THE VISIT OF VICE ROYALTY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 561, 17 January 1873, Page 2

THE VISIT OF VICE ROYALTY.

On Monday afternoon last His Excellency Sir O'enrge Bowen, accompanied by Lady Bowen, family, and Suite, and hia Honor the Superintendent of Otago, en route for the Lakes, arrived at Alexandra. Having crossed the Mulybenx, they were met at the water’s.edge by the Mayor and Councillors, a number of the citizens, and the brethren of the A. o.' F., Court Pride' of Alexandra, in regalia. His Excellency a:id Party havin t' alighted, a formal introduction by bis Honor the Supcrintenden *ook place, after which, preceded by the Citizenslaml Foresters in form of processor the Vice Regal party walked into the town, which, for the purpose, was decorated with flags, and presented quite a pleasant and impressive appearance. The School children; dressed in their holiday attire, were rainged in front of the Bank o f New Zealand, to whom Lady Bowen spoke for some moments. The Party then proceeded to the I ibrary room, where a co’d eolation was spread, and to which ample just : ce was done, W. Eeresford, Esq., Mayor, then read the following address. To His Excellency, Sir George Bowen. Knight of the Grand Cross of the ~. most -distinguished -Order of Sain' Michael and Saint George, Governor of the Colony of New Zealand. We, the inhabitants of AleVandra and its surrounding neighborhood, would most respectfully desire to offer your Excellency, Lady Bowen and Family, our sincere welcome on this, your first visit to this township. We beg to express our dutiful attachment to our Most Gracious Sovereign the Queen, and to her most distinguished Representative in Your Excellency. 1 We share in the general feeling of regret, that the Colony is to he deprived of Your great experience and wis loin in the administration of punlic affairs; hut we do mo-d sincerely trust that, in the great field of usefulness to which Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint you, that your talents may a!ill'be employed, am! he conducive to its advancement and prosperity. It is our heartfelt desire, that wherever your Excellency’s lot may be cast, the hand of a bountifu Providence may protect you, and crown you with every blessing. His Excellency, in reply said : Mr. Mayor and Geu'lemen I thank the inhahi’auts of Alexandra and the surrounding district for the Ik arty and hospitable welcome which has been given to Lady Bowen and myself, on our visit to this township. I regret very much that the state of the North Island during the early pa. t of my administration in New Zealand, prevented me from spending more lime in the Southern Provinces. I was, however, determined to travel through this part of the Colony before my final departure ; and the many signs of great and growing prosperity which surround me[on every side, afford me siucoifx satisfaction., I observe with pleasure, that the Order', of Foresters is well represented here. I would venture to suggest that, the several Municipalities should apply to the. Provincial Government for large numbers of the forest trees which are now grown for distiihution in the nursery of the Botanical Gardens at Dunedin. The great deficiency of this district is the want of t mber. The planting of trees would probably - influence the climate very favorably by increasing the rainfall ; while it would, in addition to other benefits, ultimately enable the Foresters and the other Friendly Societies to prosecute their charitable efforts, literallv as well as metaphorically, “ under the greenwood tree.’’ In conclusion, I heartily reciprocate the good wishes of you all. G. F. BOWEN, January 13, 1873. Three herrty cheers were given for His Excellency and Lady Bowen, and three for hie Honor the Superintendent, followed by the time In-nored chorus of •* He’s a jolly good fellow." Cheers for the Mayor and Council and.for Her Majesty the Q.ne-, brought the welcome greeting to a termina tion. The coach being in readiness, His Excellency and party took their scats and, escorted by a troop of horsemen, journeyed to CLYDE where they arrived at 7, p.m. On entering the town, and under the first festoon of evergreens, which was surmounted by the word, Welcome, the Clyde brass band took the lead, and p'aying God save the Queen, marshalled the party to Karnes’s Duns tan {Hotel. Hia Excellency having alighted, three ringing cheers greeted the party. The Mayor and Councillors having been introduced, and other formalities gone through, a move was made for the Town Hall, where, under the portico, J. 11. Cambridge, Esp, Mayor, read the following address: — To His Excellency, Sir George Fergusson Bowen, Knight Grand Cross of the most distinguished order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over Her Majesty’s Colony of o ew Zealand and its dependencies, aud ViceAdmiral of the same. May it please Your Excellency. . We, the Mayor and Town Council of Clyde, on behalf of ourselves and the inhabitants of the District, desire to express to your Excellency, our continued attachment to the peisbn, of our mostgiacious Majesty, Quetn Victoria, and loyalty to the Throne. We have great pleasure in cordially welcoming your Excellency as the Representative of Her Gracious Majesty,which is greatly enhanced by your being aopoajpanied by l,ady'B’owen.- :i -' ’ • We congratulate your Excellency'off the mark of Rojal favor conferred on you by your appointment to the Government of 'as important a Colony as Victoria, -’knd-trust tkat it may p.w« alike beneficial to your-

self and the people whom yon are called upon to govern and cement those friendly relations existing between the various colonies.