SIR GEORGE GREY

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3764, 30 September 1940, Page 7

SIR GEORGE GREY

VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE IN 1878. ADDRESS FROM SETTLERS A little known fact about the early days of Cambridge is that Sir George Grey paid an official visit to the embryo town fourteen years after its foundation. He came as Premier however, and not during his term as Governor. The official account of the visit, which was made in the course of a tour of the Waikato in company with the Native Minister, reads as follows: "The Premier and party left Rangiaowhia (after visiting Alexandra, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi) at halfpast two, reaching Cambridge at 4.35. Here an address was presented as follows: "To Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Premier of N.Z. "Sir, —We, the undersigned settlers of Cambridge, beg permission to welcome yourself and colleagues to the settlement of Cambridge. We are fully aware of the benefits that have been derived by the Colony, and the Provincial District of Auckland in particular, since your Ministry has come into power, and we ask permission to express our confidence in the policy the present Ministry has adopted as far as we are at present acquainted with it." Unfortunately all the signatures to the document have not been preserved, it being recorded as having been signed by "W. Clare and others." The Premier replied, thanking the inhabitants for the address, and expressed his anxiety to do justice to the district. After receiving two deputations on the subject of roads, Sir George and his party left Cambridge at 6.45 p.m. and arrived at. Hamilton at a quarter to nine. Second Distinguished Visitor Another distinguished visitor to the district the same year was the Marquis of Normanby, then Governor of New Zealand. On this occasion, he inspected the Waikato Cavalry at "Gwynnelands." His own account of the visit, which has been preserved, reads as follows: "On the following morning (26th March) I proceeded by road (from Hamilton) to Cambridge, where I inspected a large troop of Volunteer Cavalry. The troop is 131 strong. They are upon the whole very well mounted, and are well drilled, and in the event of any unfortunate disturbance with the King natives would prove a most valuable force, as it is composed entirely of settlers in the district, who know the whole of the country thoroughly. "After the inspection was over, I drove round a large portion of the settled district to Ohaupo."