DEPARTURE OF THE GOVERNOR

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1892, Page 2

DEPARTURE OF THE GOVERNOR

PROPOSED LUNCHEON AND ADDRESS.

HALF-HOLIDAY TO BE DECLARED,

The meeting of citizens held at the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon to consider tho best means of giving His Excellency ■ the Governor a good "send-olf,"

was a large and representative one,

Tho Mayor said there seemed to bo only two courses open. One was a banquet and tho other the presentation of an address. It had been suggested that there- should be a half-holiday declared, thab there should be a display of bunting, and that Hi 3 Kxcelloncy" should have a 'right; royal send-oft-He understood that the Northern Club proposed to entertain Lord Onslow at a picnic, and the Auckland Racing Club intended to provide for His Excollency ono day'a entertainment at Elleralie.

Mr Upton thought they should frame their programme in such a manner as would enable tiio citizens of Auckland to fully express their appreciation of Lord Onslow's term of Governorship, and their sorrow that it was concluded. The main object was to givo His Excellency an opportunity of making: a speech giving hia last impressions of this colony. The Governor would arrive here on Tuesday, February 16th, and would leave on Tuesday, February 23rd. Hβ (Mr.Upton) suggested a luncheon in the daytime, and that ladies should bo admitted. The Mayor said he understood there was an inclination to avoid banquetting, and to present Lord Onslow with a suitable address. Mr James Russell said the Northern Club had abandoned the idea of n, picnic for tho entertainment of Lord Onslow, and probably would decide upon entertaining him at a dinner. He thought the suggestion mado'by Mr Upton was an excellent one. Mr L. Phillip.", said they should not take into consideration any private arrangements. He t'elb sure that; His Excellency would givo precedence to any entertainment nrnposcd by the citizens of Auckland. * .Hα agreed with Mr Upton's remarks, and suggested- the presentation of an address at a public luncheon. Mr Thos. Thompson, M.H.R., agreed with these remarks.' He pointed out that the presentation of an ad dross in front of Government House might be interfered with by bad weather. Mr Withy proposed: "That an illuminated address be presented to His Excellency tho Governor, and that arrangements be made for a half-holiday, so that the public jranerally may participate in giving Hia Excellency a send.ofV." Mr Buttle pointed out that the luncheon would bo limited to a small number of people. He snsgestsd the presentation of an address ab tho City Hall.

Mr Upton said ho was prepared to move, ' That on arrival of the Governor, His Ex-, celloney should be entertained at a public luncheon." . Some discussion took place as to whether an address should bo presented a'o a luncheon or at. a public gathering, the general opinion expressed being , thaD wherever His Excellency's reply was made it should be an address to a fully representative crafchorinjj of citizens. Mr It. Farroll moved, "That an illuminated addres3 irocn the citizens of Auckland be presented to Ilia Excellency tho Governor in "the City Hail." Dr. Walker seconded the motion. Mr Niccol thought a better plan would bo to have a luncheon at tho Choral I/all and presentation of an address publicly in the vicinity of Government Houso afterwards.' He suggested that on the day of Lord Onsiovv'a'departure there should be a grand muster of the yachting fleet to accompany His Excellency out of the harbour. The Mayor said ho would ba very glad to sco this idea carried out, that the Governor should be escorted oat of the harbour by a ■procession of steamers and sailing vessels. })r. Bakev/01l thought It sufficient that the Mayor of the city, representing the Councii'fors and citizens, should present the ad dress. He suggested the possibility of ontertainiiiK the Governor at a concert. Mr Arthur Towsey stated that the Auckland Opera Ciub had written to Hie Excellency requesting his patronage and presence at a concert to be' Riven in tha Opera House during- his slay here. Mr G. L. Fcaeocke thought there should not) be two separate occasions, a luncheon end a presentation at diflerent times. They should either combine these ideas, or stop one of them. Mr C. Atkin expressed a liopa that whatever was done, the presentation of an illuminated address should not bo omitted. The question was put, when jD was decided, on Mr Upton's motion, " That t.lu: Governor be entertained at a public iunch." 'Id was further agreed, on the mctioo of Mr Ehrenfried, seconded by Mr Kent. (Mayor of Newmarket), "That an address; froni tho citiz3::3 of Auckland bo presented to the Governor at. the- luncheon." On tho'motion of Mr M. Isiecol it was agreed to invite the pubiic to observe a half-holiday on the occasion and to take liars in the presentation of the address and

send-oiV. Mr Jα?.Russell moved, and it was agreed, that the following be <i coainaittee to inako tho necessary arrangements, with power to add to their number:—His Worship tho Mayor, Messrs MeCuHouffh, Ts'iecol, AlisoD, fthera, Thompson, M.H.R., Jas. Russell, Bourne, Swanson, Atkin, Dignan, Derore, Nathan, McMillan, Chinj:, Upton, Bloointield, Witheford, W. S. Wilson, H. Brett, Feacocke, Inspector Brohaoa.