GOVERNOR'S AUCKLAND RESIDENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15033, 5 January 1911, Page 4

GOVERNOR'S AUCKLAND RESIDENCE.

_«. REFURNISHING ARRANGEMENTS, IPkh United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, January 2. Aβ is pretty generally known, his Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington) is very charmed with tho vice-regal residence at Auckand, which it was propoeed some time ago shoud be abolished. During his present visit to the city his Excellency hae been staying at tho Northern Club, but he has been in Government House several times, and has shown the keenest interest in the preliminary arrangements that are being made for the refurnishing of the residence. When Cabinet arrived at its decision to retain Government House as a vice-regal resi(lenco, the Public Works Department invited Lord Islington to give an indication of the style in which he desired the refurnishing to be carried out. His Excellency, who is anxious to be in residence at Auckland at the. earliest opportunity, has lost no time in inspecting the house, with a view to deciding what stylo of furniture would look best in it. In view of the fact that this will make the second vice-reeal residence in the Dominion, his Excellency desires that the refurnishing should be carried out on the most economical lines, and that the furniture should be as plain as is compatible with comfort and good taste. Hie Exciilloncy hopes to be in residence by the middle ol March, and as much of the furniture as possible will be purchased in Auckland, or, if it is necessary to have it specially manufactured, as laTge an order will be placed locally as possible. Hie Excellency recognise tho keen interest taken by the people of Auckland in the retention of the house, and he thinks it right that as much as possible of the expenditure on a vice-regal residence should be placed in the city which contains the residence. Lady Islington, who is at present in will visit Auckland at an early date, probably about the middle o! this month, to choose the wallpapers, and give the refurnishers the benefit of her excellent taste in. making their selections. The houeo will be ropainted and repapered, but no structural alterations will be made. The work will be started at an early date, and pushed ahead with the utmost expedition. The present visit has confirmed the high opinion which Lord Islington had formed as to the situation and. surroundings of the residence. He is more than ever charmed wthr the grounds and tho view obtained from them. The grounds are in good order, and his Excellency has expressed hie complete satisfaction with them. He thinks the residence o! Auckland is one of • the most charming Governor's Houses he hae ever seen, ami he has seen a few, and he looke forward to many weeks' residence on tho shores ol the blue and eparkling Waitemata.