TESTIMONIAL TO COL. GORE BROWNE, LATE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 221, 28 July 1864, Page 5

TESTIMONIAL TO COL. GORE BROWNE, LATE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

Ike handsome testimonial destined' to be shortly presented to our late highly esteemed Governor, Colonel Gore Browne, now Governor of Tasmania • has arrived at Auckland. It will be on view this | day, and for some little time, at the show rooms of | Messrs Newman and Ewen, Queen-street, and not at Messrs. Hsfoiiii and Campbell's, as was erroneously stated by our contemporary the Cross. Hie resident's of Auckland and neighbourhood will doubtless be glad to avail themselves of the opportunity fchiia aH'oVded tliem of viewing a, magnificent piece of workmanship, and riiore especially | when it is destined to grace tlie table of Governor Browne, and with its " .silent eloquence" proclaim, in unmistakeable language, the high oprmori in which that highly respected gentleman was held: by' the people whom he so long governed. i 'A'lie testimonial is a von* beautiful piece of work- ; mails?}':};, as might naturally be expected from its i mamifactuf'ejfs,- the renowned silversmiths, Messrs. Ilunt and Roskell, (ff Naw Bond-street, London. It consists of an Epergne tfr centre-piece, with two silver mediieviil fashioned stands,- of smaller size. Thu Epergrre is of frosted silver, with gilt ornamentations, and is an appropriate and chaste remembrance of New Zealand. Its base is nearly triangular, with circular projecting conicrs, on Saeli'df which is the figure of a New Zealand bird, one representing the somewhat raro kakapo (the New Zealand groiiud parrot), one the curious kiwi (apteryx), and the i weka (woodhen). Between these, and. lorming the immediate' Ws« of the column, are three compart- ! mentis containing' tnm relieve of the cities of Auckland,'WellhigtOn, and Nelson, very tastefully executed,- and'in each of which tfi'e" prominent buildings are well poiVrtrayed and form readily distinguishable objects, rendering eacli'easily recognisabfe". Jb'rom the interstices between these compartments spi-iflg the gracefully bending stems oi' the fern'tree (Oyathea Medallaris), the kauri pine (Dammara 1 Australes), and cabbage plant (Coryplia Australes) : . Oil the | column which terminates in a foliated capital ?ests » basket, with engraved glass dish for flowers, the rim of the basket being divided, by shields containing alternately raised cyphers—T. G. 8., and Cross of the J3iith—into sis panels embossed with floral or- . nameiitationscoiiiposed, composed from glory pea (Nesodaphae Te'r'aiiie), clustered leaved myrtle (ilyrteas A r allata), and sweet potatoe (Corivolvtilos Botata). Above the crystal flower disli, on a filagrced and chased pedestal around wliicli native llax leaves twine, stands the figure, in wrought silver, of a Maori chief, the lineaments of whose tattooed visage are well marked. In his right hand he liolds a paddle, and in the other the tufted spear of his race, while he leans his left arm on the exquisitely carved prow of a war canoe. The following inscription in quaint old letters appears on the shield above the representation of the city of Auckland: — I'RESKXTEtf. , . • TO COLO Xr. 1 T. GO 11 E 810 If 2f E, C. 8., In recognition of. liii Honorable, Enliirlitcricll, and Impartial Artn'iinistration of the Colony of New ZesLlaiiu. From September 5, 1855, to 18G1; And In Testimony or Trivatc "Worth.

Tlio two stands correspond in form and decoration with the centre ornament, aiul have each thiee panels, on which are respectively, reversed initials T. G. 8., seal of the colony, and arms and crest ot' Colonel T. G. Browne, C.B. The testimonial, which is very handsome, consists of a centre cpergne and two dessert stands, appropriately embellished with birds, animals,- and plants proper to the country. It is of frosted silver,-polished, and of finest workmanship, and has been manufactured by Messrs. Hunt anditoskell, of New Bondstreet.