THE GOVERNOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11365, 7 May 1900, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR.

VISIT TO THE COSTLEY BOYS' INSTITUTE. ■

On Saturday afternoon, at three o'clock, His Excellency the Governor and the Countess of Ranfurl/, accompanied by the Hon. Chas. Hill Trevor, A.D.C., paid a visit to the Cost-ley Boys' Training Institute, Richmond Road. Some of the residents of the thoroughfare hoisted the Union Jack and other flags, on their flagstaff's, in compliment to the viceregal party. The institute was also gaily decorated, there being over tho portico the Union Jack floating in the breeze from tie flagstaff, with the legend underneath, ' Welcome," while on the two flagpoles on either side of the gateway, were the Irish flag, with a green ground, Irish harp, and Union Jack in upper corner, and the Stars and Stripes. The vice-regal party were received by the trustees, the Hon. Colonel Haultain, Captain Daldy, and Major Morrow, and the master and matron, Mr. and Mrs. Hendre, Mr. W. Thome (one of the trustees) was unavoidably absent. The vice-regal party were conducted to the gymnasium, where the boys were drawn up, under Professor Carrollo, and sang " God Save the Queen," Mr. Mackune, the instructor in carpentry, etc., playing the pianoforte accompaniment. The boys then went through a gymnastic programme, including Indian clubs, parallel bars, and forming living pyramids, the exercises being efficiently and cleverly done. The boys (24 in number) sang an action song, "Sons of the Sea." The vice-regal party then inspected the entire kitchen, dining and sitting rooms, and dormitories— and His Excellency made special inquiries as to the drainage and Sanitary appliances of the institution, with which he was thoroughly satisfied. A number of the lads, who are apprenticed to various trades in the city—carpentring, bootmaking, saddlery, tailoring, bookbinding, and engineering— some of their work, such as saddles, boots, a coat, and specimens of engineering work (a model of a stfun engine), etc., and His Excellency and the Countess of Ranfurly inspected the exhibits, and were much pleased with them.

Afterwards His Excellency expressed a wish that the boys should fall out, that lie might have a talk with them personally. His Excellency made particular inquiry from the boys, in a kindly manner, respecting their different trades, their work, and themselves, adding a few words of kindly encouragement. In going through the institution His Excellency expressed himself as well pleased with the interior econi my of the institute, and especially was gWI to see that carpets were absent, and the dean wood in evidence, as it was so much more wholesome. Inquiring as to who did the excellent scrubbing, His Excellency was informed that it was all done by the boys. His Excellency was informed that one of the "old boys," Woods, had gone away to the war in South Africa, in the First. Contingent. Lord Ranfurly said that in his inspection of that contingent lie remembered a, man named Woods, and his face, perfectly well, but did not know till then tlfa't he had graduated at the Costley Boys' Institute. "Afternoon tea" having been dispensed the vice-regal party signed the visitors' book, and took their departure, having spent an hour and a-half in their visit of inspection. As they left the institute the boys formed line on either side of the gateway, and gave three hearty cheers for the Governor, and one cheer more for the Countess.

Yesterday forenoon His Excellency the Governor, accompanied bv the Hon. Chas. Hill Trevor, A.D.C., left'by train for Onehunga, in order to embark on the s.s. Oairloch, en route for Wellington. Lord Ranfurly's visit to Wellington is on official business, and is not expected to extend over a week.