LAKE COUNTY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 988, 25 March 1881, Page 3

LAKE COUNTY.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AT QUEENSTOWN. After the splendid reception given to His Excellency Sir A. H. Gordon at Invercargill daring Thursday and Friday last, he continued his journey on to Queenstown on the following Saturday, leaving Invercargill at 10 a.m. by special train. At Winton he received an address on the railway platform from the Borough Council and inhabitants of that municipality, to which he graciously replied. At Oreti he was similarly met by the inhabitants and school children, who sang “God Save the Queen” while the train halted. At Lumsdeu there was only a few people, but they loudly cheered His Excellency, who waved his recognition of their loyalty. The vice-regal train arrived at Kingston at half-past 1, where the few inhabitants of that place gave him a hearty welcome Hero he was met by Mr F. H. Daniel (Chairman of the Lake County j Council) who conducted His Excellency ' and suite to the Mountaineer steamer, which immediately started for Queenstown. His Excellency’s suite consisted of Mr Brown and Mr Murray (Private Secretaries), Mr Williamson, Land Commissioner of Fiji, Mr Lai Lai (Prince Te Kobo Tue of Thakauudrove), the Hon. j John Hall, Premier of New Zealand, and ' his Private Secretary, Mr Bottomly. Shortly after 4 o’clock tho steamer ar- j rived at Messrs Robertson and Co.’s Wharf, Queenstown, when tho porty disembarked, being received by the Mayor and Council, and a guard of honor from the local Volunteers, under the command of Major J. Barlow, of Arrowtown, and Captain Evans, of the Shotover. The cheering of the people and the booming of the cannon from the Public Park gave the affair an imposing aspect. Reaching a very tastefully got up, hut liliputian, triumphal arch at the Wharf entrance, in Beach street, tho Town Clerk (Mr William Donne) read the inevitable address, to which His Excellency most graciously replied, thauking tho Borough Council and inhabitants of Queustown for their very loyal welcome, at the same time expressing his great pleasure at witnessing the grand scenery of the place. His Excellency declined the services of a carriage and four which had been specially prepared to convey him to his hotel, and preferred to walk, which he did, in company with his suite, followed by the members of the Borough Council (who had been previously' introduced to him by the County Chairman). Ills Excellency proceeded up Beach-street to tho private entrance of Eichardt’s Hotel, on the Marine Parade, After dinner His Excellency and suite look a walk round iho town, and admired tho buildings, both public and private, expressing much satisfaction at tho devices and displays of the various tradesmen made to welcome him. In the evening the town was illuminated by Chinese lanterns and other contrivances. On Sunday’ His Excellency attended Divine service, morning and evening, at the Church of England. In the morning the Volunteers gave a Church Parade, the hand playing some very good music. The Volunteers were under lire command of Captain Evans and Sergeant-Major Scully. During the afternoon His Excellency and suite took a walk to the One-Mile Creek. On Monday the vice-regal party proceeded on an excursion to the head of the Lake by the steamer Mountaineer. They left Robertson’s Wharf shortly’ after 10 o’clock, and steamed as far as Pigeon Island, when they landed, and strolling as far as a rocky eminence commanding a lino view of tho Lake, stayed for some time enjoying tho beauty of the scenery. Tho Lake was very calm at the time, and the sun, shining brilliantly’, tho effect was very good. Embarking once more, tho steamer proceeded to Kinloch, when the vioe-regal party again landed and ■lunched at Mr Bryant’s Hotel. They ■ then strolled for some distance up the j;West Coast track, collecting ferns, sketch- | ing, Ac. Re-embarking once more, tho steamer headed her course for Queenstown, ' ■which was reached .shortly after 6 o’clock.

While proceeding along Beach-street, Ilii Excellency visited the stone works of Mr M‘Gallery, and much admired some of his memorial monuments out in the sandstone from the Twelve-Mile, Lake Wakatip. Ills Excellency expressed liimself much pleased with the artistic workmanshp of Mr M'Oaffery, as well as the quality of the material operated upon. Besides His Excellency’s suite, the invited guests of the excursion party were General Mitchell, C.8., and Mrs Mitchell, and Mr E. Winstay Stuart, tourists from Loudon; Mr and Miss Horsfall, from Victoria; and Mr Baum, from New South Wales; Mr It. H. Daniel, County Chairman, Mr L Hotop, Mayor of Queenstown, and Councillor de Beer, Sergeant-Major Scully representing the Volunteer corps. A deputation of Chinese met His Excellency on his way back to Eichardt’s, and presented an address. In tho evening there was a serenade by the Band, and a very handsome display of fireworks. The Hon. John Hall came out upon the balcony of the hotel and thanked tho people, in the name of His Excellency, for their very kind reception. The viceregal visitors loft the next morning at 8 o’clock, per steamer for Kingston, to reach Dunedin per Waimea Plains Railway the same evening. The Governor travels at his own personal expense.