THE DEPARTURE OF THE GOVERNOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1091, 12 October 1869, Page 3

THE DEPARTURE OF THE GOVERNOR.

(From the "Taranaki Herald.") His Excellency Sir George Bowen, accompanied by Capt. Pitt, A.D.C., Mr. Parris, Civil Commissioner, and several private gentlemen, Lieut. Mulloy, E.E., Majors Brown, Stapp, and Tuke, and Capt. Wilson with a guard of Volunteer Cavalry, left Mr. Parris' residence, New Plymouth, on Saturday, the 2nd October, to embark at Waitara for Eaglan, Waikato, and Manukau. As the large mounted party rounded the corner of Broughamand Devon-streets, they came suddenly upon about 150 of the settlers, who, expecting his Excellency, lined both sides of the approaches to the town bridge, and warmly cheered him as he advanced. The Governor, evidently as much surprised as gratified at the scene, drew up his horse and acknowledged in warm terms this spontaneous display of good feeling at parting. On the road, the party were joined by Mr. Outfield,; J.P., and further on by Major Bishopp, 18th E.1., and Major Nixon, Wanganui Cavalry. All along the road, the same gratifying feeling of respect was shown by the inhabitants to his Excellency, as he passed onwards. The Governor was full of enquiry as each homestead was passed — and old pahs and ground, the scene of sanguinary conflict with the natives during the war of 1860, had a special interest with his Excellency. Eaoh spot of ground about to be traversed, had been a battle field, and possessed a history. Mahoetahi, occupied by the celebrated Ngatihaua chief Wetene Taiporutu (who, , with most of his followers, was killed), carried by assault by the 65th and Volunteer Eifles, when the gallant son of the Eev. H. H. Brown fell— a stripling of 15. Sentry Hill, held by the 57th, attacked by Hauhaus, who left thirty-three dead on the ground. No. 1 Eedoubt, where General Pratt first took up a position. No. 3 Eedoubt, fiercely attacked by natives, who were repulsed with severe loss by a force from No. 1, Lieut. Jackson, of the 40th, being killed on the occasion. The double sap, over 1000 yards of open plain, from No. 3 to No. 6 Eedoubt, where now stands the thriving farm of Mr. S. Andrews. The space from No. 6 to No. 7 Eedoubt, without a sap, over the most dangerous ground, where the gallant Capt. Strange, 65th Eegiment, lost his life. The single sap from No. 7 Eedoubt to within 100 yards of Te Arei, fortified by a single palisade, and the cross sap where Lieut. M'Naughton, E.A., was killed. Te Arei, more popularly known as Pukerangiora, is full of interest as a native stronghold, apart from the war of 1860. It was here the great slaughter of Ngatiawas took place under the leadership of tho celebrated Waikato chief, Te Whero Whero, the so called Maori King of latter years. The Ngatiawas. occupied this position, one of the strongest in the country, in considerable force, and were only conquered by being surrounded. So great was the slaughter and so complete the panic, that hundreds of the Ngatiawas leaped from the high cliff, which commands the magnificent view of the Waitara valley seaward, into the chasm below, preferring the alternative of certain death in this way, to falling into the hands of their merciless enemies, Te Whero Whero himself killing 200 of the tribe with his own mere, and only faom his work from mere weariness. Matarikoriko was in turn pointed out. Puketakauere with its sad history, Lieut. Brookes and 33 men of the 40th Eegiment, having been killed in marching against the position. The site of the celebrated pah attacked by Colonel Gold, where blood was first shed between the two races ; and finally the burial ground with its mounds and tablets indicating the resting place of the many heroes of the war, who sleep the sleep of death at the call of duty. By the way, would it not be a grateful act oi the local authorities to keep this ground sacred and in order ; the fences and tablets ereoted by comrades no longer serving in New Zealand, are falling into disrepair, and even mounds are being disturbed^ by cattle and pigs. The Governor reached Waitara township much gratified and interested with his four hours' ride, at 2.45 p.m., where he was welcomed by a large gathering of natives. Shortly afterwards, the Hon. D, M'Lean, Mr. Pflliet, E.M., Mr. Scotland, M.L.C, Mr. F. Carrington, the Superintendent elect, and other gentlemen arrived from town. The Governor, after addressing the natives, proceeded to the house of Mr. Halse, where his Excellency and party partook of a whitebait luncheon— the river being celebrated for this delicate fish. The township, quite in its infancy, wore its gayest aspect. The weather which had been threatening in the early morning, was settling clear and calm, and the ground was alive with people of both races — mounted and on foot. The signal station was dressed in bunting ; the trading vessel anchored in the river — solitary representative of themercantilemarinethat should long since have been busy there, — the few houses in the township, each had its flag to mark the auspicious visit. Higher up the river, a mile from the heads, under Manukorihi pah, lay H.M.C.S. Sturt, dressed in flags from truck to stem. Shortly after 4 p.m. she got up steam and came down the river, passing his Excellency's temporary residence, and bringing up opposite the shipping store of Messrs. Webster Brothers. The Sturt is a very large vessel in comparison with her light draught, and as she came slowly paddling down over waters never before navigated by a vessel, she bore much about the proportion to the Waitara that the Great Eastern might to the Thames above bridge. The vessel now being reported ready, his Excellency again expressing the gratification the visit to Taranaki had afforded him, proceeded to the river bank, where he was received by Capt. Fairchild, — natives singing a farewell chant, and the Europeans cheering as the boat pushed off from the bank. All being now ready, full speed was put on, and the Sturt stood out for sea, orossing the bar without a ripple.