Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1868. VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 952, 16 June 1868, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1868. VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

In last Herald we chronicled the arrival of His Excellency on Friday ; the presentation of an address from the Provincial Council and the reply given ; and the Governor's visit in the afternoon to two of the principal native settlements in the vicinity of Napier. Our account- of that visit was a somewhat hurried one, and we omitted to notice the PREPARATIONS AT MEANEE . in anticipation of His Excellency passing through the township. The bridge over the Meanee river was spanned by two arches of evergreens, one at each end. The first seen — that at the south approachbore the inscription in large letters, " Welcome to Meanee ;" and the one at the north, " God save the Queen." After leaving the bridge, the vice-regal carriage passed under two lines of flags which had been thrown across — one between Mr. Peacock's and the Meanee hotel ; the other from Mr. Lever's to the opposite side of the road. The latter was conspicuously lettered— " Long live our sailor Prince," and " Welcome Grovernor," the one inscription being beneath the other, and the design as a whole being very tasteful. The stoi'e of Mr. N"eagle and the post office were profusely decorated with shrubs and bunting, the former displaying the motto, "Hurrah for the Governor ;" the latter, " Caed Millia Faeltha," (a hundred thousand welcomes.) The residents of Meanee were prepared with an address to His Excellency ; but, in consequence, we believe, of the gentlemen appointed to present it not being visible when the Governor crossed the bridge, the carriages drove on without stopping — much to the chagrin and disappointment of the settlers. However, the address was' sent after His Excellency, and a written reply returned. We append a copy of both documents : — To his Excellency Sib Geoege Feuguson Bowen, &c, May it please your Excellency — We, the inhabitants of Meanee and surrounding districts, welcome you as Governor of New Zealand. '. In cordially welcoming you on this your first visit to us, we heai-tily wish you health to enable you to successfully perform your arduous duties. We respectfully beg to offer our kind regards to Lady Bowen and family, and regret that indisposition prevented her landing. Wishing yoiu-self, Lady Bowen, and family, health and happiness, and expressing a hope that we may be favored with frequent visits from your Excellency ; we are &c. The following is his Excellency's reply : — Gentlemen, — I thank you and the inhabitants of Meanee generally for your address and for your welcome. I am greatly pleased with my drive through your flourishing township, and with the very English looking country around it. The name of Meanee recalls the greatest exploit of a great soldier, and one of the most extraordinary victories which illustrate the courage and daring of our Anglo-Saxon race. The citizen-soldiers of Napier and of Hawke's Bay have already given ample proof that they can emulate, in the defence of their hearths and homes, the bravery of their countrymen elsewhere. I am truly delighted to find that the apprehension of further disturbances in this province has now passed away, arid that both races of Her Majesty's subjects here are cultivating the arts of peace, and advancing the progress of the colony in cordial harmony. I humbly pray that, under the blessing of Divine Providence, this union may be permanent. THE GOVERNOR AND THE NATIVES. The following is His Excellency's reply to the speeches of loyalty and welcome delivered at Wai-o-hiki :- — omy friends. — I thank youin the name of the Queen for your loyalty to Her Majesty, of which you have given so many I proofs ; and I thank you for the hearty welcome which you have given to me as the representative of the Queen. 1 have often heard and read of your bravery in war, and my heart is glad to learn that you are now equally famous in the arts of peace. I rejoice to see so many signs of your industry and growing wealth, and of your friendship with your neighbours of European blood. It is, and always has been, the "desire of the Queen, that her Maori children and her Pakeha children should be governed by equal j laws, and should become, as it were, one people. The Queen sent her sou, the Duke of Edinburgh, to assure you of her love and her protection. You all know the unfortunate circumstance which, has prevented the Queen's son from visiting his Maori friends. He has requested me to inform you that he deeply regrets — that his heart is very dark — that he has been prevented from coming to New Zealand on the present occasion. I rejoice to hear from your speeches that you are desirous of peace, not only with, the Pakehas, but also among the Maories themselves. I rejoice also that your great chief Tareha has been elected a member of the runanga which will deliberate for the welfare of both races. He will inform the runanga of the wishes of the tribes which he represents ; so that any new law, or amendments of the existing laws, which may be required, may be carried out to the satisfaction of all. And now, in conclusion, O my friends, I thank you once more for your welcome, and pray that Heaven may pour its choicest blessing upon you. ifou are living on the East side of the Island, nearest to the rising of the sun. The sun shines on you this day ; I hope that its rays will always bring you joy, peace, and plenty. In reply* to the speeches at Pakowhai, His Excellency said :— O my friends, — I am delighted with what I have seen here to-day — with your houses, your carriages, and, generally, with your progress in the, arts of civilization. It is evident that your tribe and your European friends will soon become as one people. Let not your hearts be troubled. My eyes and the eyes of my Government are open. There will be no interruption of your peaceful industry. If there should be any apprehension of disturbance, the Pakehas and Maories will act together, as they have done heretofore, against all disturbers of the peace.

7 HE LEVEE. His Excellency held an undress levee on Saturday at noon. A guard of honor,.composed of H.M. 18th regiment, was drawn up sufcside the Council Chamber. The pi'ivate jntree consisted of the members of the Executive, the Bishop of Waiapu, the Rev. Father Reignier, and one or two other gentlemen. The public presentations were the Following :— Anderson, James; A'Deane, Mr.; Begg, Samuel ; Bourke, Mr. ; Brandon, Sydney Gr. ; Brathwaite, J. B. ; Brewer, John ; Buchanan, Mr. ; Busby, "William ; Carver, R. W. I. ; Catchpool, E. ; Colenso, William ; Cooper, Gr. S. ; Cuff, Josh.ua ; Curling, Capt.; Ferard, Bingham ; Fitzgerald, M. ; Forest, Very Rev. J. ; Growing, Jame3 J. W.; G-reen, Major E. L. ; Herrick, Mr.; Knight, H. ; Koch, August; Lambert, Major; Lee, G. Edmund; Locke, S.; Lyon, William ; Marshall, W. ; Mpeller, Charles; Newton, T. X. ; Bees, J: E. ; Reignier, Rev. E. ; Rich, Edwin F. ; Richardson, W. A.; Robinson, W. R. ; Routledge, W. ; Scaly, H. B. ; Smith, John Alex. ; Stables, John ; Sturm, R. C. ; Sturm, F. W. C. ; Sutton, F. ; Taßuteau, J. M. ; Tanner, Thomas; Tuke, Capt. Edmund; Tylee, J. T. ; Watt, James ; Webb, Mr. ; Weber, Charles H. ; Wilson, J. IN. ; Wilson, James ; Withers, Capt. ; Wood.. James ; Worgan, Mr. ; Worgan, Gr. 33. I'HKSENTATIOX. Immediately after thu b:cne, His Excellency, at the request of His Honor v,> Superintendent, presented I\lr. A. 11, Blake, the successful competitor at the lute district prize firing, with the silver medal to which he was entitled. In doing so, the Governor said that the name of Blake reminded him of one of England's greatest heroes in a former age, and he hoped that the. reci- * pient of the medal would do honor to it. He (the Governor) had heard much of the distinguished conduct of the militia and volunteers of Hawke's Bay during the recent war, and he was glad at having been invited to present to one of their number the .decoration awarded by the Government for the skilful use of the rifle. He was happy to think that peace now reigned in the district, but felt sure that the citizen soldiers would always be ready at the call of duty, and in defence of their homes. Turning to the men of the detachment of the 18th regiment, drawn up as a guard of honor, His Excellency said that, as the representative of the Queen, he was glad to hear from all quarters of the excellent conduct of the men of the detachment of Her Majesty's troops stationed at Napier, and of the cordial relations which they maintained with their fellow subjects, the people of this district. Gallantry in the field and diacipline in quarters were equally the glory of the British soldier; and he felt sure that this famous regiment, which had carried its colours through so many parts of the globe and in so many great battles, would always exhibit alike gallantry and discipline. In the afternoon His Excellency, accompanied by Mr. M'Lean, visited the Gaol and Hospital, and expressed himself pleased with the arrangements. He also • visited St. Joseph's educational establishments, and Mr. Marshall's school, Oatlands. PUBLIC DINNER. The dinner in honor of His Excellency was given the same (Saturday) evening. The chair was taken by His Honor the Superintendent, supported on the right by His Excellency, the Hon. J. C. Richmond, J. D. Ormond, Esq., and Capt. Young, A.D.C. ; and on the left by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Waiapu, Lieut.-Col. Whitmore, and Capt. Wray (18th Royal Irish). The vice chairs were filled respectively by H. S. Tiffen Esq., and J. N. Wilson Esq. Shortly after the hour named (| past 6), His Excellency and suite entered the Council Chamber. Covers had been laid for fifty-six, and the company, after grace had been said by the Bishop, sat down to a most excellent dinner, respecting which it is only necessary to say that Mr. Gill was caterer. The liquors were from the Club cellar, and were supplied under the superintendence of Mr. Britten, who most efficiently assisted Mr. Gill in attending to the wants of the company. The first toast, by the chairman, was the "Queen," which was drank with enthusiasm. " God Save the Queen" followed — Mr. Worgan presiding at the piano, Mr. Carver taking the solo parts, and the company joining in the chorus. The "Prince of Wales and the re"st of the Royal family," adding the name of the Duke of Edinburgh, was next given, and warmly responded to. Several gentlemen amateurs gave " God bless the Prince of Wales." The next toast was that of the guest of the evening — '" His Excellency the Governor," whicli was enthusiastically received. His Excellency, in his reply, expressed himself as much gratified with his reception in Napier. With regard to public affairs generally, he spoke hopefully of the future. He concluded by proposing the toast of " Prosperity to Hawke's Bay." Song— "The Troubadour," by Dr. Hifcchings. The next toast — "The Army and Navy " — was also given from the chair. Captain Wray responded on behalf of the Imperial army ; Colonel Whitmore on behalf of the local forces,* and, after a pause, Mr. Buchanan on behalf of the navy. The health of the "Hon. J. C.Richmond and ministers," was next given from the chair, and warmly received, with one cheer more for; Mr. Stafford. Mr. Richmond, in reply, thanked Mr. M'Lean and the company for the kind mention of his name and that of his coadjutors. He thought, in briefly adverting to public affairs, that the clouds whicli had dai'kened the colony were beginning to pass away. Duett (Dr. Hitchings and Mr. Carver) — " Can a man be secure." The next toast — that of "Lady Bowen and the ladies of New Zealand" was given from the chair with many expressions of regret at Lady Bowen's absence. His Excellency responded on behalf of Lady Bowen, saying how glad she would be, at a future time, to visit Napier. Mr. Anderson, in reply to a general call, responded for the ladies generally. This concluded the list of toasts, and, it being now past 10 o'clock, His Excellency (whose genial manner had shed its influence all ni'ound throughout the evening) and Mr. M'Lean, accompanied by a good many other gentlemen, left the room — the amateurs and company again singing " God save the Queen" as His Excellency and suite passed out. INTENDED DEPARTURE OP THE GOVERNOR. His Excellency attended Divine service (it St. John's church on Sunday forenoon —

the Bishop officiating. He purposed (having abandoned his intention of proceeding to Wellington overland) to leave per p.s. Sturt the same evening, but was prevented from doing so by the heavy southerly gftle then blowing.- .His Excellency now awaits a favorable change of weather.