THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1886. THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO GR YMOUTH.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5413, 5 February 1886, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1886. THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO GR YMOUTH.

A brighter or more cheerful day for the reception of his Excellency the Governor couW not be than yes erday. Scarce a cloud was to be seen, and a gentle breeze iv the afternoon tempered the heat. All the arrangements were carried out very punctually. About 4 p.m. the members of the differs t local bodies started in buggies for Paroa to. receive his Excel-, lency, and a goodly array of vehicles they i presented when all mustered outside Host Byrne's Tramway Hotel. There was little more than tiraa for a modest quencher after tha drive, and a whiff or two, before the special tram conveying his Excellency was sighted in the distance. He was accompanied by J. D. Lance, M.H.R. for Cheviot, and Major Jervois. All the members of the different local bodies were assembled on the platform, and his Excellency on arriving was greeted with three ' hearty cheers. An addres3 Trom the"' County Councillors was read by the County Clerk (Mr James Payne), as follows: — .. , "To His Excellency Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, K.C.M.G.; C.8., Governor of the. Colony of New Zealand. " Your Excellency, "To you, as representing Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, we, as Councillors, and representing the inhabitants of the County of Grey, beg to accord you a sincere welcome on your visit to us. " Being the youngest settled portion of the colony, we cannot show those outward signs of settlement and permanence that older and wealthier districts possess ; but you may rest assured, despite such, that our loyalty to our Queen and our country is not the less Bincere, nor our welcome to you less fervent. "By the appointment of Your Excellency as Governor the Imperial Government has stamped with the seal of approval your previous civil services, while they give further evidence of their care for the future of New Zealand in the appointment of one so professionally eminent as yourself. We feel assured that when the history of the colony is written in after years, Your Excellency's administration, and the value of Your Excellency's ffork will be prominently recognised. "Your desire to have a topographical acquaintance with all parts of the colony shows the zeal which guide you in your work, while your personal visits to each ceni re of population helps to strengthen the tie which unites the people and the Government of the country together. " We have the honor to be, " Your obedient servants, " On behalf of the County Council, "John Warrbn, Chairman, " Jas. Payne, Clerk." His Excelleny said he must thank the County Councillors most heartily for the cordial and flattering address Jthat had been just read to him. He also begged to express his sincere gratification for the expressions of loyalty to tha Queen contained in it, and for the kind sentiments towards himself as the representative of Her Majesty, though he was quite certain that the kindly terms in which he was referred to were more than he deserved. They referred to his previous career. Well, he might say that he had been a long time in tne service of Her Majesty in various parts of the Empire ; but whatever he had done at ilome or in the Colonies, at Wellington, or in any other part of Her Majesty's dominions, he had done only what he considered was his duty at the time. He had a great deal to do in the course of his career win important and extensive works in other parts ; but no country that he had ever seen interested him so much as this magnificent colony. He could not but adm re the energy of the people ofthecolony as reflected in their great public works, their railways, their harbors, and their docks ; and in the numbers of fine schools to be seen throughout the land, and the various other useful institutions established by the people. He could also say that nowhere had he been afforded greater or more sincere pleasure than on the present occasion from his visit to this district of New Zealand. Whether he regarded it from the aspect of its resnuices in timber, in coal and in other minerals, or from the splendid enterprise of the people, no part of her Majesty's dominions that he had visited had given him greater pleasure. His Excellency again returned his sincere thanks for the hearty reception he had met with.

This was the signal for three hearty cheers, and one cheer more. A special butgy had been provided for his Excellency, in which he was driven into town, accompanied by the Mayor , (Mr R. Nancarrow), the County Chairman (Mr J. Warren), and the representative of | the district in Parliament (Mr A.' R. Guinness). By this time the number of vehicles had been considerably added to, so that the display of vehicles driving into town at asnurt pace was considerable. During the afternoon the children of Greymouth and Cobden were entertained in the Greymouth school ground from 3 o'clock till the arrival of his Excellency. There were races of all sorts for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 15, years. To provide prizes there had bewi kindly voted the sum of £10, while for refreshment in the shape of lollies, cakes, raspberry, &c, a further sum of £15 was applied. One of the prettiest displays — and original in design — was Mr Harris's express, which was filled with little children, too little to be trusted in a crowd on the ground. The express was smothered in green and bore the device "The Infants' Welcome." At the State School an enormous throng of people mustered to join in the reception of his Excellency. Such a crowd had probably never. been seen in Tainui street before. There could not well have been fewer than a thousand children present, and, as these were all in their best attire, the spectacle of so many bright, healthy faces gave the picture quite an attractive appearance. Spanning the road was the word " Welcome " in evergreens and flowers, while alongside was erected a low i platform ornamented with forest verdure, Oh taking his stand upon the platform the National Anthem pealed from the throats of some hundreds of small school children, boys and girls, who were marshalled by Mr Clements. On the phtform his Worship the Mayor formally introduced each member of the various local bodies to his Excellency. The Mayor then read the i address from the Borough Council (which was published in yesterday's issue). His Excellency replied, saying he had very much gratification in thanking them, as he did most heartily, for the kind address which they had presented to him on behalf of the people of .Greymouth. He very much regretted that his stay amongst them would be but brief, but the fact was that he was obliged, in arranging his visit to this part of the country, so to speak, to take the ball on the hop. He had intended to come here at an earlier date, but he was called at Wellington suddenly to attend to various duties, amongst which were a visit from the Samoan Chiefs and a visit from the British Admiral. He had also to get back to Wellington by the middle of next week. But being here how, he must say that the way he had been received was as hearty as it was possible to be. He was glad to see so many happy faces in front of him — alike of men, women, and children of various ages. He thanked the Mayor and Councillors for the sentiments expressed in their address towards himself, and indeed did he thank them for, the loyal sentiments expressed towards Her Majesty. He was also grateful for the kind manner in which they had referred to Lady Jervois, who would have been delighted to accompany him on his visit here ; but the pleasure was denied her owing to the state of her health, jvhich prevented her taking a long land journey. He was happy to learn that the people of the place are getting on prosperously, and that their harbor works and their coal industry would bring great prosperity to the place. He was impressed with the great number and the fine specimens of children he saw around him, and looked upon it as an assurance that there would be a great accession to the business of the place as population increased. Three hearty cheers were given, and his Exce lency was driven to his hotel, where the Volunteers were drawn up and and saluted him. His Excellency addressed a few words from the balcony to the assemblage and retired. The Ball in the evening was o splendid success, being far beyond in that respect what many anticipated. The hall and supper room were very nicely decorated. Splendid dance music was supplied, and the supper tables were kid out with a good deal of effect. About nine o'clock his Excellency opened the ball with the Lady Mayoress as a partner. At supper the Mayor occupied the chair, he seat of honor being occupied by his Excellency the Governor. The Mayoress sat on the right of the Governor ; Mrs Guinness sat on the left of the Mayor, Mr Warren, County Chairman, completing the head of the table. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been duly honored, The Mayor proposed the toast nf - the evening, " The health of the respected and esteemed Governor of the colony, Sir William Jervois, our illustrious guest." (Rear, hear) It was about nine years ago since a Governor visited Greymouth, and he was pleased to say that there were many faces around him now who reminded him of that occasi n ; and the worthy gentleman who had been ap-. pointed to occupy the vice-chair would doubtless have a very clear remembrance of that important occasion. All would admit that visits to this part of the colony from gentlemen holding the position of Governor were somewhat rare nine years ago. Considering that f.icf-, they must feel themselves deeply indebted to any gentleman occupying the position of Governor of the colony who ventured so far as the West Coast. They all knew what was said to them when they were away fmn home and said that they came from the West Coast. Some years ago it might be called an unknown part of the colony, and to a great extent it remained so still ; and therefore they ought to appreciate a visit from a gentleman in the position of their honored guest that evening, considering the length of the journey and the difficulties in the way. He was gratified to learn that his Excellency had reason to be pleased with the reception he had received -in the south; he hoped that they would send him away equally satisfie ' with his reception here. Speaking of a matter of local interest, he might, say that an effort had been made toconnect the East and West Coasts of this Island by means of a railway. Well, whenever that came to pass, he hoped they would not have to wait nine years for a from a Governor of the colony. It might be nine year 3 before that railway ! became an accomplished fact. (No, no.) ; Well, he sincerely hoped it would not, that it would be done in a" great deall^Ja i

time. Nevertheless, it was gratifying that they were met together that evening to welcome the Governor of the Colony. (Applause.) His Excellency said — Mr Mayor, ladies, and gentlemen, I cannot find words to express the pleasure I feel at being with you on the present occasion. My friend the Mayor referred to the reception which I have met with at Hokitika. The reception certainly was of a most gratifying description. I believe lam not going too far in saying that at the banquet which took place at Hokitika last night, the number in this room was doubled. One element, however, was greatly v/anting, and it was remarked on the right and the left of me. The remark was passed that the men were a "selfish lot of beggars; ,vhy did they not allow the ladies to be present." (Hear, hear). You have certainly not erred in that particular. You have organised a banquet — for so I. must term it — at which the ladies well represent the j town of Greymouth; and I am sure that no one can appreciate that compliment more ' than your humble servant. (Hear, hear). The Mayor has referred to the fact that it is nine years ago since a Governor of the colony made his appearance in Greymouth. I think that in justice to my predecessors I must say that two or three of them occupied the position I now have the honor to fill for a very short time, so that they might be fairly excused for that reason and the difficulties they 'had to contend with, as well as owing to other duties that devolved upon them. The Mayor, in referring to my visit to the coast, spoke of the difficulties a Governor had to overcome in visiting this part of New Zealand. Well, lam not prepared to admit that there are any such difficulties. Or if there were, he thought they were very light, certainly not such as would justify me in ommitting to visit this most important part of the dominion which Her Majesty has appointed me to preside over. (Hear, hear.) I have been gratified beyond measure, not only in my progress here by the beautiful scenery I have had to pass through, but by the variety of the resources I have observed in the mining districts ; the timber that I have seen and the coal that I' am told I shall be shown to-morrow. I have also been struck with admiration at the energy of the people and the) determination they have shown to make the most of the resources of the country they in habit ; and I venture to prophecy — as I have said before since my visit to the Coast — that this portion of New Zealand will become the most important part of the most important colony in Her Maj esty's dominions. (Hear, hear). I have visited, ladies and gentlemen, most of, if not all, the colonies of the British Empire ; I I have visited British North America ; I | have visited South Africa ; I have been Governor of the Straits Settlements ; I have been Governor of one member of the Australian Colonies ; and I have visited all the Colonies of Australia ; I have seen many foreign countries ; but I venture to state, without, fear of contradiction, that j there is no country which will eventually come up to the grand position that New Zealand will eventually hold in the future of this world. (Hear, hear.) And I say that we may look forward to the time when she will become— what I think she|is undoubtedly destined to become — a memj ber, and a proud member, of the mighty ', family of English-speaking nations, who j will be able to hold their own against the j world. (His Excellency sat down amidst enthusiatic applause.) ! His Exce'lency then proposed the toast <( Success to the local bodies of the Grey I Borough and County." The Mayor, the County Chairman, and Mr Guinness responded briefly and brought the toasts to a close. _ Dancing was then resumed and kept up till an early hour in the morning. His Excellency retired early from the gay and festive scene. . '