THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL AT DARGAVILLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6998, 22 April 1884, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL AT DARGAVILLE.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. -: '■'. [by telegraph.—Own correspondent.] DARGAVitLE, Monday. •..' The township has been quite in a state'of excitement to-day,- and almost a general holiday has taken-place. All the people have been busy'decorating their respective establishments. At the wharf, the Reception Committee had erected a handsome arch of nikau, ferns, cabbage trees, etc., with the word " Welcome" facing the river,' and "Advance Wairoa " on the opposite side. Rows of cabbage trees and native plante were placed along the tramway. The two hotels were handsomely decorated, also every shop and dwelling from the wharf to the Kiihu Hotel. There was also a profuae display of flags. The natives kept arriving in great numbers throughout the day, and by four p.m. all was in readiness for His Excellency's reception. At a quarter to five the s.s. Durham appeared opposite Mangawhare, and at' five p.m. she was moored to the wharf.. His Excellency waa met on board by Mr. J. M. Dargaville, M.H.R., and afterwards introduced to the County Chairman, Mr. F. W. Matthews, and other members of the Reception Committee. , The County Chairman then read the following address :—" To His Excellency Sir William Drummond Jervois, Governor. May it please your Bxcellency, —Wβ, the members of the Hobsbh' County Counoil and of the Dargaville Town Board, on behalf of the inhabitants, bid your Excellency a hearty welcome to this part of the colony. Fifteen yeare ago we were last honoured with a visit from Her Majesty's representative. Since that time the European population of the district has increased one hundred fold. Our relations with the natives h'avej during all these years, been of the most friendly and neighbourly character. Hitherto settlement and the utilization of the resources of the district' have been the result of nnaided private enterprise. We are assured, however, that our soil and climate'possess special capabilities for the cultivation and manufacture of certain subtropical products, for the introduction of whioh we do not possess the necessary facilities or practical knowledge, and we are much concerned at present to find some way of securing for ourselves and our children the benefits and advantages which a beneficent Providence has apparently intended to place within the reach of the inhabitants of this part of the colony. We trust that your Excellency's vieit will be as productive of pleasure to your Excellency as we feel it will be of advantage to the district. We pray your Excellency to be assured of our best wishes that you may enjoy a happy and prosperous career as the representative of our beloved Queen.

His Excellence replied : Gectlemen,—lt affords me much pleasure to visit this part of your district and to find such decorations displayed, in which, I think, the ladies must have taken apart. It having been fifteen years since Her Majesty's representative visited this district, I feel glad that I should have revived such visits. The trip to-day has given mo great pleasure, and I hope that the industries in your district of timber and gum will coiitinuo to prosper, and also that the sub-tropical products which your address mentions may be introduced, and be a means of large profit to your district. From what I hare seen today, I anticipate a pleasant two or three days sojourn among yon. Gentlemen, I again thank you for the reception you have given me. ' ■

Three cheers were then called for the Governor and heartily given, after which he paaeed through the aroh and proceeded to the Kaihu Hotel, followed by the. members of the Reception Committee, and was received by Host Audus Raynes.

A very large number of natives on horsebaok awaited His Excellency's passing throngh the arch, and gave him three hearty cheers. They then proceeded to the hotel, and again gave three cheers.

His Excelllnoy then appeared on the upstair balcony of the hotel, and addressed the natives, saying: lam glad to see so many Maori chiefs and Maoris here to-day. It ie late, and I have travelled a long way, so will not address you to-night, but I hope to aee you all 'at the Public Hall to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock, when I shall address you.

The natives again gave three cheers for the Queen, and then for His Excellency, who then retired from the balcony. There were about 800 people (including natives) present at the reception. The s.s. Durham steamed from Helenaville in five hours and a half, including stoppages to deliver mails.

The shipping at the mills showed,a very gay appearance, with a great display of bunting. The township bore will be lit up with Cnineie lanterns, &c,, to-night, and a display of fireworks will take, place. The Reception Committee meets at eight p.m. to arrange the programme for to-morrow. The first arrangement on the list is a meeting with the natives in the Pnblio Hall at ten a.m. There is a large number of natives in the township to-night, from nearly all the the settlements in the North.

Dr. Campbell and Mr. Lodder, manager of the Northern Wairoa Steamship Company, accompanied the Governor on the trip up.