SIR G. F. BOWEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 846, 15 February 1868, Page 6

SIR G. F. BO WEN.

An Australian paper gives the following short notice of Sir G. F. Bowen, as Governor of Queensland : —

Hi 3 Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen, G.C.M.G., was appointed Governor of Queensland on the 10th of July, 1859, and arrived in Brisbane on the 10 th of December following. Sir George was born in 1821, and was educated at the Charterhouse and at Oxford ; at the latter he took a first-class degree in 1844, and afterwards became a Fellow of Brasenose, and a member of Lincoln's Inn. Previous to the Queensland appointment, Sir George Bowen had been Governor of the lonian Islands, and received the command of Her Majesty to proceed to our northern sister colony whilst holding that position.

The first Parliament of Queensland was opened on the 22nd May, 18G0 ; and the first session by Sir George Bowen, on the Ist June, 1860. From December uutil May, the Governor assiduously labored to form the various departments, and having visited Sir William Denison, at Sydney en route to Brisbane, received many suggestions from the then Governor of New South Wales, who advised and counselled his friend before taking up his new position. It Avas thought that any errors which had been committed by the older Colonies in the control of the Civil Service might be remedied, and it is evident that Sir George gave every attention to all the details of arrangement, and the Government of Queensland was commenced in a manner that gave indications of success. It may here be mentioned that the reverses and stagnation of | trade which have befallen that Colony during the past two years are not attributable to the conduct of the Governor, but to the too rapid progress of public works and railways, the stoppage of immigration, the reckless speculation of adventurers, and other similar causes. This, however, Irts not permanently injured the Colony, as it appears again likely to make advances which, with its wonderful resources, must place it in a prosperous condition. Two years since, Sir George Bowen made himself somewhat unpopular with a large portion of the inhabitants of Queensland, owing to his refusal to give the Royal assent to the issue of " green-

LbackjE&by.the. Goverament.oi Queensland. H^rpiai^ed the first, and I unhesitatingly;, 'decW'd" W give ,hia approval Waay'sch^me^on" raising money, except' by means ;pf Treasury Bilk This laiter , pQurse w,as subsequently adopted, and though ,an attempt was'made to throw blame on Sir George,, his conduct has received "the cordial sanction of the Home Government. He has, in despatches and otherwise, exerted Himself to elevate Queensland, and it was doubtless through, his attachment to it, that he disowned and thwarted the "greenbacks." Sir George Bowen, is now called upon to remove to the more important Government of New Zealand.- ,The sagacity and laborious energy, with which' he has. administered the, Government of Queensland are indications that he will be well fitted for his new sphere, and we feel sure thathis affable demeanour will win for him: the esteem of the settlers in New Zealand, whilst his good judgment and wise tactics will doubtless secure the approval of Her Majesty's Government.

Referring to the departure of Sir George Bowen from Queensland the Brisbane Courier states that, " Sir George Bowen had no personal friendship or acquaintance with the Duke of Buckingham, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that this high appointment (as Governor of New Zealand) has been conferred on him entirely on public grounds, and as a recognition of his public conduct as the first Governor of Queensland. The salary is(besides allowances) L6OOO a year, of which L 4500 is paid by the Colony, and LISOO by the Imperial Government. There are two Government Houses, one at Auckland and the other at Wellington."