GOVERNORS OF NEW ZEALAND

Evening Star, Issue 20322, 2 November 1929, Page 4

GOVERNORS OF NEW ZEALAND

RECORDS AND RECOLLECTIONS

• (Concluded.)' [Written by “ T.J.W.’ 1 for the ■;; ‘Evening Star.’] SERENE AND SURE Sir George Ferguson Bowen was a Governor of quito a different kind—an administrator rather than an initiator, content to take things as he found them, and let others do the ploughing. The Homo Government considered him a safe man. Ho was previously Governor of the lonian Islands,, then _ under British control. In 1864 the islands were incorporated with Greece and the English forces left, Lady Bowen, a native of Greece, was accomplished and beautiful ; also, the Auckland shopkeepers asserted, possessed of the quality that distinguished John Gilpin’s wife—“ sho had a, frugal mind.” It was said at the time of Bowen’s landing that Grey offered to remain for a while ami induct the new Governor into Hew Zealand affairs, and that the offer was declined. Bowen believed that he could find his way about by himself. Ho soon proved that ho had a mind of his own, for he _ retorted sharply, in Now Zealand’s, interests, when the Secretary of State reprimanded him, and apparently his replies were unanswerable, since he lived out the full term of five years, and went away without being blamed by tho people for doing any harm, though ho ruled during the critical period when Fox and Vogel introduced their Public Works and Immigration Policy, which many regarded as a gambling venture I CAPABLE, BUT IN IRONS

Sir James Fergusson, father of our present Governor-General, ruled for only about eighteen mouths, when ho resigned and went back to England. His stay was long enough, however, to reveal his entire fitness for the position, and to cause + he people at large to respect him personally. Tt was generally supposed that he felt fettered by the instructions from headquarters limiting his scope for the exercise of his ability as a statesman. Peace prevailed in his reign. A REAL LIVE LORO

The Marquis' of Normanby, who held office for four years, was one of the wisest of the eighteen A quiet and dignified man, some thought at first that he was lazy and willing to he led That estimate underwent revision long before his time was up. He proved to be able and masterly when constitutional difficulties arose. He was eminently straightforward sure of nis judgment, and prepared with advice based on mature political experience, and perhaps it is permissible to add that wo never knew a safer Governor. Ho could have been entrusted with the Vice-Royalty of a much larger dominion. *Ho manifested keen interest in farming, and was noted for his attendance at agricultural shows and for giving fine dinners served. on rare gold plate. For part of his time a, former Governor —Sir George Grey—was his Premier. Rumour said that Governor and Premier were afraid of each other, and that in 1878 the Attorney-General fSir Robert Stout) was their medium of communication. One incident caused some talk. The Premier recommended Mr Wilson for appointment to tho Legislative Council. and .the. Governor did not accept tho nomination, as he had heard that a vote of want of confidence was pending. The Governor’s decision was brought before the House of Representatives as a breach of privilege, and it was contended that the Governor had no right to take notice of debates in Parliament, Tt mav also ho remembered that when the Attorney-General suggested that Governors might be elected Normanby uttered threats of .what he would <1 c> in the House of Lords. That was an isolated explosion. Ho was ordinarily a pleasant gentleman, fond of snuff, A RELIGIOUS RACING RULER Sir Hercules Robinson had but a brief time witli us, about eighteen months. Ho was transferred from New South Wales, and when recalled from. New Zealand it was to become Governor of tho Cape of Good Hope. Tn his career hero he ruled conscientiously in his own quiet manner, being careful to think out every question before making up his mind. The Now Zealanders as a whole did not see very much of him. for ho was the reverse of a gadabout. One of his few points of personal contact with the general public was as a racehorse owner. Ho brought two good racing mares from Sydney—Lady Emma and Gitana—and ran them in his own name, afterwards in association with Sir George M‘Lean. Sir Hercules had been only a few weeks in the _ colony when he urged that religion should, ho taught in schools, but tho members of his first Ministry wero secularists, and tbo Hon. W. Rolleston, Minister of Education in his second Ministry, upheld tho secular system._ On several occasions he wanted to guide his Ministry in this matter, but his guidance was not accepted. There was a proposal that he should turn the sod of a branch railway line in Canterbury. Listening to some political opponents of the Ministry, he assumed that this. railway had not been properly authorised, and at first declined to act; but the At-torney-General advised him that the Minister of Works. would not he thereby affected, for ho himself would turn the sod and not trouble the Governor, whereupon His Excellency, seeing how the land lay, agreed to act. HOT A POPULARITY HUNTER Sir Arthur Gordon, who had been Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner of the Pacific Islands, probably folt mote at his ease there than in New Zealand. It seemed so, anyway. Ho was somewhat given to asserting himself instead of consulting his Ministers, and may bo they did not do much to conciliate. Fresh Native troubles sprang up during his term, war appeared .imminent, and troops were sent to Taranaki, hut peace prevailed. It was commonly said that Gordon was too much of a pro-Maori. The same was said of Grey. Of Gordon’s ability there can be no doubt. His ‘ Life, of Aberdeen ’ (one of his relations) is a standard biography of high class. A SLAVE TO DUTY Sir W. F. D. Jervois, a major-gene-ral in tho Royal Engineers, distinguished in the science of fortification, was sent by the Imperial Government to visit the" Australian colonies, and in concert with their Governments to devise a system of defence for their ports. He it was who really made New Zealand’s defence. He was ever busy during tho whole of his lengthy term. He had no holidays. He travelled the colony systematically, and was known and respected everywhere in it. He wanted things ;done. . . This was seen in 1884, when there were conflicting parties in the House of Representa-

lives, and no clear majority. The Atkinson party was defeated at the polls. Then the Stout-Vogcl party obtained office, hut after a few days it was de featcd by another party following Atkinson. Jervois suggested a coalition, and \ that Waterhouse,' of the Legislative Council should : become Premier. The, Governor discussed the matter with Stout, and asked what ho thought, and Stout’s reply, was:that he could not give any advice unless it was to call on him to form a Ministry. After a short delay that,was dong, am) a new StoutVogcl Ministry was formed, which lasted the life of the Parliament. FAITHFUL, BUT SOMEWHAT ALOOF • It was in the Earl.of Onslow’s term tfiat the General Election of 1890 sent the last Atkinson Ministry into shade and gave Mohn BaJlanto the lease of power that Seddon carried on. In other 'words, the Governorship was made easy so far as New Zealand parties were concerned, .His Excellency not being called upon to arbitrate. ' If such duties had been necessary. Gnslotv could have dealt with, them, for he was a strong man, well versed in parliamentary experience, having been Parliamentary UndeivSecretary for the Colonies and also for the Board' of Trade. As it was, this Governor _had a quiet time, and did not show himself* much to the people nor, seek to know ; them. Wellington frankly disliked Onslow because he shunned the capital as'much as possible. in consequence, it >yas supposed, of his elder son having contracted typhoid through the defective drainage of .Government House. Ho was an alert man, fond of sport, but not making a fetish of it. He became'deeply interested in New Zealand birds, and induced the Government to create sanctuaries for them. His- ride thrnngth the Uriwera Countix was accepted 1 as a. test of the loyalty of the Maoris therein resident, and it turned out to be a, very useful experiment.,. Ho resigned before his term had expired. LIKE THE KING The Earl of Glasgow likewise found internal "affairs nntronhlesom.e, for the Liberal Party reigned unchallenged and party fights were almost unknown. He held the rank of captain in the Navy, and served actively in the Crimean War, also in the Chinese War of 1557. He governed for his full term, and governed discreetly, displaying urbanity, hospitality, and a perfect knowledge of. how to gain the respect and affection of all classes. No Governor that wo have had has been freer from political bias. He travelled widely and frequently, made himself acquainted with the people at large, took an interest in all institutions and propositions that aimed at the well-being of the land, and possessed in large, degree the tact that Edward VII. displayed in doing the right thing at the right time. A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW The Earl of llanfnrly ruled for seven years less two months—a longer period than any of his predecessors enjoyed—and was not bothered with party changes, for Seddon was the masterful Premier all that time. He, however, did not make this political tranquillity an excuse for idleness.. He went here, there, and everywhere, giving a lift to deserving causes of all types, and he is remembered for his friendliness and affability—in fact, he might be styled “the merry Governor,” having the knack of unbending without the least suggestion of condescending. An example of this approaehability is in tho hitherto unpublished records of the Dunedin newspaper reporters. On tho. occasion of: his first levee in this city tho ■■ Star reporter assigned - to tho job was suddenly taken ill, and By the time the message as to his .illness reached the ofi§ce the levee was over, Tho sub-editor told off for tho report tho first man who came in, instructing him to pick it up ns he could. He scooted to the Town Hall, luckily found Captain Alexander, the princo of “aides,” and placed tho position before him, whereupon he dug out His Excellency from the mayor’s room, and between the three the story was worked up in presentable shape, the Governor laughingly consenting to lead in the compiling and doing it as though to the manner born, without tho least fuss. The same evening there was a vice-regal concert in the Garrison Hall, and as llanfnrly passed up the aisle amid cheers such as are seldom hoard in Dunedin, he touched the same ‘ Star ’ man on the shoulder and whispered ; “I haven’t yet sent in my bill to your manager”—a pleasant recognition of tho fact that for a quarter of an hour the Sovereign’s representative had been on the editorial staff of this paper. A GENIAL - IRISHMAN Baron Plunkct, who represented the Sovereign for six years loss a lew days, had a peaceful term. Ho seemed anxious to do what lie could for Now Zealand, tiie subjects in which he took a special interest being child welfare and land settlement, but he was ever ready to spend and be spent in promoting any worthy causes, and this spirit of good-fellowship, aided by his clover wit and genial demeanour, made him liked by the people. He also enjosTed the good opinion of all the politicians—a rare luxury for any Governor. His wearing of an eyeglass was not ’an affectation nor a signal of inherent weakness. He had to adopt the eyeglass, because of an accident to one of his eyes that befell him in his native country", Ireland. Ho married a daughter of Earl Dufforin, and it was through this lady’s work as patroness of the Society for the Health of Women and Children —a work that he himself had at heart—that “Plunket” is now famous the world over. On his merits the Baron deserved tho esteem of New •Zealanders; by virtue of his name being universally adopted as the unofficial title of the society he secured for “ Plunkct ” a degree of permanent illustriousness that few kings can attain to. AM AUTHORITY OH AGRICULTURE Baron Islington displayed ability in many directions, but, being of the serious-minded type, naturally reserved, and not given to travelling about unless for some definite purpose, bo was, as it were, self-deprived of the opportunity to become personally acquainted with the people generally. Probably if he had stayed longer in New Zealand he would have “come out of his shell” and disclosed openly those good qualities that were revealed only to his personal friends. He will bo remembered as a man who could talk with deep knowledge on the subject of farming, also as a speaker whom it was a pleasure to listen to. Several of our Governors have been good speakers, and Islington stands as one of the best, according to reporters’ appraisement. 1 OUR WAR LORD Quite likely, if a vote were taken as to who has been the best Governor we have had in tho past twenty-five years, the Earl of Liverpool would poll somewhat scantily. He did not show himself much. Perhaps he was somewhat pompous. In the early part of his term he had nothing special to do. If the quiet time had continued he possibly would have become acquainted - with ; New* Zealanders, and their ways, and won "their affections'. As it turned put he “made good ” otherwise by un-

expected means. Tho war burst upon us, and bo had to see it through. That was his great work, and he was the man to do it. Only the few who were admitted to his counsels realise what a tower of strength His Excellency proved himself to be in that emergency. To the Ministry as a whole and to the then. Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) Lord Liverpool’s advice, based, as_ it was, on experience gained in training with kings and lords, was of inestimable value, and the. way in which both the Governor-General and his wife faced the difficulties of 1914-18 with unsparing zeal, courage, and sagacity, did much to give the people at large an ideal "to live up to. _ These things, though gone about quietly, are remembered very gratefully by those _ with whom their Excellencies were in immediate contact, and the guidance was none the less effective being unobtrusive. What the, great body of tho people do know is that Lord Liverpool was largely instrumental in providing the two hospital ships Manama and Mahono and their equipment, also in procuring, tho grant to the University of Otago for the medical hall for students, the, money for that, purpose coming out of the final allocation of the hospital ships’ fund. . Their Excellencies likewise interested themself** very much with the activities cl the Red Cross and the Order of St. John. Lord and Lady Liverpool made two trips to the Cook and other islands just before the war, and went thither again in 1919. During this latter visit Lord Liverpool went to Western Samoa at the express wish of both the Imperial and the New Zealand Governments—the first official visit to Western Samoa of a representative of the King. A PLAIN AND MANLY SAILOR

The authorities in the Parent Country paid New Zealand a great compliment in Sending us as Governor-Gen-eral such a world-famed man as Viscount Jellicoe, the Admiral who made the Scapa Flow surrender possible, and it is a privilege enjoyed by this dominion to know him personally as no other country can know him, since ho made himself acquainted with all sorts of company whilst here, radiating goodwill, and got closer to tho people as a whole than, is possible in a country like our own Motherland, where communityship is practically forbidden by class severances. We found the Viscount to he a plain and straightforward man, free, frank, and with' a charming personality, at home in any and every environment. He had no love of ostentation; nevertheless, by sheer weight, lie in a friendly way siiowed the master mind, being clear-headed, concise, and precise in all his statements, and a most attractive and impressive speaker, blessed with a.tense and commanding voice. He seemed to take a special interest in high schools and technical schools. A FATHERLY GOVERNOR Early in ids New Zealand experiences Sir Charles Fergnsson established himself in the esteem of the people by ids doings at Dunedin in connection with the opening of the Exhibition. He gave no trouble to the directors; he pleased the> crowd; he astonished all present by the wonderful carrying power of his speaking voice. The good impression then made has not been dimmed in the least. The occasion has not arisen for Sir Charles to make a dramatic display of greatness, but it- is equally true that be has never done anything foolish or unbefitting, and certainly be stands amongst the most popular of our Governors. When the day conies for the restoration of patriarchal government—a system to which .the world is perchance, unconsciously moving as , the -perfection of civilisation-—it will be such men as Sir Charles who will administer affairs, men of simple and direct habits and manners. His speeches are exceptionally rich in material. He can give three or four addresses on differing subjects in one day. and make each a masterpiece. His advice to students and other young people is invariably full of thought and marked by originality, and he is always listened to, even when speaking on such hackneved suhiects as loyalty and citizen training. Everyhodv who has come into contact with His Excellency during his many tours of the dominion must have been impressed with the personality and unfailing tact of his gracious wife, Lady Alice Fergnsson. who nearly always travels with Sir Charles. _and_ is obviously a real helpmeet, finding intuitively her right place and in a particularly pleasant way discharging all her duties, : with many appropriate courtesies, thus endearing herself to the people. LIEUTENANT-GOVERNORS In the days prior to tho constitution New' Zealand had three LieutenantGovernors of Provinces. Mr Edward John Eyre, who had charge of the South Island, then known as New Munster, was allowed only nominal administration. Grey awed him and give him no authority. Major-general George Dean Pitt, who held the Lieu-tenant-Governorship of the North Island (Now Ulster) from February, 1848, till his death in January, 1851, is also a faded memory. Apparently he did nothing in particular, and did it very well. Lieutenant-colonel Robert Henry Wyayard, who succeeded Pitt as Lieutenant-Governor of New Ulster and held that position till 1853, became Administrator of the whole of New Zealand in the gap between Grey’s first term and Gore Browne’s appointment. He was generally supposed to bo an able man, but too much under the domination of the then' Attorney-General, William Swain son. A peculiarity about Wynyard’s doings is that whilst Acting Governor he was for a time Superintendent of the Auckland Province. Edward John Eyre w'as better known outside of New Zealand than within the coloinn He was the son of a Yorkshire clergyman. In 1832, when seventeen years old, lie went out to Australia, prospered as a squatter on the Lower Murray, and - w r as appointed a resident _ magistrate and protector of the aborigines. In 1840 he failed in an attempt to explore the region between South and Western Australia, though he discovered Lake Torrens. After 'caving New Zealand he became Governor of St. Vincent, in the West tidies. That was in 1852. Ten years 'ater he was appointed Governor of Jamaica, whore in 1865 negro disturbances broke out-and martial law was nroclaimed, one result being that a wealthy mulatto named Gordon was hanged. Eyre confirmed tho sentence, and As a commission found that Gordon bad been condemned on insufficient evidence Eyre was recalled. On his return to' England _he was prosecuted, but the charge failed, and in 1872 the Government refunded Eyre the cosjs of his defence. ADMINISTRATORS

Interleaved, as it were, between the passing and coming of Governors, there have been five Administrators or Acting Governors. Lieutenant Willoughby Shortland, who stepped in after Hobson’s death, had been Colonial Secretary in, Hobson’s time, and, realising that he was merely a stop-gap in the

higher position, ho did no more than he was obliged to do. The big event of his rulership was the Wairau massacre. His quarterdeck manner helped to make him unpopular, and people said that he unduly influenced Hobson when the latter was weakened by illness. Shortland resigned the Colonial Secretaryship soon after Fitzroy’s arrival. and was made Governor of Nevis, in the West Indies. Tho next Administrator was Wynyard, The other three Administrators were all chief justices— Sir George Alfred Arney, in 1873; Sir James Prendergast, in 1879, 1880, 1883, 18S9, 1892, and 1897; and Sir Robert Stout in 1910, 1912, 1920, and 1924 In addition, there have been Governors’ deputies appointed when the Governor visited the Islands or Australia. This has only happened in recent years, and onsuch occasions Sir Robert Stout .was twice or thrice at the head.