“RING OUT THE OLD, RING IN THE NEW.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8308, 20 December 1912, Page 5

“RING OUT THE OLD, RING IN THE NEW.”

The weather achieved quite a recora feat yesterday, when the blustering wind and pouring rain of the early morning gave way to glorious sunshine in the afternoon. it was a happy augury, and one which we are all ready to believe indicates the pleasantest future relations between their Excellencies and the people of the Dominion. There was a frefill breeze blowing, and not a flag on tlio gaily-dressed warships bnt did itself justice; not an ensign or a pennant on all the gay front of the dingy face ol “the biggest Wooden building in the world” but yuffled bravely in the breeze. The streets wore flecked with little groups of interested people, making their way to the scene of action, but ready on the slightest excuse to pause and watch the squads of Territorials getting into position along the route. For a peace-loving people, we English make a wonderful feature of the human machinery of war, and the interest of a crowd always centres on the military element. So far as color goes, the scene at the ceremony of swearing-in our new Governor would have lacked its most brilliant note but for the scarlet coats, the gold lace, and fluttering illumes of' the officers. Greys, blacks and blues predominated among the ladies of the inner circle, and as the platform filled even the smartest toilettes were effectually eclipsed by the sea of hats, and the lancer plumes, plourant plumes, ospreys and flower gardens which swayed in the breeze. Presently, down the long lano of khaki-colored figures, their Excellencies' carriage came into sight, there was the rattle ox c:\rbiiiovs as the mau-o’-’.varsraen presented arms, and the camera fiends got to work with a will. It was difficult to get a very good v r --‘v of Lord and Lady Liverpool, but one got an impression of quiet dignity, am. genuine graoiousness of bearing. The group formed in the ceremony itself was a very picturesque one. The white wigs and ample gowns of the Chief Justice and tbo Judges, the military and naval officers' uniforms, the fluttering flags overhead, and the brilliant sunshine lighting up the prosperous, well-dressed crowds on the platform, the grass below, and the balcony and windows above, was cheering enough. Lady Liverpool wore a very simple grey coat and skirt, and a hat with sprays of purple clematis. Miss Foljambe was in grey, with black and grey hat.

Lady Stout was in pale grey, with black hat and white ostrich plumes; Mrs Massey’s coat and skirt was of navy blue, and she wore a grey hat with pink roses; Mrs Herdman was in nattier blue with hat en suite; Miss Fraser wore stone grey, with grey and blue hat; Miss Massey, tussore silk; Mrs Godley, grey gown with wide straw hat; Mrs Heard, black satin coat and skirt, and bled hat; Mrs Rolleston, black taffeta silk, black hat with plumes; Mrs Purdy, dark saxe blue, hat in the same shade; Miss Seddon, black velvet with deep collar of cream guipure, black velvet hat, with white plumes. A very beautiful, floral welcome, in the shape of an exquisite basket of pale pink and deep crimson carnations, arranged with asparagus and maiden-hair ferns, awaited Lady Liverpool at her new home. They were the gift of Miss Murray.