A.-lU. 7

NOTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS DURING THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE NORTH.

His Excellency the Goveknoe left Auckland on his promised visit to the North, on Tuesday, April 19, in the Government p. s. "Luna" (Captain Paw-child), accompanied by the Hon. D. McLean, Native Minister. The steamer left for the Bay of Islands shortly after 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Among the passengers on board were—Captain Pitt, A. D. 0.; the Hon. Colonel Charles E. Edgcumbe, Grenadier Guards; H. S. McKellar, Esq., Collector of Customs; the Maori Chiefs Hirini Keno, Ohaeawai, Wi Te Tete, "Waikare, &c, &c. She arrived at the Bay at half-past 5 o'clock next morning (Wednesday), and dropped anchor opposite the township of Bussell. Mr. E. C. Barstow, 8.M., came off, also the venerable Ngapuhi Chief Tamati WakaNene, who is quite an historical character, having taken a prominent part in securing the famous Treaty of Waitangi; and afterwards rendered valuable aid to the Government in resisting Hone Heke during the Northern war of 1845. The active part which Tamati Waka took on that occasion tended in a great degree to turn the result in our favour. He seemed much delighted to see the Governor and Mr. McLean, and welcomed them on behalf of himself and the tribes of the North. After breakfast, His Excellency and party landed, and returned to the steamer before ten o'clock. The vessel then steamed up the Kawakawa river—an arm of the Bay stretching southward—to the Coal Mines. Captain Wright, American Consul, accompanied His Excellency and party, who were conducted over the Mines by the Manager (Mr. Williams.) Whilst there, the Chief Maihi Paraone Kawiti, of Waiomio—the son of Kawiti, the chief supporter of Heke's rebellion—came to see the Governor, and bade him a hearty welcome. Maihi fought against us himself in the first Maori war, in which he lost two brothers. After inspecting the Mines, the party visited the curious Limestone Caves, near Waiomio. On the way back to the landing-place, at the invitation of the Ngapuhi Chief Tautari, they stopped at his house, where a luncheon was served up in a very creditable manner. Several influential Natives were present. The party returned to the steamer at 8 o'clock in the evening. At an early hour on the following morning (Thursday), the party started for Waimate, where a large body of the Ngapuhi Natives were to assemble to meet the Governor. The party left the steamer at 9 o'clock, and proceeded up the Waitangi Biver in a boat. They arrived at the Waitangi Balls, a little above the outlet of the river into the Bay, at a quarter-past 11 o'clock, where they were received by Mr. Edward Williams, E.M., and the Chief Hare Wirikake. The party stopped at Mr. Louis C. Coffe's Hotel, which was decorated for the occasion. At 12 o'clock, the party started on horseback for Waimate, a distance of about 12 miles. On reaching the residence of Mr. Williams, 8.M., Puketona, a spectacle was witnessed which surprised as well as pleased His Excellency. On ascending the rising ground at this place, about 50 Mounted Natives, who lined each side of the road, presented themselves, and formed a guard of honour, headed by two standard-bearers. As the Governor and party rode between, the Natives cheered lustily, and waved their hats or other head-dresses in loyal demonstration. The scene was very picturesque and gratifying. This part of the arrangements made for the reception of Her Majesty's Eepresentative was admirably carried out. The Governor and party, after calling at Mr. Williams' house, rode on to Waimate, escorted by the body of Natives above referred to. On passing the Plax Mill recently erected by Mr. Sydney Williams, the workmen, about twenty in number, gave the Governor a hearty cheer. They arrived at Waimate at half past 2 o'clock. On reaching the residence of the Bey. Edward Clarke, they were welcomed by that gentleman, His Honor Chief Justice Arney, Albin Martin, Esq., H. Carleton, Esq , M.G A., a number of the settlers and their families, and about 300 Natives, who raised hearty cheers of welcome. The large assembly of Natives—men and women--were drawn up on the main road, the latter waving their shawls and handkerchiefs in the usual Maori style. As His Excellency passed through the entrance-gate to the Eev. Mr. Clarke's residence, the whole body of Natives chanted the following Maori welcome :— Welcome, stranger from afar, My child it was who called thee from the vault of Heaven And drew thee hither. Welcome ! The singing of this chant had a fine effect, and it is one which they always sing on occasions of importance. The attendance of Natives would have been much larger, were it not that the notice given them was rather short—the intimation of His Excellency's visit was only received on Monday afternoon—and also that they are now profitably employed in gum-digginsr, at which they are earning considerable sums of money. They receive £35 per ton for the gum, and some time ago they obtained as much as £40. Those who attended had come a considerable distance; some of them thirty and forty miles. 1 hey were assembled in the paddock in front of the residence of the Eev. Mr. Clarke. His Excellency and party were hospitably entertained by that gentleman. After luncheon, a number of the settlers assembled in front of the Eev. Mr. Clarke's dwellinghouse for the purpose of presenting an Address to the Governor.