RECEPTION OF HIS EXCELLENCY Sir W. Jervois, K.C.M.G.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3955, 6 April 1883, Page 2

RECEPTION OF HIS EXCELLENCY Sir W. Jervois, K.C.M.G.

Cbakminci weather favoured the reception proceedings to-day, and but for the shortness of the notice and tho tact that a public holiday was not proclaimed, the city would have been seen at its best by the now Governor on his first arrival. As it was, the crowds of people, the gay bunting strung across the streets, and the pleasant faces beaming with smiles of welcome at upstairs windows along the line of route, tho hearty cheers, and the waving of pockethandkerchicfi, gave eclat to the enti<s, and Sir William Jeivois'n first impressions of Auckland must be very pleasant on s Before [proceeding to describe the proceedings, a few words about His Excellency's past career may be acceptable to our readers, notwithstanding that we have previously, since his appointment, published a sketch of his distinguished services.

Biography of His Excelleneg,

Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, C.8., G.0.M.G., the new Governor of New Zealand, is, with the exception of Sir George Grey, the most distinguished viceregent yet appointed to act as Her Majesty's representative in these lands, A soldifr himielf, he is the non of a soldier, his father being Genoial Jervois, K.H., Colouel of the 70th Regiment, Sir W'lliam was born at the Isle of Wight io 1821, and is consequently now in his Bixty-second year. At tho age of eighteen he entered the Koynl Engineers, and tvo years later, in 1841, proceeded to tho Capo, where he continued for seven years. During that period ho acted M Briggda Major to an expeditii a against the Boers, subsequently being engaged professionally in the establishment of military posts, the construction of roads, bridges, &c, and before be loft the colony was Major of Brigade to the garrison of Capetown. Dining the Kaffir wur be proceeded to the frontier with Sir G. Berkeley, and made a military survey and map of Kail'raria—a work of great difficulty. Returning Home, from 1843 till 1852 he was stationed at Chatham and Woolwich, in command of a company cf Sappers, and in the latter year he was ordered to Aldornoy, one of the Channel Islands, where he designed and executed a series of fortifications. Promoted to the rank of Major in 1854, in 1855 he was transferred to London as Commanding Royal Kngineer, and received an appointment to the Parliamentary Committee on Bairack Accommodation, Tho labours of that Comniittoe hare done much to ameliorate the condition of our soldiers. In 1856 the post of Assistant-Inspector of Fortifications was conferred on him, and he was selected as Socretary to the Commission appointed to report on the defences of the country. Ho was also a member of the Committee ou the Application of Iron to Ships and Fortifications. Attaining the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1861, he was in the following year appointed DeputyDirector of Fortifications, under fir John Burgoyne, In 1863 he received the Coinganionahip of tho Honourable Order of the nth and was tent to report on the defences of our North American possesions. In 1864 he made another Trans-Atlantic visit, to confer with the Government of the Dominion of Canada with reference to the fortification of that province. The Imperial Government carried out tho defences of Quebec us recommended by him. After his return to Jtngland, His excellency was Secretary to the Permanent Defence Committee, under the Presidency of fi.K.U the Duko of Cambridge. He was created a K..C.M.G. in 1874, aud in tho following year received hii first pro-consular appointment—tha Governorship of the Straits Settlements, which he hold unt 1 1877, when ho was appointed Governor of South Australia. During bis residence in tbat Colony be has been associated with Culoml Scr&tchloy in reporting on tho defence of Australasia, and the recent exertions of the New Zealand Government to provide for the defence of our principal seaports arc the outcome ot their recommendations. Sir William is considered one of the most able officers of that regiment of able met», tbe Kojal Engineers. Concerning him, the following appears in Griffiths "• British Army "—"A distinguished general remarked to Knglish Kngineer officers, who went to Antwerp seeking engineer advice : ' Why come to us, wkon iv jour own service, in tbe person ot CoUnel (now Sir William) Jorvois, you have an authority upon modern fortifications tocond to do man alive t" Sir William mada himself very popular in South Australia, thoroughly identifying himself with the people of tho Colony, and taking pains to make himself acquainted with its resources and requirements.

27te Governor's Arrival,

The Vice-Regal party, consisting of his Excellency the Governor, Lady Jervois, Mr Jervois, Miss Jervois, Major Ecclcs, A.D.C., and Mr Pennefathcr, Private Secretary, arrived in the Manukau by the Government steamer Hinemoa, Capt, Knirchild, :at five o'clock yesterday afternoon, after a vory pleasant passage, Iho Premier, the Hon. F. Whitaker, met them on artival and informed his Excellency of the 1 arrangements tor the reception. The Premier and .Native Minister also accompanied the party into town at 11 o'clock today. ■ Tbe arrnngemtntß in Auckland were not all that could have been dduired. The platform at the station was too low, and was. besides, so surrounded with vcKet.itiunibauht! public could see nothing. It also, was only about one quarter filled, i\o invitation to M.H.l{,'s had been i<sued, and some of them declined to go where they , bad not been invited, Tho conlequence was that the gentlemen receivine! the Governor were almost confined '0 the City Council and Harbour Board. Styeral M.B.K.'s and other prominent citizens connected with public institutions were observed seeking vainly to gain a glimpse of the proceedings through tbe umbrageous decorations of tho stand, Had the latter been a few feet higher, tbe effect would have been Infinitely better. In extenuation, of these defects it, may be sni'i that the time for making ready was very short, and tbo Council had expressly refrained fiom ijsuiug special invitations to the platform be online on a former occasion complaint was made of omissions. The Mayor and deception Committee decided that a general invition would prevent any heart-burnings, and that public men would require no further authority to give them access to the platform. If this had been more generally understood the feeling of disappointment which was expressed in some quarters would have been avoided,

Early in the morning volunteer uniforms were seen about tho streets, and there was a very good muster of tbe various corn. panics with the Garrison Band. The A, Battery of Artillery, under Captain Payn», fired a salute of seventeen guns from Jhmilv Place. '

The Formal Welcome,

The following gentlemen were assembled upon the dais to meet the Vico- Kegal party : His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. (tt. Ulark), Towu Clork (Mr P, A. Philips), Cr?, Aickio, Waddel, Thompson, Montague.' Fleming, Harper, Phlllipps, Oacre, Devore, Boardman, Mackcchnitl, Goorge, Garretr, Burn?, Bell, and Mevensou, Mr Anderson (Ci'y Engineer), Mr Thoe. Cotter (City Solicitor), Messrs C. B. Stone (Chairman), John Lamb, G. W. Owen, and Tho3. Morrin (members of Harbour Board), Mr J, M. Brigham (Secretary of Harbour Board), Mr G. W, Griffin (United States Consul), Mr D. B. Cruickshunk (Consul for France, tbo Netherlands, Chili, and Hawaii), Mr T, T. Gamble (Acting German Consul), Mr J. M. Shera (Italian Consul), and Mr F, Kummor (Danish Consul), Revs. C. M. X olsop, W, Tobbs, and J, Bates (Anglican), T, McKenzie Fraser, and J. Suthorland (Presbyterian), Moimignor Fynes and Fathers W. McDonald, Downey, and Poul (Roman Catholic), Thos. Buddie, and Alexander Keid (Wesleyan), 8. Goldstein (Jewish Rabbi), and the Rev. Shiney W. B»ker (Premier of Tonga); Mr 'Ihoroas Uns^cll. M.1.,0, Major dams, M.H.R., Mr JK. t-'obrn?, M.tUi., Mr S. T. Geor«e, M.HR, Suptrintondent Thomsoc, Messrs W, C. Daldy, J. Dilwortu, D. A. Tole (Chairman of Wa?te Board), F," E, Compton, T. B. Hill, Robert Graham, C. F. Bourne (Headmaster id the Gramrcm- ;/chooi), Theo looper, —. Chadnick, aud Captaiu Dale, Lkut. Arnold, and Key. Jackton (chaplain of ti.M.S. Diamond). The steps leading from thodav* to the place wheio tbo carriages 'were drawn up was guarded and'lined by the Volunteers, in

command of Major Withers, while on the ' l approaches fiom the other side (whither tbe ! 8 expectod train was to pats), policemen } were posted to keep back the surging and c curious crowd who beset the p'atform from ] every quarter. t At 11 o'clock precisely, the whistle of ) the approaching engine was heard, and a , minute later trie train glided gently along j the aiding, and stopped just as the Vice- | regal carriage was brought up to the plat- i form. Bis Excellency, with Lady Jervois, j and Miss Jervoia. at once alighted. He ( was accompanied by the Hon. J. Bryce , (Native Minister) Mdjor Eccles, a.D.C. \ and Mr Penaefather (Private Secretary), ( while the Hon. the Premier (Mr F. WhitaKer, M.L.C) and Mr J. Williamson, M.L.C.) occupied tbe carriage in trout. The Governor is a tall, slight, and elderly • man, of unmistakeable militivy appear : ance, and Lady Jervois, a matronly and i pleasant-featured woman in the piime of After the usual courtesies had been exchanged, and when the booming of the Artillery salute, and tbe strains of the National Anthem had died away, Bis w orsbip the Mayor said :—On behalf of the citizens of .Auckland, I have much pleasure in welcoming your k xcellency to Auckland, and in expressing the hope that your Excellency, Lady Jervois, and Miss Jervois may enjoy the visit, and that it may prove beneficial to her Ladyship's health. With your Kxcellency'a permission, I will now ask the Town Clerk to read the address from the citizens. Mr P. A. Philipi (Town Clerk) then read the following addres9, which was haudgoni'ly engrossed and illuminated upon vellum :— To His Excellency the Honourable Sir William F. Dkummond Jeevois. G.C.M.G., Lieutonant-Benoral R.E., and Governor ot tho Colony of New Zealand. May it pleaeo Your Excellency,—Tho Inhabitants of this city most heartily welcome Your Excellency to tho Provincial District of Auckland. They thank Her Most Gracious Majesty (or anpolntini? Your Excellency as Governor-mi-i hief of this part of Her dominions, believing that your efforts will be to promote the best interests of this young but rising colony. In thus bidding you welcome, we trust to be often honoured with the preseuee of Your Excellency, Lady Jervoia, and family, in our oity, and it will be our effort to make your visits pleasant. With feelings of loyalty to Her Majesty, and personal respect to Your Excellency, on behalf of tho citizens o£ Auckland, Wo respeotf ally subscribe ourselves <tsiffnofl> Jt M. Clark. Mayor. (Signed) pA- PmLIPSi tq^ clerk> Auckland, April 6,1883. His Excellency (ufrer remarking that as the suu was rather hot he thought tht-y minht all venture to put on their haS) said": Mr Mayor and Gentlemen, —1 thank jou most heartily for tbe address with which you have just now presented me. Owing to some accident, I only received a copy oi your address a few moments ago, and therefore I trust that you will kindly excuse any shortcoming on my part in replying to the address which you have presented me. Travelling about, as I have been, for some time in different parts of New Zealand, it has been my good fortune to receive many addresses—so many, indeed, that I find very often one's vocabulary almost exhausted ia varying the expressions that are suitable to the occasion. I am reminded of the address that was once, I am told, presented t>y a distinguished Major of a Scotch regiment when the Colonel was about to leave that Corps. They were neither or them gUted in speech, andon the occasion of the departure of the Colonel, who was to be presented with a fine piece of plate, it was the Major who was deputed to preseut it. Not being an orator, how. ever, he stood up and said, "Colonel, there s tbe jug," upon which the Colone', the Major having sat down, got up and said, with an equally diffuse oratory, "Ay, Major, and is that the jug," (Laughter.) I should myself much like to adopt that language of brevity on some occasions, but on an occasion Ike this, gentlemen,—my liriit appearance in Auckland—l feel that 1 cannot treat an address of the sort which you have presented to mo as a mere matter of conventional sentiment. I look upon it as coining from a body of gentlemen reprefenting the city that I see before juo-as an address that breathes loyalty to Her M«jesty (bear, hear)—loyalty to a Queen who rcigu-i over the greatest empire that the world has ever seen- loyalty to a QueeH who lives in the devotion of her subjects, and who is the symbol of a constitudonal monarchy such as tbe world has never seen equalled, and one under which you gentle* men,who are Mew Zoalanders.are able with perfect freedom to develope your resources and manage your affairs. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I will not detain you any longer lie o, for I see that the crowd is waiting. <in behalf, then, of Lady Jervois and myself, I beg to thank you for the very kind and flattering welcorns that you have given us, and I can assure you that it will be a great pleasure to me during the time 1 am in New Zealand to visit this spleniid city of Auckland, (Loud Cbeera). ' Uis Worship the Mayor then called for three cheers tor His Excellency and three more for Lady Jervois, which were very heartily given. The Procession. i his portion of the ceremony having been com'leted, dis Worship the Mayor handed Lady Jervois to a carriage drawn by four grey?. '1 he procession then started off in the following order : - Constabulary guaid, consisting of 20 men, under command of {Superintendent Thomeon. Garrison Band, numbering 24 men, under the leadership ot Bandmaster Munis. Naval Artillery, 45 men, under Captain LoKoy. Victoria Company, 32 men, under Captain Mahon. Ho, 3 Company, 40 men, under Captain Isaac.". Hobson Company, represented by several officers and CapUiu Dignan. The whole of the Volunteers were under command of Major Withers, Lieutenant Ciiftou acting as a«ijotant. Carriage— Containing His Excellency Sir William and Lady Jervois, the Hon. V. ' Whitaker, Premier, and His Worchip the Mayor. The carriage was attended by a i guard of police. Second earring".—Major A.D.C. Miss Jervois, tbe Town > lerk, and ttie Hon. J. Hryce, Native Minister. Third carriage—Captain Dale, Lieutennnt Arnold, Ucv. Jacki-on, chaplain, of H.M S. Diamond, and Mr Pennofather, becretary to dis Excellency. Founn cani<ge—Cr. Waddel, and Mr Tuomas Cotter, city i-olicitor. Fifth carriane Crs.Garrett, Burns, Stevenson, and Mr Anderson, city surveyor. Sixth carriage—Crs. Montague, Harper, Bell and Boardman, Seventh carriage—Crs. Aickin, Mackechnie, Uevore and Pbiilippp. Eighth caniage Crs. Thompson, Uacre, Fleming, aud George. Muth cairiigo -Members of Licensed Victualler Association, Tenth carriage—Chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr C, B, Stone), Secretary (Mr Brigham), and Messrs G. W. Owen and Thus, Morrib (members). ■ Blevonth carriage—Messrs G. W. Griffin (Us, onBul), Sheta (Italian Consul), summer (Danish Consul), and J. Lamb, member of ihe Harbour iioa-d. Twelfih oarriage—Hon. Thomas Sussell, M.L.U., and Dr, Campbell. Thirteenth carriage—Mousignore Fynes, Fathers Walter JUacdonald, Downey, anc Faui. Fourteenth caniage -Dr. and Mra Tennant. Fifteenth carriage— Rev. M'hewell. The late Artillery Band, under Bandmaster Hunter, brought up the rear. The procession proceeded in this order up Queen-street. Thousands of people lined the streets, andeverypossiblecoigu of vantage on the roofs of houses and tops of verandahs was crowded with spectator.*, amongst whom the fair ccx was largely repi evented. The enthusiasm was evidenced by the vociferous cheers which burst forth gpontane* ously, as each point on the route whb passed, the fluttering of handkerchiefs from crowded window?, and by tbo hearty good feeling that prevailed everywhere. Notwithstanding the crowded state of Queen-street, the procession passed through wihout casualty of any kind occurring. Credit is dua to the Marshall, Councillor Crowther, for the excellence o( lila arrangements, which doubtless tended to this result.' En piwsant, we may also add that tbe handsome turn out of carriages was from Mr Ciowtber's establishment. . leaving Queen-street, the procession proceeded up Grey and Pitt-sWeets, along Karangahope JKoad, and down Sympads-Ktreec. The people in these thoroughfares were equally euthusiastic, although in much smaller numbers. It harl been intended to turn into O'rtnrke and Princes-ytrtete, and tak the party past the Albert Park, out owing to a misake on the pat of Major Withe f, the band toon the wrong turDinu; bis port on of the programme, a,.d certainly the prettiest pint ut the diive, wa- otnitten, and eutiauce was obtained from tbe eastern gate. Here the'vo uuteirs were.joined by the Artillery Company, under Captain Payne, which'was engaged ia firing a salute in the Albert Park when the train arrived, The Vice-Regal party

having aliebted" pi. v— n - along*, ifnes of v nt f ? ft«d Major Withers, and impeded l%?* b * closely. Ha then re-enSV«i m *** ' House, and the assemblage of ? n °V^ Dme"t more than o.e thous™n d ?eo c di^ 1 * ' It was understood by thefaayoW' number of todies would be at rt« bat a House to receive tX and M^rTrDmel" bat Mrs Whitaker staTed "o fiat^' - • that she believed Lady JervoU wo^? 88 fer (in consequent of her inrfi «„ «.? te< that the ladies should not be ia 3Uon): on this occasion. The proposal w^fr' ' - T/te Decorations racter The vario^vesS^tfimo.t of the business premises anrt'1' private booses aloog the line 'otrZt decorated with bunting. The aT? "* which the Governor skpped when! 11?011 the train, was.erectedTadeTthV.^ vision of Mr-Junes Staunt on , LX ' poration carpenter. It covered a e,o^i space of forty feet by thi.ty ktt, V£ closure bein g about twenty teet in height Over the entrance which was on the To* i, em side was an archway "formed withT ches of laurel, pbusinsignisefeJll' mounted by the Koyal Coafof Ai£?\,Su ! on either eide was an ensign. Ont'h.ii? Bide ot the platform was the Ci?/£ ! .rms and on the ri^hc the shield O HU Auckland Harbour Board, wbii e tha s? !; coration was completed with a h\IXZ code which was tas.efu.ljy hung around tl! enclosure. These flags were kiXfi for the occasion by Captain 12 of the barque Fameootb ' fVS». Greenstreet of the Mataura, and cZ ? Mcaenzie of the Three Cheers. TbVwhrt was neatly arranged, and reflected TZ&H credit on the workmen. From this point it ~ was observed that the vessels at the R.H way VYnar aH flew their end^ and C flags, while those at the Queen XS Wharf made a five display. The !«!»* ' vessels-Brahmin, Uch Crte, andTb ame ? lying to westward of the pier, were covert with gay streamers, which, unformnafcK were not shewn io great advantage owin. to the calm which prevailed. A, 7 precession passed along Custom.b.ouse.«tr,«f 11 wat Tv that most of the warehonjM there had hung out tbeir flags to inceaas tbo attractive appearance of the scent From Messrs Arnold nines and Co'» store the "Btars and stripes" were disphye?:1* and thence to tbe Thames Hotel comet" ' tbe Bnush ensign and a few p t i,«t. flags flew from unmerous buaineas nr. mises. Mr Fernandez, of the Britomart Hotel, had got out a long strine o? buntiD,?, and with it adoroed th« front of tbe building, while at the buck ia Fort-street, Messrii Barber had erected a triangle, ana covered it in a similar manner • i'be Urge block of buildings on the west' ward side ot Queen-stre.t Wharf al,o hoisted their colours, and contributed to the generally excellent display nude of 3i the harbour from ages. From the flagstaff of tbe Waitemata Hotel to the flagstafi on the Thames Hotel was hung a wellselected festcon of flag*, lncludingtU Brai.h ensign, the man-of-war " Jack,"Ui« "stars and stripes," the.flag of Holland the New Zealand Government eHaign and '" many of the signal code. A second lias; of flagi was suspend, d from Measu"■■.■■■■'' uweo and Graham's warehouse'to Ander. ! son and Co.'s store, the Biltisb, jSmer!. can, German, and one tr two fancy flags being prominent in .the atVange. meat. From tbe buildings occupied by Messrs Scherff on the western, and A. B. Donald on the eastern dd«, tos a third string of flags, and here «c observed as conspicuous the Italian flag, tbe British en.«ign, and a Urge collection of code signalletteM..■■-■ Thence along either aide of the street vere many private and business flags, those shown by tl c National Bank, the JJank of1-- 'A New Zealand, Stone Bos., E. Porter and- -~ :V <Jo., I). F. Evans, Goodson's Arcade, T.il- fl Short, Hoffman, and others being worthy of notice. From the windows of the Working MeiiV Club waved long streamers, representllKt ! vaiious trade societies' such a» "platterers," bricklayers," " bootmakers," etc., while, from tbe uckland Savinja Bask toC#t the Thistle Hotel, was stretched another • line of flags. McArtbnr & Company's warehouse, and ) evj's clothing establish-1 menii were connected with a sting of code J t-ignala, and a timilar collection was ies- ■?% toined from the United Service Hotel to Cruickshank & Miller's on'the opposite side. Passing thence alorjg the ; lin&of ronte, a conspicuous green flag inn; from the Market Hotel attracted attention, , the device being the barp and crown, In Karangahape Koad, Mods. A Vifeal exhibited the flag of the Societd LitMrare F.anQidso, which was spread out in fioatof his private residence, and proved a conepicuousobject. InSymonds-streetthedecpratlorisliit appeared to devolve upon the GramraM School and Wynyard arms Hotel, each oi which had its flagstaff adorned wlih tat British entign. In U' Korke - street along which the procession should have passed, but did not, greatly to the disappointment of many who were assembled there, several private residences ' wtre decorated tastefully. Mr Vickers1 residence especially did honor to the ocasion. Along- the front of the building were the words " Welcome to the City of Auckland," in large white letters on a scarlet. CTOunrt, eot off with tilinge Bhowing atln* tervals and all very artistically arranged. Mr Whitsou'sresidence too wasmndespecially attractive by a display of bMting.j;|| The Albert Park, which unfoituoately was not seen by bis Excellency owing to i mistake in the line of route, presented a . mugt attractive apoearance. Ihe fountain ; was at work and was a very pretty eight, while the surrounding grass plota and &*'.p?*%:den patches were in beautiful order, The flagstafi was covered witU three streamer*, , ■ one from ihe head and one from each arm, the British eusign b'e're' being1 tha most conspicious flag, At tbe entrance to Government House a line of flags was hung - from the gateway to the firobell opposite, and this concluded the decorations, which cit'zens generally seemed to carry out »iw the one object of making the greatest . possible diaplay in honour of the Rreit event of the day. ,/ Future Proceedings. . , His vxcellency the Governor will be absout from Wellinfiton for amontb, butnsto whfthfr he will remain in Ancklanddarfiijthat time or make a tour ot the North, > nothin),' has yet beoa positively dedW upon. In event of a Northern tonr bang" adopted, Kaipara, Hokianga, and Bay ot Islands will most probably be. included in the list of places to be visited.