ARRIVAL OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AND THE COUNTESS RANFURLY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue IX, 21 August 1897, Page 273

ARRIVAL OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AND THE COUNTESS RANFURLY.

ON Tuesday, August loth, Wellington, as behoved the Empire City of New Zealand, was thoroughly en fits to give a fitting reception to the new Goverhor, and seldom have the city and harbour looked more lovely. During the morning small showers of rain fell, and a light fog hung over the city and harbour, but by two'O’clock the fog lifted and the sun shone out, bathing the hills and gaily decorated city in a warm glow of light, and the harbour water, clear as glass, reflected the many vessels and small craft which steamed slowly down the Bay to meet the ‘Tutanekai.’ Vast crowds filled the wharf in every part, among them being an unusually large sprinkling of the fair sex, whom the fine weather had tempted to don their brightest bonnets’ and sweetest dresses. Flags were flying from every vessel, H.M.S. • Pylades ’ being a perfect mass of

bunting. A beautiful arch was erected by the Fire Brigade at the main entrance of the wharf, composed of flags and palms, and bearing the word ‘ Welcome ’ most ingeniously made out of letters composed of hydrants and other appliances used in the work of the Brigade. At the upper end in the centre of the wharf, a dais was erected, with chairs for Lord and Lady Ranfurly and suite, and the wives and daughters of the Legislative and public functionaries. The volunteers preserved a lane right down the wharf, being formed in a double line from the entrance of the wharf to the dais, and the Permanent Artillery, under Major Messenger, formed a guard of honour at the landing place, the permanent staff consisting of Colonel Pole-Penton, Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, Majors Maddocks and Collins, and Staff-Sergeant Major Finn. Punctually at three o’clock the ‘ Tutanakai ’ steamed up to No. I berth, followed by her floating escort of steamers, large and small, the yards of the ‘ Pylades ’ being manned as she passed, and in a few minutes the vessel was made fast and the gangway lowered, and His Excellency and Lady Ranfurly stepped on to the wharf, the band striking up the National Anthem and the Militia presenting arms as they did so. The Mayor (Mr H. D. Bell) having been presented, and the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr Fraser), who were waiting at the foot of the gaugway to receive them, they proceeded to the dais amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the huge crowds assembled on the steamers and the wharf.

Lady Ranfurly, who is very like the pictures seen here before her arrival, was charmingly attired in a black cloth gown, made with a smart short coat and skirt em bossed with velvet, and a waistcoat of filmy lace of a pale cream shade, her exquisite rose-coloured velvet toque being profusely trimmed with roses and choux of chiffon of the same shade, and two black wings in the centre. She also wore a most covetable long full sable cape when she landed, this being discarded as soon as she reached the dais. She also carried an exquisite bouquet of New Zealand flowers, presented to her by Miss McKenzie on behalf of her mother, Miss McKenzie having gone out to Worser Bay during the morning with the Members of the Government to present it. The bouquet had long flowing pink streamers, and had the Gaelic motto. * Cead mills Jailthe ’ (* a hundred thousand welcomes,*) inscribed on the ribbons in gold letters. Her ladyship was also presented with another lovely bouquet of yellow flowers, tied with yellow streamers, by a sweet little daughter of Councillor

Devine’s, who was dressed all in white. The two dear little daughters of Lady Ranfurly, who have already won all hearts here by the pretty way in which they smiled and waved their handkerchiefs in response to the cheers which greeted their arrival, had on most dainty frocks of bright green cloth or serge, with gold bonnets on the coats, and very becoming burnt straw-coloured Leghorn hats trimmed with twisted green satin ribbon to match their frocks, and they also carried bouquets sent them from the shore, and evidently took the greatest interest in the proceedings. Lord Ranfurly wore the very becoming and uncommon undress uniform of the Knights of Grace of the Order of St. John, and was attended by Captain Alexander and Lieutenant Ward. Among',those upon the dais I noticed Mrs Grace, Mrs Rhodes, Lady Douglas, Mrs Tegetmeier, Mrs Beddard, Lady Stout. Mrs Reid, Miss Buller, Mrs Fairchild, and very many others. Having received and sutitably replied to addresses

from the citizens, presented and read by Mr J. E. Page ; the Town Clerk, the Harbour Board’s address, read and presented by Mr W. Ferguson, the secretary ; and the Friendly Societies, three hearty cheers were given for Lord Ranfurly and three more for Lady Ranfurly, and their Excellencies were then escorted to their carriages, the Governor’s being drawn by four splendid bays, with postilions in blue uniforms trimmed with silver, the Governor’s outrider, Mr W. H. Sinclair, also wearing silver and’ blue, and being mounted on a white horse. Lady Raufurly’s carriage was drawn by two splendid black horses, all the animals behaving wonderfully well considering the tremendous tests to which they were subjected among the crowd. The Governor’s carriage contained Lord Ranfurly, the acing Premier (the Hon. John McKenzie), the Mayor, and Captam Alexander. Lady Ranfurly’s contained Lady Ranfurly and Miss Me Kenzie, and Lieutenant H. O. D. Ward. The third carriage containing the little Ladies Constance and Eileen Knox, the Hon. Mr Hill Trevor, and Colonel Pole-Penton. Other carriages followed containing the Ministry, and Major Maddocks. the City Council, Harbour Board, Melrose Borough Council, and other civic and suburban bodies.

At the entrance to the wharf a contingent of natives, headed by Mr Hone Heke, M H.R., gave a dance of welcome, which had to be curtailed, as the shouting so frightened the hordes. On leaving the wharf, the procession started, headed by police outriders, and comprised 200 cyclists, the Fire Brigade, Otaki Band, the Operative Bakers’ Union, with its banner, the Shipwrights’ Union, also carrying a banner, St. Patrick’s College, numbering 60 students, and its band, the Scandinavian Society, the Friendly, Temperance, and Hibernian Societies, and the different orders of Oddfellows and Foresters. All along the route of the procession the crowds greeted the new Governor with cheers and waving of hats, which were graciously responded to by Lord and Lady Ranfurly and their little daughters. Flags hung across the streets from house to house, all the principal business places displaying bunting, the Ranfurly and National Hotels, St. George’s Hall, and the Neuj Zealand Times Office being among the most noticeably gay. The verandahs, balconies, and even the roofs of the houses were filled by gaily-dressed crowds.

anxious to obtain a glimpse of the Governor and the procession. An immense crowd bad assembled at the Government Buildings to witness the spectacle of swearing-in the new Governor. The Governor and Lady Ranfurly went up on a platform specially prepared for the occasion, on which were their Honors the Chief Justice and Mr Justice Edwards, and the clerk to the Cabinet (Mr Willis). At the conclusion of the ceremony the D. Battery, who had taken up a position at the rear of the Parliamentary Buildings, fired a salute, and Lord and Lady Ranfurly were conducted back to their carriages and then driven to Government House, and after watching the dismissal of the Volunteers, the crowds gradually disappeared.

lu the evening the tower of Government House was brilliantly illuminated with coloured lights and transparencies, and the gas designs at the Government buildings and Insurance Offices were shown, and many other business premises were similarly illuminated. It is most gratifying to be able to record no accidents, and all the arrangements in connection with the reception and procession reflect the greatest credit on Mr A. G. Johnson, the master of ceremonies, and the assistant marshals—Messrs Sayers, W. C. Marter, A. Collins, and J. Kershaw.

His Excellency held a very largely attended levfe at Government House on Thursday morning, the levfe being conducted in the manner observed at those held by the Prince of Wales at St. James’ Palace. The Garrison Band played the National Anthem upon the entrance of the Governor, the private entrfe then went by, after which the levie took place, His Excellency shaking hands with all who attended. At the conclusion of the levte the National Anthem was again played, His Excellency bowing right and left, and leaving the room with his staff in the reverse order to that in which they entered.