NORTH IRELAND A DOMINION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 101, 30 April 1923, Page 7

NORTH IRELAND A DOMINION.

PICTURESQUE CEREMONIES. ENTRY OF THE DUKE OF ABERCORN. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, February 27. Belfast was beflagged yesterday and all agog with excitement at the official beginning of a new period in its history when, as Governor of Northern Ireland, the Duke of Abercorn made his ceremonial entry into Belfast to take up office. The Duke of Abercorn is an Ulsterman, and a member of a family which has played an important part in Ulster's history for many generations. He himself has in the past rendered yeoman service to the cause of Ulster, and the interests and welfare of his beloved Province are safe in his hands. The Governor's passage through Belfast was of the nature of a triumphal progress. Imperial troops lined the streets, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary, together with the special constabulary, took part in the day's ceremonials. Military bands and the Police Band were stationed at various points, j and contributed their quota to the enjoyment and interest of the multitudes that waited for hours to get a glimpse of the procession. The morning of the day proved unfavourable as to weather, and thus curtailed some of the open-air proceedings, but when at eleven o'clock the sun shone out the Governor -was able to drive through the streets in an open carriage to the Ulster Hall, where amidst great enthusiasm the Cover- j nor stood to read his reply to the numerous addresses which had been presented to him. At the City Hall members of the Corporation were presented to the Governor, who subsequently paid a graceful tribute to the memory of the gallant Ulster dead by placing a wreath of laurel on the memorial window. In this he was joined by her Grace, who, in the name of the women of Ulster, whom she so worthily represents, laid a bouquet of violets beside the wreath. The Lord Mayor entertained the Governor's party at a private luncheon, in the course of which his Grace intimated that, by the King's command, the Lord Mayor of Belfast and future Lord Mayors would be styled "Right Honourable." This distinction the citizens regard as a fitting honour for their Chief "Magistrate, and will be much appreciated by them. Over 2000 guests were present at the mayoral reception in the afternoon, and many had the honour of being introduced to the Duke and Duchess. It was in consequence of the bad weather that a curtailment of the programme had to take place ■at the boundary of the city. The ceremonial presentation of its keys had been planned. But the new Governor was given these into his keeping at Stormont Castle, the residence of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. Sir James Craig. There were in fact not keys, but a golden key. and the ceremony was symbolical of placing the capital of Northern Ireland in the Duke's keeping. It will be of interest to many in New Zealand to know who were the important personages in this historic gathering. Following the presentations, a procession was marshalled, consisting of Optain A. R. Murray, Colonel J. K. McCHntock. Lieutenant F. Gill Hand, Lieutenant-Commander O. Henderson. The Cabinet of the North of Ireland Government comprised Sir James Craig, the Prime "Minister. Minister of Aerictilture. Minister of Education, Minister of Labour, and the Minister of Finance, the Lieutenant of the City of Belfast, Viscount Pirrie. Minister in Attendance on the Duke of Abercorn, Sir Richard Dewson Bates. Ouite a number of addresses were presented to the Governor of Northern Ireland, first, naturally, that from the J Corporation and Citizens of Belfast. Addresses from the Corporation of Londonderry, the County Councils' Assoi ciation. and the Belfast Harbour Commissioners were also read, but there : were over 100 others presented and , taken ns read. The whole ceremonial | was in fact an imposing one. and seems ito indicate a determinntion of the 'people of Ulster to settle down under their new form of government, and to carry on with the tradition of active industrial development which has been theirs so long. I -