THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3367, 9 December 1871, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO WANGANUI.

. .0. . (feosi our Special Reporter) volunteer hospitality. During their stay at Wunganui the Wellington Artillery Volunteers were most hospitably and kindly treated by t!io inhabitants. The people of Wanganui vied with each other in entertaining their Wellington comrades and in rendering thoir visit a happy one. Everywhere our volunteers made themselves favorites, and by the cordial way in which they contributed towards the success of the ceremonies attendant on the opening of the bridge earned tho thanks of the Wanganui people. Besides firing salutes at the opening of tho bridge tho Artillery wore engaged in shell practice with tho guns, showing an amount of efficiency that would do credit to regular troops. One of the most pleasant affairs fchafc our volunteers participated in took placo at Rangitikei, whither they wero invited by Captain Richardson. They left Wanganui at 3 o'clock on Friday, in two four-horao coaches, nnd were received with volunteer honors by tho members of tho Albert Troop, Kangitlkei, who wore drawn up at Bull's. Every comfort and accommodation had been provided, and the volunteers wore entertained at a sumptuous dinner. Afterwards tho room was cleared, and tho mazy dance was indulged in in until tho small hours. The Artillery returned to Wanganui on Saturday morning, being entertained on tho way by Mr GUeeson, of the Ben Nevis, Turakina. A VOLUNTEER DINNER. A dinner was also given on tho Saturday evening by tho militia and volunteer officers of Wanganui to tho Wellington Volunteer Artillory. The affair was a great success, — a vory excellent dinner having been furnished by hostess Atkinson. And hero I think ifc only right to givo credit wboro it is due. Nothing could exceed the kindness of Mrs Atkinson and her assistants in making their Wellington guests comfortable. Indeed, there is no more comfortable hotol in Now Zealand, than the Wanganui, and the visitors from Wellington were unanimous in praise of it. For the information of hypercritioal and ill-natured people, I may remark that I have no interest in tho Wanganui Hotel, But to return to the supper.

In fcbo course of the evening the toast; of the Ministry was proposed by Mr Thomas Powell, and enthusiastically drunk. The Hon. D. M'Lean, in responding, eaid — On behalf of the Ministry I offer you my hearty thanks for the kind and cordial way in which you have received that toast. My hon colleague, the Premier, i» not present, but he would have been truly glad to see the kind manner, and to hear the kindly expressions that have been uttered, and to see so many old friends as are now seated around me. (Cheers.) The events of the past week have carried me to a period very far back. I refer to the time when our hold upon this district was very slight indeod. When the natives surrounding and residing in it were in a state of open warfare, and when the few fearless and hardy settlers who were then living here suffered by their property boing destroyed and their lives plaaed in imminent danger by bands of marauding natives from the interior. (Cheers). I refer to as far as back as 1848. Then it was that I obtained the cession of the territory known as the Wauganui district. (Cheers). Being thus in some degree connected with the destinies of the district, I derived much pleusuro in being present at the opening 'of the Wanganui bridge (hear, hear), as I look upon that work as a mark of the sure progress that is being made throughout the country. It is very gratifying to find that the policy of the G-overnment is so well appreciated in such an imp.ortanttown as Wanganui. (Cheers). It is a policy that rafcyCbe summed up in two words "Peace and Progress." (Cheers). I see around me one element of war in the presence of the guests of the evening,and another element of peace in the presence of the civilians who have invited them. When the distriot of Wanganui was denuded of Imperial assistance the inhabitants adopted self reliance as their policy, and in pursuance of that have formed volunteer corps who are well able to repel any attack that may be made upon the settlement. (Loud cheers). I waspresentonafestivooccasionwhen his Honor the Superintendent in speaking of the colony said that we were like hens scratching on the surface. The simile was homely, bnt to the point, and I quite agree with him. When we see from a small piece of land, about three and a half acres in extent, gold extracted to the value of nearly half a million sterling, does ib not give us hope of countless riches being discovered in the millions of acres vet; unprospected, (Hear, hear). I was especially glad to notice the extremely loyal feeling exhibited by the inhabitants of Wanganui during the lato festivities, and I take this occasion of saying that Wanganui has every reason to be proud of the reception that has been given to its guests, as it also has reason to be proud of its noble bridgp. The magnificent body of cavalry which, attended on the day of the opening wa3 a very pleasing sight to mo as Defence Minister, and dearly proved that this and the sister district of Rangitikoi have plenty of able and willing hands for the purposes of defence. (Loud cheers.) I beg again to thank you very cordially for the kind manner iv which you have received the toast of the Ministry. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) Mujor ITinnimore proposed the health of his Honor the Superintendent, which was drank with cheers. His Honob, in responding to the toast, said he felt much gratified at the honor conferred upon him by drinking his health bo cordially, and he thanked Major Finnimore for the complimentary manner in which he had proposed the toas h . In proposing the toast Major Finnimore had displayed an unusual amount of kindliness — for it was not every defeated candidate that would deal so magnanimously in proposing the health of a successful opponent as Major Finnimore had done. Therefore, ib was doubly gratifying to meet with so cordial a reception on this his first official visit to Wanganui. (Cheers.) Ho trusted it was tho beginning of a bettor understanding between Wanganui and Wellington, an understanding that would lead to something being done for their mutual advantage. (Hear, hear.) By friendly intercourse the rugged and objectionable points in the character of each would be toned down. It was gratifying to him to have made this visit in company with his Excellency the Q-overnor aud the Hon the Defence Minister, as it would be seen that both governments could work harmoniously together. Some of his friends had expressed to him their surprise that ho should have chosen thi9 occasion to visit Wanganui, thinking he would have preferred coming alone so as to occupy the chief position, but ho was proud to occupy the humble position. (Cheers.) He was glad to see the Defence Minister present on this occasion. He (Mr Fitzherbert) and the other Wellington members had supported the Go* vernment in carrying out their policy, in the belief that they were acting in the right way to secure the ultimate advancement and good of the colony, but he could reiterate all that his friend Mr Poweil had stated with regard to the wisdom of the policy of tho Native Minister. No one was more able to conduct intricate native affuirs and to secure the peace of the country than Mr M'Lean. That gentleman in his speech had referred to the self-reliant policy of tho Wanganui settlers, but he (Air Fitzherbert.) could say that ho had belonged to the Ministry that had unfurled the banner of self-reliance. They went in upon that policy, and though the spirit of that policy was not sympathised in by the great majority at that time, yet it had since become tho spirit of the whole colony. (Cheers.) He had seen since his I arrival in^Wanganui fine stalwart men in the | ranks of their little volunteer army that had assisted in the ceremonies at the opening of tho bridge. A finer body of men could nob possibly be found in the colony. (Cheers.) i They had shown themselves to be not merely parade soldiers, but a considerable number of them had seen active service in the field, and the whole of them wore no doubt able and willing to defend their hearths and homes. (Cheers.) Encouragement to the volunteer movement was tho mainspring of the native policy of tho present G-overnment, for while being unwilling to take up arms without jusfc cause, they should, when provoked beyond all bearing, show that in defence of the right they aro prepared to vindicate the law and to suppress rebellion. (Cheers.) It was precisely in accordance with this policy that one of the greatest miscreants that had ever debased human nature by determined pursuit had been brought to justice, and the whole colony would expoot that the Government would allow the law to take its course. (Hear, hoar.) He (Mr Fitzherbert) would more frequently visit Wanganui in future than he had hitherto been able to do, and would enunciate his views on tho government of the province and of the colony. He might say that his efforts to promote the welfare of the province had been most diligently and ably supported by tho Provincial Secretary. (Loud cheers.) Major Edwabds proposed tho health of Lieut Pilcher aud the Wellington Artillery Volunteers. Lieutenant Pilchee responded in appropriato terms, referring to tho kindness and hospitality they had experienced during their visit to Wanganui. Tho festivities were continue^fy£\^late hour, when tho company dispensed. **V" n * -^ KETITHN. \ His Excellency tho G-overnor"- left ■Wanganui early on Monday, accompanied by Lady Bowen, Miss Bowen, Miss Zoe Bowen, and Captains Pitt and Machell, A.D.C's., proceeding overland, and tho remainder of the party returned to Wellington in the Luna and the b.B. Waujjanui. A lasting record of the principal scene 3 connected with the opening of the bridge has been very faithfully photographed by Mr Peyman of Wanganui, whose enterprise and skill deserves to be adequately rewarded. In conclusion I may say that the entire trip was one of the pleasantest within my exexperießoe. Not the slightest hitoh occurred to mar the proceedings, and the excursionist* to Wanganui will long hold the place aud its inhabitants in grateful remembrance.