THIS DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 294, 23 April 1869, Page 2

THIS DAY.

PRESENTATION OF ADDRESSES. The deputation from Hokitika presented their address to bis Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh shortly before eleven o'clock this morning. They proceeded to the Clarendon at a few minntes after ten o'clock. His Hoyal Highness and party were at breakfast, and the deputation wa9 shown into the draw-ing-room set apart for the accommodation of his Excellency the Governor. A 8 soon as breakfast was over, his Royal High r. ess received the deputation courteously. He thmked them for the address which they presented to him on behalf of the people of Hokitika, and expressed his regret that time would not permit hie visiting the West Coast. His Royal. Highness was also presented with a loyal and congratulatory address by the Maoris. He received them at the front entrance to the hotel from Worcester ■treet, and thanked them for the expression of loyalty to her Majesty contained in their address. The deputation consisted of about forty Maoris. His Royal Highness left the Clarendon Hotel, en route for the Racecourse, shortly before one o'clock.

The following is the address presented by the Westland deputation :- — "To His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. " May it please your Royal Highness, — " At a time when nearly the whole mass of the people in New Zealand anxiously press forward, and offer with one heart and one

j voice the most animated testimonials of their attachment to your Royal person, this deputation, representing the inhabitants of the County of Westland, and the citizens of the borough of Hokitika, have the honour to approach you with this public avowal of their sincere congratulations upon your arrival in I the colony and deep regret that your limited stay will deprive the people of Westland from manifesting to your Royal Highness personally their loyalty to the throne of England, their deep devotion to your Royal mother, and the hearty welcome that would have greeted you had you extended your visit to our coast. Accept this our warmest and most, dutiful acknowledgments for your condescension upon this occasion. May He by whom Kings govern and empires prosper shower upon your royal parent, yourself, and the whole of your illustrious line, His choicest blessings, is the prayer of " Your Royal Highness' " Very obedient, " Humble servants, "Conrad Hoos, " Chairman of the County Council. " Edmund Barff, M.C.C. "Evan Prosser, "Mayor of Hokitika. " C. E. Button, M.B.C. " John Lazar, "Town Clerk." The deputation from Westland consisted of Mr C Hoos, Chairman of the County Council, Mr Edmund Barff, member of the County Coun.il, Mr Evan Prosser, Mayor of Hokitika, Mr C. B. Button, member of the Borough Council, and air John Lazar, Town Clerk.

The following is a translation of the address presented by the Maoris: — " A welcome from the native tribes living in the Greenstone Island to Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, son of our loving Queen: — " On this occasion we see a renowed personage—the heart's desiie, the bright sunlight. Welcome guest ! Welcome, lord of many nation ! Come, see the Maoris and white men of this island. "We rejoice, to see you here among us. Welcome, gracious lord, on this your first visit to New Zealand ! Come like lhe white crane, rarely seen ! Come like the wharauroa (a bird of passage), harbin ; er of spring ! Proclaim the approach of summer -that is, the future happiness of the two races of the island — ere you return to your native land ! "It is our custom to make speeches when welcome a guest, but on this occasion this parchment alone is suffered to speak. " When the white men first came to this island they treated the Maoris well, and the Maoris treated them well in return, even before the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since then they have continued to live together in peace. "We follow the advice of our ancestor Turakautahi, who said, ' After me be kind to men.' This is why the weapons, still hang unused in the houses of his descendants. " Welcome, light and sunshine ! " Welcome, sun and moon ! . " Welcome, bright morning star^p the land of Rehua and Turakautahi 1 " " "/ iv mm '

The Foresters arid Oddfellows Fete demonstration was continued at noon to-day. Richardson's Show. and the other amusements will be commenced at 5 p.m.

A very large number of persons left Christchurch for Lyttelton, to visit the Galatea.