THE GOVERNOR’S RECEPTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 848, 22 January 1883, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR’S RECEPTION.

The formal landing of Sir William ■ Francis Drummond Jervois took place at . 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. The i aff dr was attended with the utmost demonstrations of respect on the part of the citizens, who were enthuisastic to a degree. The morning broke beautifully clear and pleasant. A north-west breeze which sprung up moderated the heat of the day. As the ceremony did not com- . mence until the afternoon, there existed no necessity to proclaim the day a public ho iday, and business was carried on as usual in the various warehouses, shops, and public institutions until about one o’clock. After that hour crowds thronged to the wharf, and every point of vantage was occupied by those who wished to catch a glimpse of his Excellency. The bunting on the shipping and throughout the town was on a most extensive scale, and two very imposing triumphal arches had been erected. The first of these was situated at the entrance to Queen’s Wharf, to which it formed a handsomeadornment. It consisted of three bays, and was constru ted of natural foliage of New Zealand, including nikau palms and different kinds of shrubs. The structure was decorated with five painted stars, surmounted with the New Zealand ensign, flags of different nations, and the Oorporporafcion coat of arms, while over the principal arch appeared the word “ Welcome.” The other triumphal arch was placed at the entrance to Government House, and had only one arch, but was decorated in a manner similar to the other, with the exception that it was surmounted by the royal arms. At two o’clock Sir William Jervois made his appearance on the deck of the Wakatipu, which was lying at the end of the wharf, and he was received with unbounded enthusiasm, the band striding up the National Anthem, and the concourse of spectators giving vent to their feelings in a series of hearty cheers. Sir William was followed from the steamer to the wharf by the hon. the Premier and the members of the Government at present in Wellington. Am mg those present on the wharf to receive his Excellency were His Worship the Mayor, Bishoes Hadfield and Redwood, Sir William Fitzherbert, Sir G. S. Whitmore, Archdeacon Stock, and Father Kerrigan, all the Wellington members of both Houses of the Legislature, the Mayors of Wanganui, Masterton, Greytown, and Palmerston North, and the following Consuls—F. A. Krull (German), 0. J. Toxward (Denmark), and J. R. George (Portugal). An address having been presented on behalf of the Corporation, His Excellency replie i as follows: “Gentlemen, —I thank you heardly for your address, for the sentiments of loyalty and devotion to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen therein contained, and for the kind expressions which you have been pleased to make use of with respect to myself. On ray own part, as also on behalf of Lady Jervois and my family, I return you my warmest thanks f >r the cordial welcome with which you have greeted us. I sincerely appreciate your assurances of support in promoting peace, order, and good government. Your allusions to my previous career lead rae to fear that you may over-rate the services which I have performed in other parts of Her Majesty’s dominions, and, while I look back with the utmost pleasure on the last five years, during which I have had the good fortune to maintain most cordial relations with the community over which I had the hondr to preside as representative of Her Majesty in one of the Australian colonies, I cannot but feel, in assuming the government of this important colony, that ‘ he who putteth his harness on should not boast himself as he that putteth it off.’ At the same time, gentlemen, it shall be my earnest desire, so far as in me lies, and with a due regard to my constitutional position, to do all in my power to advance the progress and prosperity of the people of New Zealand.” An address was also presented by the Oddfellows, signed on behalf of the Order by Messrs W. B. Buick, G. M.; G. Dixon, D. G.M. ; and E. Bannister, C.S., to which His Excellency replied—Gentlemen, I thank you heartily for your expressions of loyalty to her Majesty the Queen and her Government, and for the kind words of congratulation and welcome to me on my appointment a e her representative in New Zealand. I hear with

much pleasure that there is a flourishing branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, in these islands, knowing as I do the philanthropic objects for which your Order was esta« Wished. I have watched with deep interest the rise and remarkable progress of the various Orders in New Zealand,: and so long as I have the honor to be Her Majesty’s representative here, I trust I shall not fail to do all in ray power to promote the advancement and prosperity of this groat colony. (Loud cheers). His Excellency was here introduced to the members of the City Council and ethers. During this performance the Mayoress, accompanied by her two daughters, proceeded on board the steamer and presented Lady Jervois and her daughter each with a pretty bouquet of flowers. The Governor was afterwards escorted down the wharf to a carriage waiting in readiness. The vehicle had attached to it four greys, ridden by postillions, and the turnout attracted a good deal of attention. ,

A procession was then formed, and moved on in the direction of Government House, headed by the local bands; in the following order •—Volunteers. Carriages, the occupants of which consisted of Ministers, City Councillors, Consuls,' Members of the Legislature, Harbor Board, &c. Fire Brigades. Salvage. Corps. Members of the Working Men’s Club. Druids. Protestant Alliance. Hibernians. Templars. Rechabites. Shepherds and Foresters. Oddfellows. . The course pursued was through the principal streets in town.

Shortly after the arrival at Government House, Sir William Jervois was. sworn-in as Governor of New Zealand, Sir James Prendergast administering the oath. Mr Justice Richmond also was present. The D Battery of Artillery fired a salats on the Governor landing, and also Immediately he had been sworn-in. It is estimated that fully 7,000 persons witnessed the proceedings. Throughout the whole affair, which was under the management of Mr A. G. Johnston, not a single hitch occurred. At night there was a torchlight procession. A “ supplementary” Gazette, issued on Saturday, contains Sir William Jervois’s assumption of the Governorship of New Zealand.