THE GOVERNOR AND THE PREMIER AT TARANAKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5473, 2 June 1879, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR AND THE PREMIER AT TARANAKI.

[from our ovrs correspon'dext.] New Plymouth, Saturday. THE ARRIVAL. The Hinemoa, from Wellington, arrived in the roadstead at 11 o'clock this morning. She bad on board his Excellency the Governor, Sir Geo. Grey, Colonel Whitmore, Hon. H. Lyttelton, Captain St. John, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Seymour George, M. H.R., and Mr. W. Mitchell, private secretary to the Premier. The Hinemoa had a very rough passage, ahe bein? hove-to for a considerable time. On ber coaling to an anchorage a boat,-contain-his Worship the Mayor, Major Stapp, Mr. F. A. Carriiyton, Mr. T. Kelly, and jndge Shaw went off to her. There was a assemblage on the beach, amongst . v i;nin we noticed Major Atkinson, Colonel Trimble, and other gentlemen. Twenty-five of the Armed Constabulary, under the command of Captaia Goring, formed a guard of honour; and, upon His Excellency landing on the beach, the Mayor called for three, cheers, which were heartily responded to by the crowd of spectators. The party then drove away. His Excellency and Colonel Whitmore are guests of Mr. J. S. Caverhill, sad the Premier and his private secretary, are the guests of Mr. A. Standish. DEPUTATION FROM SETTLERS. A meeting of the 'settles was held this afternoon, in the Borough Council Chambers, when it was decided to wait on the Premier and Colonel Whitmore, and lay before them a resolution to the effect that they hope the Government will not take steps to suppress the natives without first protecting the district with a force. A deputation, consisting of the Justices of the Peace, the members of Assembly, and principal settlers in the out-districts, waited Bpon the Premier and Colonel Whitmore. Major Atkinson having submitted the resolution, they proceeded to state the anxiety that existed amongst the settlers with reference to the aggressive attitude taken by the natives. The deputation then proceeded to state that they had waited upon the Government to know whether the Ministry were prepared to give absolute assurance of protection, and wonld inform them that they might remain at their homes with safety. Sir G. Grev replied that the Government would do everything in its power to protect the out-settlements when there was danger. He thought it would be better if some of the leading settlers would meet him, so that they might give him information respecting their several districts,as to the number of settlers : n each, and what means of protection they had in case of an outbreak.

Major Atkinson said the settlers .were always ready to give all information in their power to the Government. Sir G. Grev said that was the sole purpose of his visiting them. Major ATKiJt'S j>" said he would not like to be one of a private deputation. Sir G. Grey replied that there "were other gentlemen who were equally cognizant of the state of the country.

Several of the settlers also spoke. In reply to the deputation, Sir G. Grey said the Government would be in a position to piotect them and thei? interests when required, aud would notify to them if it was advisable to quit their homesteads. After the deputation had departed, Sir G. Grey and Colonel Whitmore had a long discussion with a number of the settlers as to the population and condition of the various districts in which they resided, and the state of de- fence.

A public meeting of the settlers has been callud for Monday nest, at 11 o'clock. It i 3 expected that the party will remain here till Tuesday nest, aad then leave for Auckland.