ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 28, 5 August 1871, Page 7

ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR.

From an exceedingly early hour on Thursday morning, and, indeed, during the whole of the night before, scouts had been posted regularly at the usual points of observation to herald the intelligence of the arrival of the Luna immediately that anxiously looked, for event took place, but it was not till eight o’clock that the inhabitants of the city were made aware that the Luna was at the Heads by the hoisting of her number at the signal staff on Mount Victoria. Immediately on the fact becoming known, G-overnment functionaries of different orders and degrees wei*e to be seen flitting about in all directions, making the necessary preparations for the landing, and soon after a signal from Mount Victoi-ia intisnated that the Luna had anchored. The arrangements in the meantime were being rapidly consummated. The buglers of the different companies wers sounding the “ assembly” in the highways and byways, the business places were partially closed, and everybody possessed of a yard of bunting, whether of any or no nationality, had evidently determined to receive his Excellency and Lady Bowen with flying colors. In the early morning the weather was most brilliant,though the snow clad appearanceofthe lower line of the Tararua range boro convincing proof, if proof were needed, of the severity of the weather with which we have lately been visited. Being now so far advanced in the hibernal season, and having undergone little of the alternations from the torrid to the frigid, so common to the experiences of a New Zealand winter in our latitude, the cold, bracing, morning wind, tempered by the warmth of Phcebus. who had by this time travelled a considerable portion of his limited orbit, had a-most invigorating effect on those who were sufficiently sound in wind and limb to perform their business trips up and down the beach at the rate of about five miles an hour. On such a morning the fleecy and sunlit covering of the ranges lent an additional charm to the perspective of the scene across the harbor, but presently the passage of the flying scud and the fading grandeur of the hills threw an ominous cast on everything around, and eventually the disagreeable premonitories assumed the form of a regular “ southerly buster.” About ten o’clock the signal was run up that the Luna was under way. The dressing of the ships had by this time given the harbor quite an imposing appearance. The Basilisk was dressed in a very simple and neat manner, with the blue union on the jibboom, the St. G-eorge’s Cross of the navy flying from the vane of every mast, and also from the peak of the spanker. At the jetty there was a profusion of bunting—while the three-masted schooner Lochlee, decked with flags from stem to stern, and lying at a little distance down the harbor, rendered the sight a more interesting one. The Artillery fell in on the reclaimed land at ten o’clock, the Marines and Gunners of the Basilisk, a detachment of the Armed Constabulary, the Veterans, and No. 1 Company being drawn up in line on the outer T in readiness to receive His Excellency on landing. By Ibis time the Luna had rounded Point Halswell. The rain was also coming down in spots, quite heavy enough to excite the fear, afterwards fully borne out, that the landing would be performed under the enlivening, and mirth inspiring effects of a “ passing shower,” which gradually developed into nothing more than sufficient to wet the Bkin of those who had not the forethought to provide an outer coating.

Wo noticed among those present, the Hon. the Premier, the Colonial Secretary, the Minister of Justice, Native Minister, and the Hon. F. D. Bell ; the Right Reverend the Bishop of Wellington, His Honor the Chief Justice, Sir G-eorge Arney, His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, the Attorney-General, His Worship the Mayor, and City Councillors, Colonel Harrington, Colonel Moule, the Yen. Archdeacon Stock; the Revs. Messrs Ewald, Cumming, Paterson, and Buddie; the Hon. Mr Domett, the Hon. M. S. Grace, &c. The Mayor and the members of the City Council were waiting on the wharf, and at a quarter-past eleven the Luna was about abreast of the reclaimed land, when the Artillery fired the gubernatorial salute of seventeen guns. There could not have been less than a thousand people present on the wharf at this time, the effects of the rain not having succeeded in quenching the loyalty which it had been determined by the citizens should on this occasion be expressed, not in good intentions but in actual numbers. The Luna having hauled alongside, some little delay was caused by the necessary preparations for landing on board not being completed. The members of the Colonial Executive then went on board the vessel, and shortly after Lady Bowen stepped off from the vessel, escorted by the Hon. Mr Fox and the Hon. Mr M'Lean. The line of marines and volunteers presented arms as Lady Bowen passed, and, the signal being given, was responded to by three hearty cheers. Lady Bowen seemed to have suffered much from the discomforts of the voyage, caused by the extremely rough weather experienced on the coast, and required all the support afforded by her consorts, her fatigue and prostration being very great. In a few moments Sir George landed. The band immediately played the National Anthem, the line again presenting arms, and the Basilisk firing a salute of seventeen guns. Cheers were given for his Excellency as be passed along, Sir George gracefully bowing his acknowledgments. He was then met by his Worship the Mayor and City Councillors, the former presenting to his Excellency the following

ADDRESS. “To his Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen, G.C.M.G., &c., — “ We, the Mayor and Councillors, in the name of the inhabitants of the City of Wellington, bid your Excellency and Lady Bowen welcome. We desire to assure your Excellency of the profound respect we entertain for your person and the high office you hold. We congratulate your Excellency and Lady Bowen on your return to the Seat of Government, that you will be able to occupy a more suitable residence than has hitherto been provided for the Governor of the Colony; and while you reside in this city, we trust you will ever find us anxious to honor and pay every respect to the representative of our Queen. “We beg to offer you and Lady Bowen a hearty greeting.” His Excellency, in reply, expressed the pleasure which he and Lady Bowen felt at returning to reside once more in Wellington, and the extreme gratification which the hearty reception given them by the city afforded them. He had been taken by surprise by the address just presented to him, and would send to the Corporation a written acknowledgment of the kind welcome which both he and Lady Bowen had received. The crowd followed the vice-regal party to the carriage provided for their conveyance to their new residence. It was here, where the spectators were not so densely packed, that a better estimate of the numbers present could be made with greater accuracy, the crowd extending along the wharf from end to end. It was a great pity the Luna did not come on straight into harbor when she arrived instead of anchoring. Of course the idea of giving time to make preparations on shore was a good one, but it unfortunately happened that the delay at the Heads was the cause of the landing taking place in the rain. But this is not the first occasion on which the best laid schemes have been frustrated by so simple a cause as an inopportune and unwelcome change in the elements. However, as all was done for the best, grumblers must be content to take the will for the deed, the intention being to give Sir Geor’ge and Lady Bowen a more hearty welcome than they have received before, and their reception was one of the warmth and genuineness of which neither Sir George and Lady Bowen nor the citizens of Wellington need feel ashamed. The "Union Jack was flying soon after at the Governor’s residence, and the feeling of the citizens is that it may be a long time before they lose his Excellency from among them again for anything longer than an official visit. On the departure from Auckland of the vice-regal party, his Excellency forwarded the following communication to the Superintendent : “Auckland, July 28, 1871. “My dear Superintendent, —We leave Auckland for Wellington on Tuesday next (August Ist), about 12 o’clock noon, at which hour Lady Bowen and I will be glad to receive at Government House all who may wish to bid us farewell. I wish to take this opportunity of expressing, through your honor, the deep sense which Lady Bowen and I entertain of the constant and uniform respect, courtesy, and kindness which have been shown to us and our family during our residence in Auckland by all classes of this community. lam very happy to believe that this province is now in a condition which, considering the numerous difficulties with which it has had to struggle, cannot be regarded as otherwise than satisfactory. The recently published statistics prove that during the last ten years the population has increased (in round numbers) from 27,000 to 62,000, or at the rate of 155 per oent.; while the advance in revenue, in trade, and i.i the other chief elements of prosperity, has been scarcely less remarkable. When it is recollected that the last ten years have been, for the most part, years of war and disturbances, these facts show a progress which has rarely been surpassed in other countries ; indeed, at the present day, the single province of Auckland, though only thirty years old, already far exceeds in importance many entire colonies —such as Antigua, Barbadoes, and others, which have been settled for upwards of two centuries.

“ I enclose herewith a cheque for £2O, and shall feel much obliged if your Honor will distribute this eum among the local cliaratiee. I would mention, in particular, the Benevolent Society, the Refuge for Neglected and Destitute Children, the Dispensary, and the Orphan Home at Parnell, in all of which institutions Lady Bowen ar.d I have felt especial interest. I regret that the above-mentioned sum cannot be larger, but, as you are aware, the Governor is constantly called upon to contribute, not only to charities, but also to literary societies, races, and to a quantity of other objects, in all parts of New Zealand. “ With the earnest good wishes of myself and of our family for the health and happiness of all in the province and city of Auckland —I remain, my dear Superintendent, yours very faithfully^

" G. F. Bowen. “ His Honor the Superintendent, “ Auckland.”

Hauhauism. —lt appears that the Hauhaus are exceedingly anxious to have Kawhia again opened to European traders, and are gathering for a runanga to consider the intentions of the King with regard to it. Dead Birds —A correspondent states that the beach at Baglan is literally covered with dead sea-birds, blown ashore by the recent violent winds. Acclimatisation.— The Provincial Council of Otago resolve to request the Superintendent to place on the supplementary estimates a sum equal to £1 for every £1 raised by private subscription, for the purpose of assisting the Acclimatisation Society of Otago, to the extent of £2OO.