Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/170

132 which the prosperity of that settlement distinctly depends—the clouds. He saw in them the mainstay of the country, and in the condition in which they are most appreciated by the miners—in pluvial action, filling dams and water-races, and doing many good things which make the country worthy of being populated and governed. The Marquis was heartily greeted by a large concourse of peaceful, prosperous, and moist subjects of Her Majesty. It was by the Government steamer “Hinemoa” that the fourth Governor came hither. The record of the Governor’s experience began with the report from Wellington, “It is blowing hard here,” a statement which Westlanders were satirical enough to say was quite unnecessary to communicate. The record of his voyage ended with the intimation from Hokitika, “It is raining hard here”—in the estimation of Wellingtonians an equally unnecessary announcement. With the Governor were the Hon. Mr Bowen, Minister of Justice, Captain Maling, His Excellency’s Private Secretary, Mr La Patourel, Aide-de Camp, Mr G. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary for the Colony, and Mr Thomas Mackay, “guide, philosopher, and friend.” The order of the procession looked very well on paper the previous day, but it soon became a foregone conclusion that its formation could not be an accomplished fact, owing to the incessant downpour. The arrangement eventuated into a civic reception of His Excellency under the structure then known as the Transit Shed. Mr Jack, in his capacity of Mayor, in company with the members of the Borough Council, Harbour Board, and Friendly Societies, presented an address of welcome. Notwithstanding the weather, His Excellency utilised the afternoon by visiting the gaol, Lunatic Asylum, and the other public institutions. The chairman and members of the County Council, and the Chairman and members of the Arahura Road Board, were equally active with the civic authorities in preparing for the reception and conveyance of His Excellency to the extra-mural districts, but the execution of their arrangements-was necessarily made subject to the dictates of His Excellency and his superior, Jupiter Pluvius. The following day, the weather faired, and the programme of the day’s proceedings included four prominent events—an assemblage of school children, a levee, a visit to the volunteer encampment and rifle range at Arahura, and a citizens’ banquet in the Town Hall. The town illuminations, on His Excellency’s leaving the banquet room, were most creditable to the spirit of the illuminators, and to the skill of the artists in painting and gasfitting. The Governor was driven along the route where these illuminations were visible, and among much explosion of fireworks and loyal sentiment he ended the duties and pleasures of a day which has ever since been remembered with satisfaction by the inhabitants of Hokitika. On Friday, 23d February, His Excellency took his departure northwards, being escorted from the town boundary by the County Chairman, Mr M‘Whirter, and the other members of the Council. At Stafford, Goldsborough, and Kumara, the receptions met with were of the most hearty and spontaneous kind. In Kumara, the diggers, to the number of a thousand men, presented a fine sight. Main Street and Seddon Street were spanned with handsome arches and lines on which countless flags were hung. The Vice-Regal party, headed by Messrs Seddon and Houlahan, proceeded down the lead, and inspected the mining operations. Mr