Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/159



IR GEORGE GREY, K.C.B., was the first Governor of New Zealand who paid the West Coast a visit. On Thursday, the 24th of January 1867, His Excellency reached Hokitika, having made the journey overland from Christchurch on that and the previous day. These being the palmiest times of the coast, you may be sure the Governor, who was very popular, received a most hearty welcome at all the places he visited. A procession, consisting of the Hokitika Corporation, the Masonic body, the Oddfellows, the Fire Brigade, and others, was formed, and, preceded by a band of music, met His Excellency at the outskirts of the town. On his arrival at the first triumphal arch he was received with loud cheers from an immense concourse of people. He was introduced by His Honour the Superintendent of Canterbury, the late Mr Moorhouse, to the first Mayor of the town, Mr Bonar, and the members of the Corporation. His progress through the town was a complete ovation. At all the principal points on his route he was received with acclamations, and having passed under six triumphal arches, entered Mr Sale’s residence shortly before seven o’clock. In the evening the streets were brilliantly illuminated, and His Excellency, notwithstanding the fatigue which he had gone through, took a walk through the town on foot, accompanied by Mr Justice Gresson, and wherever he was recognised, was loudly cheered. Next day His Excellency entered the Supreme Court House, which had been specially fitted up for the occasion, to receive addresses and hold a levee. At that time, besides His Excellency, there were assembled in the Court House, the Rev. F. Thatcher, Major Grey, Captain Home, the Hon. Major Richardson, His Honour the Superintendent of Canterbury, His Honour Mr Justice Gresson, T. S. Duncan, Esq.; G. S. Sale, Esq.; Archdeacon Harper, His Worship the Mayor, and others. The Town Clerk, the late Mr John Lazar, presented an address of welcome. The address set forth, among other things, that only two years previous, the town was “an unknown and barren waste,” but now it has risen to be “an opulent, thriving, and commercial town.” Sir George Grey, in acknowledging the address, said his pleasure upon the occasion had been heightened by the remembrance of how little was known of this part of New Zealand but a few years since. He proceeded to say:—“It was then regarded as a dreary locality, difficult of access, hardly producing the necessaries of life, and as not likely to be inhabited by the European race until after a lapse of a long interval of time. Now I find around me a thriving and populous town, which has suddenly sprung into existence, an energetic population, already cultivating