THE GOVERNOR'S RECEPTION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5742, 12 October 1885, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S RECEPTION.

The Collkckate School.

On His Excellency's arrival, accompanied by the Hon. Mr Billanc6, Mr Pennefather, His Woißhip the Mayor, and Colonel Stapp, he was met at the front entrance by the Rev. The Principal and the aecond master. A guard of honor, consisting of s«tne of the school cadets, presented arms as he approached the school door, whilst the choir sang a verse of the National Anthem. After he had entered the big room, Mr ilarvey presented the masters, prefects, and scholarship boys, His hxcelienoy then inspected the school buildings, which appeared to give him satisfaction, and on his return to the schoolroom, addressed the boys, who had, meanwhile, assembled together with a large crowd of parents and friends. Sir William Jervois said that, since coming to this colony he had often heard the school favorably mentioned, but until that moment he had never fully appreciated its importance. He found boys present from Wellington and still more distant portions of the colony, at which he could scarcely express surprise, knowing the able management of the head master. He would also like to mention the invaluable assistance afforded by the second master, Mr Empson, with whom he had already the pleasure of being personally acquainted. He expected to see in the tuture, many boys now at the school, r>ink amoug the leading men of the colony. His iixceileucy concluded by asking Mr Harvey to give the boys, when convenient, a holiday ', and withdrew, amidst very hearty cheera from the schoolboys, to drive back to the town. Time did not suffice for the Head Master to return thanks to His Excellency for his visit as he intended doing. We must not omit to mention the neat and tasteful way in which the boys had decorated the school.

Ths Luncheon.

On returning to the Rutland Hotel a brief levee was held upstairs, at which those who took part in the luncheon and others were introduced to His Excellency. Alter the luncheon there were three toasts — " Ihe Queen, "His Excellency," and "His Woiahip the Mayor." In proposing the first no remarks were made by the Chairman. On rising to propose the second Mr Spurdle said : Gentlemen, I have great pleasure in liaing to ask you to join in drinking the health of His Excellency. It is a matter tor regret that the time at our disposal is so very short, as we" propose taking His Excellency to the Heads, and on our return to take him, if time will permit, for a drive in the country. This being the case it would be undesirable that any lengthy speech should be made by me on this occabion. It is incumbent on me, on behalf of the burgesses, to offer a hearty welcome to His Excellency, and to express our extreme gratification that he has been able to visit us. It is now many years since a representative of Her Majesty hss been able to visit Wanganui, probably from many causes — owing perhaps to want of convenient transport, 'ihose difficulties we hope will speeaily be removed, and we shall be placed in communication with the outer world, and with it have the privilege of seeing His fcxceliency the Governor again (applause). I think 1 Oi.ght to refer to the valuable services Hi& Excellency has reudered to the colony, not only as representative of Her Majesty, but a» a professional authority on engineering matters I allude to the services recently rendered when war seemed imminent in Europe. They will be remembered when His Excellency in course of time will have to be removed from amongst us. I would also refer to the interest he has taken in the social and moral welfare of the community, in which way he has established himself in the esteem and affection of every good colonist (applause).

His Excellency in replying said — I can assure ycu that I very much appreciate the honor done me in drinking the toast proposed by the Mayor, aud I most sincerely thank you tor the kind manner in which you have received that toast. The Mayor has leferred again to the fact that communication with Wanganui is rendered somewhat unfrequent, and that Wanganui has great difficulty of access. I confess that I think there is a great deal of truth in that remark. No doubt one reason why vice-regal visits have not been more frequent, has been that representatives of Her Majesty have ndt beeu inclined to resign themselves to the Stormbird and Tui. (Laughter.) And even if their biliary organs were proof against them, the vessels can scarcely be expected to afford that accommodation which Her Majesty's representatives will look upon as fitting. I can, at the same time, say that no one is more interested in all parts of the country than 1 am, and it is matter for regret to me that I could not visit Wanganui before this, but the agreeable nature of the reception has, so far, tended greatly towards remedying that feeling which I otherwise might have experienced. The Mayor was kind enough to refer to me in my personal capacity, more especially in regard to the advice I have been able to afford the Government in the matter of the defence of the country. I am bound to say in the presence of my friend the Minister for Defence, that whatever 1 have done— and this I say without any figure of speech, aud I wish it to be nnderstood exactly in the literal sense — that whatever advice I have been able to give has been so ably carried out by my friend, Mr Ballance, the member for Wanganui (applause), that really and truly the credit is due to him, and the Government that has carried out these works rather than to myself (applause) He has, through evil report and through good report, gone to work as a man who thoroughly understood the business in which he was engaged, both in the personnel, the carryiug out of the work, and the ordering of stores. I say the greatest credit is due to him, and I say thnt you are fortunate in having such a member as he is to represent you. (Applause). 1 am not now making these observations for the first time, as I have often made them in private before this. They are nothiDg but- the pure and naked truth, and I am very glad to have the opportunity of making these statements ia public (Loud applause). Well, gentlemen, I don't wish to detain you any longer, more especially as we are about to visitthe heads and see what has been carried out for the benefit of Wauganui. I would, gentlemen, refer to the fact that there is a great number of harbors in i\ ew Zealand, and this gives rise to a great number of Harbor Boards — greater indeed than in any part of the British Empire I have been in. These give rise to what L may call " harbor doctors," in. greater numbers than in any place 1 have been to. 1 look upon harbors as of the utmost importance to the o juntry.and I shall look with interest on your works, as 1 am sure that this district is fast approaching prosperity, of which Wanganui must be of the chief centre. His Excellency then resumed his seat amidst loud applause. In proposing the health of His Worship the Mayor Sir «> illiam said — I am sure you will all agree that he is one, who from all accounts fills the position that he occupies to ihe entire satisfaction of the inhabitants of Waneanui (hear hear).

His Worship responded in a very few words after which the company rose.

The visit to the Bbeakwater.

The Governor was taken in an express train provided by the Heads Railway Company, accompanied by his private Secretary, the Hon Mr Ballance, the Mayor and Borough Councillors, and a number of gentlemen connected officially with local bodies and public works. Mr Atkins the Engineer of the Heads Railway, was in attendance, and was able to give the technical information respecting the worko around Castle Cliff. After an easy run on one of the smoothest of railways, the Governor landed on the wharf and was agreeably surprised to find that a very considerable portion of the people of Wanganui had anticipated his com*y» and had taken up every portion of the roufc* icom which a good view could be taken of the fust Governor that had visited Wangauui ft»r twelve years. The demonstration was of that agreeable nature which Hr William Jswvois always appreciates—a cordial and friendly greeting in the happy faces, which seem to say, 'we are so glad to receive the representative of the Queen in our midst.' Castle Cliff at present ia not in itself a very attractive place, but when crowds of people in holiday attire -are out for a holiday, the sand hillocks wear not by any means an unpleasant aspect. It is therefore not improbable that the Governor's

non-official reception at the Heads was no the least pleasant incident in his viaib to Wauganui.

Inspects the Works. His Excellency landed on the wharf, and had a general view of the 'works. He Baw in the foreground the cliff which, like the celebrated mole of Oarthagina, guarded the harbor from the wayward tendencies of the river, from wind and tide, and which the Engineer pronounced as indispensable to the safety and permanence of the entrance. Captain Abbot, the Chairman of the Board, who, through an unfortunate misunderstanding on the part of somebody, had missed the train, arrived fortunately at this moment after a smart ride on horseback, with a plan of the works. It was low tide, and the position was the more easily grasped. The protective work of the cliff was seen in the layera of rubble which prevent the soft sandstone of the "cliff from being washed away as it once was by every successive tide. The mole which it is intended to rej move and materially deepen the bar was then visited, and the whole scheme of the improvements presented itself at once to the trained eye of Sir William Jervois. The Bar broke at a distance of about 1400 feet from the end of the mole, around the end of which a large quantity of sand had accumulated, the reclamation through the action of work still going on, and the Band following . the work. It naturally occurred to ask the old old question raised at Oamaru, at Timaru,| afc Napier — Will the sand for shingle) continue to accumulate until it heads the wall and turns it at the extreme point to which it ia intended to be taken ? The answer has been given in other places, and the same answer seems appropriate in the case of Wanganui. The Governor waa informed that the shortest length of wall which was intended to increase the depth on the bar was 1800 feet, while the wall had only reached a distance of 900 feet, and that it was originally intended that the wall should be carried out 2900 feet — some few hundred feet beyond the bar. He saw the works therefore only in its earlier stage, but was fully able to realise its value and probable success. He was informed that the cost of the 900 feet of mole waa about £11,000, and that it was calculated that £30,000 would complete work. The strength of the wall, backed up as it was by sand, was at once evident, and suggested, of course, a comparison between a rubble structure and concrete. From personal inspection of the plans, the Governor in a few minutes made ( himself completely master of the scheme, and j probably now understands as much of the | nature of Wanganui Harbor improvements aa the Board or the late Engineer himself. As time was pressing, the Governor moved towards the railway station, evidently much impressed with the extent of the improvements already made, as well as those in contemplation by the people of Wanganui, and receiving further confirmation of the fact that no country in the world has developed so much enterprise in extending harbor accommodation as New Zealand. The trip to the Heads may be said to partake of the nature of a professional inspection of the works, and it is not too much to say that, from the casual observations and criticism by [ one able to form a rapid and accurate opin- ! ion in such matters, they have been viewed favorably as calculated to effect the great object which the people of Wanganui have so strenuously striven to attain,

Trip to Virginia Water.

On the return of the special train with His Excellency, and those who had accompanied him to the Heads, the party entered the carriages awaiting them at the station, and were rapidly driven as far as Virginia Water, the Governor getting a splendid panoramic view of the town and surrounding country from the top of Sb. John ; s Hill, a view Sir William expressed the greatest admiration for, and well he might, for we doubt if any other part of the colony could have rivalled it. After viewing the lake the vice-regal party were driven back to town. The route taken was down Glasgow Street to Bell Street, thence tr> Liverpool Street, down which the cortege passed so as to allow the Governor to see Mr Soler's vineyard. The route then lay along the Kiver Bank to the Railway Station, which was reached at 4 o'clock.

The Departoße.

The special train which was to take His Excellency to Martqn;;then drew up to the platform, and His " Excellency made his adieux, expressing himself as highly pleased with his visit, and delighted with the natural beauties of the place and its surroundings. Amid waving hats and cordial " good-byes," the special steamed away and the visit terminated, everyone being mutually pleased at the way things had gone throughout the day. Of course there were little inequalities and annoying oversights, but taken all through the affair was a brilliant Buccess, and one Wanganui has every cause to feel a pardonable pride over.