OUR NEW GOVERNOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8885, 23 May 1892, Page 5

OUR NEW GOVERNOR

DEPARTURE FOR THE COLONY. FAREWELL BANQUET AT AYR. LORD GLASGOW'S SPEECH. [from our own correspondent.] London, April 16. The Sari of Glasgow, accompanied by Lady Glasgow and family, Colonel Patrick Boyle (Military "Secretary), Captain R. H. Blair (Aide-dee and a retinue of some 30 odd servants, sailed for Sydney on the Bth inst., in the Orient Liner Austral. The AgentGeneral did not go to see them off, but sent them his good wishes and farewells by telegraph. A good many friends of the noble Earl were at Fenchurch-street station to see him start, and the Earl of Cromartie and one or two others even accompanied him to Naples. When His Excellency left, the offer of the s.s. Hinemoa to convey the Vice-Regal party from Sydney to Wellington had not arrived, but Mr. Perceval telegraphed it to Lord Glasgow at Gibraltar, he has replied accepting the courtesy in the spirit in which it has been tendered. The final banquet given to His Excellency was at Ayr by the gentlemen of the county, with whom Lord Glasgow is most popular. The company numbered over 100, and the chair was tilled by Mr. R. A. Oswald, of Auchenctuive. Letters of regret were sent by the Earl of Stair, the Duke of Portland, the Marquis of Bute, Lord Kelvin, the Earl of Eglinton, Sir James Fergusson, and others. It was intended to have presented to His Excellency during the evening a portrait of himself painted by Professor Herkomer, the goodwill of Lord Glasgow's friends having found vent in this direction, but unfortunately the illness of the artist has delayed the completion of the picture. Mr. Oswald, in proposing the health of the guest, expressed his sense of the great loss that Ayrshire would sustain through the absence of so popular a resident as Lord Glasgow, lie also alluded to the great regret the noble Earl must feel at leaving Kelhtirne, with its beautiful view of the Clyde. Lord Glasgow, said Mr. Oswald, would certainly not see anything like it in New Z aland. He was sure that as soon as the Governor reached New Zealand the people would welcome him with all their hearts. I append Lord Glasgow's reply, though it is calculated to recall the ejaculation of thankfulness which Lord Carringtoli declares he overheard at the conclusion of his first effort at oratory in the colonies, " Thank the Lord he can't speak ! " Lord Glasgow, on rising to respond, was cordially received. Having acknowledged the kindness shown to him, he said his life, since his infancy, might be divided into two periods—his service afloat, and his service in the County of Ayr. He thought a naval training was not a bad one for a public man. It taught a man to do his duty well in this world. " Duty " was the motto in the navy, and it ought to be the motto of every good man. (Applause.) Since he had served in the navy lie had lived eighteen years in Ayrshire. He was thankful that during that time he had been able to do his duty without any unpleasant jarring with his neighbours, and without making an enemy. (Apiilause.) He confessed it was very pleasant, although he spoke with mixed feelings, to see around him so many gentlemen with whom lie had been connected in different capacities in the county. He sailed on Friday, and he did not sail alone, for he had taken thirty-five passages to Australia. (Applause.) He was going with a large party, and they were leaving this country, he was happy to say, with the good wishes of all around. (Applause ) They were going to a beautiful country at the other end of the world, where, lie hoped, the next five vears would be happily spent. (Applause.) It would not be proper in him to sit down without adverting to the great honour which had been done to him in the testiinonal which was in course of preparation, and which would have been presented to him on this occasion if time had permitted. When he was asked by his friend Mr. Oswald, in the name of the friends whom he had consulted, as to what shape he desired the testimonial should take, lie thought of the portraits he had seen hanging in that room, and of what had taken place in other counties, and lie came to the conclusion that a portrait of himself, to be handed down as an heirloom to his successors was most fitting. They were kind enough not only to agree to his proposal, but also to commission one of the most eminent artists to paint the portrait. It had given him the greatest pleasure to stand to Professor Herkomer, who was a man of brilliant gifts and great genius. He had stood on live different occasions to Professor Herkomer, and he might say lie had never been more interested, so much so that lie did not feel the time He thought when they saw that picture that they would be pleased with the results, and it would give the greatest satisfaction to Lady Glasgow and himself and children to have such a memento. (Applause.) He thanked them for this honour which they had done to him as their convener. Although he had had great pleasure in being convener of Ayrshire during past times, yet he had felt, since he had been convener of the present County Council, that it was a position of greater responsibility and dignity, because it was the head of a body elected by the whole county to perform duties which were formerly discharged by a certain part of the county. (Applause.) Since he had been convener of the present County Council ho had also felt that it was a body capable of great work and of great usefulness, and that there was before it a career of great prosperity. It was a body capable of doing its work, which met only to do its work and not to talk ; and, after all, now-a-days, that was, he thought, the greatest praise which could be given to any body. (Applause.) He saw around him many old friends, and many with whom he had become acquainted in the County Council; and lie could only say that from both new and old friends he had met with nothing but the greatest kindness and consideration. (Applause.) One of the pleasantest recollections lie would take away to the Antipodes was this banquet. The cordial reception they had given him at it would live for long in his memory. (Applause.) [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Wellington, Saturday. Lord Glasgow arrives in Sydney on the 27th, and leaves on the '29th. He is expected to reach Wellington the sth or 6th of June.