HIS EXCELLENCY SIB GEORGE GREY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 898, 7 December 1867, Page 2

HIS EXCELLENCY SIB GEORGE GREY.

A public meeting, convened by the Superintendent of Wellington, was held on the 18th ult,, to adopt a valedictory address to his Excellency the Governor, and appoint a reception committee to make preparations for welcoming His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. In his speech, Dr. Featherston made the following remarks regarding the removal of his Excellency at this time :— The notice convening this meeting will have sufficiently explained to you why another subject has been imported into it ; which to some may appear foreign to the original purpose and inconsistent with the original intention of those who called for it ; but which I, for one, venture to think will meet with cordial approval, as tending to enhance the value of the compliment intended to be paid to liis Excellency Sir George Grey. (Cheers.) It will scarcely be contended that in passing this evening a valedictory address to Sir George Grey, and at^ the same time initiating measures for giving a loyal reception to His lioyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, wejare guilty of any inconsistency — that we detract in any way from our loyalty to the Queen, or diminish the sincerity of our expressions of regret at the departure of one who has for so many years filled the o&ice of Governor of this colony. On the contrary, it appears to me singularly fortunate that we can combine these two great objects, for it must be borne in mind this is not the first time that the Duke of Edinburgh has visited a dependency of the Empire. He has before been the guest of Sir George Grey at the Cape ; and I believe that, if any feeling is more prevalent than another in this colony, it is one of regret that his Excellency Sir George Grey should depart before the arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh. That is now the prevalent feeling, and I for one consider that a great calamity, and I feel assured that those feelings of disappointment will not be lessened when I tell you that, within the last few hours, an intimation has been given to his Excellency Sir George Grey that the principal chiefs in the centre of the island, who have been long engaged in hostilities with us, desire that, previous to his departure, he should visit them to receive their submission to the Queen. (Cheers.) It will be a great public calamity if Sir George Grey's intended departure should prevent him from accepting an invitation fraught with such beneficial results to the colony. Knowing, as I do, that part of the programme laid down by his Excellency was that he should land with the Prince at Tauranga, and that after visiting the settlements on the East Coast, he should go to Taupo and have a gathering of all the principal chiefs of the island; knowing, as we do, the importance which they attach and the deference which they pay to birth and rank, it is impossible to overestimate the results which might have flowed from the visit contemplated by Sir George Grey, with the Prince, to the centre of the island — to Taupo. Knowing the feeling of the natives, I believe that if such a visit had taken place, there is scarcely a single chief engaged in rebellion during the last three or four years who would not have gone to that meeting, and who would not have been so gratified by the visit of one of the sons of the Queen, that he would gladly have seized an opportunity, so grateful to his sense of pride, of— if not absolutely laying down his arms, at any rate retreating from rebellion and of abandoning Hau Hauism, and, I believe, in good faith of taking the oath of allegiance to the Queen. That is my impression of what the result would have been if Sir George Grey remained to receive the Prince, and if this visit had taken place. I can only say, in reference to this point, that though Sir George Grey may not be here to officially receive His Royal Highness the Duke, time may permit him to seize the opening now afforded him, and, before closing his career here, have the satisfaction, by such a triumph as I have indicated, of avenging himself for all the charges and calumnies which have been so unscrupulously heaped on him. (Loud cheers.) I still hope and trust it will be the crowning act of Sir Georgo Grey, in this colony. It is not necessary for me — nay, it is not my duty — nay, I. should rather be poaching on the manor of those gentlemen who will propose the adoption of the address to his Excellency— it is not my intention to dwell on the important services which Sir George Grey, during a. long career, has rendered, not only tojthis, but to other colonies. I believe this point will be sufficiently dealt with by the mover

and seconder ofjjheadclresls, bu£s:C^6t^ sit down without refunding you of oiie? significant fact— that* during a 10% career ; ofthirty-seyen years in the service^ of lier : Majesty, Sir George Grey has never^befeni called to the Government of any cblphy until it was plunged in difficulties and, embarrassments of the greatest magnitude. You remember thatwhenhe -: was sent -to " the Government of jSouth Atiatraliathat colony was supposed tobein a state'of hopeless bankruptcy; yourememberthajbhewass^nt at a moment's warning, after in soihe.; measure retrieving its affairs, to undertake the government of New Zealand; you also remember that her was scarcely recalled before he was sent to the Cape of Good Hope, where fresh Kaffir wars were looming in the distance i and it yvdll ; be within your recollection thatv^rbm; there he was sent a second time to New^Zealand — for the reason, as was said, by the Secretary of State, Jthat Sir Geprge Grey was not merely tljetniost ■cpmpet^np, < ,but the only man to cope with the native difficulty. After a career as Governor of colonies for twenty-seven years, and after serving the Imperial Government for thirty-seven years — although he has never refused to undertake arduous duties, nor hesitated at a moment's notice Ip hurry to the post of danger— l would ask the colony what is the treatment he has received at the hands of that empire he has served so long, so ably, arid so honourably? lam sure you will have an opportunity of expressing your feelings at his being so contemptuously removed from this colony. . "' . t ! : The following is the address -which was adopted by the meeting :-—. To his Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of New Zealand. May it please your Excellency,— , The inhabitants of the provmce of Wellington, in public meeting assembled, desire to address your Excellency on your departure from New Zealand, after, having twice administered the Government of the colony during very critical periods' of its history. • -^ •;,. Unexpectedly called from the Government of South Australia in 1845, to assume that of New Zealand at a ; period when war threatened seriously to endanger the stability of some of the settlements, you were able on your return to England in 1843 to leave the colony in a state of great prosperity and peace. Again, unexpectedly called from, the Government of the Cape of Good Hope in 1861 to reassume that .of New Zealand at a time when insurrection had once more widely spread amongst the native population, compelling the settlers of whole districts to abandon their homes and cultivations, you are about to return to England after a period of quietude which we earnestly trust may, by a wise administration of the Government of the colony in the future, eventuate in peace being established on a permanent basis. It is a matter of deep regret to iis that, while on your firstreturnhomeyounotonly carried with you the good opinion of the colonists, but had received especial marks of her Majesty's approval, you have now incurred what we feel sure is but her Majesty'stemporarydispleasure— through your advocacy of certain great constitutional principles, evoked, by the., correspondence between your Excellency and the Imperial Government, and which apply not only to this, but to all other; dependencies of the British Empire, We believe that, whatever position your cellency may be called upon to fill, the great constitutional principles enunciated by your Excellency will find in you an earnest and able advocate. The interest which you have always evinced in the prosperity of this province and its institutions, renders it doubly gratifying to be able to avail ourselves of the opportunity of wishing your Excel* lencya prosperous voyage, praying that happiness may attend you in whatever path Providence shall see fit to direct your future. The above, and numerous other addresses were presented to His Excellency before his departure from Wellington.