THE VICE-REGAL VISIT TO NELSON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4139, 26 June 1874, Page 3

THE VICE-REGAL VISIT TO NELSON.

The incidents of His Excellency the Governor’s visit to the city of Nelson, and of his departure therefrom, are thus further reported by the Colonist His Excellency took his departure on Thursday morning, accompanied to the wharf by the Mayor. Assembled near the steps were the Bishop of Nelson, the Rev. Mr. Thorpe, A. Collins, Esq., and numerous other gentlemen who attended to bid him farewell, and with most of whom he conversed. His Excellency has expressed himself in kindly and satisfied terms of our endeavors to receive him suitably, and spite of drawbacks, we believe ho takes with him a good impression of the Province, and especially of the social qualities of our private residents in town and country, as well as of our hospitable Mayor. His visit to Wakapuaka was in response to an invitation to luncheon by J. Oldham, Esq., at whose residence His Excellency and suite and the Superintend and Mayor were most suitably entertained. Short as was the time allowed him, Sir James did not forget to visit our public institutions. The Lunatic Asylum, Hospital, College, and Gaol were all viewed and shrewdly commented upon. At the last-named the prisoners were assembled, inspected, and asked if any of them desired to make any representation or complaint. The only voices heard were those of Lock and Macpherson, in gaol for serious offences, who begged for some commutation of their sentences. His Excellency spoke upon the seriousness of their offences, saying any hope of their petitions being favorably entertained would depend upon the good conduct and excellent behaviour that would he reported them. On the whole, His Excellencyapp red to entertain favorable views of thispl ace, d ts quiet comfort, and so far flattered us hat he expressed to our Mayor his wish and intention, during the ensuing summer, to pass a longer period in Nelson. To the address from the Mayor and Council, His Excellency made the following reply ; “ I thank you for your loyal and kindly address. I regret that circumstances have postponed my first visit to your city so long after my arrival in the Colony, for a year has passed since I touched at your port on my way to the seat of Government. But I am happy to take the present opportunity of visiting the capital of this Province which presents many features of interest and attraction. I have already seen at the other extremity of the Province some of its valuable mineral resources, and I trust that before long their further development may increase its prosperity and quicken it i progress. Already it is gratifying to sec tho evidence of wealth and comfort which your city affords, and the marks, which even at this season are not wanting, of a gonial climate and productive soil make me augur favorably of its future. I beg you, gentlemen, to accept on behalf of your constituents,

my grateful acknowledgments of the cordiality of rny reception, which I feel to be no less because circumstances have prevented any public display ; and I desire to assure you of the interest which I shall not fail to take in the welfare of the Province and of its inhabitants.”