THE VICE-REGAL TRIP TO OHINEMURI.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4757, 5 April 1884, Page 2

THE VICE-REGAL TRIP TO OHINEMURI.

The s.s. Despatch proceeded to the Hinemoa yesterday morning, and after taking on board His Excellency and party proceeded up theriver towards Ohinemuri. The Governor examined with much apparent interest the various attractive points on the journey, and the steamer reached the Paeroa wharf at half-past one o'clock. A large crowd had gathered to welcome him, and on the wharf being reached the County Chairman read the following address:—

To His Excellency Sir Wm. F. D. Jervois, G C.M.G., Lieut.-General in Her Majesty's Army, and Governor of Hew Zealand.

May it please your Excellency,—We, the miners, settler?, traders, and residents of Ohinemuri, most heartily welcome you on this occasion of ,your first visit to the d strict, and gladly embrace the opportunity of expressing to you personally our feelings of loyalty and devotion to Her Majesty, and respect to you a3 Her Majesty's representative.

Your Excellency's long acquaintance with these colonies assures us that your administration will be advantageous to us, and the interest you have always evinced in all matters tending to the peace and good government of the Colony, and the development of our resources, convinces us that jour heart is in the work. We trust that your visit to this district may be a pleasant one, and that it will not be the last time that we shall have the honor of aocording you a be»rty welcome.

On behalf of the residents of Ohinemuri, we beg most respectfully to subscribe ourselves—P. Austin. C. F. Mitchell, J. Phillips, senr., H. 0. Wiok, C. Rhodes, W. G. Nicholls, Wm. Littlejohn, J". M. Robson, A. Cassrels, D. Snodgrass, W. D. Buchanan, —Reception Committee.

His Excellency briefly responded, and referred to the vastness of the district, and deemed it bis duty as Governor to aid the cultivation of the resources of the colony. He cordially thanked them for their hearty reception. The party were then driven through the township, over the Rotokohu road, and'returned to the Criterion Hotel, where lunch was prepared for them. Here His Excellency, in responding to the toast of his health, said that he believed that the town and district of the Thames must become of much importance, owing to their wonderful resources. He was then met by a number of natives, who most enthusiastically received him, presenting him with mats and a " mere." Tukukino was amongst the chiefs present. Judge Williams, of the Native Lands Department, acted as interpreter. The party then drove to Te Puke and embarked on board the " Despatch" for Kopu, which was reached in two hours. The Governor expressed much satisfaction with the little steamer, and enquired from Mr Watson, who was on board, all details as to its build, cost, &c. After landing the Grahamstown people at Kopu, the viceregal party were conveyed to the " Hinemoa," which conveyed them to Coromandel, where, after a short stay, they will leave for Auckland, reaching the latter place to-night.