THE GOVERNOR'S MOVEMENTS. MELTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4740, 27 April 1877, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR'S MOVEMENTS. MELTON.

\ MEETING OF TOWN COUNCIL. ''" '•-. | The Town Council of' Milton met on Wednesday evening—the Mayor in. the chair.

, The Matok said that with reference to the special meeting which was held on the previous night, he might state that, in accordance, with the resolution passed, he went to Dunedin and made straight for Fernhill. At first he saw the Private Secretary, as the Governor was absent at the time, and made an appointment to see His Excellency at half-past 12. - He did so, arid expressed the; desire of the Council; The Governor replied, stating his great willingness _to comply' if he could.' He.aaid that he had intended to visit Otago in January last, Had now the; arrangements which; had -been made necessitated his being in Wellington, within three weeks of leaving, consequently he pould not give the time to the country districts which he would wish. He was very snxioua to stop a day in Milton, but he was'ignorarit of what arrangements had been made by his Aide-de-Cainp. Several telegrams were on the table from Invercargill and other places. He Lwas not aware where the trains; would meet, : and he (the Mayor) suggested the possibility of the trains passing at Milton, which would allow a stay-of a. quarter-of-an-hour. Mr M'Lean came in at the time, and said he thought if he (the Mayor) could arrange with",the railway authorities he could do as he liked. : He went to the railway authorities and did so. The arrangement was that the train-would arrive at Milton quarter past 8, and the Clutha train would stop at the goods shed till the special train, which would start just in front of the ordinary train, was at the platform with the Governor and suite,' who would receive any of the citizens who rliked to go. He (the Mayor) had fleeri the Station-master that evening, and knew that, the arrangement had been definitely fixed upon. He (the Mayor) had asked the Governor whether he would not be able to stay for lunch, but, as the Council was well.aware, it was as much as he would be able to do to get to Invercargill on Thursday night. Directly he (the Mayoi) had^ made those arrangements he telegraphed to the Town Clerk, in order that i the children from the schools and the volunteers might be in attendance in the morning, but Mr Jones and the officers of. the volunteers think that as the notice was so short the whole -of the" volunteers : would not be able to attend. He had borrowed the flags from the Harbour Board, and they were now at the Station.

; Mr Capstick thought that some person should be engaged at once to arrange the flags, as there was very little time allowed. The : Council should curry out the reception arrangements in a proper manner. i Mr Clegg did not think that the Governor could expect any display of that: description. If the children and brass band met him he thought that would be sufficient. The Go. vernor would npt expect theiri to go to any expense. .•;:.. ■ ■ Mr Moses suggested that a few evergreens should be obtained. .....

; Mr Clegg did not believe in going to unnecessary expense. It would be much better for the Council to improve the streets. ' Mr Moses remarked that the- streets would stop, but the Governor would not.

• Mr Capstick thought His Excellency should be received in a proper manner, and that if the Council neglected to do- so Tokomairiro would get.a much worse name than it now had, and that they should-try to get a better name for it by every legitimate "way, and not object to the spending :of a few pounds; ; He moved that • Messrs M'taren and Moses be authorised to do what.was necessary in the way of giving the Goyernor a suitable reception. : ; Mr Moses seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. ■ ■ THE BEOEPTIOIf. • Yesterday morning before ; 8 o'clock, the bellman succeeded in mustering a large crowd of citizens io the Station, which was prettily decorated with evergreens, and lots of flags (borrowed for the occasion by the Mayor from the Harbour Board); As the train approached the Station, the Mayor and Councillors were in readiness;with: an address; but to their great surprise the train flew by at express j speed, and it was soon evident. that no notice ] was to be taken of Milton. .'...':• i THE ADDRESS. The following is a copy of the address that was to have been presented:— ■■. \ To his Excellency the Marquisi of Norman by— . We, the Mayor and Councillors of Milton, have much pleasure in tenderinsr to your Excellency, as the repie-: sentative of her Majesty, a mo>t. coroial and hearty welcome; and, as the representatives of the town and district, wish to assure y«u of the unbounded loyalty ;of her Majesty's subjects in this part of her dominion. We regret to learn'that; the illness of Lady Normanby has prevented, your Excellency visiting this part of New Zealand earlier, and spending a greater portion of your time in this Province. " ;

• We hava much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of a communication fronryou intimating your intention of visiting the town of Milton on a future occision, and trust that pleasure will be speedily realised. Since tha last time the honour of addressing the representative of Her Majesty in New Zealand was afforded the citizens of Milton,- the Colony has made vast and rapid strides, a large amount ol money has been expended in the Colony under the provisions of the Public Works Act, railways have been constructed, and New Zealand can now be travelled from north to south, the principal portion of the journey being parformed by rail. : > We trust and boliave tint these vaportant measures and works will be for the permanent advancement and benefit of the Colony; connecting, as they do, the settlera and agriculturists with the seaport towns, and affording to that portion of the community a speedy and ready mean's of disposing of their prcduce by sale or export. ; - ; . ... Wishing Your Excellency much pleasure; benefit, and i>^formation from your short and hurried visit, which we hope may tend to the Advancement of the Colony, we subscribe ourselves Her Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects. : ■•".•.; ~:'. r.