THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9013, 19 October 1892, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

A meeting of the general committee appointed to arrange for the reception of His Excellency, Lord Glasgow, in Auckland, was held in the Council Chambers yesterday. Present: Mr. W. Crowbher (Mayor, in the chair), Dr. Walker, Messrs. Atkin, Garratt, Porter, J. L. Holland. G. Kent (Mayor of Newmarket), S. B. Hughes, P. ', Dignan, A. E. Devore, W. J. Courtney, R. < F. Luks, J. Grey, P. A. Philips, Rev. W. Calder, J. H. t'pton. J. J. Holland, Alexander, and a number of others, Mr. W. H. Churton being present as secretary. A letter was read from Mr. Garratt, intimating that the friendly societies, owing to shortness of notice, could not take part in the reception. Mr. Grky moved that the letter be received with regret. This was agreed to. The Skcrktaky read the report of the Procession Committee as to the arrange merits for the procession as follows : — Ist Carriage : His Excellency the Governor, Lady Glasgow, the Mayor and Mayoress. 2nd Carriage: Minister in Attendance Town Clerk, Colonel Boyle, and A.D.C. 3rd Carriage: Miss Hallowes, Lady* Augusta Boyle, Lady Alice Boyle, and an A.D.C. 4th Carriage: Lady Dorothy Gillington, Hen. E. Boyle, and Private Secretary. sth Carriage: Colonel Goring, Captain Bourke, and Naval Officers. 6th Carriage : City Councillors. 7th Carriage : Members of Parliament. Bth Carriage : Chairmen of Local BodiesMr. McMillan (Harbour Board), Sir G. M. O'Rnrke (College Council), Messrs. S. Luke (Education Board), and C. Atkin (Hospital and Charitable Aid Board). Mr. Porter asked if the procession was according to Burke, but Mr Devore said that the procession was, if not exactly in accordance with Burke, in accordance with previous affairs of this kind and they found that the course previously adopted was c i rect. Mr. Michaels was present on behalf of the Caledonian Society, and said that they were of opinion that they ought to give a reception to their fellow countryman. For this purpose they asked leave to form a bodyguard dressed in Highland guard costume around tho Governor's carriage. They would have two champion pipers. He had already spoken to the Mayor on the subject, and he suggested that he (Mr. Michaels) should be present at this meeting. They would have from 20 to 30 present in Highland costume, and Lord Glasgow would no doubt be pleased, but if the committee could not fall in with the suggestions he made they would be willing to fall in with any other arrangements that might bo made by the Committee. The Chairman said that was suggested was that the Caledonian Society should form a Guard of Honour to His Excellency. Colonel Goring thought his duties and those of tho volunteers ceased at the platform. Hitherto they had the police mounted to form an escort on both sides of the carriage, but it was now proposed to substitute the kilted contingent of the Caledonian Society, and he was informed by Colonel Boyle that such an alteration would be accepted by His Excellency. A goo.l deal of discussion ensued as to the place in the procession which should be allotted to the ("ale lonian Society and their pipers. It was recognised that the police was the proper force to form the escort. It was finally agreed on the motion of Dr. VValxkr, seconded by Mr. Kent, " That the offer of the Caledonian Society bo accepted, their position to be in front of the band, and that they march four deep " In reply to Mr. Atkin, the Chairman said they were advertising asking the citizens to observe Thursday as a half holiday, and that was all they could do. Mr. Porter said he thought it was too late, as he understood the wholesale merchants had held a meeting and decided not to close.

The Chairman said they had gone as far as they could in asking the people to observe a half-holiday, and if the warehousemen did not choose to do so they could not compel them. Mr. Luks asked if anything had been done to stop the traffic of trams a«d 'buses and private carriages while the procession was passing. Air. Coi«ktn"ky said the manager of the Tram Company had agreed to do so. The meeting then terminated, The members of the Orange Institution have arranged with the Mayor to present a loyal address of welcome to Lord Glasgow, supplementary to that already telegraphed to His Excellency on his arrival in the colony. The following is the text of the address : — To His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, GC.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Colony of New Zealand : May it please your Excellency,—We, the officers and members of the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand (North Island), have great pleasure in welcoming you to Auckland, as the representative of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria and of the Imperial Government. Our pleasure is all the greater and the more sincere because we feel sure that in your hands the particular interests of our colony and the general interests of the great Empire, of which we form a part, will be ably and faithfully conserved ; while being independent of parties, your administration will not be affected by considerations of patronage and obligation. We have also much pleasure in welcoming the Countess of Glasgow and your family, and hope that during your Excellency's occupancy of the distinguished office of Governor of New Zealand, you may experience nothing to mar the pleasuie of your residence in this colony. Sinned on behalf of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. —VV. J. Masskv (G.N.), Jas. James (D.G.N ), J. Cauohbv (G. Secretary), J. E. Baker (H. Treasurer). The working party engaged in eloping and levelling the mound, ami putting up a guard rail, opposite the Municipal Buildings, completed their work yesterday. Some of the membersol the committee, His Worship the Mayor, Kev. W. Calder, Mr. Blades (chairman of the City Schools Committee), visited the ground, and were satisfied that 1500 children could be accommodated there to sing the National Anthem. In view of His Excellency's arrival, a united practice of the National Anthem was held yesterday in the play ground of Wellesley-street School by the children of the upper standards of the city schools, together with the elder children of Grafton, Newton, and Porisonby School districts Fifteen hundred children took part. The. practice was very successful. Great enthusiasm is being shown by the children, and the display on Thursday promises to be of unusual interest. To-day at three o'clock a rehearsal takes place on the ground in front of the Free Library. The work of decorating the platform at the entrance to the Auckland railway station, and the triumphal arch in Lower Queen-street, adjacent, i* well in hand. Mr. William Goldie, the Domain ranger, was busily engaged yesterday with a party of men decorating the platform. At each corner of the platform fronting the street is a young kauri tree, while the exterior boundary of the platform is covered with nikau palms, cabbage trees, and other floral decorations at intervals. * His Worship the Mayor took Colonel Pat Boyle (private secretary to His Excellency) over the route to be taken by the procession, so as to enable him to be fully acquainted with the details. The Ponsonby avals will muster at the railway station at a quarter to one o'clock to-morrow, in order to leave by the one o'clock train for Onelmngn, where they will form a guard of honour to His Excellency the Governor on landing. At a meeting of the City Schools Committee last evening, it was decided to close the schools at half-past twelve p.m. on Thursday, to permit the children to take part in the demonstration of welcome to Lord Glasgow ; the children of the fourth, fifth, and sixth standards, to re assemble at the schools at two p.m., and proceed thence, accompanied by the teachers, to the vacant plot opposite the municipal buildings, and there take part in the singing of the National Anthem.