THE RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 681, 23 January 1883, Page 2

THE RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR.

[press association telegram.] Wellington, January 20. The formal landing of Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois took place at two o'clock this afternoon. The affair was attended with the utmost demonstrations of respect on the part of the citizens, who were enthusiastic to a degree. a The morning broke beautifully clear and pleasant, and the weather was gloriously fine throughout. A north west breeze which sprung up moderated the heat' of the day. As the ceremony did not commence until the afternoon there existed no necessity to proclaim the day & public holiday, 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 tho wharf,' and every point of vantage was occupied by those who wished to catch a glimpsfe cf his Excellency. fhe bunting on the shipping and throughout the town was on a most extensive scale, and two very imposing triumphant arches had been erected. The first of these was situated at the entrance to Queen's Wharf, to which it formed a handsome adornment. It consisted of three bays, and was constructed 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 Coroooration coat cf arm», while over the principal arch appeared the word " Welcome." Tbe 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 2 o'clock Sir William Jervois made j his appearance on the deck of the Wakatipu, which was lying at the end of the wharf,, and he was received with unbounded enthusiasm, tbe band striking up the National Anthem, and the concourse of spectators giving vent to their feeling's 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. Among those present on the wharf to receive his Excellensy were bis Worship the Mayor, Bishops Hadfield and (Redwood, Sir William Fitzherbert, Sir G. S. Whitmore, Archdeacon Stock, aud Father Kerrigan, all the Wellington members of both Houses of the Legislature, the Mayors of Wanganni, Masterton, Greytown, and Palmerston North, and the foi - lowing Consuls—F. A. Krull (German), CJ. Toxward (Denmark), and J. R. George (Portugal). * After a few preliminary matters had been disposed of his Excellency was presented with the following address on behalf of tho Corporation:—

To His Excellency Sir William Jervois, G.C.M.G., 08,, Governor of New Zealand, &c, &c—We, the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Wellington, desire, on behalf of the citizens, whom we represent, to welcome your Excellency, Lady Jervois and family, on your arrival in New Zealand and at the seat of government, and gladly hai(|this opportunity of expressing to your. ■ Excellency ourAfeelings of loyalty and devotion to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and of respect to yourself as her representative. Aware, as we are, of the valuable nnd distinguished services you have rendered in other portions of Her M ijesty's dominions, and of the high estimation in which you hay« been held while acting as Her Majesty's representative in other important colonies, we have the greater pleasure in seeing you assume the Governorship of New Zealand. We beg to assure your Excellency that you may ever confidently rely on the citizens of Wellington being leady to assist your endeavors in maintaining the peace, order, and good government of this colony and prompting the welfare of its people. We earnestly trust thut your Excellency, Lady Jervois and family muy. during your residence in New Zetland, enjoy ttie blessing of health and happiness. , Given under the Common Seal of the Borough of. the City of Wellington this 19th day of January, 1883. , His Excellency replied as follows :— Gentlemen,—l thank you heartily for your address, for the-sentiments of loyalty and devotion to Her Most Gracious Majeßty the Queen therein contained, and for the kind expressions which you have been pleased to make use of with respect to myself. On my own part, as also on behalf of Lady Jervois and my family, I return you my warmest thanks for the cordial welcome | with which you have greeted us. I sincerely appreciate your assurances of support in promoting peace, order and good government. Your allusion to my previous career lead me to fear that you may over-rate the services which I have performed in other parts of- Her Majesty'b dominions, and whije Hook back with the utmost pleasure on the last five years, during which I have had the good fortune to maintain most cordial relations wkh the community over which I had th« honor to preside as representative of Her Majesty in one of the Australian colonies; I cannot but feel, in assuming the government of this jmp"d7tant colony, that "be who putTeth his harness on should not boast-liimself as he that putteth it off.". Af the same time, gentlemen, it shall be my earnest desire, so far as in me lien, and with due regard to my constitutional position, to do all in my power .to advance the progress and prosperity of the prosperity of the people of New Zealand* Whenhia.Kxcellenoy had finished speaking, the crowd cheered again and again, and added three more cheers for Lady Jervois. An address was also presented on behalf of the Oddfellows, and suitably replied to. - * -... His Excellency was here introduced to the members of the City Council and others. During this performance the Mayoress, accompanied by her two daughters, proceeded on board the steamer and presented Li&dy 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 grey a, ridden by poßtillions, and the turn-out attacted a good deal of attention. A procession.; was then formed and movecf on in the direction of the Government House, headed by the local bands, in the following order:—Volunteers, Carriages, the occupants of which consisted of Ministers, City Councillors, Consuls, and Members of the Legislature, Harbor Board, etc., Fire Brigades, Sal vage Corps. Members of the Working Men's Club. Druids

Protestant Alliance. Hibernians. Tern plar3. Rechabites. Shepherds ar.d 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 Is'ew Zealand, Sir James Prendergast administering the oath. ..Justice Richmond also was present. The D Battery of Artillery fired a salute on the Governor landing, and also immediately he had been sworn in. It is estimated that fully 7000 persons witnessed the proceedings. Throughout the whole affair, which was under the management of Mr A. G. Johnston, not one single hitch ocenrred. To-night there will be a torch light procession. ' . A supplementary Gazette issued to-night, contains Sir Wm. Jervois' assumption of the Governorship oE New Zealand.