THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO PATEA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1089, 5 October 1869, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO PATEA.

(From the "Independent," Oct. 2) On the afternoon of Friday last, the 24th inst. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by the Hon. Wm. Fox, and j his suite, arrived at Patea, having ridden from Wanganui by way of the Wereroa Eedoubt and "Wairoa. The vice-regal party was received at Patea by the officer commanding that district, Major Koake, who turned out a guard of honor consisting of the detachment of Armed Constabulary and a body of the Ngatiporou natives. The Governor was much struck with the appearance of our native allies, who are a splendid lot of men. A deputation met the Governor at Patea, and presented an address of welcome. His Excellency then rode up to Major Koake's quarters, and after a look round the camp retired for the night on board the Sturt, chattering with the Maoris on the way. On Satorday the Governor, Mr. Fox, and suite, left Patea on horseback, and rode to see the site of the mill for the flax company. After riding a considerable distance towards Manutahi, the Governor and his party returned to Patea. It was his intention to leave by the Sturt for Taranaki on the afternoon of Saturday. After leaving the Governor, Mr. Fox, accompanied by Major Noake, went on to Waihi, which is now occupied by the Ngatiporou. They put up tor the night in rather rough quarters, and the next day rode over the whole conntry from Eetemarai to the mouth of the Waingongoro, and into some of the beautiful bush clearings. They selected a site for a block-house, and locations for some twenty families who are ready to re-occupy their land now that the Ngatiporou are on the frontier. Mr. Fox purposes to rent to each man 10 acres round the block-house for a number of years, so that the occupants can first cultivate the land close to the block-house, from which they will radiate, and, as the country becomes safe, gradually get out on to their own farms. By this plan the country will be resettled in a very short time. Mr. Fox is reported to be delighted with the country, and is evidently doing all he can to help the West Coast districts to prosperity. En route from Wanganui to Patea, the viceregal party met some natives on the Pakaraka reserve, one of whom was the man sent by Titokowaru to warn away Col. Herrick from WoodalTs Eedoubt some months ago, and who was confined in Wanganui gaol for some time. Mr. Fox told his interpreter to tell the natives that they would not be allowed to remain on the land, and that they must immediately remove, and a detachment of men from the Wereroa redoubt was ordered to go to the place next morning to enforce the orders of the Premier if necessary. The remains of Turangaika pa were inspected by the Governor with great interest. His Excellency was escorted by a body of the Wanganui Cavalry Volunteers under Cornet Hair. The visit of his Excellency, and the action of the Premier at Patea, appears to have given universal satisfaction, and we trust it may be the means of assisting in the work of resettlement of that magnificent district.