremonies of the day. (Applause.) Hon. Colonel Wbitmore said he had to thank them on behalf of the colonial forces. He was only about 16 years of age when he first joined the army, and he still felt a soldier, although he was now a civilian. The army of England had tho gratification of always feeling aure of the applause of ■ the country at large and the gratitude for the services. He was sorry to say, however, ' that the section of the forces to which he had in years past belonged, (he Colonial forces had not received that meed of praise that they were entitled to, but it was more owing to that; nasty thing politics, than a want of appreciation on behalf of their fellow settlers. (Applause). The Chairman said the next toast was j the " Hon. the Premier and the members of the Executive Council of New Zealand." It was a toast that should have been placed in better bands than bis. The speaker referred briefly to each member of the Ministry, and spoke of their many services in behalf of the interests of the Colony, and of Mr Sheehan, the last member mentioned, he said he could not say all he felt towards him. He thought Sir George Grey had done quite right in selecting Mr Sheehan for the honorable position he had, and it was an evidence of wisdom on behalf of the Premier. He had already referred to the assistance rendered by Mr Sheehan to the County Council, and hoped that before long bis efforts would result in the removal of the only native obstruction that at present existed in .the way ot having a road through from the Thames to the upper country. (Applause.) Hon. Mr Sheehan, who was received with cheers, said he could not but look upon the present part of the business as a fraud, ad it would all have to be done again to-night. It was perhaps a preliminary canter. He thought that the Ministry were one who had determined to make themselves acquainted with the wants of the Colony. It was necessary that the Ministry should know the requirements of the Coldny as the present Government as a party had not been in power for over seven years. He knew that the Thames had not got a fair share of the public works loan, but he would assure them that the present Ministry were determined to do what they could do for the Thames. Although the present Ministry were not in as good a position as their predecessors to do so, still an extra wring would be given to the purse for the Thames interests. His Excellency the Governor said the next toast was one he had asked to propose ; ii was " The health of the Mayor, County Chairman, and Members of Local Governing Bodies." He was a strong believer in the system of local selfgovernment. | Dr Kilgour replied. Hon. Mr Sheehan said tbere was one toast he would like to propose, namely, that of " the Native chiefs coupled with the name of Taipari.." Captain Taipari returned thanks, and was interpreted by Mr Grace. Hon. Col. Whitmore said he was asked to propose a toast, namely, that of the ladies, and especially that of Lady Normanby, the first lady in the Colony, which he had great pleasure in doing. His Excellency the Governor returned thanks on behalf of Lady Normtnby; a Naval Officer for the ladies in general.. This concluded the lunch, and the party then returned to Grahamstown. Accidents and Incidents. One rather serious accident occurred on the way to Kerikeri, which resulted in the death of a fine gray horse belonging to Dr Payne. It was ridden by Mr T. Lawlor, and came into collision with the shaft of a cart driven by Mr Gubb. The shaft penetrated the horse's loins to a great distance, making a fearful wound, and although an attempt was made to bring him into town it failed, the poor brute dying on the way within a mile of where the accident occurred. The only other accident we observed was a "spill," which happened to a Maori lady, but as she promptly pulled herself together and remounted the damage was scarcely more serious than a dusty habit. The decorations on the road were greatly admired, and the efforts of the Maori people generally to make the Governor's reception a success were general. Indeed we feel certain that His Excellency will be satisfied with his visit so far, all classes having united to make his stay pleasant, and his reception becoming to Her Majesty's representative. The Thames Scottish Band was a prominent feature in the proceedings, their playing being much admired. The Levee. His Excellency the Governor held an undress levee at four o'clock, which was vtry rwell attended, but the time at which it was held precludes us from publishing the list: There will be a banquet this evening, and a ball at the Academy of Music, at both of which His Excellency is expected to be present, and these events will complete the festivities.