THE GOVERNOR AT INVERCARGILL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6870, 7 March 1883, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR AT INVERCARGILL.

[Pne Paisa Association.]

INVERCARGILL, Maboh 6.

Since half-past ten to-day His Excellency the Governor has been busily engaged *u fulfilling engagements. An undress level) was held in tho Athenaeum, and was well attended. Immediately after His Excellency was driven to the new Garrison Hall, the largest bnildiog of its kind in the Colony, and formally opened it, receiving an address from the Drill Hall Commissioners, accompanied by a silver key. In the course of his reply, His Excellency said “ No one can possibly appreciate more than I do tho value of this building, for in every part of my life I have been engaged in considering matters relating to the defence of Great Britain and her Colonies. I bare bad to deal with works of fortification, field batteries, floating batteries, docks, harbours, with troops to man works of fortification, and with Cavalry to support them in duties connected with defence; and it is in that capacity that Z see with greatest satisfaction the noble effort to erect this fine ball. Gentlemen, and I may add ladies, for I see many around me, although yon may hare works of fortification they on of no use without men to defend them, and the men to do so must be properly organised and disciplined. It is in connection with the drill and manoenvnDg of forces that yon have erected this building. As the addnfcs which you have presented says, you are engaged mostly in industrial _ callings daring tho day, but I observe with satisfaction that yon give your time in the evenings to services of value to your country. But in order to turn to account those evenings a building such as this was wanted, and now that it is erected, and recognising its great advantages, I declare it open." After examining the field gone and armouries His Excellency passed through tho eide entrance to the western reserve adjoining, where 1300 school children, Oddfellows, Foresters, and Druids assembled together with a large concourse of people. After the singing of tho National Anthem by the school children, a deputation of school children presented an address, in reply to which His Excellency said:—“The sentiments which you have expressed are, I venture to say, those which all of you, amongst whom I claim to be one, who have the welfare of New Zealand at heart, must respond I® in tho most hearty manner. Yon have alluded to the benefits which you enjoy in carrying on a widespread system of education. I venture to say that there is no kingdom on the face of the earth which enjoys a more liberal system of education than you do. (Hear, hear.) I hope and believe, and I feel sure that yon will all profit by it.” The Oddfellows, Foresters, and Druids also pre> seated addresses, to which replies were made. In the afternoon His Excellency visited the Flower Show, where an address was presented, and also the Hospital, expressing satisfaction and patting practical questions as to the management. The weather has been fine and brilliant, so much so that several Volunteers had to fall out in consequence of the heat. The town is again illuminated. At tbs banquet to-aight m the Garrison Hall the effect was very fine and tho entertainment was a great success. Responding to the toast of his health, His Excellency eatd, after referring to the pleasure he felt at the honour of presiding over snolt a grand Colony; I cannot tell you, and what I »y is no figure cf speech, how I have been surprised at what I have seen since I esmo to Southland. In my ignorance I had act the slightest idea there was inch a splendid {town «* that in which I now am. I recollect that when I was in South Australia, my idea of Invercargill was something of this sort. The southern part of the Middle Island was pictured in mv mind s eye m a table land five or eix hundred feet in length, with the Bluff at its end, having a few houses on the top, and with the drearinew of the scene occasionally enlivened jry a wreck at the bottom of the Bluff, (Laughter and applause.) But I find that it is a town, with street# m broad as the flne town of Adelslde, I find magnificent buildings springing up all round; I find an enterprising community—one which 1 venture to say will make it the magnificent capital of the southern part of New Zealand. Hie Excellenoy, after speaking of tho grand harbour at the Bluff, spoke approvingly of the works for deepening the New Hirer harbour as being nloely suited for developing the resources of the place, and not an endeavour to lead to what items unsuitable for. A# he understood it the New Blver could not interfere with the use of the Bluff, as each was suited to a par* Kr of vessels; On the matter of the harbour accommodation of Southland, hi* Excellency a * Jffl then, when you some to talk of the country which the harbour is to serve, as a moans of taking away exports, you know a deal more than! do, but from enquiries, I »m «u» it is, and will be, a country of incalculable agricultural resources—a great country for growiog of cheep and cattle for export in those days when the freezing process es been brought to a pilch of perfection. The advantage to you Is something that is beyond calculation. I must, however, before I sit down, say, and say with aU candour, that I look upon this place as having a glorious future, fhat I look upon Invercargill as the senttwof one of the finest and richest districts of New Zealand, which, in the course of 26 oalouloto. It will become a pass P*e®o ■m® to oomuetioa with other eoantriee and yew

own* B»d will increase in importance beyond anything you now expect. The banquet was a great success. Tomorrow, Bis Excellency gees to the Bluff, nrtocinaUy to see for himself the capabilities of the port lor defenceptirpo***. Bir William has created a most favourable feeling towards himself during hi* visit.