SIR GEORGE BOWEN'S DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3272, 8 August 1871, Page 2

SIR GEORGE BOWEN'S DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND.

The " Herald" and the "Cross" of Auckland in their issue of the 2nd inst, have leading articles expressing the regret of the people of that city at the final departure of Sir George and Lady Bowen from amongst them. As giving the best idea of the feeling of the people of that city we repiint the article of the " Herald," which snvs : — " The departure of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Bowen for tho newly-erected Government House at Wellington will be very much felt by the people of Auckland. Their absence from our midst leaves a blank which cannot be filled. On their arrival at this port we all remember the crowds of people who went to meet them on landing at the wharf, id any of those who were present on that occasion attended, doubtless, simply out of curiosity to see the new Governor, while many went with a desire to show respect to the representative of our Queen, and by a respectful, kindly, and hearty welcome cause the first impressions received by him and hi 9 family among us to be of a pleasant character,

and give encouragement to the new Governor on his entering upon his important functions at a time when the colony was in an unsettled state, and the relations existing between the Imperial Cabinet and the Ministers of the colony were not so cordial as they have since to some extent become. A very large number of people attended at Government House yesterday to bid good-by to tho Governor and Lady Bo wen, and many were assembled in the grounds. The volunteers also mustered in considerable force io do honor to the occasion. The feel iags which actuated the crowd of people who went to see His Excellency and Lady Bowen and family take their departure from among us yesterday, were not those of mere curiosity, or of the desire to see and be seen, but were prompted by a sense of the kindliness which has been ever shewn to all with whom they have come in contact by the Governor and Lady Bowen, during their residence in Auckland. The feeling was not called forth by a desire to show gratitude for future favors expected, but by a sense of advantages conferred on our society in general by the resi^jc^- of the Governor and bis family^rthis city. Of course, the Governor of a colony is naturally at the head of society in the dependency under his charge, and when, as in this case, he is a married man, and his wife ia a lady of kindly feeling, of intellectual and refined tastes, and of enlarged and benevolent sympathies, a most beneficial influence is exerted on society in general. Auckland has had the benefit of such an influence in a marked degree during the time Lady Bowen has resided in it. She has from time to time gathered around her at Government House large numbers of people of various classes, who have largely henefitted by thus being brought together, and leaving their small differences behind them. In a small community like ours there is always a tendency for society to become divided into small and exclusive sections, which know comparatively little of each other, bo far as social life is concerned. This evil is remedied only by there being some person or persons who can gather the various sections and classes together in social and other re-unions. Then again, the cause of charity and of education, as well as the general tone of a community, is sensibly in. fluenced by the actions of the natural leaders of society. We have good reason to remember how both the Governor and Lady Bowen have always given the support of their presence at public meetings and charitable concerts, and so forth, held for some good and benevolent object. The societies for the education of our orphan children; for rescuing and training in the paths of virtue and industry our nfg'ected and criminal children : for the relief of the destitute as well as others, have received this public encouragement and aid as the occasion required. And the good example thus given has doubtless had a very beneficial effect in causing some, who had not previously aided in these good works, to stretch out a helping hand to assist them, and in stimulating the zeal of others, and preventing them from becoming weary in well-doing. Although we very much regret the departureofthe Governor and Lady Bowen j from Auckland, yet we could not expect', them to reside here permenently under the present state of things in the colony. We have no doubt but that warm friends and neighbours will gather round them at Wellington while they reside there, and also at any other part of the colony, where they may temporarily sojourn, and we may confidently promise that they will meet with a respectful and hearty welcome from all classes when next they visit our good city of Auckland.