THE GOVERNOR'S TOUR TO PICTON AND NELSON.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3043, 27 April 1867, Page 6

THE GOVERNOR'S TOUR TO PICTON AND NELSON.

His Excellency the Governor arrived at Picton about half-past five o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, the 10th instant. On landing, be was received by tbe Superintendent of Marlborcugh and the members of the Executive. F» Excellency was afterwards entertained »t a dinner by his Honor tbe Superintendent, and the evening was wound up with a ball. The next morning, the Governor was presented with an address from theiuhabitants of Picton. The same day his Excellency proceeded to Blenheim, where he was received with great enthusiasm. In the evening he attended a dinner at the Royal Assembly-room*. We extract, from the Marlborough Express, two or three of the speeches delivered on the occasion :—: — In responding to the tout of " The Governor," proposed by the Superintendent of Marlborough, His Excellency said that he felt honoured to be their guest tbVt evening. He had heard with great pleasure the toast that had just been given, and was highly gratified by the manner it had been responded to. He had especial pleasure to be present in Marlborough. The reason why he felt so strongly was because be had known the early struggles and trials the people ' of this part of the colony had to go through. The Wairau was long considered to be a district that it would be impossible for Europeans to inhabit. There was great difficulty attending the purchase of land, not only in the valley of Wairau, but also in Queen Charlotte (Sound. For many years the natives refused to part with it, and the prospects of this part were most gloomy. For himself, he never' felt fch.it the difficulties would not be overcome in course of time, for he was sure that wherever an Englishman planted his foot, and was assured of his right to do so, he would succeed in accomplishing his wish. But he scarcely expected to witness the thriving settlement he had seen, with its energetic and happy community, that day. He had spent much time in endeavouting to secure the land in this district. For two or three years he had done his best to win the natives over before he succeeded, and now he bad additional satisfaction to see the substantial results. (Cheers.) He was suffering from a cold, and could not say much more, and concluded by saying that he most anxiously desired to see this province prosper, and he did really desire to see such prosperity, and trusted God would permit them to enjoy for many long years unabated prosperity and happiness. (Cheers.) After "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers " had been drunk, His Excellency proposed " His Honor the Superintendent, and the prosperity of the province of Marlborough." In remarking on the first part of the toast, he could say that he firmly believed it wai one of the greatest boons that could be given to the people to be allowed to choose their own Superintendents. (Loud cheers.) It opened a great field for the ambition of youths, and would cause them to so educate themselves as to be able to fill those high positions. (Hear, hear.) It had also the aim of securing the love and attachment of the people to the country, and, by tducatng such a race of men, they educated the country. He had exerted himself to the utmost to carry out those institutions. They have been carried out, and he never regretted the parb he took. (Cheen.) That night, he said, looking to his Honor the Superintendent, he was especially glad of his choice, and thought he had chosen wisely. (Applause.) Referring to the province, he would say no more than that he hoped for its prosperity. Mr. Tetley briefly proposed the health of " Her Majesty's Colonial Ministry." In the approaching meeting of their representatives he hoped the measures introduced would be such as would conduce to the prosperity of the country. He felt certain they would all join him in that toast. The Hon. Major K.ICHA.RDSON, on rising to reply, was greeted with several rounds of applause. He said he hardly expected that toast would be so cordially received ; and, were he not very bashful, he would say that they had reserved the best to the last. No men in the colony required the good wishes of the inhabitants more. They were beset with difficulties, both from within and without the colony. The requirements of New Zealand had called forth at the time the energy and the ability of a man whose name he had only to mention to secure the most generous sympathies of all present. He meant Mr. Weld. (Cheers. ) The policy of self-reliance initiated by Mr. Weld was that adopted by the present Government, from which they could uot now withdraw, nor did they wish to do so. It was a dark day for New Zealand when Mr. Weld was compelled to withdraw from public life. But it was scarcely the time after dinner to refer much to politics. There was one thing they might be assured of, that equal justice would be done to all parts alike j and if anything they would lean to the weaker side. Be had long desired to see his Kxcellency'a wishes realised. They especially approved of municipal bodies expending within their respective areas the sums of money drawn from them. It had been his duty, under two successive Governments, to impose severe taxation. No one could regret more than himself tbe necessity, but they knew that they could confidently rely upsn the people holding up the honour and credit of the colony, and they earnestly hoped the time was fast passing away when the necessity for such heavy taxation would pass away also. (Cheers.) He would take the liberty of saying that when the history of the oolony was read in future times no single name would call forth more gratitude than that of the head of the Executive of the Government (Sir G. Grey). He had been really a friend in need. tie s»id this from his knowledge, as one of the Ministry, of many of the kind intercessions, and the ever-ready and willing advice his Excellency had given them. He would return thanks in the name of all for the way in which the toast had been received. (Loud applause ) On Friday, his Excellency held a levSe and received addresses. The same day he visited the Awatere river, and in the evening attended a ball given in his honour. On Saturday his Excellency left for Nelson.

His Excellency arrived at Kelson on the evening I of the 15th, and the next morning landed under a salute from the 'Brisk.' He was escorted from the port to the town by a procession composed of the City Rifles, ia their scarlet coats and black trousers ; the artillery in their blue uniform ; the cadets, in their Bc»rlet coats and white trousers ; the " Band of Hope," composed of nearly 80Q children of bo^h sexes ; the Odd Fellows and Foresters, wearing their respective sashes and other decorations ; and the Fire Brigade in their scarlet uniform, carrying their j axes, ie, and preceded by the Government engine drawn by two hones, and the hook and ladder carriage* Several private carriages lengthened the procession, which extended for fully half a mile, and was composed in all of about 1,100 perions. At the port, awaiting his Excellency's, landing, there w^t also a considerable crowd, and the whole concourse could scarcely have been less than 4,000 persons. On reaching the Government Buildings, his Excellency alighted in front of the hall, and ascended a dais, erected at the porch, which had been t#stefujly decorated. His Honor the Superintendeent then presented Sir George Grey with a congratulatory address. Addresses were also presented by the Artisans' Mutual Improvement Association. As our space is limited we cannot do better than extract from the NeUon Examiner of Saturday last a summary of his Excellency's past and future movements at Nelson :—: — Tuesday, the d#y on which his Excellency landed, was fully taken up in receptions, visits to the school children, inspection of the Cadets, and so forth. On Wednesday the weather was unfavourable, and must have kept his Excellency pretty well within doors. Iff the evening, a public dinner was given to his Excellency in the Provincial Hall. On Thursday the Governor, accompanied by Major Richardson, paid a vitit to the College, where he was received by the College Governor and his Honor the (Superintendent : his Excellency, we are told, was greatly pleated with the building and the institution generally. In the afternoon his Excellency attended a review of our Volunteer Eifle and Cadet Corps, joined by a body of Marines and B,lue Jacketf, with a 12-pounder Armstrong gun from the Brisk, the services of whom Captain Hope had most kindly proffered for the occasion. In the evening his Excellency entertained at dinner the captains of the several corps. Yesterday, being Good Friday, the Governor had a quiet day, and today his Excellency makes one of a sporting party to the Kabbic Island. <>n Monday, his Exceljenpy will b/)ld an undress levge at eleven o'clock in the Provincial Hall, after which he will proceed to Victory-square, where a game of cricket is to be played between eleven Nelsonians and eleven from the « Brisk.' There is a strong desire felt that Captain Hope may be induced to give as many of his men a holiday as he can spare from the ship, for whom sports will be provided on shore as well as entertaiument. After yieiting the cricket ground, it is understood the Governor will lunch with his Honor the Superintendent at his residence in Vanguard-street. In the evening, the Harmonic Society give a concert in the Provincial Hall, and a ball, given by Sfr David and Lady Monroe, will doubtless brenk lotae h'oqri info the Mojriug morning,

On Tuesday morning the men of the 'B" 1 * «* to have ballpraotice at * target on the Boulder UanK. At four o'clock in the afternoon the Governor wm lay the foundation-«tone of the new Hospital, in tfte Waimea-road ; at half-pMt iix he wiU attend the annivenary of the Nelson School Society, in Bridge■treet; and in the evening will be prewnt irt * baU to be given him in the Provincial Hall. On Wednesday, we believe, his Excellency will leave for Wellington.— Wellington Independent.