THE GOVERNOR’S DEPARTURE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1563, 21 February 1879, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR’S DEPARTURE.

[FROM OTTB OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THK FAREWELL AT INVERCARGILL. Invercaugill, February 20. There was great disappointment here at the delay of the Bingarooma at fort Chalmers and consequent prevention of the Governor’s arrival at the Bluff until too late for him to visit Invercargill. As soon as the nows arrived an impromptu meeting of a few of the Town Council decided to engage a special train at the expense of the Corporation, to convoy the Mayor and councillors and volunteers to the Bluff to meet his Fxcellency. It was rumored that the train would ho run at excursion ret a, for the convenience of the public, but this was a mistake, the only concession obtainable being that the department attached fcveral extra carriages to the Corporation’s special for use of the general at usual rates. These were soon filled with citizens anxious to pay honor to the departing Governor. '} he General Manager was unable to do more, and that his hands were tied was evident from what occurred ye terday, when, according to the original arrangement, a special train was to convey the Governor back *o the Bluff. The Mayor asked the Manager if ho would put on two or three extra carriages, in order that the councillors and volunteers might

a-tcnd his Excellency and see him off. The Manager telegraphed to head quarters for inslru tionsand'received peremptory commands not to grant the request. To day the Corporation acted independently by engaging a train, and the citizens paid their own way, but had an excursion train been ran, a thousand people at least would have gone to the Bluff. As it was, so no three or four hundred attended. The train left at 2.30, but it was not until five that the Hingaroomi arrived at the Bluff. A temporary staging was ex-ected on the wharf. Major Aiackonio, commanding the district, received the Marquis. \ddresses from Invercargill and Campbclltown Corporations v ere presented by the respective Mayors, Messrs Nichol of Campbclltown, and Lum»d<m, of Invercargill. • T he Marquis thanked them, and said that the appointment conferred upon him was not of his seeking. He should have br.en glad to continue Governor of New' Zealand to the end of his term of office. He spoke in the highest terms of the general prosperity and condition of the colony, which enjoyed advantages vouchsafed to few countries of the world, and which the people seemed inclined to make the most of. He regretted that Lady Normanby was not sufficiently well to appear with them on the platform, but they would bo glad to hear that she had improved since leaving Wellington. He deeply regretted not having had the opportunity for visiting Invercargill, and explained his reasons, the Ringarooma not being able to leave Port Chalmers in time. He assured them that nothing was so gratifying to a person in his position as public expressions of goodwill. These ho had received generally since his departure from this colony was first announced. During his term of office circumstances had occurred not common to gubernatorial experience. He had, however, acted independently, and as fairly as possible, and he was glad to find that his conduct was approved of by the great majority of the people. [Cheers.] He trusted they would always maintain their connection with Great Britain, and that whilst remembering they were New Zealanders, they would always endeavor to maintain the honor of tho mother country, [Loud cheers.] Tho Governor was on the wharf about three quarters of an honr, and then embarked amid the cheers and good wishes of all present. When the Riogarooma arrived the Artillery and Volunteers tired a salute of seventeen guns from the Armstrongs, which they took down by train for the purpose. Arms were presented, and formalities duly observed. Tho affair was a great success. The Ringarooma loft the Bluff at 7 p.m. A half-holiday was kept in town to-day.