GOVERNOR SWORN IN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 304, 20 December 1912, Page 8

GOVERNOR SWORN IN.

GLT-EPSES OF A BRIEF CEREMOIfY. LORD LR"ERPOOL AND THE FRIENDLY VETERAN. (Ey Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. j A: 10 o'clock this morning the weather _"xs so utterly untit for any outside cereBxon\. that it looked as if the swearingin oi Lord Liverpool as Governor would 1 have to t_ke place somewhere else than on the big temporary dais fronting _ov- , ernment Buildings. A heavy northerly ■ -__i blew, with frequent downpours of rain from a leaden sky. and the scene of the proposed ceremony, with dripping woodwork and ri__s briskly napping themselves to pieces, was so dismal as to make one feci sorry that Lord Liverpool's first impressions should be oi this miserable character. Yet the cere- ' mony came off at the appointed place in brilliant sunshine, for the weather kindly <_i on? of the rem_r_3bie quick changes fr which Wellington ;- notorious. The real, though informal welcome t"> Wellington took place at Thorndon station. when the special train arrived from Auckland. To this function the public were not admitted. There was. however, a crowd of several thousands at the swear- ; ing-in ceremony in the afternoon, at Government Buildings. It. was all over ' in 15 minutes fr. _ the time of Lord [ Liverpool's arrival. Two speeches, the i Prime Minister's and Lord Liverpool's. [ and the formalities appertaining to hi- j Excellency's commission comprised the | vhole event, but there were interesting side scenes. I >n the platform were grouped the officers of H.M.s. Cambrian, in friendly contact with their confreres I or rivals from the German warship Cor- j moran. now visiting Wellington. His i Excellency, doubtless tired with the long journey from Auckland, seemed obvious- ! Iv glad when the brief business was j done. He lingered, however, to meet I many leading citizens on the platform.; and. as a final act before bis departure for Government House, walked along the single rank of military veterans who. fronted the dais. He shook hands with each in turn, finally reaching a buriy old : ancient, whose breast bore four medals. ; To him he extended a polite handshake. I and the veteran gripped hard. Lord . Liverpool smilingly exch_Jiged greetings. I and drew back, but, he was firmly an- j chored. The veteran had served under j Lord Liverpool's father in the Maori ; war. and was very proud to tell the new Governor a_ about it. He cared nothing for the waiting aides nor the other demands on his Excellency's time, but held on till his story was done. Probably it Listed scarcely more Than a minute, but it certainly seemed an embarrassingly long time to everyone else. The majority of those attending the function could not hear what was going on, a fact accounting for what would appear to an English visitor a surprising lack of enthusiasm. Hearty enough as was the response to the Prime Minister's invitation to give three chee.-s in honour of Lord \ and Lady Liverpool, t-he big crowd, looking on from behind the lines of military. watched everything in silence. There were only just a few limited demonstrations of the hearty goodwill felt for the King's representative by the unofficial masses. AUCKL-AND'S OPPORTT^TTY. """Wellingtonians are not jealous over 'Auckland's privilege of having been firs'.; to welcome the new Governor." says the "Evening Tost.'' in a leader reflecting this spirit. "The Queen City's Mayor— the pleasant, paternal Mr. Parr—when j proposing the toast of the Governor yesterday, said it was a happy augairv that Lord Liverpool first placed his | foot in Auckland. Wellington citizens ( will not be inclined to sneer at that | sentiment, which was voiced in a manner hearty. It was Auckland's day. and the citizens admirably acted up to their reputation for whole-souled hospitality. Their duty was to give a greeting on behalf of all New Zealanders. and the non-Aucklanders cannot complain of any negligence. Before he entrained for the South, his Excellency was assured that in days to come he would have an opportunity to enjoy the best that the Northerners could offer him in yachting, cricket, football, golf, tennis, and other exercises. Auckland people have ever been kind to governors, and it is obvious , tfiat the present one will not be allowed to have dull days near Mount Eden."