THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO KOHIMARAMA.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2507, 6 April 1878, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO KOHIMARAMA.

His Excellency the Governor, accompauied by Commodore Hoskins, and attended by Colonel Whitmore, Lieutenant LePatourel, A.D.C., and Captain Leßoy • of the Naval Brigade, paid a very interesting visit to Kohimarama yesterday. The party started about noon from the Wynard Pier in the steam launch of H.M.S. Wolverine a very natty little "boat. . The Naval Brigade pinnace, Victory, was in attendance, fully manned, and during the run down kept well up with the steamer. In the absence of Captain Leßoy, who was on board the launch, petty-officer Smith made an efficient master. The sail to K.Mmarama proved extremely pleasant, as there was only just a sufficiency of wind and the sun shone out brightly.; The party landed on the beach about half-past twelve, and Captain Breton at once came forward and welcomed His Excellency in a few wellF chosen words, after which the inspection of the Naval School was at once commenced. The boys were drawn up in one long line, and struck us as being particularly neat, clean, and, as a . rule, goodlooking. Some of them we were told were remarkable when they first came to the school for a sullen, vicious expression of countenance,which, however, rapidly faded;, away under firm but kindly and wholesome treatment. To use the words of the lady superintendent of this institution, " These . boys can be led, but not driven." They have nearly all, we observed, a look of determination in their faces rather'extra* ordinary when one comes to consider their ages, but which doubtless arises from the terrible nature of their earliest experiences. When set at liberty, as they were shortly afterwards, they at once burst into theheartiest and most spontaneous play, and evidently were not in the least awed by the presence of so many distinguished personages. The feeling that - prevails between master and boys is , evidently a most satisfactory one. We enjoyed some conversation with one of the former, and he spoke quite affectionately of his charges: " They are good boys, very good-boys," he said, "and I ought to know, for I have been here twelve months teaching them." We also asked a little chap who was unconcernedly bowling at our legs, how he liked the master, and his -instantaneons reply was "All right." After the boys had gone through some manoeuvres on board the training schooner, His Excellency proceeded to examine the buildings, commencing with the dining hall, a large airy room; with stone walls. Here the Lady Superintendent was sitting sewing. At the request of Captain Breton she shewed His Excellency a n_mber of specimens of the boy-' work. They make all their own clothes, and some of the elder ones can cut out excellently. From the dining-room we proceeded to the larder, store-room, and kitchen, wliich are adjacent. The school-room is situated exactly opposite the dining' hall. It is a comfortable chamber, solidly furnished with deal desks and forms of the usual pattern. Here the writing and drawing books were carefully examined by the Governor, who evidently takes a great interest in such .things. Next to the school-room is the library. Everything considered, it is pretty fairly stocked, though there is, of course, plenty of room for more books ; and we may here remark that persons having a superfluous stock of children's literature might do worse than bestow it on this institution. It is scarcely necessary for us to follow the Vice-Regal party through every room, suffice it to say the place is throughout deliciously sweet and clean. About half-past two His Excellency and party partook of anal fresco lunch on the sands, a proceeding which our reporter viewed from a distance with mixed feelings of envy aud emptiness. Before leaving Ko__imarama|His Excellency and Commodore Hoskins expressed them--selves well pleased with the arrangements of the school, and spoke a few words ef sound wisdom to the boys, who were in high spirits because His Excellency had asked for a holiday for them. The party then re-embarked on the steam launch, and started homewards. They had not, however, gone very far before the little steamer ran on the reof just outside the Sngarloaf, and refused to budge therefrom. All except the crew were consequently obliged to turn out into the gig of H.M.S. Wolverine, which luckily happened to be in tow. The row home occupied about an hour. The steam launch, lightened by the departure of so much solid flesh, got off the reef soon afterwards, and steamed gaily away. ' -' ■