THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1483, 14 September 1883, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT

There was a considerable amount of 'excitement in Masterton yesterdaycaused by the first visit of His Excel-' lenoy the Governor to Masterton. The occasion for inviting him was the Annual Ploughing Match held at Masterton, under the auspices of the Wairarapa and East.; Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Association, The arrangements for His Excellency's reception and entertainment were perfect, though made at' very short notice. The Fire Brigade and various Friendly Societies were invited to take part in the procession and the time for the Volunteers' and Cadets' inspection was altered by Major Bunny to 11 a,m. in order to enable those corps.to assist i.tthe reception. The only., cause for anxiety was thedisagreeablcnessof the weather. It had. been bad all the week, but it was fondly hoped the sun would have sole control on the Thursday. But that day was, if anything, more miserable than its predecessors in the morning, though as. the time approached for the arrival of the special train the clouds broke a little, the sun shone out gloriously and the weather continued bright for an hour. During the morning various business places in Queen street • were gaily decorated with flags, &c. Across the road from JRapp and Hare's and L. J. Hooper and Co.'s premises to Lowes &' lorns' auction rooms a line of flags were hung, the centre one bearing the device, " God Bless the Queen and her Representative." a second line of flags stretched from the Club Hotel across the street to the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.'s office, and a third from, the Club balcony to the Bank of Australasia. At 11.30 a crowd began to collect near the post office, : and members of the various bodies intending to take part in the procession began to assemble at their different rendezvous. The inspiriting sounds. of the bugle rang out, and Cadets and Volunteers loyally responded. The latter, however, on being inspected by Major Bunny were dismissed on the ground that there were not a sufficient number in uniform to form the guard of honor. The Band of the Corps was' retained, however, to lead the procession. Shortly after 12 o'chek a start was made for the station, the order of march being as follows ;

Volunteer Band Cadets Foresters Oddfellows Druids Good Templars Bechabites On reaching the station the Cadets, under command of Captain Grundy, were drawn up on the platform as the guard of honor, the friendly societies and Fire Brigade forming line on each side of the road, and a considerable crowd disposed itself in the most convenient situation for seeing and bearing the reception ceremony, Punctually at 12.30 the special train arrived with the illustrious visitor, who was received on tlie platform by His Worship the Mayor of Masterton (Mr A. Bish), and the President of the Pastoral Society (Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R.) Among the other gentlemen present were Mr D. McGregor, Chairman Wairarapa East County Council, Mr F. H. Wood, Mayor of Greytown, Major Bunny, Mr H. S. Wardell, K.M., and a number of the leading settlers of the town and district. His Excellency was accompanied by Major Eccles (aid-de-camp), Mr Pennvfather, Mr Whitaker, jun., Mr H. W. Werry, and Mr Geo. Ashcroft, District Railway Manager. Immediately on the Governor alighting from the train the Hand played the National Anthem, and the guard of honor presented arms. His Excellency then inspected his diminutive guard, and expressed himself greatly pleased at their smart appearance. His Excellency having gracefully acknowledged the presence of the friendly societies, the Brigade,, and general public, was presonted with the following

. address:— Youe Exuellenoy,—The burgoßses of Masterton and the residents of the Wairarapa beg to offer you a cordial and respectful welcome They welcome you as an honored representative of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, and they also welcume you as a Governor who has won the hearts of colonists by genuine and kindly interest displayed in their welfare. The settlers of this diatviot febl greatly honored by your present visit, and trust it may be repeated on soma future occasion when you may havo more leisure to see the surrounding; agricultural and pastoral settlements. We hare noticed with pleasure the luoly interest evinced byyourExcellenoy in the welfare of the colony generally, and we trust that your trip to the Wairarapa will further confirm tho good impressions respecting the prospects of this part of the British Empire, which your recent tour of both Islands enabled you to form. On bohalf of tlie buryoPßes of Maßlerton and the residents of Wairarapa we have the honor to he your Excellency's Most obedient servants, A, BISH, Mayor, D. MoGreqor, Chairman Wairarapa East County Oounoil. His Excellency replied as follows: To the Burgesses of Maßlerton and the Resident* ot Wairarapa,

(jentlemen,—lthankyouforyourloyal address and for the very hearty manner in which you have welcomed me to Mrtsierton and the Wairarapa. I have been greatly struck, wherever I have been in New Zealand, with the vast capabilities, both pastoral and agricultural, of the colony; and I therefore feel a speoial interest in all operations connected with the development of those industries, I look forward with muck pleasure to the competition I have come here to-day to witness, and only regret that my other engagements will not permit of my spending a longer period at present in this neighborhood.

Three hearty cheers were then given for the Governor, who took his seat'in an open carriage drawn by four handsome greys, and the procession reformed and proceeded to the town, As the party issued from the gates of the station grounds some workmen on the new railway formation fired an impromptu salute on their own account —an incident much appreciated... The spirit was somewhat taken out.of the processionists soon after this by the driver, of the Governor's carriage whipping up his horses and leaving the procession altogether, The visitors

subsequently ; .arrived at, the Club Hotel, where lunoh'had been prepared/without " heat of drum,"' and the crowd there received hia Excellency in silence, not being aware that he was then before them, naturally thinking he and his party were with the procession formed in his honor. His Excellency, in noticing the decoration" in the street was specially attracted by the fl'ags.on Mr Evens' shop,:• opposite the Club; beneath which were the names of many famous battle fields whereon Mr Evens had fought, and he appeared greatly interested on being informed of Mr Evens' military career, shaking hands heartily with, him on leaving Masterton. ■•:.,. •■•■-. •

THE LUNCH.,,, - At 1 p,m. His Excellehcyand some sixty settlers representing all parts of the district sat down to an excellent lunch in the Club Hotel. Host Elkiris notwithstanding the short notice left nothing to be desired in the fare set before the guests,'!' The catering, including the wines, "were" excellent, and there was : an efficient y staff of waiters, ••■•• - •

The chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor, on his right being, the Governor and Mr Wardell, and on his left Major Bunny and Mr Booth. .The vice chairs were filled byMessrs Buchanan, McGregor, and Meredith,

The usual loyal toasts having been duly honored the Chairman proposod the health of the Governor and trusted that it would be responded, to heartily. The presence of so esteemed a Governor was a compliment not often paid to the town. His Excellency had taken a long and tiresome journey to be present at the ploughing match; that day, and as burgesses of Masterton, and residents in the Wairarapa, they were i proud to welcome him. ' The toast having been drunk with enthusiasm His Excellency responded saying; " I feel most sincerely the kind and hearty manner in which you have recoivedme, and the honor which you have done me. I have, had, great pleasure in visiting •the'-town of Masi terton, Having previously contemplated coming up here I was glad when Mr Buchanan invitod me on the present occasion to take advantage of tho opportunity /applause). As long as I remain in New Zealand, indeed as long as I live, all that tends to she advantage of the community will be a matter of deep interest to me. I have been told that the Ploughing Match of to-day is a small affair, but nothing, whether small or big shall bo neglected by me if it tends to the prosperity of New Zealand. I see that my name is down for other toasts, and therefore I need say no more to the present one." (Applause.) Mr Wardell rose to propose the toast of tho Army, the Navy, and the Volunteers. This'toast, he said, was of interest not only to the colony, but to the Empire, as it embraced interests which extended throughout its length and breadth. However, on the present occasion, they might restrict themselves to the local aspect of it. He held that members of the army and navy always made good settlers, and the discipline which they received .in their professions enabled them to develop volunteer interests in the community, The volunteers never held back, and though in peaceful times they- made no display, in times of trouble they were always in readiness. They might not now be able to show the Governor a body of volunteers worthy of his attention, still they had the neuclus of an efficient force. The Mayor had spoken of His Excellency as a Governor, but he desired to speak of him as a soklisr —not as a feather bed soldier, but as one who had done service in the field, Also as one who had done special services' to the colonies, which they, as colpnisls, should not forget, :by assisting them to make suitable' defences against external fries.-' It would 'be remembered how His:/ Excellency went the round of the colonies on this mission, and he regretted that some political contingency had, at that time deprived New Zealand of his' services.

, His Excellency in responding to the toast said—l am afraid that before I leave Masterton you will have too much of me. (A laugh.) 'Besides I am not sure that I am. in order in responding to the toast of the army and navy. I am no longer a British officer, my position being that 'of a retired general. It is considered now that after.;a certain age' a man though he mtiy be equal to serve Her* Majesty in other capacities, is not fitted to discharge tho duties of a field:, officer. Properly speaking Major fides, who is an officer in the army on full pay, should respond to this toast, and I hope ho will excuse ma if I take the wind out of his sails. Tho toast, as Mr Wardell says, is a large one, and I could go on addressing you on it. till the ploughing match is ended. : It is true that some years ago 'I was about to visit New Zoaland, when I received a telegram sayinir, that the colony did not require any defences, and so I paoked up my portmanteau and went to England. Little did I think at the' time that I should come to be Governor of New Zealand. In this country you have had great wars in the' past, but happily these are now atari end; Indeed one can almost say with, cer tainty that they will never recur. At the same time it is right to have bodies like Volunteers to keep internal order in the country. It is necessary also to look to the external defences of the colony should, hostilities arise with any other maritime powers, These defences have been made : in other colonies on ray recommendation. I have lived to see my ideas carried ont in this respect in Brisbane, QueensSouth Wales, arid South Australia, and I hope the time will come when,l shall be able, with the consent of Parliament, to make similar recommendations for New_ZeaUnd. I have in these matters been wont to cousider them from all points'of : view, weighing their political; : and social aspects as well as their military and naval importance.", ' The" defence of harbors and coast in this colony must rest largely 'on the navy of Great Britain, but we cannot rely on the navy keeping off chance cruisers, and it is our duty to provide against such

attacks, I| However, 1 find; myself .getting :into too long a disquisition in thbae matters and will conclude by thanking you for the hearty 'manner in which you have dmnk'the toast. Major Bunnv, whose name was also coupled with the toast, said the Volunteers were always ready. to respond when their services were called upon, He had been a Volunteer over twenty, years, and recollected the time when the Maoris were expected to come over the hill. The Masterton Volunteers had;" not turned out that day in the way they ought to have done. The Cadets, however, turned out in a most creditable manner, He hoped the men would take what he had said in part. Only twenty men were present, and out of this number only itboUfc..'fourteen in proper clothes. Some were in private clothes, and not very good ones either. He was glad to fall back on a first-class lot of boys for a guard of honor, The Governor said, " there is one more, toast, that of success to the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Society. T came here to witness the ploughing match under the auspices of thai body. Pastoral people, employ-I understand large quantities of agricultural labor, so that a squatter is really becoming an agriculturalist. I have i heard that this ploughing match is" a small affair, but the very first direction given to our progenitor Adam was to replenish the earth and subdue it, and this command would "not ( have been given unless the work of l 'c'ultivating the soil had not been one of special importance!, ■ When one is called upon to vhit large concourses at race meetings and gatherings to see how far a man can kick a football, one cannot considor a ploughing meeting of less interest and importance. Men came to New Zealand to cultivate the soil, and nothing; is of greater consequence than this duty (applause). , Mr Buchanan in responding to tlio toast as President of the Society, said that New Zealand stood foremost amongst the colonies in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, Even "with' its \rough cultivation it stood well in comparison with the Home Country. ; He was proud too, to see the reception their products had met with in the worlds markets, through the agency of the meat freezing process. After lunch the Governor and party proceeded on their way to the ploughing match ground, stopping en route at the Masterton Public School. At the entrance to the school ground a very] small, though very beautiful, ttiuniphal arch constructed of flowers ifec; had been erected by the teachers and scholars, while about the grounds were bannarets, giving the place a very bright appearance. The cadets were, drawn up as a guard of honor, and His Excellency was evidently greatly pleased at his reception by the scholars, who cheered-most enthusiastically as he passed under the arch. He was shewn over the school by Mr J. C. Boddington, Chairman of the School Committee, and Mr Grundy, head master. He expressed his surprise at finding such a well-appointed, wellarranged school in a country town. His Excellency then addressed the children, Saying that from what he had observed of the Cadets at the station that day, he had formed a very favorable opinion of the rest of the school, and he was pleased to say that opinion was now fully sustained. He bad intended asking for a half-holiday for them, but he found that had ah eady been granted. The scholars responded to the address with round upon round of lusty cheers, which were continued till His Excellency drove off on his way to the ploughing match. One incident appeared to afford His Excellency especial pleasure, viz., the presentation to him of a bouquet by one of the little pupils, Miss Jessie Galloway. Masterton is indebted to the teachers and pupils of its school for having interested and gratified the Governor. After » brief stay on the ploughing match ground he returned to the town, and, as the rain still fortunately held off, he was driven ut short distance along the Te Ore Ore road, and on his return immediately proceeded to tho station and left at about 3.30, after having spent a pretty busy three hours in Masterton. , The thanks of Masterton are due to Mr Kapp, secretary of the committee, His Worship the Mayor, several members of the committee, and to Mr Elkins, who worked hard and successfully to carry out the various arrangements. It may be fairly said that the visit passed off in a manner most gratifying to those who feared that from the hurried character of the preparations some shortcomings would be all but inevitable,

THE MATCH. The .scone of oporation was at Manaia in a paddock belonging to Mr Donald Donald. The committee, punctually to the time appointed, had all arrangements completed necessary for the start, but on account of the late arrival of some Of the contestants it was 10 o'clock before Mr Gapper (timekeeper) had got them all under way. The fearing or sotting out of the land was keenly watched and criticised by a large number of farmers present, who were not at all backward in expressing their approval or otherwise of the workmanship of the competitors. A stoppage of half an hour was made at midday for refreshment, after which the interest in the events increased, and as the work-advanced the spectators, began to do- some amateur judging and to single out the teams that (in their opinion) ought to take honors.

About 2.30, His Excellency and narty arrived on the ground, and having alighted from the vehicles, walked around the different pieces of land, the nature of the work and all matters connected with it, being pointed out jind explained to His Excellency by Mr W. 0. Buchanan. After Btaying about half an hour, the Governor and .party returned to town. • At this time there were-between three-and four hundred, persons on the ground, and as thV.fiu|shes[were now taking'placejhe liveliest interest was manifested in the the events. It might be said that there is nothing exciting about a ploughing match, but p this ojcasiin,

*here was almost as much excitement

over Desforges', Handson's, Foreman's and Morris' finishes, as there would be • over the finish of any horserace. . The crowd assembled at the top of the furrows, and watched every movement with keen interest, a false step or swerve, being sure to bring forth - - •-•■ ejaculations among them,.and when : . -.• .< the work was finished the'four named were classed among the successful ones by all present. ■'■■'■ ■ l : :^- judqing. *W ; The task of judging was entrusted to &■ Messrs J. 0. Bidwill, W. 0. Williams,and J. Williams (Tiraumea)/ and' con- ' ■'■ sidering the general excellence' of".;', the work they had a .difficult duty to. perform. Their decisions were not • ■ come to without mature consideration for they went over tod over the ground, examining every point with the utmost care, and by; the time they , had finished the boy's work.the Bhades .......: of evening were falling. The following are the list of prizetakers. ' ■■'•.:.„.".■■'.' ; CLASS 1— DOUBLE;?URKOW,. JO ENTRIES. "]', G. Handson (first prize) £& '"."■.'\'. F. Winter (second prize) M ' , ;'.; Des Forges, highly commended . and special prize ;• ' CLASS 2—SINGLE FURROW)' 6 ENTRIES. S..Foreman (first prike) £6 ' S. Liddington, senr., (second prize) :'-. •£&■■ CLASS 3—SUBSOIL, r ENTRY, S. Broom (second prize) £2. '• class 4—boys, 3'entriesl "; , ; ,"'''' v,i S. Liddington'(first prize) £5 ••; jE. Preston (second prize) £2 BEST KEPT SW PLOUGH HARNESS. S. Liddington, senr., (Society's .... prize)£2. ;'' '• ..-\:['w BEST GROOMED PLOUGH HORSE.Des Forges (Society's prize) £%! BEBT SET lIARNESS IN USE 3 MONTHS." ; Des Forges (Messrs Yfytson and, .. .. ; : Co.'s and Elliotte <fc Co,'a special prizes, V THE WO KK., ' : '^. ■■ . ■• lii noticing the work we will com- ' mence with class 1 and No. 1 ground, ft Bluett worked at this section, which .'■;': . was one of the worst pieces in tho ■ ::[ '■•;••■• paddock) being near .a"road track j the"" !';'«":'; plough wheol would get; into a cart L. wheel rut and -be thrown -out, consequently the efforts of the ploughman would be spoilt through this, Notwithstanding this he did very fair work, the feering being evenly cut, but the furrows were rather wide and flat, and finishes not up to the mark. Himoona comos next, and considering the easy manner in which he took thing? during the day, turned out : , some very creditable work, Ho made ; one very good finish, and, aB he him- : self expressed it, " one duffer."

Desforges, from T. L. Thompson's, Tf Ure Ore, may fairly be put down as the best specimen of ploughing in the paddock,his progress being watched with great interest by the spectators. His lines were splendid, angles almost perfect, and his finishes first-class. Some might make an objection to his ridge being rather high, but the uneven nature of the land should be a sufficient oxcuse for this. One of his scouring furrows were noticed as rather wide, but not to an extent that would disqualify his other excellent work. He was looked npon as a certain winner.

G. Haudson (Messrs Bannister), first prize taker, did very good work, it was well laid, good line and finish, and very even crown. The spectators fairly divided their approbation between him and Desforgos duriug the day.

T.O. Marfan (W.G Buchanan) did very rough work, both feering and finish were vory bad, in fact there waß hardly..a good point to be found in it. T.Oesswoll, the previous champion, got into a bad piece of land, like Bluett, and consequently did not stand as good a show as he otheiwise would have . done; His work was fairly done, but not up to his old mark, .the feering and .' q finishcs' wore passable, but "the. linos were bad in places, the whole shewing a ... decided want of practice, J. Lowors had a very fair line, but. ' '''■ his packing shewed too much grass, the:: i; ' outcomo of a wide furrow,'consequently ■■*' his work-had;a.flat.appearance. ■■■'"■■ J. Bowsfead had 'evidently made a' mistake in laying out his land as he ■ had too many. furrows on one side. His work was very well done, lines were straight, and finishes fair. F, Winter, second prize, taker, and . an old prize-winner, did some fair lining, and his packing, on' account of the shortness of the grass, may be reckoned .the beat on the ground, his finishes, too, were very good. Winter, ». on account of being out of practice, did half a dozen furrows at the ,'Jjjt' and then had a look round, finding that (as he thought) there was no chance of winning he finished his work off in a careless manner, and was greatly surprised when tho verdict was given. SINGLE FURROWS, S. Foroman, first prize taker, had his just duo in the award, for the general opinion was that better ploughing could not bo seen; His feering, lines, angles, and finishes were perfect, and elicited praise from all who saw tho work,

John Morris came next in public estimation, his work being well dono, His centre ridge was excellont, packing good, and finishes clean, He had an equal number of furrows on each side of-his ridge, but unequal on tho wings, and if this disqualified him it is to be regretted, for no fault could' be found ' with the general work; -•'•■■-' • ; J G. Shaw had the disadvantage of working with the only single; wheeleil ' plough; on the ground,'but" his..lines wore very, good, and his farrows neatly laid, but crown rather high, and finifhes somewhat rough. Taken all round, it was a fair specimon of good strong ploughing. Bland's work was nmch too broad andtfat. His lines, too, were far from good, and finishes and crown not up to ..; themark. ~ :.m.:,:.;;[ v.:;jiS. Liddington,. son., second prizetaker, whose work shewed very fair lines, had not such a good crown as might be expected, in some placcß there