DEPARTURE OF MR. VON STURMER, R.M., FROM HOKIANGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7773, 20 October 1886, Page 5

DEPARTURE OF MR. VON STURMER, R.M., FROM HOKIANGA.

♦ Mr. and Mb.s. Von Sturmee and family left Hokianga by the s.s. Oreti en route for Masterton, to which place Mr- Von Sturmer has been transferred. Previous to their departure, a pn'blic meeting, presided over by Mr. William Webster, sen., was held in the County Hall, at Rawene, for the purpose of presenting Mr. Von Sturmer with an address. The hall was well filled on the occasion with people from all parts of the distrioc, who came to bid Mr. and Mrs. Voa Sturmer good-bye. On rising to present the address Mr. Webster, who is one of the oldest inhabitants here, gave a short and succinct history of the vanous resident magistrates who had been in Hokianga. Beginning with the late Captain Beckham, he traced the history of each down to the present time. He said it gave him great pleasure to present Mr. Von Sturmer with the address on behalf of the residents. He also presented Mrs. Von Sturmer with a purse of sovereigns with which to purchase a piece of plate ; and last, bat not least, he presented Mr. and Mrs. Von Sturmer with a bunch of forget-me-nots. Mr. Von Sturmer returned thanks, and said that in the " fulness of the heart the month speaketh," but in his case hie heart was too fall to do more than simply thank them for their kindness to himself and to Mrs. Von Sturmer, assuring them that the name of Hokianga would erer live in their hearts, and the dear friends left behind would never be forgotten. The address was beautifully illuminated and set in an elegantly-gilt frame. It was the work of Mr. Gulliver, of Auckland, and reflects great credit on his taste and skill. Hone Mohi Tawhai, Heremia Te Wake, and Hone Parahi addressed the meeting. They strongly opposed the removal of Mr. Von Sturmer, who understood the manners and customs of the natives, and hoped the Government would see their way to send Mr. Von Stunner back again before long. Tho whistle of the steamer made all aware that the time to say good-bye had come, so the people accompanied Mr. Von Sturmer and family to the wharf, where the Oreti was waiting for them. After the process of leave-taking was over, the steamer moved away from the wharf, while those remaining gave three hearty cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Von Sturmer and family.—-[Own Correspondent.]