THE GOVERNER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2458, 24 March 1909, Page 6

THE GOVERNER.

VISIT TO THE EAST COAST.

RECEPTION AT TUPAROA.

(Special to “Times”.)

TUPAROA, March 23. “Here she comes,” was the exclamation on all sides here this morning, about 9.30 o’clock., as the raking masts of tlie Government steamer Tutanekai bearing His Excellency. the Governor rounded the southern point of Tuparoa Bay, and glided to her anchorage. Excitement was intense amongst Maoris and pakehas alike, and, word havingbeen received that the vessel had passed Waipiro, there was quite a crowd to witness her arrival. The Tutanekai left Napier at 7 o’clock on Monday night, and had a fairly smooth passage. On arrival here a boat was sent from the ship to reconnoitre the landing in the surf, and at 10.40 o’clock the vice-regal party put off from the steamer. A landing was effected on the beach in comparatively smooth water, between two. parallel reefs, and, although a waggon was in readiness to receive the passengers, the ship’s boat was hauled up on the beach, and the-party were carried ashore on the backs of sailors. The party consisted of His Excellency, the Governor, Captain Shannon, A.D.C - ., late 16th Lancers, and recently arrived from England. Mr. H. C. Waterfield, His Excellency’s private secretary, Mr. J. H. McAlister, the Hon. A. T. Ngata’s secretary. Mr. Hinge, representative of the “Canterbury Times,” and the Governor’s valet. The party was met on landing by the Hon. A. T."Ngata, who introduced Mr. K. S. Williams and others. Chairs were placed on the beach, and Mr. K. S. Williams, chairman of the W aiapu County Council, read the following address : “To His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief, -Lord Plunket, K.C.V.0., K.C.M.G.—May it please Your ExcellencyOn behalf of the European and Native residents of the County of Waiapu, I beg to extend you a most cordial and hearty welcome on this your first visit to the district. W e regret that the short time at your.disposal will prevent you from taking more than a very partial and superficial view of the country, but we hope that on some future occasion, which we trust will not be very far distant, you will have an opportunity of making a more extended tour, and inspecting some of the spots of scenic and historic interest- with which it abounds. The country is only in its infancy, and its positioii is somewhat isolated. Everything is still in the rough, yet such as our means are, we place them freely at your disposal. We hope that you will derive both pleasure and benefit irom your trip, and that it will not be long before you visit ns again.” . The Hon. A. T. Ngata explained that the address could not be engrossed, but that it Avoukl be done later. His Excellency then read the following reply:— .... ■ “Waiapu Countv Counc.'l —Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—Please accept my lieartv thanks for jour kind.y and hospitable welcome. It has been my ambition for some time to visit .this neighborhood, of whose present iso ation but future possibilities I have heard much. T regret 'that my stay amongst you must be so short, but I am so dependent on fair weather conditions that I have to content- myself with a much shorter visit than I should otherwise have paid. I thank you again most sincerely for your welcome, and foi tne trouble that you have put yourselves to to make my visit interesting and agreeable.—Plunket, Governor The Hon. A. T. Ngata translated the reply into Maori. ... At the conclusion of his read address, Lord Plunket said he would like to add a few words thanking the people roi their" attendance to greet the representative of the King. His Excellency- then referred to the loyalty of the people, of the Dominion, as evidenced .by their sending troops to the South African war,.and also by. the Government’s offer of two nrst-class battleships to the Mother Country. Concluding, Lofd Plunket again thanked those present, arid humorously expressed thanks .to the sea, for allowing him to land in such a quiet manner, which he put down to the fact that ne had christened his youngest son luwa (a god of the sea in Maori mythology). At the conclusion of . his reply, His Excellency was introduced to several old residents, and chatted amicably for an hour, and Mr. Ix. S. Williams, on behalf of the 'Waiapu County Council, sent a telegram of congratulation to the Premier regarding the Government’s offer of battleships. At neon the party adjourned to Mr. "Williams’ large shed on the beach, where an excellent. cold luncheon was spread. Forty guests were present, and at the upper table His Excellency sat, supported on either side by Messrs K. S. Williams. and T. E. Sherwood. The gathering was not as large as anticipated, but thoroughily representative. There was only one toast, “The King,” proposed by Mr. K. S. Williams. . After luncheon, the party drove to Ivaharau, Mr. T. S. W illiams’ station. The Governor was driven by-Mr., K. S. Williams, and his secretary and aide by Mr. T. E. Sherwood. A private dinner was given in - t-lie evening at Kali arau, about twelve of the leading residents being. present. Mr. T. S. Yvuliams is confined to bed with a heavy cold, and was unable to be present, and yi>. K. S. Williams acted as host. The party'..will - leave Ivaharau after breakfast to-morrow, in order _to attend the Native welcome at Waiomatatini. ; 'H ' -- -: Mr. Waterfield, tho Governor’s secrctary, ha 3 a - cable message of thanks f rom the Secretary of State for tlie Colonies regarding the offer of a battleship. The contents of the cable are in code, and must first- be sent to - the, Premier before publication. I understand, however, that the cable contains most effusive thanks. Rain is just commencing to fall. Tho Governor will probably rejoin the Tutanekai at Port Avanui in order to proceed to Te Kah.a, abandoning the Te Araroa trip. The weather was very fine for this morning’s proceedings.