THE GOVERNOR AT LYTTELTON.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1628, 9 May 1879, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR AT LYTTELTON.

* Yesterday was a grand gala day at port Every one of the many vessels in the harboi was decked with bunting from stem to stern and flags and banners streamed from every flag pole in the tovVrl, and hui g in rows from building to building across the streets. His Excellency the Governor, with family itnd suite, arrived at the Lyttelton railway depot at 2.15 p m. I’heJ were received by the Mayor of Lyttelton, the members of the Harbor Board, auc Borough Council, and the ladies were escortec to a carriage in waiting. The party then proceeded to the Colonists’ Hall, His Excellency walking at the side of the carriage, A band of musie, and the various friendly societies followed in procession, the latter carrying banners. The local fire brigade was alsc represented by a goodly muster of members. A salute was fired as the procession moved towards the Hall, the ships taking part being the Coromandel and Himalaya. The salute was in excellent time. At the Hall, a commodious platform, carpeted and draped with appropriate emblems and flags, was prepared. The front of the building was prettily decorated, and a beautiful wreath of chrysanthemums around the entrance set off the background of the presentation platform with pleasing effect. T he flower decorations were in admirable taste, and were contributed by the children at the Orphanage. Between forty and fifty ladies occupied chairs on the platform, and the streets in every direction was crowded with spectators eager to sec the new Governor and to welcome him to Port. Faces beamed, and flags and handkerchiefs waved from every window within range of the scene, and as the distinguished visitor alighted from the carriage a deafening cheer was given for Sir Hercules and Lady Robinson. As Lady Robinson, and Mrs St. John and Miss Eobinson came upon the platform, they were handed some very charming bouquets, the Mayoress presenting one to her ladyship, and Misses House and Hawkins two to the ladies named. As His Excellency stepped upon the platform the town clerk read the address from the Borough Council as follows : To His Excellency Sir Hercules G. E. Eobiuson, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commaiider-in-Chlef in and over Her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, mad Vice-Admiral of the same. May it please Your Excellency— We, the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Lyttelton, desire, on behalf of ourselves and our fellow-townsmen, to tender onr cordial welcome to your Excellency on this the occasion of your arrival at this port. We trust that your visit to the Middle Island of this colony will produce a favorable impression on your Excellency as regards the advancement made since its colonisation in the development of its resources and progress of its various institutions. The good opinions which your Excellency has gained on all sides during yonr teriaa of office in New South Wales, reports of which have px-eceded you, and the regret expi-essed by the inhabitants of that colony at yonr departure, are sufficient evidence to ns that we have to congratulate ourselves and the colony at large that your Excellency has been pleased to accept the appointment of Governor of this colony. We also beg to respectfully offer onr welcome tc Lady Eobinson, and we trust that the term of youi office hero will be one of health, happiness, and satisfaction to yourself and Lady Eobinson. Wishing yon long life and happiness, we heg to subscribe ourselves, Yonr Excellency’s Most obedient servants, H. Allwright, Mayor; Councillors H. Hawkins, J. D. Macpherson, H. Macdonald, Adam Chalmers, T. McClatchie, W. Eeed, B. Weybnrue, T. A. W. Parsons, E. Wood, H. J. V. Eogers (town clerk). In reply the Governor said —Mr Mayor and councillors of the Borough of Lyttelton, I thank you for the cordial welcome which you are so good as to offer to Lady Eobinson and myselt on the occasion of our visit to your port, and for the kind wishes which you are pleased to express for our future welfare. I have been greatly struck during my tour with the evidence which I have observed on all sides of material progress and social improvement, and I rejoice to find that in being appointed to the Government of this great and interesting colony, it is my good fortune to be associated with a community who are as conspicuous for their loyalty as for their generous and warm-hearted sympathies. Mr Geo. Agar then read this address from the friendly societies : To Sir Hercules George E. Eobinson, Kuight Grand Cross of the most i ilstingnishod Order of St. Michael and St. George, &c. We, the membex-sof the friendly societies of Lyttelton, heg to take the opportunity of yonr Excellency’s first visit to the Provincial district of Canterbury to tender our respect and esteem. We desire to express our loyalty and attaehmexat to onr gracious Qneen. We believe that it will be your object to advance the social and political welfare of the colony, and we anticipate that an attachment to your person will ensue as great as that which existed in the colony the Government of which you have lately so successfully administered. We have the honor to remain, Yonr devoted servants. Signed on behalf of the City of Norwich Lodga, M.U„ 1.0.0. F., J. T. Gifford, N.G., B. B. Toomey, V.G., J. Sowdeu. Of the Court Queen of the Isles, A.0.F., J. S. Willcox, sec. Of the Crusader Tent, A.0.E., J. H. Tregear, C. W. G. Fisher, D.E., W. P. Tnbb, sec. His Excellency said in reply—Gentlemen, I thank yon for this address, expressing your loyalty to the Queen and assuring me of your kindly feelings towards myse’f personally on the occasion of my first visit to this district. I can assure you that I shall endeavor to prove myself worthy of the confidence you express in me by doing all in ray power during my administration of this government to advance the true and lasting interests of the colony. Mr Kiley, proprietor of tho local paper, came forward and presented his Excellency with a satin printed copy of the “Port Lyttelton Herald,” stating that it gave him pleasure to present it as a memento of his Excellency’s visit to the port. The Governor thanked him. At the termination of the presentation addresses the school children, who were standing in front of the platform, sang the National Anthem, under the direction of Mr Dawe, the head master. The band played the same air, at the conclusion of which Lady Eobinson and the ladies with her stepped into the carriage, and Sir Hercules, accompanied by the Mayor and Councillors, visited tho public school buildings, Mr Dawe, the bead master, showing them through the several departments. The party then proceeded to the Orphanage. At the Orphanage, Lady Eobinson was shown into the girls’ department by Mr Sopp, and the Governor inspected the building, the result of which he expressed in writing, when he signed the visitors’ book. He wrote, “ Very much pleased with tho appearance of tho children and order of the establishment.” Upon taking a view of tho town, shipping, and harbor from the Orphanage grounds, he said he had not been prepared to see as large nor as picturesque a town when ho came to Lyttelton. Lady Eobinson converged with tbe children, and said she hoped at a future time to come and see them again. Tho children sang the National Anthem, and some other songs after which the visitors withdrew, and were driven down to tho wharf. The ladies went directly on board the Hinemoa, and his Excellency, accompanied by the members of tho Harbor Board, walked along and inspected some of the late harbor impr vements. It bad been contemplated by tbe Harbor Board that the Governor should be taken round the bay in their steamer Lyttelton, but this part of tho reception was relinquished at the Governor’s request, his time being limited, axad as he said ho was anxious to bo in Wellington as early as possible to-day. He was therefore escorted to tho Hinemoa by tho members of tho Board and Council, to whom he then bade fareweil. The Harbor Board’s steamer Lyttelton, with the members of tbe Board and the town Councillors on board, afterwards went out into the bay, where an exhibition was given of the fire-extinguishing capabilities of the boat, the members of tho local fire brigade taking part. Sharp at four o’clock the Hinemoa avoided isom the wharf, and was accompanied

e to outside the moles by the i.yttelton, three cheers being given for hia Excellency as the two e steamers were abreast. Nautical courtesies were then exchanged by dipping the ensigns, and tho Hinerrma steamed out the harbour.