The Governor's Visit

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 53, 13 October 1885, Page 2

The Governor's Visit

His Excellency, Sir William Jervois, arrived by special train at "one o'clock yesterday, accompanied by Mr Pennefather, private secretary. He was met on the platform by the Mayor, Councillors, and the several members of the Reception Committee. His Worship the Mayor introduced the following gentlemen to His Excellency, who were waiting on the platform to receive him. — Messrs Sandilands, Bray, Sherwill, Haybittle, 0. Brown, A. R. j Curtis, J. Bartholomew, Rutherford, | Gichard, Beatie, Fi*,zherbert, Goodbe- ' here, and Dr Johnston.

In passing down the ranks of the guard of honour formed by the Manchester Rifles, His Excellency was pleased to stop before Lieut. Blackmore, and question him regarding the numerous decorations on bis breast. He complimented Lieut. Blackmore on the service he had seen in various pai-ts of the world as a soldier. His Excellency was then conducted to the carriage and driven to the Public Hall. The band of the Manchester Rifles headed the procession, followed by the Rifles, Borough Councillors, Reception Committee, Burgesses, and the general public.

On arrival at the hall the Volunteers opened ranks, and His Excellency, accompanied by the Mayor, Mr Macarthur, the members of the Council and Eeception Committee, marched into the building, which was densely crowded.

His Excellency ascended the platform, followed by Mr Macarthur, Mr Goodbehere, Mr Pennifather, and Mr Hill, Town Clerk.

After a few minutes pause, to allow the people to be seated, the Toirn Clerk read the following address : — "To His Excellency Sir William F. Drummoni> Jekvois, G.C.M.G., R.E., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of New Zealand. " May it please Your Excellency, —

" We, the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the Borough of Foilding, in the Provincial District of Wellington, venture to express our thanks to Your Excellency for this spontaneous and unexpected visit. It is not only our duty but it is a gratification to us to welcome to our town the representatiye of our gracious sovereign Victoria, Queen and Empress of the most powerful and extensive Empire the world has ever seen, and to acknowledge our allegiance to you as such, representative.

" We also beg leave to assure Your Excellency of our loyalty to the crown of England, and. our heartfelt desire that its Kingdom, Empire, Colonies, and Dependencies may b.e maintained in their integrity, a wish in which we have every confidence that Your Excellency will not only cordially join with us, but will exercise the powers and authority with which you are invested as Governor of this Colony in promoting so desirable an object.

" Given at the Borough of Feildiug, in the Provincial District of Wellington, under tho hand of Douglas Hastings Macarthur, Esq., Mayor, this 12th day of October, 1 885, and testified by the corporate seal of the said Borough hereto affixed. "D. H. MACARTIIOTt, " Mayor. " The corporate seal of the Borough of Feilding was affixed hereto in the presence of us, two of the Councillors of the said Borough. " Saml. Goodbeiiere ) n „-, "Geo. W. Fowles j Councillors. "Geo. C. Hill, Town Clerk." His Excellency in reply, said that in whatever part of New Zealand he had yet been he had always been received with the same heartfelt expressions -of loyalty to Her gracious Majesty the Queen, whom he had the honor to represent. He was aware that the Manchester Block was a prosperous settlement. The Duke of Manchester was an old friend of his, for he remembered when the Duke was aide de camp to a Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, and he (Sir William) was building a bridge somewhere in Kaffir Land. The Duke came out to see him at the camp where he was stationed. He little thought then that he would address such a congregation in a settlement with which the Duke had so much to do as chairman of directors of the E. and C.A. Corporation. He considered the Borough was fortunate in having a gentleman like Mr Macarthur to represent it. He found that Mr Macarthur served them in many capacities. He was head of the Company, Mayor of the Borough, and he found him in Wellington representing them in Parliament. For himself, he it all so effectively. He wtsa much pleased with the troops. They had as wondered how Mr Macarthur could do one of their officers, Mr Blackmore, who had seen much service in many parts of the world, and the corps ought to feel proud to serve under suoh an excellent soldier. He said as he was about to t ke a drive round the Borough, and his time was limited he would now conclude. I

Mr Maearthur on the part of himself the Councillors and Burgesf es of the Borough of Peilding, thanked His Excellency for his address. A& the

conclusion of his speech he called for three cheers for the Governor which were heartily given. A voice in the body of the hall called for three cheers for the Queen which were also most loyally rendered. Three cheers for Mi' Macarthur followed, when the Manchester Eifles were marched out and formed up at the entrance. k His Excellency waited for a few minutes before again entering the I carriage, when Lieut Pleasants, Bandmaster Daw, and Vol. Kirton were presented by Mr Macarthur. His Excellency was then taken round the principal streets of the Borough and driven to the railway station where the Eifles were drawn up to receive him. On the platform a further number of gentlemen were presented to His Excellency, amongst them being Major Liddle and Mr Crossman.

The band played the National Anthem and the Governor took his seat in the railway carriage accompanied by Mr Mactrthur who went to Palmerston to take part in the ceremonies there.

When the train left the platform loud and. hearty cheers were given. The Manchester Eifles headed by the band were then marched to the Hall and dismissed. Notwithstanding the wet weather and high wind upwards of fifteen hundred persons were present. Many members of the rifles were absent as the notices to attend could not in some instances be delivered. However, those who did attend were highly spoken of by the Governor who was pleased to direct Lieut Blackinore to convey to the corps the satisfaction he felt at meeting such a soldierly lot of men of such excellent physique and appearance. The Brass Band turned out to a man and added much to the success of the affair.