The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1890.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2767, 8 April 1890, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1890.

His Excellency the Governor has just .concluded his first oftibia visit to Waikato. The event will be a memorable one in after years, as it is the first occasion on which Her Majesty's representative has been welcomed within the boundaries of the once famous King Country ; that large area of land which was, but a few years ago, a country unknown, and into which it was unsafe for white men to enter, but is now available for occupation, and will, we hope, soon be settled with a thriving agricultural population. The reception accorded the Governor by the natives was a most cordial one, and the desire to cast in their lot with the European population is no doubt prompted by .the knowledge that in their own interest it is better to accept this posi- j tion, seeing that further seclusion must be damaging to themselves. Be that as it may, the lungites have <at last publicly and officially owned their allegiance to Her Majesty's Crown and person, that event alone is enough, to render Lord Onslow's visit a noteworthy one, in the annals of our history. By the European population His Excellency was, received with that respect and loyalty which is always accorded to the Queen's representatives by her colonial subjects. The spontaneous expression of loyalty, which is always rendered on an official visit of a Governor, shows the inherent attachment that exists in the English mind to the Throne. This, the true bond of unity, is found flourishing in these distant parts of Her Majesty's dominion as firmly as in the minds of those who are immediately around her person.

The Governor's visit, though a short one, has afforded him an opportunity of seeing a large extent of country, and of forming an opinion as to its capabilities, and resources. Speaking at the luncheon given in his honour by tho Mayor of Hamilton, on Thursday last, the Governor expressed himself as favourably impressed with the general aspeot of the country, through which he had passed and referred with some emphasis to the frozen meat trade. He remarked that the Waikato appeared to be admirably adapted for sheep grazing, and that a large trade, he felt confident could be done in supplying sheep to be frozen for export. There was he added little fear of the prices of frozen meat falling, as there was a PtnacHty increasing demand for our

mutton in the Home markets. If the Waikato fanners turned their attention more to sheep grazing, His Excellency considered they would find ..the trade a most profitable one.

An outside expression of opinion is always valuable, especially when coming from a man of such wide and general experience as Lord Onslow-; , His remarks on this occa-, sion were most Opportune, as the question of sheep-grazing is at the present time occupying the serious attention of our fanners. In a recent issue we took occasion to urge upon them the advantages that must accrue if a regular and systematic supply of sheep to the | Freezing Companies were estab-' lished, and we earnestly commend the Governor's recent utterances to those gentlemen who now have this-i important matter under consideration. !

Negotiations are now proceeding between the Waikato farmers and the proprietors of freezing works, and there is a good prospect of this important industry being fairly established amongst us. The butlook should be more cheering to the agricultural population than it has been for many years past, and we trust the institution and development of the frozen meat trade in connection with the Waikato,, may prove to be the harbinger of better times td all classes of the community.