HIS EXCELLENCY AT THE THAMES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 14, Issue 1120, 21 January 1870, Page 3

HIS EXCELLENCY AT THE THAMES.

[Prom the "Evening Star," January 15.] Friday evening. His Excellency the Governor and suite visited the beautiful Tararu district yesterday morning for the purpose of inspecting the tramway and batteries which have all been constructed since his last visit. Unfortunately the party was put to some extra fatigue and inconvenience by an accident happening to the fine saloon tram car that was to convey them up and down the gully. The carriage was in use for the first time, and, with proper forethought, was being taken over the road on a trial trip. On the downward journey, at a most ticklish spot, some obstacle caused the car to leave the line and to topple over the bank. Fortunately a friendly tree interposed, which prevented, possibly, a very serious catastrophe, and enabled the occupants, some twenty or thirty in number, to scramble out, with one exception, unhurt. The sole sufferer, who made his exit through the window, was badly wounded by broken glass, and had to be conveyed to the hospital. After this incident, which in a measure marred the proceedings of the morning, our distinguished visitors proceeded to the new battery erected by Messrs. G-ibbons and Co., when the machinery was started for the first time with unusual eclat. Lady Bowen kindly undertaking the duty of christeniug, it was named the " Flora Macdonald" Battery, after the claim to which it is attached. After partaking of lunch '...'. prepared by the forethought of the p.'\. v ;-ii3tors, the Governor and her ladyship were shown over the engine and machinehouse, and examined the interesting machinery. After this, a visit was made to Russell and Co.'s very fine battery, at the head of the tramway, where some stone from the crack claim City of Danedin was being put through. The details here were inspected with the same unflagging energy of spirit which has marked his Excellency's stay here. Lady Bowen was pleased to accept of a bottle of pulverised specimens from the City of Dunedin, as a memento of their visit ; and although, of course, such a result was never dreamed of, scrip (if there be any in the market.) is bound to go up. An unexpected visit to the renowned Hunt's Claim brought an exceedingly fatiguing morning's business to a close ; and I am sure all concerned would much need a " spell." In the afternoon, about two o'clock, his Excellency the Governor, Lady Bowen and children, attended by Captain Pitt, Private Secretary, and Capt. Young, Aide-de-camp, drove over to Shorfcland, and called at the Hospital to inquire as to t'ae condition of Mr. Blunett, who was injured on the tramway in the morning ; and they expressed their sympathy with him. After calling at Mr. Mackay's, the company proceeded to the chief Taipari's house, where a luncheon on a superb scale had been prepared. After this had been discussed, a general " korero " was held outside, where many pretty things were said by Pakeha and Maori. It would be well if the whole Maori race could enjoy the same privileges and comforts or anything like the same that the Hauraki natives are enjoying. They would then be a happy and contented race. Their brethren farther south are debarred from the same humanising influences which, after all, nothing but universal prosperity can bring about. The ball at the Governor Bowen Hotel, in the evening, was a very great success. The programme was a very nice one, and the music good ; the only drawback being the smalluess of the room. The after supper speeches were exceedingly happy, and, as before mentioned, the whole affair was a brilliant success. THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO COROMANDJSL. A little after two o'clock the Sturt, under the command of Capt. Fairchikl, drew up alongside the wharf, to take his Excellency and suite to Coromaudel, on a visit to that place. At the end of the wharf were assembled a number of gentlemen, including the officers of the Volunteer corps on the Thames, to see the Vicc-r^gal party at their departure. His Excellency the Governor, leading his son, came up the wharf, accompanied by Lady Bowen, his Honor the Superintendent, C. O'Neill, Capt. Pitt, and Capt. Young. The Governor shook hands with several of the gentlemen assembled, and said he and Lady Bowen had enjoyed their visit to the Thames extremely, and thanked them for the efforts made for their entertainment during their stay. As soon as the Sturt moved off, three hearty cheers were given for the Governor and party, which were returned by the Governor calling for three for the prosperity of the Thames. Thus ended a visit which will be long remembered by the people of the Thames, during which the weather has been remarkably fine, and everything has tended to give his Excellency and party some very pleasing reminiscences of their visit to the Thames goldfielcl. / RETURN OF THE GOVERNOR. / The Sturt returned from Coroinan&el this afternoon, with his Excellency/ the Governor, his Honor the Superintendent, and suite. — Evening News, Jan, 15./