CONFERMENT OF HONOURS.

Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue 142, 18 June 1901, Page 6

CONFERMENT OF HONOURS.

HIS EXCELLENCY DECORATED. "SIR JOSEPH WARD." MR. WALKER AND COLONEL GUDGEON ALSO HONOURED. Perhaps tli'o most impressive ceremony of to-day was the conferment of honours by H.R.H, the Duke of Cornwall upon his Excellency the Governor, the Hons. J. G. Ward and W. C. Walker, and Colonel Gudgeon, British Resident at the Cook Islands. The ceremony took place in the draw-ing-room at Government House, shortly after the arrival there of the Royal procession. His Royal Highness stood on a dais at the end of the room, which was also occupied, by the Duchess of Cornwall and Lady Ranfurly.- There were also present Ministers and their wives, ami the wives of the recipients of the honours, besides Government guests from Australia. The ceremony opened with the reading of the official proclamation conferring upon the Duke power to make the investitures. Sir Arthur Bigge then called upon Lord Ranfurly, and with Lord Winlock, supported him to the front of the dais, where his Excellency knelt on a cushion. Commander Sir Charles L. Oust, Bart., R.N., M.V.0., then handed to his 1 Royal Highness his naval sword. With this the Prince touched tho kneeling Earl on each shoulder. Then,'stooping,, his Royal Highness placed the ribbon and star of the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George \ipon the shoulders of his Excellency, who on rising was shaken by the hand by his Royal Highness, and then retired backward. Next came the Hon. J. G. Ward, supported by Sir John Anderson, M.A., K.C.M.G., and Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), who in like manner was created a Knight of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, thus becoming entitled to be known as Sir Joseph Ward. The Hon. W. C. Walker and Colonel Gudgeon, were the next to be honoured with the distinction of Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. They were each supported by Major J. H. Bor, C.M.G., A.D.C. (Royal Marine Artillery) and Lieutenant-Colonel Byron, Extra-A.D.C. Unlike the two previous recipients, they did not kneel, but received the decoration standing. f In each case the recipients received a hand-shake from Iris Royal Highness, and retired backward after investiture. FURTHER DECORATIONS. "SIR JOHIT~M'KENZIE." THE HON. A. J. CADMAN, C.M.G We learn* that the Hon. John M'Kenzie (whose health would not permit of his coming tq Wellington for the Royal visit) is to be gazetted forthwith a K. C.M.G. The Hon. A. J. Cadman, who is absent in England, is to be gazetted a C.M.G.

Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson, and Co. nn nounoe in our auction advertisement; column that tho sale of Mr. H. Sliotlander's stock, fixtures, eto., the oonbinnation of which was advertised for Wednesday and Thursday, nag been postponed till a later date. Tho wliolo of tho stock is to be -removed to the firm's rooms on Lambton-quay, and thorc displayed and catalogues issued. Tenders aro invited for tho purchase of the f>fcock-in- trade in the bankrupt estate of A. C. Nicol, bocJssuller, of Greytown.