LORD RANFURY'S DEPARTURE (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 33

LORD RANF URY'S DEPARTURE (From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, June 20.

The features of to-day's ceremonials in Wellington were the warmth of the fare-, well to Lord Ranfurly and the hearty welcome accorded to his successor Lord Plunket. In sunshine and shower Lord Ranfurly reached our shores, and in sunshine and showers he has taken his departure. But in spite of the inclement weather many thousands of people lined the streets and crowded on to the wharf and the numerous excursion steamers to participate in the farewell. The demonstration of loyalty was as remarkable as it was spontaneous. At 11 o'clock Lord Ranfurly left Government House for the last time, and drove down to -the dais erected in front of the Post Office, amid the cheers of th© thousands of people who lined the route. The scene at Post Office square when Lord Ranfurly said farewell was an inspiriting one. Mr Seddon was greeted enthusiastically by the people as he drove along. He looked well, but those who watched him closely detected a careworn look on his face. At the conclusion of the speech-making, which occupied some time, Lord Ranfurly drove off, amid a renewed outburst of cheering. He was evidently all through the proceedings very much affected, and there can be no doubt that he left the scene of his seven years' labour with more than a pang of regret. For his final words to the people he, however, pulled himself together, and spoke with excellent effect. The whole of the arrangements were most successfully carried out, and sharp to time Lord Ranfurly, with the members of the Ministry, boarded the Government steamer Hinemoa that was waiting for him at the wharf. Noticing Mr Aitke-n, the Mayor of Wellington, on the wharf, the Governor intimated that he would like to say good-bye to him, and his Worship, stepping quickly up the gangway, shook hands the departing Governor. Appropriately enough he was the last man in the capital to shake hands with Lord Ranfurly. In response tc/the cheers of the crowd, the Governor repeatedly lifted his cocked hat. Then the band played the National Anthem, and soon afterwards it struck up " Auld lang syne."' The crowd near by took up the tune, and right along the crowded wharf the people joined in. Lord Ranfurly appeared to be much affected. For a moment he turned his back on the crowd and took a few steps across the deck. Then he turned round smilingly and once more acknowledged the farewells of the crowd. 1 Then the steamer backed fxojn, tk© wharf

and steamed out into the harbour to the booming of the guns of a shore battery. The two warships in harbour — the Psyche and Tauranga — joined in the salute, and tho procession of steamers headed down th© harbour.