THE GOVERNOR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6120, 5 March 1898, Page 7

THE GOVERNOR.

VISIT TO RANGIORa!" The vice-regal party was driven to the Junction . Hotel for luncheon, provided by the Borough Council. The Id ay or had on his right his Excellency, and on his left Mr R. Moore, M.H.R. There- 'were also present — Captain Alexander, A.D.C., lap tain Helmore, Messrs U. W.. Bishop, S.M., J. Johnston, M. Macfavlane, R. W. Chapman, W. Buss, A. P. 1 utton, J. O. Jones, A. Y. Hay, G. .Wallace (chniruian Mandeville ani ]Jangiora Road Board), J. Dobaon, A. Todd, H. . Boyd, D. Buddo, H. Blacken;, H. Turner, Dr Vulcknian, Rev3 F. P. Fendall, Father Aubrey, A. Doull, the Mayor of Kaiapoi (Mr J. L. Wilson), Councillors Cone, Good, Luzton, Blackett, Koir, Foster and the Town Clerk (Mr. M. ■ Amy,). After the toast of "The Queen" had been honoured, tho Mayor proposed tbat of ••' Our distinguished visitor, his Excellency the Governor." He remarked that this was the. first occasion since the establishment of the borough that they had been honoured with an official visit from a Governor of the colony. They certainly on one occasion captured Lord Onslow at the railway station, and in. the brief space of ten > minutes presented him with an address, and did 1 their best to prove their loyalty. He (the Mayor) referred to visits of former Governors, and said that it went without saying that the people of Rangiora were pleased to welcome his Excellency, and regretted that Lady Ranf urly had not been able to accompany him. (Applause), They hoped that on some future occasion her Ladyship would find it convenient to visit the town.' (Applause). He was sure the people of the colony would echo the expression, of. j satisfaction contained in the address presented that afternoon at the determination of his Excellency to visit the towns and districts of the colony. The thorough knowledge he would thereby obtain would bo uf benefit to thb colony, not only during his term of oJUce, but wheu he returned to the Mother Country. (Applause.) He hoped that on a future occasion Lord hanfurly would visit the town on a market day, when be would see it as a busy commercial centre. Hi9 Excellency, in responding, said he felt that he suffered 1 a disadvantage on the pfesent occasion, as compared with his visits to other centres, in not having yet teen the town ami district, and thorefore ho could not dilate on the impressions he might have received. He thanked the company for the kind expressions respecting Lady Eanfurly, mude through the Mayor, and hoped that at some' future time she would be able, with himself, to pay a non-official visit to the district. (Applause). He had been led to understand that this prosperous district had during the past season suffered, in common with others, from the drought. He was pleased to learn that, as a rule, it produced good crops; and although there had been a deb'ciericy this season, he hoped that during the remainder of his term as Governor of the colony it wonld enjoy a measuro of prosperity in which .^Rangiora would largely participate.- (Applause). In conclusion, he hoped to pay another visit on market day, and then see the town at it-8 best. (Applause). The Rev F!~l\ Fendall proposed the toast of "The Legislature," to which Mr R. Moore, M.H.R., responded. His Excrllency proposed the health of the Mayor, who responded, and the luncheon proceedings terminated. Mr W. E. Ivory, of the Rangiora Nursery, presented the Governor with a large basknt of remarkably fine grapes, grown in the vinery on the nursery. Hi3 Excellency heartily thanked him for tho present. The Governor, with the Mayor> Mr R. Moore and Captaiu, Alexander, accompanied by the Borough Councillors and others, and attended by a police escort, then drove to the Ashley River protective works, thence along the West Belt, and for gome distance along the Fernaide Road, then to the Church of England, along Church Street and Victoria Street to tho Roman Catholic Church, past Mr W. Buss's sale-yards, where the horse fair was in progress, and to the Junction Hotel. After a farther brief stay his Excellency left for Elmwood, after a hearty hand-shake from a iesident who knew him when a boy, and amidst loud cheers. The following were invited to dine with hi3 Excellency the Governor at Elmwood last evening: — Monsieur le Commandant del'Eure, Enseigne Xavier Sukers, Captain Dalgety, Hon Mrs Dalgety, Major and Mrs Eichards and the Hon E. W. Parker. On Monday, the Governor, with Captain Alexander, private secretary, will leave Chriatchurch by the express, and will visit •Waikouaiti. On Tuesday, his Excellency will go to Mosgiel, and on Wednesday he ■will visit Nasoby. He will go to Alexandra on Friday, March 11, to Cromwell on Saturday, March 12, to Roxburgh on Monday, March 14. Lawrence on March I*, Kaitangata and Millton on March 16, Gore on March 17, Balclutha on March IS, and Dunedin on March 21. The Countess of Ranfuriy, with the Hon C. Hill Trevor trill join the party at Lawrence on March 15. Captain Ward and Captain Wellesley, the additional aide-de-camp, will meet his Excellency in Dunedin.