WELLINGTON’S SUNNY WELCOME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8308, 20 December 1912, Page 1

WELLINGTON’S SUNNY WELCOME

TO KING’S REPRESENTATIVE ARRIVAL OF LORD AND LADY LIVERPOOL BRILLIANT SCENE AT SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

Eight cordially did the capital welcome our hew representatives of royalty --the Earl'and- Countess of Liverpool—on their arrival ' yesterday. Fortune gladdened and) - warmed, the greetings of the citizens, for , surely none but the most ardent optimist, during the pitiless deluge that lashed and drenched the city in the ~ early forenoon, would have predicted such a brilliant day. sombre nimbus ; rolled away, and the send flew before the 1 bluster. Nor did "the olonds return after the rain. * rhe heavens cleared;‘the sun shone out gloriously. Almost. tropic in vividness was the: rich deep, blue-overhead. Banting fluttered bravely > from Government and commercial buildings. Ships in port, including HA4.S. Cambrian and our German visitor, assumed a festive dress, and thousands thronged the main streets to give their cheers, and smiles. It was a ■ wonderful- transformation from drabness to splendor. The result - was a hearty and ■ royal : welcome, without a

hitch in thewell-planned arrangements. AEEIVAL ,AT ■ THOBNDON. • The special train conveying. their Excellencies arrived at Thorndon elation at 12.40 p.m. Within the xaded-oftepace of. debarkation were the .Hone. H- T). Bell K. It- Ehodes, A. L. Herdman, W. H. ferries, and Dr Pomare. the Mayor (Sir D McLaren), the chairman of, the Harbor Board (Mr E. Fletcher), and members of the City , Conncil. Outside the station. a fairly -■ largo crowd .had assembled, curious to catch- a glimpse of the new Governor as he came away by motor car. The citizens quietly awaited his appearance. ■ > WELCOME BY THE-MAYOE. , When their Excellencies; had alighted, the Mayor said that on behalf of the council and the entire body of citizens, he desired to tender to Lady ■ and Lord Liverpool a most hearty-welcome.. “You; come to us as another human, link in , the chain that binds us in affectionate loyalty to the Throne, and, to.the great Em-

AFTER-.VBB SWEAEIMJ-IN CEREMONY* THE PEDDS MINISTER _ ■ra - rtp.- TifiBBUT HTymy, CHIEE J UHTICB} NEXT IS EOB.D XJ.yEjKPQQjL'. THEN^IiAEY - ‘ £OOL C JUBBBT«'V. " -

'pire of which, we form a part- -fto lll ti*® great throbbing city of Ixindon—the can,tre and .‘heart,, may: 1 say t—of the British Empire.. you have come ■to our small ■ city, and your presence here, is a great : honor to us. As representing, his Majes- - :ty the King, we' realise, that you will, have a deep and abiding interest m all <wjr ■ institutions, and everything that affects the well-being of the; people. . . . :in leaving ; the- .sea-girt .coast of - the Motherland—that land which our people delight'- in, calling the Motherland we desire that you will realise you have come. to another : sea-girt and maritime country, - which is; spoken of as the Britain of the - South. • Here y6u will meet not another people, but; people of.. the 'same virile race, with the same tenacity of purpose, which you - know so well belongs to the,people of the Old Land. The interests -of our people in all healthful exorcises, in sports ’ and / pastimes, will, ’,we know, ■ receive additional help and .very beneficent patronage from your Excellency. We know you are what

oolcnial poople call 'a good sport,' if 1 may use the'tetin with respect, You have a. solid? interest • in>; all >. games. ... CLOUD : OF" WHITENESS. Our , Maori people hare called this land Aotea-Koa —the Long White Cloud —and ■ our’wish 1 is that it may bo a cloud of whiteness and ■ peacefulness for Lady , Liverpool ■ and yourself. it is right and fitting that the footsteps of the son should tread in the way of the father. Your Excellency's father, I have read, was in this country in the early period of trial and tribulation, and we feel that your Excellency is one of our own, and that we , are receiving you, not os a stranger,, but as one- wo are entitled to love and respect. ,r flu this young land the problems of oar people are not so complex as those of the Mother Country, • but their essential oharacterfis the same. We have our issueaof trade, commerce, education, defence,’ and Imperial relationship. Your Excellency, with the larger experience in . the wide field of Imperial affairs, can give us good guidance and assistance in these, matters. Our people desire to recognise the Imperial spirit which ensures that there is a . duty to serve the whole Empire, in loyalty to the Mother Country. Our interest is not merely with this Dominion, but with Canada, ' South Africa, Australia—all British possessions—as well. Our feeling is that you oome to us with a message from these lands as well as from the people bf England. Your presence will aid us to realise still more "the unity of pur Empire. ■ _ NATURAL BEAUTIES. May I say we are proud to think that during your stay here you will be interested in the natural beauties of this country. ■ As a people we seek to be as modest as possible, but we are proud of the mountains, lochs and fella of this Britain o£ the _ Sonth. , . . At the entrance of ,onr city, I extend to your Excellencies most hearty greetings, and trust your stay will bo . long, pleasurable, and profitable." (Applause.) GOVERNOR'S REPLY. Lord Liverpool, in reply, said: "Mr Mayor, ladies, and gentlemen,—l tbarlr you cordially for the warm welcome winch you- have extended to m<» as the representative of the Sovereign, on my arrhal at Wellington, and for vour expressions of loyalty. ; You have also struck a personal note, and I cannot express adequately how much* I appreciate the spontaneous expression of goodwill and kindliness contained in the words you have uttered. And while expressing my deep gratitude to the citizens of Wellington for their warm welcome, I must assure you that Lady Liverpool and myself will. strive our hardest to merit your esteem, and when my term of office - comes' to an end I trust that in some small , degree I Shall have merited your - approval, which I know my predecessor, Lord Islington, so well earned. I ' thank yon from the bottom of my heart.” (Applause.) . CROWD AT THE STATION. At the Mayor's suggestion, three hearty cheers were given for Lord and Lady Liverpool. As their Excellencies departed, the click of many cameras was heard, and the crowd gathered round the station gate. There was, however, no demonstration, and their Excellencies proceeded to Government House. swearing-in' ceremony BRILLIANT AND PICTURESQUE SCENE. The ceremony of swearing-in Lord Liverpool as Governor took place at the Government Buildings at 3 p.m., in the presence of : a brilliant gathering of military, naval and official functionaries, besides a large number of representative citizens. . A big crowd assembled on

Lambfcon quay, and etood on the slope?? of Parliament House grounds. Streamers of many-colored bunting flew from old Government House, a« we 11 as across the bay formed by the Government Buildings. A squad of smart bluejackets from 11.M.5. Cambrian was drawn up in front of the dais, on which the gold laco and white plumes of military officers wore conspicuous. Among those who attracted much attention were several officers from the German cruiser Comraoran, including Commander Ebort, who were brilliant ia gold laced cockades and uniforms. The polished steel of fjwords glinted in. the dazzling sun, and the vari-colored costumes of ladies helped to diversify the kaleidoscope of color. Senior cadets and Territorials lined Lambton quay from the Public trust corner to the buildings, for hja Lxcelloncy’s approach. A knot of enterprising “snappers’' kept up an incessant clicking during the proceedings, and rnoro than ono displayed uncommon timority in securing a close now. -fill Cabinet Ministers in town were present. Among thoso on tho dais woro tno Commander of H.M.S. Cambrian. MajorGeneral Godley, Colonel (oUins. Bishop Sprott, the Mayor, several M.P. s and representatives of tho professions. A QUXET PROGRESS.

Sir Robert Stont. Administrator of tho Government, accompanied by Rady Stout and Mr Justice Chapman, emerged irom tho building just on 3 P-m. . Tho Governor, who had loft tho viceregal residence at 2-40 p.m. to tho accompaniment of a salute by tho Royal Artillery, had an undemonstrative progress through tho city. Though many people were abroad, thoy did not seem to bo concentrated at any ono point, and thoy flowed evenly and easily all along the main route. His Excelloucy and Rady Liverpool, attended by Captains Shawo and Eastwood, A.D.C.’s. and Miss Foliambo. arrived promptly at too appointed time, and Lora Liverpool toot his scat in tho centre of tho dais. OATHS ADMINISTERED. After the clerk of the Executive Council (Mr J. F. Andrews) had read the commission by which his Excellency was appointed. Sir Robert Stont administered the oaths of office. Lord Liverpool s signatures being witnessed by tho Pnmo Minister and Sir Robert Stout. By the oaths Lord Liverpool swears to administer justice impartially,” and 'to be faithful and bear true allegiance to King Georgo.” MESSAGE FROM THE KING. His Excellency intimated that he had a message from his Majesty the King. His Majesty desired him to say how deeply interested ho was in everything connected with this Dominion, what pleasant recollections ho had of his stay in these islands, and how much, both he and her Majesty tho Queen had enjoyed their visit. Three cheers were given for the King and Queen, and tho band played the National Anthem. WELCOME BY PRIME MINISTER. Tho Prime Minister (Hon W. F. Massey) said: “Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen. —As Prime . Minister, I desire to convey to you and Lady Liverpool the very heartiest welcome irom the people of this country, and I think that on an occasion like this it is well to remember that we are pleased to congratulate ourselves on the type of men who have bean chosen by the Imperial author!ties to represent the Sovereign in this country. They have been statesmen. Imperialists, and living models of British citizenship, and it is veiy easy to predict that Lord and Lady Liverpool will be no exception to the rule, but will live up to the brightest traditions of tho important office to which they have been called. Let mo also say that whether in the busy streets of our cities, or whether away out in tho bush —where men and women are doing what is necessary in the way of pioneer settlement and wherever New Zealanders follow their callings—tho true British spirit obtains in New Zealand, and when opportunity offers, they would extend the heartiest of welcomes to Lord and Lady Liverpool. BOND OP INTEREST. It is well to remember that though this is the first time Lord Liverpool has visited New Zealand, there has been for many years a bond of interest between his family and New Zealand. During the dark days and stirring times of the Maori war. Lord Liverpool’s father served as an officer, with the British forces in this country. (Applause.) 1 venture to say that at that time little the officer of whom I am speaking thought his son would, one day be Governor of New Zealand. But so it has turned out. There have been many other changes. The Maori, who had a gallant name as a foe, is now our fellow citizen, and he shares with ns our joys and sorrows, in our prosperity and our adversity; and if again required would be just as ready to fight for the British flag aa his fellow citizen. Lord Liverpool, let mo again extend a very hearty welcome. Lot me hope, on behalf of this country, that during your stay in New Zealand yon will have a very pleasant time. Let me wish you a very happy New Tear, and 365 very happy days in the coming year.” At the call of tho Prime Minister, three more cheers were given for their Excellencies. LORD LIVERPOOL’S REPLY WILL TRY 10 DESERVE KINDNESS. Lord Liverpool, speaking in clear, resonant tones, said: “Mr Prime Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen. —Pew words of mine can express our deep appreciation of the kindness, good-will, and heartiness which we have received, not only since we landed in New Zealand, but also in Australia —it began when we arrived in Sydney. We feel your kindness very deeply. We will try to deserve your kindness. On the eve of the New Year, when most of us are trying to think we will do good for someone, there is nothing so good as to be able to do something for this great Empire of ours, which started from such small and insignificant beginnings. I know Lady Liverpool and I will try to do all wo can for this splendid Dominion. I thank you from tho bottom of my heart for the very cordial reception you kavo given (Applause,) As the vies-regal party drove away to Government House cheers frequently broke forth along tho route, and Lambton quay was a scene of great animation.