HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1325, 21 April 1877, Page 10

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday last, "to "decide upon tho reception to be given to His Excellency on his arrival in Dunedin. The following members were present : — His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Brown, Walter, Isaac, Fish, Mollison, Roberts, Wright, Woodland, Campbe l !, and Thomson.

The_ Mayor stated that he had called tbe Council together for the purpose or considering a telegram which he received on the preyious day from His Excellency the Governor's private secretary announcing his intended visit to Dunedin. His Excellency was expected to arrive on Friday next, and he thought it would be well to call the Council together in order to see what should be dene o?i the occasion. The present Governor visited Dunedin some years ago, and upon that occasion there was a demonstration. He did not know whether it wimld be necessary to have one now, but seeing that we have uo local Government, there would be no provision in any way for receiving him. It would be noticad by the telegram that the number of the Governor's suite was given as six. He did not know if that was a hint for the Corporation to provide for thpin. As the discussion was likely to be a discursive ono, perhaps it would be advisable for the Council to go into Committee. Mr Fish asked if the telegram before them

was the first intimation received by His Worship, ox whether the latter had himself telegraphed. The Mayor : TLat is the first and only com murication.

Mr Isaac thought if Councillors were going to make long political speeches it would be better to go into Committee. But he thought it would be just as vrell to take the diseu^ion in public if they were simply going to consider how the Governor should be received, and whether there should be a public demonstration, or whether he should be allowed to come here quietly in the same way as other Governors had come after their first Viceregal visit. But seeing the discussion would probably take a political turn, he moved that the Council resolve itself into Committee.

]VJ> Campbell seconded the motion for going into Committee. He did not think there was any necessity for speechifying or entering into politics at all. Mr Walter said the idea of this matter having any political significance was entirely absurd. They were entirely independent of politics, and the Governor was not suffered to be a party politician. They would receive him simply as the representative of Her Majesty. At first he thought he would support going iu f o Comnrittee, bat now he would certainly oppose ib. He hoped the good taste of members would lead them to refrain from anything hav'ng a political signification. Mr Fish endorsed what had fallen from Mr Walter, and thought the question could be very fairly considered in open Council. He did not see why they should hide their opinions in the matter. He thought they could consider tbe telegram without saying anything improper to appear in print, and would endeavour to treat his Excellency with that respect which his high office demanded. 1 It was agreed that the Council should not go into Committee.

Mr Walter moved — "That, this Council receive His Excellency the Governor on his entrance into the City, and that an address be presented to him congratulating him on his second visit." He would only say that he thought it was their duty, as the representatives of the principal city in New Zealand, to receive His Excellency in a dignified and respectful manner. He would not support any attempt at extravagance. He would also move " That a Committee, consisting ef His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Campbell, Fish, Brown, and the mover, be appointed to make the necessary arrangements." , Mr Walter's motion — with His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Fish, Thomson, and the mover as the Committee — was then carried by six votes against four. The voting was as follows : — Ayes : Messrs Walter, Fish, Roberts, Campbell, Thomson, and Mollison. Noes: Messrs Brown, Isaac, Wright, and Woodlard. Mr Weight : I shall object to any money being spent.

Mr Isaac : I move that not one shilling be spent upon the reception of the Governor. Mr Fish moved that the Committee be instructed to spend such a sum as might be necessary up to L2O or L 25. He did not think the expense would amount to that. Mr Campbell seconded Mr Fish's motion. He did not think they should exhibit meanness.

Mr Fish's motion was carried by six against four.

A letter was received from Messrs Findlay and Co. offering to please a saloon railway carriage, made by them in Dunedin, at the disposal of His Excellency the Governor on the arrival of the former at Port Chalmers. The letter was referred to the Committee. The Council then adjourned.