THE GOVERNOR'S TRIP TO THE NORTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4123, 8 June 1874, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR'S TRIP TO THE NORTH.

♦ HOKIANGA. Tlie correspondent of tlio Southern Cross, writing from Herd's Point on the 25th May, states :—" Our quiet little neighborhood has been stirred by a visit paid to us by none less than her Majesty's representative. This was the first vice-regal visit with which our district has been honored for some two or three years. About a fortnight ago a messenger came here from the Bay of Islands to tell us that his Excellency would be down among us about the ISth or 19th of this month. On Tuesday, the 19th, several of the inhabitants wore to meet the arriving guests at Taeheke, about fifteen miles above Herd's Point. The Resident Magistrate, 'Mr. Von Struvmer, Mr. John Webster, Mr. William House, Wesleyan Missionary in this district, and the head of the Xgapuhi tribe, Molie Tawhia, as well as the Rawara chief, Witene Papahia, wore there, together with about 500 Maoris, and the children of the Native school at Waima were there, and sang in English " God Save the Queen," to the great surprise and'pleasure of the visitors. The number of the latter was very considerable. The Governor was followed by his aide-de-camp, by Mr. H. T. Kemp, Civil Commissioner, Mr. John Williams, M.H.R., the Hon. Wiremu Katene, the Hon. Captain Egerton, Captain Simpson, and several officers of H.M.S. Blanche.—A luncheon was provided at Taeheke, after partaking of which the company went down in boats to Herd's Point, where they arrived at about sunset. His Excellency gave a dinner at Hokianga Hotel for his followers, and the next morning the party made a visit to Mr. John Webster, at Kohukohu, where about 300 Natives were to meet them. After their return a meeting was held outside the hotel. A great number of Maori chiefs addressed the Governor, their speeches being interpreted by Mr. Kemp. The Governor then addressed the Maoris in a manner in which they ought to have been spoken to long ago. He thanked them heartily for the kind reception that they had given him. He was very glad to see present their highly-respected chief, Moke Tawhai, and so many of the Natives and followers of Tamati Waka, and he reminded them strongly that both these chiefs always saw in the British law the protection of their rights and interests. This, he hoped, would always remain so; and he impressed on their minds the necessity of obeying the law in great matters as well as in small, and not go to Court only about petty cases of stealing, and reserve to themselves the settlement of cases of murder and bloodshed. With regard to their wants of many kinds he gave them to understand that it lay chiefly with themselves to obtain them; aud told them that they must not expect the Government to do everything for them. Concerning their wish for Pakeha settlers, they must be willing to sell land. His Excellency said that ho honored their love for their land; but how could they get the Pakeha to live among them without giving him some room to sit on. After the speeches were over, loud cheers were given to the Governor, and several of the chiefs were introduced to him. A handsome present of tobacco was then given to the Maoris. Later in the evening, the party left again in boats for Taeheke, whence they started at daylight on Thursday morning to the Bay of Islands. Before separating, his Excellency expressed to Mr. Von Stunner how highly delightful and satisfied he was at his visit."

MANGONUI. The Mangonui correspondent of the same journal writes under date May 26: —" Mangonui has hail an exciting week. Settlers from the country and a large body of Natives have been anxiously waiting in daily expectation of the arrival of his Excellency Sir James Fergusson. On Friday H.M.S. Blanche, Captain Simpson, 8.N., steamed into the harbor ; on the following day, about noon, the Governor arrived in his yacht. He landed at the new wharf. An address was read and replied to ; then the usual mode of reception of Maoris took place. A procession was formed, which walked through the village to the Settlers' Hotel, on the large space in front of which (his Excellency and suite sitting on the verandah) the Maoris delivered their speeches, which were ably interpreted by Mr. Commissioner Kemp, of Auckland. Their purport was to the effect that they had always been loyal, even at the time of Hone lleki's war in their vicinity. They were grateful for the expenditure of Government money in forming roads ; for schools for the education of their children. They were desirous of its being continued ; but they were most anxious that the resources of the district, which was considered to abound in minerals, would be developed by the G overumeiit. The Governor's attcntioit was called to a map by Captain Dniry, H.N., on which was . marked, ' coal found hero,' close by the harbor, which, from apathy and neglect, has never been attended to. His Excellency replied that the wants of the district should be laid before the Colonial Government. He thanked the Natives for their loyalty, and hoped he should pay repeated visits to the district. Afterwards there was a reception. It was a treat to see so many English gentlemen visit Mangonui. William the Fourth was styled the ' Sailor King.' With all due respect, we say our ' Sailor Governor' was most affable, and his visit to this district a great success." WANGAROA. The Wangaroa correspondent, writing on the 28th, states :—" The unexpected arrival of Sir James Fergusson on Sunday last, and his short stay in the harbor gave the inhabitants of Wangaroa but little opportunity of giving a cordial reception to her Majesty's representative. Shortly after noon of the 24th instant, the yacht Blanche —escorted by her iron namesake—made her appearance in our waters, and anchored under the shadow of St. Peter's. As no intimation had been received of his Excellency's intended visit, it seemed at first as if the vessels hail merely ruu in for temporary refuge from the foul weather which had been brewing all the morning, and which culminated in a severe thunderstorm at night. It had been raining throughout the day, and not a boat was visible about the harbor. In fact, it was such a day that no one, it was thought, would venture out for .choice. Nothing daunted by the weather, a small boat pulled by three rowers, and having the British ensign flying from the stern, was seen to leave the yacht and make towards the Mill Wharf, where it lauded Sir James and his aide-de-camp,' and thus unceremoniously did his Excellency pay his first visit to Wangaroa. Next morning his Excellency again came on shore, and was this time met by those of the European inhabitants who have their residence in the harbor, and several of the Natives from the Kaeo and Pupuki, to whom intimation of the Governor's arrival had been sent the previous day. Old Kaungi, chief of the Ngapuhis, delivered a rather rambling speech, to the effect that he and his tribe were loyally disposed, and determined to live in peace with all men. Tanihora, chief of the Ngatiporouas, did not seem to think the Ngapuhis 'quite as loyal as they were stated to be, as they had shielded several murderers from justice, and although they were anxious that his brother Tapoo should be given up to the European authorities, they afforded protection to those of their own tribe who wore guilty of the same crime that he had committed. Tic considered his brother amenable to the law, and would give him up when other tribes gave up the murderers they "were protecting. His Excellency gave a very short address, in which he said he was glad to perceive the cordiality and good feeling between the white man and the Native, and he trusted that those feelings would be strengthened by his next visit. He hoped that Tanihora would see the necessity of acting in accordance with the dictates of the law, however painful it might be to his feelings having to deliver so near a relation up to justice. His Excellency was loudly cheered at the conclusion of the address, and left almost immediately a'midst renewed cheers from the spectators who lined the wharf. His Excellency lias had a fair opportunity of judging of the importance of Wangaroa as far as the timber trade is conearned, as there were in the harbor three square-rigged vessels and a brigautine taking in timber for Melbourne and Sydney, and the different docks were almost bursting with a superabundant supply of logs of all sizes."