ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5342, 28 March 1879, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.

[BY SPECIAL WIRE.]

Wellington, March 27. The Emerald and Wolverine, with the Governor, Lady Robinson, and suite, arrived in the harbor during last night, and although it Avas long after midnight, the Chief Justice and others Avent on board, the landing being then arranged for 10.30 this morning. The morning was dry, but there Avas a heavy gale bloAving. It Avas arranged that the s.s. Tui shoidd bring the Governor ashore at 10 o'clock. Accordingly she went off at that hour with the folMinisters on board : — Colonel Whitmore, Messrs Fisher, MacandreAV, Ballance, and Sheehan. The ships in the harbor and also the city Avero gaily dressed Avith bunting, and fully 5000 people were grouped round the landing place. The Artillery formed a guard of honor lining the Avay from the landing place at the breastAvork to the platform, and at the other side of the platform the City Rifles and the Friendly Societies, &c, were drawn up. It Avas after 11 o'clock before the Tui left the Emerald, under a salute from the Wolverine, the Emerald simply manning the yards.

His Excellency, on landing, was Avelcomed by the Mayor, and heartily cheered by the crowd. He Avas in ordinary Avalking costume, and Lady Robinson, Mrs St. John, and the chttdxen Avere very plainly dressed. Tho Commodore and a number of naval officers Avero in full uniform on the platform. There also Avere assembled the members of the City Council, the reception committee, the foreign Consuls, clergy, and ladies.

The ToAvn Clerk read the folloAving address : — " To his Excellency, the Governor of Noav Zealand, — We, the Mayor and Councillors of tho city of Wellington desire, on behalf of the citizens Avhom Aye represent, to Avelcome your Excellency and Lady Robinson on your arrival to NeAV Zealand, and gladly take this opportunity to express our loyalty to her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, and our respect for yourself as her representative. Being aAvaro of the valuable services you have rendered, and of the high estimation in Avhich you have been held while acting as her Majesty's representative in other Important colonies, Aye havo tho greater pleasure in seeing you assume tho Governorship of New Zealand. We beg to assure your Excellency that you may confidently rely on the citizens of Wei- 1

immmmmmmmmmmmaimmßmmmmmmtmmmmmmd X lington being ever ready to assist£your endeavors for mamtaiiiingj the.Tpeace/ order, and good government oi 7this country, and prompting the welfare of the people. We trust that your^Excellency and Lady Robmsori^may during your residence in New Zealand enjoy the blessings' of health and happiness. , J, Dransfield, Mayor, C. C. Graban, Town Clerk."

His Excellency replied briefly, as foi- : lows: — "Mr Mayor and Councillors of the city of Wellington. — I. thank you sincerely for your loyal address, and for the warm welcome you have been so good as to offer to Lady Robinson and ' myself on our first arrival in New Zea-7 „ land. I assure you that both of us have ■•; come prepared from what we .heard t& : ' like both the place and the people, and I can only hope that the favorable estimate you have formed of , my*, own •,. ' capabilities will not be lessened when we 7 become, as I hope we soon shall'^be,'' - ; better acquainted." '-■>''■ ■ "'" '■>

This short speech was received' with*. cheers, which were acknowledged by, ids "■"■v Excellency, and then, the Vice-Regal"; 3 party, accompanied by the members of ,f / the Ministry, the Mayor, and others,.!.,, drove to Go vernment House, .where* the '■'.[ «•' oaths of office were administered. by- the ■.-•.'^ Chief Justice and Mr Justice Richmond. . -

On Lady Robinson taking her seat on^ the verandah, two little., girls, Kate ' Mowbray, representing, the Thorntonschool, and Kate Holmes,; the Te Aro school, came forward and each presented her Ladyship with a handsome bouquet.

Very great indignation arid dissatis- . faction were expressed at the bad arrangements throughout for preserving order.;.;. A strong body of police were present,^ ' but did nothing. They allowed the plat- % • form to be rushed by a crowd of persons % who had no right there, and the Governor, Lady Robinson, arid suite liad hard work to elbow their way to -the carriages. Thore tho crowd was allowed to close in and prevent the Friendly., Societies, as had been arranged^ following in procession to Government House. On the town lawn there were several school children assembled to sing the National Anthem, but just as they wers^ going to do so a body of , constabularaA^v marched right through, scattering then* .;' on all sides, and the singing . therefore did not come off.; The whole" arrangements were in marked contrast to all . previous public demonstrations in Wellington. •: ;

The day was observed as a close holi* day. In the afternoon the Governor and party strolled through the city. "*'.' • -