OUR NEW GOVERNOR

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

OUR NEW GOVERNOR

The crowds of the morning that had nie^ to speed the parting guest began, to re-ass-emble for the welcome to Lord Plunket. Again there was a brave show and a great display of the military. The cadets, who lined the route near the wharves, made a particularly striking show. After a damp and dioary waiting a subdued murmur and a. movement in the dense crowd denoted Lord Plunket was coming. There was a clatter of outriders, the roll of carriage wheels, and the new Governor's equipage drew tip in style before ths pavilion — a very smarir brougham, with, wheels that matched the yellow lacings on the liveries. It was drawn by four line horses, with the unaccustomed addition of a postillion. There were in the carriage, besides Lord Plunketi (who, by tho way, is quite unlike his photograph), Lady Plunket, tho Hon. Kathleen Plunket (his Excellency's sister), and Captain Braithwaite (the aide-de-camp). The lady who is to be hostess at Government House is slight, of middle height, with delicate features and pretty golden brown hair. She wore a frock of mouse-coloured paune, with moleskin and ermine fur pelerine opening ovei a lace vest. Her hat was white velvet, with a large feather pompom on tho left fide, but its first appearance will probably be its last, for the rain that fell through the red baize and the chinks in the pavilion roof goon spotted it with crimson stains, to the undisguised dismay of the ladies behind. However. Lady Plunket took the disloyal vagaries of our climate with tho sweetest pelf-possess^on. Her sister-in-laiv wore a simple but smart blue cloth, with touches of white. Her furs were wliito, and her has while felt with ostrich feathers. In, another carnage wore three of Lcrd Plunfcet's children. By this time tho crowd had increased to large proportions, and the new Governor was greeted with loud cheering. The rain, which now began to fall heavily, produced as if by magic a forest of umbrellas, which stretched far along the streets. The presentation oE addresses having been made, a long procession of Volunteers, members of friendly societies, and carriages with Ministers and officers, escorted Lord arid Lady Plunket to Parliament Hous-e, where, under the portico at tho main entrance, our new Governor was duly sworn in. On th-? steps of the portico a dais had boon formed for tho swearing-in ceremony, and behind ihis, in the portico of Parlian.-enfc Br.iHings, were accommodated a-- i!i<iny guests as spac<* would permit. All rcuad tho railings outside tho grounds thousands of people congregated to watch the spectacle. The commission was rea-d by Mr Andrews, Secretary to the Cabinet, and oaths were administered Ly Sir Justice Williams (in ire absence of the Chief Justice), viho v.-as attended by Mr Justic-3 Chapman and Mr D. G. A. Cooper, regi-atiar cf die Supremo Cour:. At the earliest possible moment the new Governor took the opportunity ~.i :Vhver* ing to the people of New Zealand a message from his Majesty the King-. This was received with an outburst of most «tithusiattic cheering. A few minute;; later LorJ Plunket prepared +0 takc> his departure foj Government House. His carriage, which was driv-ji up to tb-c steps, v. as now closed in, but at the Governor's request it was opened, and sit this c there was a renewed outburst of cheering. The day's oeremoliws wero now at an end, and the Governor and Lady Plunket drove off in tho rain to Governmont House.

l^o-rtl and Lady 3?luuk&fc liSive arv':-.-ck\ in. the best 01 health. The Governor's si-ter (tho Hon. Kathleen Plunk&fc) has taken advantage of the opportunity to coma onfc to soo New Zealanu. Miss Fjelding, a daughter of l.ady Louisa Fielding, was a me mber of the party as far a.s Hobart. Miss Fielding is paying a visit to Lord and Lady Northcote afc Melbourne. Tira voyage out has beea uneventful ami the conditions enjoyable, with the exception of the first two \lsvy9 cut from Hc4wrt, when a beam so?, was experienced. Lord and Lady Plunket went ashore at Hobsrt, and were driven round in the morning by the Premier, and in the afternoon by the Acting-Governor (Sir John Dodds, C.J.), wlicse guests the visitors were during their few hours' stay at Hobart.