THE GOVERNOR PASSES BY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 182, 3 August 1929, Page 8

THE GOVERNOR PASSES BY.

Their Excellencies the Fergussons, who are too soon to leave us, have certainly done their best to-become acquainted with .every part' of 'the' Dominion, even taking in the Chatham Islands. Their recent visit to the earthquake-stricken districts, a travel experience which could not'' haVte' been very comfortable, was one of many 'proofs of their genuine and deep interest in the country and the people. Lady Eergusson,' for her part, has done some rough-country;'work,, such .as'. 'a ride through the Urewera Country, that indicated her liking for the outer marches of"the land. She has. been taking lessons in the Maori language, another token of her aroha for Ao-tea -roa and its people. > One has memories of a quite charming variety of Governors. There were one or two who actually imagined they had been. sent, here to, govern. Such queer notions were soon giyen th<i rightabout turn. One- -or two never ; troubled themselves about politics (hut. were frankly''convivial and were immensely popular. -One' or two Were of the pompous; type, but their nice little Wives ' atoned for .that.: Now Sir Charles. Fergusson has passed the- most 'searching test of: all in succeeding Lord Jellicoe. , Can there possibly be' inreserve 'for us two more such Governors as the Admiral, and the General ? If such, there be New Zealand will be fortunate indeed. J ', / • :i One's earliest, memory of the sight of .that wondeiful>.beijri'g,;,'a. Governor, b.eiongs to youthfi'd years in an sUpper tbWhship. , Sii; Her-"' cules Bobinsoiv 'the Governor of the day. Hc ; was makhig a tour of the backblocks country arid lie . Was due to pass through our settlement one iribrning 'on his way round from Cambridge to: Te Awamutu,.. „ Prominent residents) ..pakeha, and Maori, gathered at the principal pub, the front of Wliieli, 1 wag (lecorated witli- fern ..tree's and, nikau pajhii.: . Old Rewi Maniapoto, was there, not in - War' costunte, but. in a sedate biaclc .suit. Ho carried a ,beautiful, greeristone mere, ; a gift for tli'e Governor. W'th hijn was his friencl-tlie, interpreter, the son of ■an missionary. "Here he comes!" shouted the chairman of, the Town Board, splendidly important in a grey belltopper and a long, flapping- dust" coat. All eyes' were fixed on a rapidly-approaching cloud of dust.'' It : >yhirlfed;-at-ounjl into'.ifie ; and a smart, two-horse team and light buggy tore up all rattling and jingling and came .to a halt exaet'ly-in; front of the pub's'nikau-w-'reathed-private entrance. The driver/,,was ; the most expert' of all the coacllies eniployed by a big Cambridge transport firm of those days. Out stepped <his Exceilfehcyi I see 'liiiri noWf the "living spitting image" of .John Bull. Sir' Hercules Robinson—no ,ipme. coujd have, fitted him better. - He was a riiari of imposing bulk, with a -large, disapproving face, clean-shaved except for short mutton-chop whiskers turning grey. He looked hot and dusty and rather, annoyed.. „No doubt he- badly needed ; a long, drink;- that' warm, dry morning. The reception committee wisely wasted no time with addresses of welcome.'ortside. They escorted him ;within. What followed, We youngsters ; course.. were,not..privileged.to witness. ... * In a'very few minutes\the. party: emerged from the pub 'parjcAir,,..;Sir Hercules .seemed more cheerful. • He- smiled all round, even gave a glance, at the small boys,' and stepped up into the waiting buggy. In his hand he bore Rewi's presentation mere.. The driver gathered up his reins, flicked his team with his whip, and', they, were off; folr lowed by hoorays from the citizens. Old 1 warrior ReWi stood there gazing after that-cloud of dust till' it passed out of sight* Perhaps he, was ~think-' ing that-, he lit|d' lieVer "seen an ancestral treasure change hands and vanish so quickly; -The chair-man-,of, the' Town Board stood there, too, in silence, perhaps a little dazed by ,tho ? unaccus-, tomod, rapidity of the p'rocfeeding£ v The 'Whofe' affair, including the solemn ceremony in the parlpur, had occupied little more than five minutes,, I should think. But it would afford .many hours' gossip back in the kainga and in pub and store. His , Excellency the Governor had paid an official visit to oijir rising:township. - : >—J.C.,