Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/160

124 the soil, which gives unmistakable proofs of its great fertility; an Alpine mountain chain, pierced by a great road, and signs of progress and prosperity upon every side.” Addresses were presented by the Masons, the Oddfellows, and the legal profession. In the evening the town was illuminated in every direction, some very effective transparencies being displayed in Revell Street. I recollect one characteristic transparency at Charley Williams’s. It was that of a digger with a large swag, supporting burdens in the shape of gold duty, taxes, customs duties, and warden’s court fees. This attracted the attention of many passers. The whole town was a blaze of light, though candles and kerosene were the only means of lighting then available. A grand banquet was given to His Excellency the following evening, at the Prince of Wales Opera House. At the upper end of the theatre jets of gas and Chinese lanterns cast a brilliant light on the distinguished guest and his suite, and oil lamps all round lit up the remainder of the banqueting hall. The whole house was extravagantly decorated. Mr Bonar, Mayor, occupied the chair; all the guests before mentioned were present, and there was a large number of ladies and gentlemen in the dress circle. A most enthusiastic greeting was given His Excellency. Next day he visited the Kanieri and Waimea diggings, and proceeded to Greymouth by steamer “Bruce,” where he visited the Brunner coal mine, travelling up on board a barge. On his return His Excellency held a levee, and a banquet was also held in the evening. The whole party returned overland to Christchurch by special coach, after remaining on the coast about a week. This was the first recognition of “The Golden Coast” by a governing representative of Her Majesty.

Ever since that time the name of Sir George Grey has been popular with the bulk of the inhabitants on the coast. In later years, when Premier of the Colony, he again paid the several districts a visit, inquiring into the wants and requirements of the people. He held a monster public meeting at the Theatre, and was enthusiastically received.

Before taking leave of Sir George Grey in connection with the coast, I may note that in his work entitled “Polynesian Mythology, and Ancient Traditional History of the New Zealand Race,” some additional records are given to those contained in my first chapter, respecting the first of the native race who landed on these shores. He gives a brief account of the landing of Ngahue, the native chief, at Arahura, confirmatory, in many particulars, of what has here been related from other sources.

The next Governor who visited these parts was Sir George F. Bowen, K.G.C.M.G. Early in February 1871, the West Coast was promised a visit from His Excellency the Governor. But circumstances over which, in common with ordinary mortals, he had no control, prevented the landing of the Vice-Regal party, in which so much interest was properly taken by the popular representatives in the chief towns in Westland. He was compelled, through stress of weather, to pass the ports of Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika, in the s.s. “Clio,” and first visited the Sounds. On the 12th of April of the same year he returned to Westland by the route which was calculated to gratify his somewhat poetic tastes—the trans-Alpine track, or, as it is now commonly and more appropriately called, the Christchurch Road. I will first describe the reception he met