GOVERNOR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 98, 20 December 1912, Page 8

GOVERNOR.

WELCOME AT WELLINGTON'

(Per Press Association A Wellington, December 19

Though the early morning had been made gloomy by heavy driving rain squalls, the clouds cleared away towards midday, and when the special 12.30 with Lord and Lady Liverpool, bright sunshine prevailed. There was a'.fair gathering of the public, win greeted their Excellencies with warm welcoming cheers. At the station a space had been reserved, to which only Ministers of the Crown, the -Mayor of the city, Councillors and members of public bodies and their wives were allowed entry. Amongst those present were the Hons. H. It. Bell, W. H. Herries, 11. H. llhodes, A. L. Herdman, and Dr. Tomato, the Mayor (Mr. i). McLaren), the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. 11. ILrcUor) and the members of the City Council. On alighting from the train His Excellency and the Countess of Liverpool were introduced by the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey), to the Ministers and the Mayor. Mr. Mel area in welcoming Lord and Lady L. /crpooi on behalf of the people of Wei'.'iigton, referred to the fact that His Excellency’s father was in New Zealand in the time of the Waikato war to help the country in its hour of trial. ‘Surely, then,” he said, “Your Excellency must belong to us, and our welcome is the more hearty on that account.”

His Excellency, in reply, said: 1 thank you cordially for the v arm welcome which you have exceeded to me as the representative of the Sovereign, on my arrival at Vi eilington, and for your expressions of loyalty. You nave also struck a personal note, and 1 cannot express adequately liow much J appreciate the spontaneous expression of goodwill and kindliness contained in the words you have uttered, and while expressing my deep gratitude to the citizens of Wellington lor their warm welcome, 1 must assure you that Lady Liverpool and myself will strive our hardest to merit your esteem, and when my term of office comes to an end 1 trust that, in some small degree, 1 shall have merited your approval, which 1 know my predecessor, Lord Islington, so well earned. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” (Applause.) At the call of the Mayor, cheers were given for Lord and Lady Liver-

pool, who then left for Government House.

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

Lord Liverpool was formally sworn in as Governor of New Zealand at 3 o’clock this afternoon. As His Excellency left the Vice-Regal residence He Royal New Zealand Artillery tired a sglute at Pipitea Point. The journey to the centre of the city was quiet. The ships in the harbour wore decorated, and flags were iiying from a number of the principal buildings. Along Larnbton Quay the roadway was lined with troops on* the seaward side, leaving the rest of the thoroughfare free for traffic. As His Excellency’s carriage drove along the quay he was saluted here and there by the onlookers, and readily acknowledged the courtesy when ,he recognised it. At the Government Buildings a fairly large crowd uad assembled to witness the swear-ing-in ceremony. On the platform were the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Crown, and tho commanders and officers of the British warships and the German cruiser Cormorant, the Mayor of Wellington, Major-General Godlcy, Colonel Collins (lion. A.D.C. to His Excellency), Bishop Sprott, members of the New Zealand General Staff, and many members of Parliament and prominent citizens.

Promptly at 3 o’clock the Administrator (Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice) arrived. He was accompanied by Lady Stout, His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman, and Mr. 1). G. A. Cooper (Registrar of the Supreme Court), ana Mr. F. J. Andrews (Clerk of the Executive Committee). A few moments later His Excellency the Governordesignate, attended by the Countess of Liverpool, Miss Follyejamb'e,a nd Captains Shawe and Eastwood, A.H.C.’s, arm ed. As soon as His Excellency had taken his seat on the dias, the Secretary of the Executive read the commission appointing His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. Then Sir Robert Stout administered the oajths of office and allegiance. His Exec lei icy's signature having been witnessed by the Chief Justice and Prime Minister, while a score of photographers snapped him, the Governor read a message from the King, expressing bis pleasant recollections of New Zealand, and how much lie and the Queen had enjoyed their visit. Mr. Massey called for three cheers for the King and Queen? These were heartily given, and the band played “God Save the King.”

The Prime Minister, in extending a welcome to their Excellencies, said that the people of New Zealand had reason to congratulate themselves on the type of men who had been chosen to govern this country. Throughout New Zealand the true British spirit obtained, and in the farthest out parts of the country a happy, hearty and sincere welcome always awaited the King’s representatives. It was as well to remember that there was a bond of interest between Lord Liverpool’s family' and New Zealand, his father having served in the Maori War. His father little thought in those days that his son would one dav be (lover-

nor of Now Zealand. (Applause.) Many other changes had taken place since that time, and to-day the Maori was our fellow-citizen, and just as ready to fight for the British Hag as those of British descent. He wished their Excell ncics a welcome on Behalf of the whole of the people of New Zealand, and prosperity and happiness in the corning year. Lord Liverpool expressed appreciation for the hearty welcome he and the Countess had received. Thev would do

I their best to deserve that kindness. The New Year was approaching, when one felt a desire to do good to someone, and he would do his best for th« Dominion of which he was now Governor. (Applause.) After spending some time in introductions and conversation, His Excellency left for Government House.