The Birthday Leeve.
Manawatu Herald, Rōrahi III, 6 Pipiri 1890, Page 3
Mō tēnei niupepa
The Birthday Leeve.
PuNGTrdu^y, as the clock struck five <» n tV At> afternoon c.f Friday, the 28rd p.dt., the doors of Government House were thrown open writes the Chronicle's Wellington correspondent in accordance with the advertised notice that his ' xcellency the Governor held his levej at that hour All loyal citizens, punctual to time, were on the threshold of tlit house, awaiting the last stivke of the clock. They entered, signed their names, delivered their cards, shook hands with his Excelleucy ; then — right about face, quick mr.rch, retire ; at five miimtes past five the reception was completely over, and the massive doors once more shut and burred rigainst the •' vulgar " outside world. Those retiring expressed themselves in warm — rather than loval — language at the extraordinaiy reception they h;d just experienced. Time was evidently tho essence cf the contract - a certain unpleasant duty had to be performed, and performed it was, in the time already stated. There were -some, however, of the more fortunate few, who had had tickets forwarded to them prior to the levee, giving them 'he right of private entrance at a quarter to five o'clock — heads of Government and other departments, Consuls, &c In addition to these persons it has been the usual understanding at former Governor's receptions that all members of the Upper House "were entitled to this privilege by reason of their hi^h political standing ; consequently, on those rights, more than one M.L.C put in an appearance at 4.45 o'clock as on forn.er occasions Great was their disgust on being infoxmed by the Aide-decamp that, •' although glad to see them, they were uninvited." It ti needhss to say that th« gentlemen in question did not avail themselves of this pc uliar welcome, but turning on their heels left the building without eyenjinterviewing his i xcellency. Small and -jniinpertant as these incidents may appear, they nevertheless unfortunate y tend to maks our present Governor n t so popular as otherwise he would be. All sorts of unpleasant blunders emanate from Government House, which, by a little care and management, would be easily avoided. Her Ladyship has just issued a number of ] rivate invit itioQs to an " afternoon " for Tuesday, 27th instant, from 3 to 0 •'o!ock. In some cases these invitations are only to the lady of the house, the husband being ignored In others, again, the invitation is to th'? husband, the w;fo's name not Icing inclnded. Staid maiden ladies have their hearts made happy by receiving invitations for " themselves and huabauds," and alt sorts of similar mistakes are perpetrated, which indicate more the desirp to get through an unp'easant ordeal than to give geceral pleasure aud to popularise Government House and its occupants. In Sir Willi .m Jer vois t:m- none of these unpleasant incidents occurred ; which fact natura'ly causes many to regret the loss of that good and truly popular old Governor.
