THE RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 20, 23 July 1897, Page 5

THE RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR.

* A meeting of the Executive of the Committee appointed to arrange for entertaining His Excellency the Governor on his arrival here next month was held yesterday aiternoon, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. H. D. Bell) presiding. There were also presentLady Stout, Mesdames D. M. Luckie and W. C. Fitzgerald, and Messrs. M'Lellan, T. J. W. Gale, L. H. B. Wilson, D. M. Luckie, A. Lindsay, E. W. Mills, W. C. Fitzgerald, and Col. Hume. The Mayor reported the arrangement made for holding the conversazione at Parliament Buildings, and expressed his appreciation of the willingness with which the ActingPremier had assisted in this matter. It was decided that the Mayor should communicate with Lord Ranfurly in order to ascertain when it .would be suitable for the conversazione to be held. The price of admission was fixed at 2s per head. It was agreed that citizens would not be requirrd to attend in evening dress. Mr. L. H. B. Wilson was appointed Secretary, and with Mr. W. "C. Fitzgerald was entrusted with all arrangements regarding advertising and the issuing of tickets. Mr. Gale was appointed Chairman of the Refreshment Committee, with power to choose his own committee. With Lady Stout he also agreed to arrange for the/ decorations. It was agreed to ask the Hon. C. J. Johnston and Mrs. Johnston to act for his Worship and Mrs. Bell at the reception of Earl and Lady Ranfurly. Mr. Luckie was appointed Chairman of the Reception Committee, with power to choose his own. committee. Mr. E. W. Mills was given similar power as Chairman o£ the Entertainment Committee. The plans for the reception of Lord Ranfurly "immediately on his arrival in Wellington Have now been mapped out by the Marshal, Mr. A. G Johnson, who has secured the cooperation of Messrs. A. Collins and W. C. Marler in organising the day's proceedings. The idea is to invite the owners and agents of all steamers then in port to allow the vessels to take part in a water procession, which could meet the Tutanekai in Worser Bay, and come up the harbour to the ■ wharf in two lines abreast of the Government steamer, the Marshal directing the movements from the Manaroa, which, has already been placed" at Mr. ' Johnson's disposal for thai purpose by Messrs. J. S. Cross and T. Askew, the owners. If the weather is suitable, the rowing and yachting clu.bs will probably also take part in the display. The guard of honour at the wharf will be furnished by the warship in port, and on landing His Excellency will be welcomed by the Mayor on behalf of the citizens, and presented with addresses both from the native and European people. His Excellency will be driven away from the wharf in a carriage and four, with postilions and a Queen's outrider, the wharf being lined by the local volunteer and defence forces, and decorated with an arch, to be built by the. Municipal Fire Brigade with, their ladders, '&c. The procession will be formed at the wharf, and is to proceed by way of Jervois-quay, Cuba-street Extension, Manners - street, Willis-street, Lambton-quay, and Charlotte-street to the Parliamentary Buildings, where there will be another triumphal arch, and where the swearing-in ceremony is to take place. The procession will be made as representative , as possible, including the members of Parliament and of the civic, and various other local institutions, friendly societies, tnftles unions, volunteer and permanent forces, Wellington and Petone Fire Brigades, bicyclists and general public. The Manawatu Mounted Infantry is to be asked to supply a mounted escort, the Heretaungas having been disbanded; and the various City bands and Otaki Maori Brass Band will be invited to take parfc. It has - also' been suggested that a detachment of natives should be brought down, and ,-that the school children should assemble in the grounds of Government House and sing the National Anthem. The Trades Council last night requested all affiliated unions to lend their assistance in making as creditable a display as possible of workers in the procession.