ARRIVAL OF LADY GORDON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6272, 19 May 1881, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF LADY GORDON.

The Queen’s Wharf wore an unusually gay appearance on Thnrs ,J av, ‘27th tilt, on the occasion of Lady Gordon's arrival in Wellington. All the ships hoisted th -ir bunting—in fact, every vessel in port was gaily decked out. The work cf discharging the various vessels was, for the time, stopped, and everybody j dned in bidding her ladyship a hearty welcome to her future home. The Hxaemoa, which vessel brought her ladv.-hip from the Manukau, was signalled as being ' the Heads at n ca, but, as arrangemek > were nude ashore that the landing should not take place until 3 o’clock, Captain Johnston received instructions to drop anchor, winch he accordingly did in vV orders Bay. Kis Excellency drove round during the forenoon to the Pilot Station, and word was sent over by tolegraph to Pilot Holmes to have a boat in read mess to c -»uvey His Excellency on board the steamer. Immediately the steamer oast anchor, Sir Arthur Gordon was pulled off by the pilut cn-w, .and accompanied the Hinemoa round to the wharf. The City Guards and their band, under command of Lieutenant Blundell, fell in at the Drillshed at half-past 2 o’clock, also a detachment of the Armed Constabukary, iu charge of SubInspector Coleman. Directly the Hinemea was seen rounding Harwell X\>int the Guards, headed by their band, left the Drid-t-hed, the Armed Constabulary bringing up the rear. They were marched down the wharf and formed into a double file. The Hinemoa was brought alongside the wharf in splendid style by Captain Johnston, and directly the stage was placed ashore the Hon. John Hall, Premier, and Mrs. Ha l !, the Hon. Mr. and Mrs, Dick, and the Huns. Messrs. Johnston and Oliver went on board, and we.’o introduced to the vice-regal party. Amongst those who received them were his Worship the Mayor, Mrs. Hutchison, and the Misses Hutchison, the Hon. Mr. Pnarnzyn, Hon, Mr. Martin, and Hon. Mr. Johnston, Archdeacon Stock, and Rev. Mr. Harvey, the City Councillors, and a number of leading citizens. His Excellency and Lady Gordou were not long in getting ashore, and at the shore end ol the stage her ladyship was welcomed by his Worship the Mayor and his family. Miss Mary Hutchison, his Worship’s youngest daughter, presented Lady Gordon, with a very pretty bouquet, consisting principally of a ch' ice collection of white roses intermingled with iorget-me nets and mignonette. Her ladyship received the bouquet in the most pleasing manner, and thanked Miss Hutchison [very The Guards at this stage of the proceedings presented arms, and the band pUytd the National Anthem. Three hearty cheers were next given by the assemblage on the wharf. This was taken up by the sailors on the Crownthurpe, who mustered on the. bowsprit of their vessel and gave a right good sailors’ cheer. Her ladyship was evidently highly pleased with the welcome accorded and smiled moat pleasantly on all around her. Besides the crowd that assembled on the wharf a large i number of persons went on board the barque * Himalaya, where they obtained an elevated position to better see the landing. His Excellency’s carriage was in waiting on the , wharf, and he and Lady Gordon, Miss Hamilton Gordon (His Excellency’s niece) and the two Misses Gordon were driven to Govern- [ ment House. The display of hunting was none the less ashore than on-the vessels ; everybody that had a flagstaff hoisted their flags iu honor of the occasion. Though the weather looked very threatening, the rain fortunately kept off til! the ceremonial was over.