Hawke's Bay Hearld TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1867. VALEDICTORY ADDRESS TO SIR GEORGE GREY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 901, 17 December 1867, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Hearld TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1867. VALEDICTORY ADDRESS TO SIR GEORGE GRE Y.

We are glad to see that a meeting is to be held to-morrow to prepare an address to His Excellency Sir George Grey, on the occasion of his departure from New Zealand. An impression prevailed for some time that His Excellency would call here on his way to Auckland, when an opportunity would have been afforded of presenting such an address to His Excellency in person, but as this is not now likely to be the case, the next best course is that an address expressive of the feelings and sentiments of the people generally should be forwarded to him. We trust to see a good attendance on the occasion, as well as (of which, however, we have no doubt) a goodly number of signatures to the address which will be prepared. Sir George Grey has always taken a lively interest in the progress aud prosperity of Hawke's Bay. We ought uot to forget that on more than one occasion he afforded us military protection when danger threatened the province ; while in various other ways he has manifested an earnest desire to give this part of the Island all the aid and support it was in his power as a constitutional governor to afford. While he defended the colonists generally from the aspersions so unjustly cast upon them at home, he did so more especially in the [ case of Hawke's Bay — the settlers of which cannot help feeling grateful for his advocacy, nor help sympathising ; with him in his present position, as that of an able and energetic Governor ' who has been removed from the ■ administration of the colony in a most j unprecedented and ungenerous man--1 ner. i The best part of Sir George Grey's ; life has been devoted to New Zealand, aud his name will always be apprej ciated by the colony and its inhabitants of both races as that of a humane [ aud excellent governor. To some parts 1 of his policy we have from time to time I taken exception, but none can deuy the 1 earnestness and singleness of purpose he has uniformly displayed, nor the 1 ability which has marked his administration of affairs. We heartily wish him God speed on his voyage to EngI laud, and should gladly welcome him back among us after he has had au opportunity of vindicating his position in the mother couutry.