THE GOVERNOR AND THE CHINESE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1697, 12 January 1874, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR AND THE CHINESE.

The Otago Guardian, of the 80th ult, says : — A number of the Chinese residents of this city, accompanied by his Worship the Mayor, yesterday waited upon his Excellency the Governor, at Fern Hill, for the purpose of offering him thoir congratulations on his arrival in this Province. Among those present, we noticed Kum Goon Lee, Sew Hoy, Sun War On Win, Ah Chew, Lo Keong, Chin Sing, Me Waw, and others. The deputation having been introduced to his Excellency by his Worship the Mayor, Ah Chew said — Your Excellency, 1 have been directed by my fellow countrymen in the city of Dunedin to undertake the pleasing task of presenting to you this address, which I shall now proceed to read : — " To his Excellency, &c. May it please your Excellency— We, the undersigned Chinese merchants and residents of Dunedin, beg to tender our most hearty welcome on this your Excellency's first visit to this city, and to offer our congratulations upon your Excellency having accomplished your journey in safety. We feel that, as the representative of Her Majesty the Queen of England, under whose benignant sway we enjoy peace and prosperity, we cannot too warmly express our happiness at seeing your Excellency in our midst, and we trust that your visit will be an enjoyable one. May your Excellency's rule over us be productive of still more cordial relations between us, as representatives of the Flowery Land, and our European fellow-citizens ; and we beg to assure your Excellency that we shall always cheerfully obey the laws of the country, and pay due respect to you as representing the greatest and best- beloved sovereign, Queen Victoria, on whose dominions the sun never sets. Through your Excellency we beg to assure her Most Gracious Majesty of our hearty allegiance, and to express our hopes that she may long be spared, and rule a happy and united people. We conclude this our address by offering your Excellency our best wishes for your happiness and prosperity, both in your public capacity and private relations. — (Signed) Kum Goon Lee, Sew Hoy, William Ah Chew, Me Waw, Sun WarOn, L.O King, Chin Shi ng, and' others." His iJxceileucy, in reply, said he received with pleasure this expression of the hearty and loyal sentiments of the Chinese towards himself and his Government. He knew that in many British possessions the Chinese had founded most orderly, useful, and industries communities. He was glad to know that the Chinese community here was distinguished, not only for its enterprise, but for its good order. He they would continue to respect the Europeans even more than they had done already. It was deeply to be regretted that those who came from different branches of that great human family entertained feelings of jealousy one towards another, and he was sorry that in these

British possessions we had not been free from similar jealousy towards the Asiatic race. They 'had the remedy in their hands, and by giving signs of their good grace and citizenship they, would contract such feelings rs would assure the Euro-peans-that they were valuable additions to the Colony, and of great assistance in the davelopmentof the country's resources. The people of Otago and New Zealand would look with satisfaction upon this expression of good feeling, while he (the Governor) would retain grateful recollections of it. The above speech was translated by Ah Chew, and appeared to give great satisfaction to the Chinamen. His Excellency shook hands with each member of the deputation as he withdrew.