HIS EXCELLENCY'S VISIT TO THE WAIKATO.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 950, 9 June 1868, Page 3

HIS EXCELLENCY'S VISIT TO THE WAIKATO.

(From the "New Zealand Herald," May 25.) On the 19th His Excellency and suite left Mercer en rottte for Ngaruawahia. The first place where the party stopped was Mere-Mere, a place now celebrated in the history of New Zealand as one of the battle grounds between the Pakeha and Maori. Proceeding onwards, Bangiriri next claimed their attention as being the scene of the most deadly strife that ever took place in this Island, and where the gallant Captain Mercer, of the Boyal Artillery, met his death. At this place Mr. Searancke, Resident Magistrate of the district, met His Excellency and accompanied him up to Ngaraawahia. A visit to the pah at Eangiriri excited great interest in the minds of all there assembled, bringing so vividly as it did to remembrance the deadly conflict of races in contrast to the peacefulness of the present ; where once the whistle of the deadly bullet and the Maori yell, the boom and roar of artillery, and the British cheer rung over the hills, is now a scene of peaceful industry, the only trace of the past being the now deserted pah., and the burial ground of the brave supporters of Her Majesty's power in New Zealand. Peace to their manes. The burial ground was in a sad state of desolation and neglect, and we are pleased to know that His Excellency made arrangements with the people at Eangiriri to have the place fenced in and taken care of. The party took luncheon, and then proceeded on to Ngaruawahia, which place they reached the same afternoon. At Ngaruawahia the inhabitants were in no way behindhand in their testimonies of loyalty to her Majesty's representative. Sundry arches were erected on the line of march, composed of the graceful nikau, the fern tree, and other plants with which the native forests abound. Large numbers of Maoris and Europeans met his Excellency and presented addresses of congratulation. The addresses were read by the Rev. Mr. Cripp, and his Excellency replied in suitable terms. "We were unable to obtain a copy of the addresses by the Maoris, but as they will be published in a Gazette in a day or two, we shall then be in a position to lay them before our readers. The vice-regal party then dined, and his Excellency appointed twelve o'clock for a meeting with the natives. At night the Maoris assembled and held a MM. A lai'ge bonfire was made on the hill on the back of the Waipa, while fireworks were displayed in profusion in front of the hotel. The dusky natives then sang characteristic songs of joy and welcome around the fire, according to custom and their old traditions. The next day, at noon, a large concourse of natives assembled, conspicuous among whom was Te Wheoro, the staunch friend of the Europeans during the late war, Nini Kukatai, and other chiefs of note. The natives spoke the usual speeches of welcome, the delivery of which occupied about an hour and a half. The whole of the proceedings were wound up with a war dance, after which His Excellency made a speech. There was a very creditable display of fireworks let off after dark, which greatly amused the natives. The party remained at Ngaruawahia that evening, and next morning started for Hamilton, a distance of fifteen, miles, which, was speedily got over. Here a very fine arch was erected at East Hamilton, where the Europeans and Maories met the Governor, and a piper, the only music to be had in the district, was stationed in one of the limbs of the arch. This piper played airs appropriate to the occasion, and was complimented on' Ms success. An address was read by Capt. East on behalf of the inhabitants, to which His Excellency delivered a suitable reply. The party crossed the Horotiu in the punt, which, was nicely dressed up with flowers and evergreens, and the words "Welcome! Welcome!" in Greek chai'acters standing out amid the foliage. They then adjourned to the best hotel in the place, Mr. JS. arris's, on the west bank, where they shopped for the night. Colonel Moule, Colonel Lyons, Major Von Tempsky, Capt. Brown, and others dined with His Excellency. The next day proved to be very wet, a regular New Zealand soaker. His Excellency took luncheon with W. Searancke, Esq., E.M., and afterwards returned and met the natives at 3 o'clock in one of the large buildings in the Hamilton Eedoubt. There the natives read an address to His Excellency. The Maoris were principally of the Ngatihaua tribe, and amongst them was to be seen the son of the celebrated General Tamihana. The reading of an address by the Maoris speaks much for their wish to accommodate themselves to the customs of Europeans, as they usually on occasions like these give vent to their feelings in impromptu speeches and songs. Besides the address, several of the leading men among them also made speeches of welcome. His Excellency then returned to the hotel, where a number of settlers from Cambridge were assembled, as it had become known that the party did not intend to proceed thither. Captain Clare, Captain Steel, Mr. Hamlin, and several other of the influential settlers paid their respects to his Excellency. Hamilton was left on Thursday at a quarter to nine in the morning, and Ngaruawahia was reached by half-past ten. The only place touched at was the coal mines, when his Excellency made a cursory inspection, the time not allowing of a prolonged stay, and arrived at Mercer at half-past five the same evening. His Excellency expressed himself as being greatly pleased with the appearance of the country, in spite of the weather, which, as our readers are aware, has not been of the most favourable character for the journey. His Excellency and suite left Mercer on Saturday morning, arriving in town the same afternoon.