A.—No. 1a

26

DESPATCHES PROM THE GOVERNOR OE NEW

Address transmitted to England, bnl no copy kept.

No. 15. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.8., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. (No. 15.) My Lord, — Greymouth, Westland, 28th January, 1867. I have the honor to transmit the copy of an address, which I received from the inhabitants of this town, on my arrival here, as also a copy of my reply to that address, because I am sure that your Lordship will be gratified to learn that a town of about fifteen hundred inhabitants has sprung into existence here within the last eighteen months, which is the centre of a populous and thriving district of about fifteen thousand inhabitants, as also to find how thoroughly loyal, prosperous, and contented, Her Majesty's subjects in this part of New Zealand are. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. G. GREY.

No. 16. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.8., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. (No. 16.) My Lord, — Hokitika, Westland, 30th January, 1867. Previously to leaving Westland, I have thought it my duty to transmit copies of the addresses which I have received in this town, and of my replies to them, for I feel sure that your Lordship wiH be gratified and surprised to learn that Her Majesty's subjects have, by their enterprise and industry, within the last two years, added at the West Coast of New Zealand what is in fact a new and prosperous Colony, of nearly forty thousand inhabitants, to Her Majesty's dominions; and that there is no part of the Queen's possessions in which a more devoted loyalty and perfect contentment prevails. 2. I can assure your Lordship that the energy displayed by the inhabitants of Westland, the works they have carried out, and the extensive and populous towns they have created, all within the space of two years, have fiUed me with surprise and gratification. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon. G. GREY.

Enclosure in No. 16. Addresses and Beplies presented to Governor Sir George Grey, at Hokitika. To His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8., Governor of New Zealand. Youu Excellency,— It is with feelings of much pleasure and gratification that we, the members of the Town Council of Hokitika, in the Province of Canterbury, congratulate your Excellency upon your first visit to this district —an event that will always stand forth in colors of the brightest hue in the annals of this town. It is now sixteen years since your Excellency landed on the shores of New Zealand as the representative of our gracious and much beloved Sovereign. The many vicissitudes that the Provinces have experienced during that time it is unnecessary to dilate upon ; but the fact is patent to all that, from an unknown and barren waste, Hokitika has, in the space of two years, risen to an opulent, thriving, and commercial town. In May, 1566, the Town of Hokitika was constituted a Municipal District, and the Council commenced their duties in the month of October; the limited means at the disposal of the district have confined the operations for the improvement of the town to a very small compass. A new Municipal Bill will, in a few days, be brought into action, giving extended powers; the constituted authorities will then, by a zealous, active, and impartial administration, endeavour to prove that they have not been unmindful of their duties. The excellence of all human institutions is comparative and fleeting; positive perfection, or unchanging aptitude to its object, we know belongs not to the work of man. Commerce and progression are unquestionably the basis of our prosperity, and your Excellency has manifested a familiar acquaintance with the fact, that the continuance of this prosperity must in the present state of society depend upon the progress we make. We conclude by praying that your Excellency may enjoy all the peace and happiness this world