THE NEW GOVERNOR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 December 1924, Page 2

THE NEW GOVERNOR.

a warm Welcome. EARLIER VISITS RECALLED. LINKS WITH NEW ZEALAND. (by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Dec. 13. To t'he accompaniment of a high southerly gale and heavy showers of sleety rain the new Governor-General, Major-General Sir Charles Eergusson, and Lady Alice Eergiisson, Mies Eergusson, and the Vice-Regal entourage, landed at Wellington this 'morning from the Ruahine. If the welcome accorded to Their Excellencies by the elements was somewhat cheerless, they received a much warmer and more cordial reception from the people. Despite the inclement weather many thousands of people assembled to 'welcome Their Excellencies, who were warmly cheered as they passed through the city streets on their way to Government House. The landing was made at the new Pipitea wharf shortly after 10 o’clock, and a salute of 18 guns was fifed. His Excellency inspected the guard of honour from ;the Ist Wellington Regiment, also a body of Maori War and South African veterans.

Addressing the veterans, Sir Charles Eergusson, who leaves the impression of being an admirable speaker, thanked them for turning out in such large numbers to welcome him, and. 'said he hoped in the near future he would have a further opportunity of discussing their campaigns. After the chairman, of the Harbour Board, Mr G. Mitchell, had- been presented to Their Excellencies by Mr Massey, the chairman read the hoard’s address of welcome', to which His Excellency made feply. He thanked the hoard for the references to his own and Lady Fergusson’s father, both of whom were former' Governors ; of New Zealand, and said, it was ju6t 50 years ago last month since he left Wellington harbour. He was astonished at the remarkable development's which had taken place in the harbour and the fiptto-datO appliances and facilities, which made it a port second to lioiie in the Dominion. He was sure it would be able to cope with the increasing trade that was bound to grow through the continued prosperity of the Dominion. He and his wife looked forward to a happy stay here.

Their Excellencies and party, who had been met in the stream by Cabinet Ministers and naval and military officers, then motored along the waterfront and entered the city boundary from the Brandon street gates. Here they were met by the Mayor, Mr Wright, and city cbunhillofs, and a welcome was extended by the Mayor in a few quiet words. Members of the council were then presented. A marked feature of the function was its friendly tone and tire complete absence of foi-mality. Speaking on behalf of himself and Lady Al'ipe Eergusson, Sir Charles said it gave them great pleasure to come back to the town where they had been so happy before. He himself knew Wellington very well 50 years ago, and remembere;d 'every inch of the city and harbour. _ Lady Alice had been there 25 years ago, and also remembered the city very well.. • Their Excellencies then left for Government House, to the 'accompaniment of hearty cheers. SWEARING-IN CEREMONY. WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. After the arrival *of General Sir Charles Eergusson and the reception of the Harbour Board and the City Council the conditions improved during the day, but there were intermittent showers and a high wind, which to a large extent spoiled the spectacle for the public at the swearing-in at Parliament Buildings. The ceremony was conducted in the Legislative Council Chamber at 3 o’clock.

At 2.55 p.m. Their Excellencies and party left Government House for Parliament Buildings, accompanied by a police escort. _ Troous of the Wellington garrison lined all approaches to the buildings and a portion of Lambton Quay, while bluejackets from the two warships in port, 'H.M.S. Dunedin and H.M.S. Veronica, were stationed in Molesworth street. Near the foot of the steps at the entrance to Parlianient Buildings a guard of honour consisting of 100 men and three officer’s from the First Battalion of the Wellington Regiment, under the command of Captain Eric ' Reeves, M.C., was drawn up,. and the First Battalion Band was in attendance. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) and members of the Ministry were present, and the official party included the Administrator of the Government and the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), the general officer commanding the New Zealand military (Major-General C. W. Melvill), the commodore of the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy (Commodore A. Beal) and the naval and military staffs. There were also present judges of the Supreme Court, magistrates, members of the Legislature, heads of departments and prominent citizens. Owing to the inclement weather the actual swearing-in ceremony had to be carried out in the Legislative Council Chamber, but the lounge was also used to accommodate invitation holders and the members of the general public. On arrival at Parliament Buildings Major-General Sir Charles Eergusson, accompanied by Major-General Melvill. inspected the guard of honour, and then proceeded to the Legislative Council Chamber. The oath of office was administered by the Chief Justice, following which a salute of 19 guns was fired by the battery of the Royal New Zealand Artillery at Thorndon reclamation. .Before the ceremony concluded the Prime Minister welcomed Their Excellencies on behalf of the peple of New Zealand, and Sir Charles Fergusson replied.