THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 3387, 29 December 1873, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO PORT CHALMERS.

This afternoon his Excellency the Governor, Qaptftin Fergusson, and Mrs Fergusson, accompanied by his Honor the Superintendent, visited Port Chalmers. A special train was placed at their disposal. Leaving Dunedin at Q 40, they reached Port ( hal mers at 8 o'clock, and were received at the platform by his Worship the Mayor of Port ( halmers, and Councillors Innes, M‘Gregor, M’Kinnon, and Mr Mansford. His Worship, after introducing the members of the Town Council, addressing the Governor, said ; He was happy to welcome him to Fort Chalmers, the chief port of the Province. He understood that it was contrary to his Excellency’s wish to present formal and< esses, and that it was in accordance with his desire whatever was said should be brief as possible, It was, however, very gratifying to him to welcome his Excellency to view the chief Port of the Colony in which he represent, d her Majesty, and he felt sure that he would ho satisfied on inspecting the various arrangements connected with the shipping and other industries. Ho would bo happy to show his Excellency whatever there was worth}' of inspection. His Excellency said: Mr Mayor and gentlemen, 1 thank you very much for the kindly terms in which you have welcomed me to Port Chalmers. You are right in thinking that in any visits I make I am anxious to avoid useless ceremony. It is my desire to make myself acquainted with the inhabitants of the Colony and with their institutions. Everyday I spend in s-ew Zealand shows me that in every part of the country there is much that is worthy of notice, but I need not enlarge on that topic when there is so much that speaks for itself. The great advance in trade in Otago puts comparison with other parts of New Zealand out of the question, and seems to be the result of a more energetic spirit in proportion to the number of people in the Province, as well as of a more liberal administration by the Government. I look upon the time I have already been here as most instructive, and I shall have great pleasure in accompanying you to sec what is to be seen in the Port. Being rather of a nautical turn, anti anxious for the prosperity of the country, 1 look forwaidto other visits. His Excellency’s remarks were received with cheers, and, accompanied by the Viceregal party, be inspected the shipping at tie pier, graving dock, and engine-room, and returned to Dunedin at 4.20. The shipping in the port was gaily decorated with bunting, anti the French man-of-war, Le Vire, had the Saint George flying at the mam,