ARRIVAL OF SIR CHAS. DARLING.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1966, 6 October 1863, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF SIR CHAS. DARLING.

Early Weduesday morning it was known that the Suffolk had passed the Heads and was on her way up the Bay with his Excellency Sir Chas. Darling and family on board. It was understood that the vessel would be at or near the Hobson's Bay Railway Pier about one o'clock ; and, accordingly, some time before that hour, a considerable number of persons, curious to see the new arrivals or auxious to greet the representative of royalty with expressions of their loyal attachment to the Crown, had assembled on the pier. Their patience was, however put to the test of over an hour and a half's delay. In the meantime, the Suffolk, instead of proceeding at once to her berth at the pier, had anchored some distance off; tbe Ontario having to banl out in order to make room for her, there being a brisk breeze blowing at tbe time. Tbe Suffolk left Plymouth on the 28th June, Sir Charles and his family having gone on board at that time. She has had a favorable run, and nothing beyond the ordinary incidents of life at sea is reported to bave occurred. Shortly after coming to an anchor, the Suffolk was boarded by the Yen. the Dean of Melbourne, who had availed himself of the accommodations of the Customs boat, and was thus enabled to offer Sir Charles the first greetings on his arrival. Shortly before one o'clock the steamer Hercules arrived with Captain Bancroft, BrigadierGeneral Chute and staff, who were duly introduced to his Excellency on tbe poop deck. Subsequently the steamer Lioness came alongside, conveying the Chief Secretary and his colleagues. Mr M'Culloch having been introduced by Captain Bancroft, presented Messrs Verdoh, Heales, Sullivan, Grant, Micbie, and Francis, who accompanied him, and also Edward Cohen, Esq., the Mayor. Messrs Hervey and Higinbotbam came aboard shortly afterwards in another boat, and were also presented. Nothing in the form of set addresses was attempted, the object apparently being to give Sir Charles Darling a simply courteous reception, postponing State ceremonials to a more convenient occasion than that afloided on shipboard, immediately after arrival. His FxcelleDcy's party consists of Lady Darling, Miss Darling, Mr Charles Darling, and bis three brothers, William, James, and Ralph, whose ages, judging by appearance, may be respectively five, seven and nine years. Besides his family, his Excellency is attended by his private secretary, Mr Ward, and four servants. About two o'clock anchor was weighed, and the Suffolk was towed to tbe pier. When opposite her berth- the Lioness steamer came alongside, and took on board Sir Charles, his family, and household, with the members ofthe Ministry and the military gentlemen who had boarded the Suffolk. On reaching the steps at the shore end of tbe pier, his Excellency was received by the Mayor, Town Clerk Aldermen, and Councillors of the city of Melbourne, who were ranged on either side ofthe gangway. His worship, in a few words, welcomed him, on behalf of the city of Melbourne, as her Majesty's representative, to Victoria. To this welcome Sir Cherles as briefly replied, assuring tbem of his satisfaction on safe arrival, and expressing bis sense of tbe kindness and courtesy with which they had welcomed him. A special engine, with carriages attached, was waiting to convey the Govern -v and suite from Sandridge ;and withinfivemh.uies after landing on the steps tbey were moving l wards Melbourne. On reaching tbe Flinders street station, bis Excellency was received by a guard of honor consisting of about fifty men of the Royal Artillery, under tbe command of Captain Purcell ; and a body of the city police, under Inspector Eyre. Sir Henry Barkly had considerately sent his private carriage to be at tbe service of his successor ; and by tbis means the newly landed voyagers were conveyed to the house temporarily assigned for tbeir accommodation, in Collins street, namely, tbe late residence of Mr Ebden. There, we presume, Sir Charles will be allowed some short leisure to recover from the fatigues of tbe voyage before be enters upon the active duties of his future office. There were crowds of spectators on the Railway Pier, and at the station in Melbourne a large number had assembled, wbo hailed the appearance of his Excellency with cheers. As the Suffolk was approaching the pier, she passed tbe Caduceus about to proceed with Volunteers to New Zealand. The rigging of this vessel was manned, and the Volunteers thronged the decks, cheering as tbe Suffolk passed, the crew of the latter afterwards returning tbe compliment. Many of the public seemed to have expected that the new Governor would be received with salvos of artillery; This expectation was not, however, verified, the etiquette of such occasions not demanding salutes of this description, which, it appears, more correctly uppertain to the ceremony of tbe formal inauguration of a new Governor.— Melbourne Age, Sept. 11.