THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3160, 5 April 1873, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND.

The Auckland newspapers are full of longwinded accounts of the display made on the departure of his Excellency, but they are so diffuse that we have really not had time to condense ihcm within the limits which our space demands, and wo have, therefore, merely picked out the descriptions of one or two of the principal features of the ceremony. DECORATIONS OF QUEEN STREET. Queen street was especially conspicuous for its numerous decorations. Lines of flags of all nations were stretched across it at frequent intervals, and at the end next the wharf a triumphal arch was erected, which was very tastefully ornamented with flags, ferns, and other evergreens Underneath the arch was inscribed, in large letters, “ Farewelland on the front towards Queen street, the names of his F.xcellency the Governor, Lady Bowen, and family, as follow, in bright-colored letters—Sir George Bowen, Lady Bowen, George, Nina, Agnes, Zoe, Alfrida—and, on either side, “YR.” On the summit, the Union Jack was prominently displayed. The toll-house, which is not a very ornamental structure on ordinary occasions, was so covered with ferns as quite to hide its original plainness, and to give it a highly improved look.

THE DEPARTURE FROM GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

About COO Volunteers mustered on the occasion, under the command of Colonel Lyon, to form a guard of honor for his Excellency, the Naval Brigade proceeding to the North Shore, to perform the duty of firing a salute from the two 40-pounder Armstrong guns on the North Head, as* the Hero passed intoRangitoto Channel. The Volunteers formed a guard of honor on the green facing Government House door. The Oddfellows and Foresters—the former acting under the direction of Brother T. Cole, P.P.G.M., and Bro. Leahy, P.P.G.M., and the latter having U. Talbot, P.S., officiating as Master of Ceremonies—formed on the right face of the square on the proper left flank of the house. The Rechabites, with their banners, were drawn up on the left face of the square. The Cadets and the Fire Brigades lined the avenue through which the procession of carriages passed from Government House, and the Cavalry waited outside in Waterloo Quadrant. There was an immense crowd of people both inside and outside the Government House grounds waiting to see the procession leave ; and the windows pf the adjacent houses, which commanded a good view, were occupied mostly by members of the fair sex, who were naturally anxious to view the interesting proceedings. His Excellency and Lady Bowen received a large number of visitors, to whom they bade farewell previous to their starting from Government House ; and when they appeared at the door, preparatory to stepping into the carriage, they both bore traces of being deeply affected at the parting with friends, and at the demonstration of enthusiasm exhibited by the crowd of persons assembled to witness their last departure from what lias served as a pleasant residence for them, during their last and previous visits to Auckland. Lady Bowen was handed into the carriage by the Hon. Julias Vogel; and Ilia Excellency and Sir George A. Arney having taken their seats amidst great cheering, Sir George, standing up in the carriage, addressed the people as follows :—“ I thank the people of Auckland for the kindness which they have always shown to myself and Lady Bowen, and for the hearty demonstration of to-day. My heart is too full to allow me to say any more. God bless you.” His Excellency having resumed his seat amidst cheering, the carriage moved on, THE EMBARKATION. There was a tremendous crowd in the vicinity of the Hero, but no difficulty was experienced by the Governor and party embarking under the guidance of Captain Logan. Many were the hands shaken, both by Sir George and Lady Bowen before they safely reached the Hero’s deck. Quite a laige crowd was here assembled, and also in the rigging, but within a few minutes of the Vice-regal party being on board, the bell was loudly rung to warn strangers to quit the ship. This they did as rapidly as possible, and immediately afterwards the line vessel began to move off, amidst the cheers of the multitude. As she passed the ship Durham, the band stationed on the forecastle of that vessel struck up “ Auld Lang Syne.” This was the signal for renewed cheering and waving of handkerchiefs. At the same time that the Hero moved off, the Luna, which was lying alongside the Thames T, and the Paterson, which was alongside the same T as the Hero, also

steamed ahead, and were soon In the middle of the stream, the Paterson getting on one aide and the Luna on the other side of the Hero, and so accompanying her down the harbor. The p.s. Takapnna followed in their wake, with a large crowd of passengers, while six yachts, belonging to the Auckland Yacht Club, opened out and formed two lines on either side of the steamers keeping well up with them under a good north-easterly breeze, and with all sail set. As soon as the Hero was fairly in the stream, ILM.is Rosano commenced to thunder forth a salute of seventeen guns, at the same time manning her yards from the royals downwards. The battery <>f Artillery, stationed with their Armstrong field-pieces on Fort Britomart, also fir d a salute of seventeen guns, so that for some little time the sound of cannonading was incessant. Every spot from which a view of the procession down the harbor could be seen was eagerly seized upon, and Fort Britomart and the whole of the breakwater presented the appearance of a mass of human beings. As the Hem passed H.M.S. Rosario, three loud and hearty cheers rang out f om In r gallant seamen’s throats, and were heartily responded to by those on board the Hero. His Excellency tlie Governor waved his hat and bowed his acknowledgments, while Lady Bowen and the children fluttered their handkerchiefs in the wind. Both vessels dipped their ensigns, and interchanged every civility that was possible under the circumstances. Once past the Rosario, the Hero made direct for the North Head, where another ovation awaited his Excellency, for on this head the Naval Volunteers were stationed with their heavy guns, and on the steamer approaching, commenced to bellow forth another 17gun salute. This being concluded, they gave three cheers en masse, which were likewise acknowledged from the deck of the Hero.