THE NEW GOVERNOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1924, Page 8

THE NEW GOVERNOR.

ARRIVAL IN DOMINION.

WELLINGTON’S WARM WELCOME EARLIER VISITS RECALLED. LINKS WITH NEW ZEALAND. By Telefraph—Psiwi AsaoclatlOß. Wellington, Dec. 12 To the accompaniment of a Inga southerly gale and heavy showers of sleety rain the New Governor-General, Mayor-'General Sir Charles Fevgusson, and Lady Alice Fergusison, Miss Fergus” son, and* the Vice-Regal entourage, landed at Wellington this morning from, the Ruahine.

If the welcome accorded to their Excellencies Ly the elements was somewhat cheerless, they received a much warmer and more cordial reception from the people. Despite the inclament weather many thousands of people assembled to welcome their Excellencies, whd were warmly cheered as they passed through the' city streets on their way to Government House. The lauding was made at the new Pipitea wharf shortly after ten o’clock, and a salute of 19 guns was .fired. Hii Excellency inspected the guard of honour from the Ist Wellington Regiment, also a body of Maori War and South African veterans. ASTONISHED AT CHANGES.

Addressing the veterans, Sir Charld Fergusson, who leaves the impression of being an admirable speaker, thanked them for turning out in such large numbers to welcome him, and said he hoped in the near future he would have a further opportunity of discussing their campaigns.

After the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. G. Mitchell, had been presented to their Excellencies by Mr. Massey, the chairman read the board’s address of welcome, to which His Excellency made reply. He thanked the board for the references to his own and Lady Fergusson’s father, botn of whom were former Governors of New Zealandand said it was just fifty years ago last month since he left Wellington harbour. He was astonished at the remarkable developments which had taken place in the harbour, and the up-to-date appliances and facilities which made it & port second to none in the Dominion. He was .sure it would be able to cope with the increasing trade that wtfa bound to grow through the continued prosperity of the Dominion. He and his wife looked forward tqa happy stay here. A FRIENDLY WELCOME. Tlieir Excellencies and party, who had been met in the stream by Cabinet Ministers and naval and military officers, then motored along the waterfront and entered the city boundary from the Brandon Street gates. Here they were inet by the Mayor, Mr Wright, and city councillors, and a welcome was extended by the Mayor in a few quiet words. Members of the council were then presented.

A marked feature of the function was ite friendly tone and the complete absence of formality.

Speaking cn behalf of himself and Lady Alice Fergusson, Sir Charles said it gave them great pleasure to come back to the town where they' had been so happy before. He himself knew Wellington hery well fifty’ years ago, and remembered every inch of the city and harbour. Lady Alice had been there twenty-five years ago, and also remembered the city very’ well.

Their Excellencies then left for Government house, to the accompaniment; of hearty cheers.

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY. WEATHER SPOILS FUNCTION A NOTABLE GATHERING. Wellington, Last Night. After the arrival of General Sit Charles Fergusson and the reception ol the Harbour Board and the City Council the conditions improved during the day, but there were intermittent, showers and a high wind, -which to a large extent spoiled the spectacle for the public at the swearing-in at Parliament Buildings. The ceremony was conducted in the Legislative Council Chamber at 3 o’clock. At 2.55 p.m. Their Excellencies and party’ left Government House for Parliament Buildings, accompanied by a police escort. Troops of the Wellington garrison lined all approaches to the buildings and a portion of Lambton Quay, while bluejackets from the two warships in port, HALS. Dunedin and H.M.S. Veronica, were stationed in Moles worth Street. Near the foot of the steps at the entrance to Parliament Buildings a guard of honour consisting of 100 men and three officera frem the First Battalion of the Wellington Regiment, under the command of Captain Eric Reeves, M.C., was drawn up, and the First Battalion Band was ia attendance.

The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) and members of the Ministry were present, and the official ' party included the Administrator of the ' Government and the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), the genera] officer comimanding the New Zealand rrlitarjr (Major-General C. W. Melvill), the commodore of the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy (Commodore A. Beal) and the naval and military staffs. There were also present judges of the Supreme Court, magistrates, members of the Legislature, heads of departmenta and prominent citizens. Owing to the inclement weather the actual swearingin ceremony had to be carried out in the Legislative Council Chamber, but the lounge was also used to accommodate invitation holders and the members of the general public. On arrival at Parliament Buildings Major-General Sir Charles Fergusson, accompanied by Major-General Melvill, inspected the guard of honour and then proceeded to the Legislative Council Chamber. The oath of office was administered by the Chief Justice, following which a salute of nineteen 'guns tvas fired by the battery of the Royto'y New Zealand Artillery’ at Thorndon reclamation. Before the ceremony concluded the Prime Minister welcomed Their Excellencies on behalf of the people of New Zealand, and Sir Charles Fergusson replied.