THE GOVERNOR'S TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 75, 30 March 1899, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S TOUR.

THE THAMES

(By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.) i THAMES, Wednesday.- | The day at the Thames proved as interesting as any portion of the Northern tour. The arrangements had been capitally made, and as much was crammed into the space at the disposal of the Reception Committee as could possibly have been done. , Without doubt tne local bodies, in- j eluding1 the Borough and County Councils and tile. Harbour Board, are deserving of praise for the manner in which they made the visit of the viceregal party both pleasant and, shall I say, instructive. The crowd which assembled at the corner of the Borough Council Chambers in the morning was both large and enthusiastic. A feature of this formal welcome was unquestionably the singing of the school children, under the leadership of Mr Grigg, who not only taught them the patriotic song they sang, but also composed and wrote the words. His Excellency asked that the school children be granted a holiday on. the Thursday, so that their vacation extends over Easter. Afterwards came the portion of the programme which combined instruction without the sacrifice of interest—the visit to the mines. Under the capable guidance of Mr James Park, F.G.S., supervising engineer, and Mr Ezra Cartwright, underground manager, His Excellency and party were first shown over the Moanataiari battery. Later the Tararu Creek mine was visited, and here Mr D. E. Thornton, general manager, acted as showman, while Mr G. D. Tngall was also present. The new battery is now in full operation, and the party were shown the process from the trucking of the ore out from the hill. through the stages of 'crushing, passing over the concentrators, cyaniding, to the conclusion in the Turkish bath . like retorting house. Eeturning, His Excellency, with the forethought which characterises him, spent a few minutes at the Old People's Refuge—sufficiently long to say a few cheering words to .the in-

mates. The big plant which the Thames-Hauraki Company have erected, with its ten Cornish boilers and tremendous winding and pumping gear, were then inspected, Mr Dunlop, the manager, chaperoning the party. A brief visit to the Hospital followed, and the party then visited the Royal Hotel, where an excellent cold lunch was provided.: The toasts were confined to 'The Queen' and the health of the Governor. Both were proposed by the Mayor (Mr H. J. Greenslade). When speaking to the latter Mr Greenslade spoke at some length of. the prospects and history of the Thames district.. Responding to the toast of his health, His Excellency said he had now visited every town of importance in the colony, and every district with any particular industry, and had included in his tours both Europeans and natives. This, when it was taken into consideration that the islands were 1,100 miles in length, not to mention their breadth, 'was something accomplished. He had devoted himself exclusively to going round and making the acquaintance of the pioneers as ar as possible, and had inquired into the- industries which had advanced the colony, one of the most important of which was mining. There was one thing about gold—although it might not be a popular thing for him to say —the men who were, engaged in the industry had their pockets full of gold one day, and a few months later had hardly the wherewithal to buy a bag of flour to maintain their existence. Some of the districts were extremely uncertain, i and he believed that the Thames had been a sufferer in the past. He could only hope that they would in time get on good reefs that were more permanent, and that with the help of the new j pumping plant—from which personally he expected a great deal of advantage to be derived —they might steadily continue to prosper.- A boom was a thing towns had most to dread. Speculators came in and took up claims with a view to making money out of them by speculation, and r revented others from working the ground. He had seen so much in Australasia that he looked upon booms with fear. He felt that in Ne*v Z«a----i land he had one of tne finest of Her Majesty's colonies in his charge, and he had done his best wuilst here to make himself acquainted with the people and its requirements. He meant to do .his best m the future to use the knowledge that he had obtained in. the interests of the colony. After the toast of the chairman had been heartily drunk with musical honours, a start ,jvas made for ■ Parawai, where a somewhat unique form of entertainment in the form of a race meeting had been promoted for the occasion. En route His Excellency was presented with an address of welcome at the native meeting house at Parawai. The natives residing here are now few in number, but their sentiments of. loyalty and welcome Were absolutely unexceptionable. The party arrived at the; race, •meeting about three, unfortunately just after the chief race of the programme, the Ranfurly Stakes, had been contested. Everything passed off very well, the arrangements of the stewards (Mr Jas. McGowan,. M.H.R., is president of the Club) were first rate, and the racing not uninteresting. His Excellency waited till after the last event, and arrived back in the town about 6.30.