THE GOVERNOR IN THE SOUTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5662, 23 May 1879, Page 7

THE GOVERNOR IN THE SOUTH.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.)

Invercargill, April 25.

The Governor held a levee this forenoon at the Athemenm, at which some forty gentlemen attended. His Excellency afterwards went through the Government buildings, the immigration barracks, and walked about the town. At half-past 1 o'clock the Vice-regal party proceeded to Riverton by special train. They returned in the evening, and afterwards attended the citizens’ ball, held in the drillshed. About fifty couples were present. The whole affair passed over with great eclat. Dukkoin, April 26.

Sir Hercules Eobinson and party came by special train from Invercargill to-day, and at Melton his Excellency was presented with an address welcoming him to the borough, and trusting that his present tour might prove enjoyable to him and Lady Eobinson. His Excellency having replied the train moved on, those assembled on the platform cheering heartily. At Dunedin the arrangements for the reception of his Excellency were most complete ; the most noticeable feature was an arch erected in Princes-street, the royal standard floating from the Government buildings, and several merchants’ offices and other large buildings displaying flags and banners. Immense crowds of people thronged the streets between Felicher Bay and Garrison Hall, where the reception took place. The platform of the Hall was crowded with leading citizens. On his Excellency entering the hall he was loudly cheered, and afterwards, at the request of the Mayor, he declared the hall opened, and said It was a credit to Dunedin. An address of the usual complimentary character was then presented by the Town Clerk, and responded to by his _ Excellency, who said that lie and Lady Eobinson anticipated much pleasure from their visit to Duucdiif, which represented so many features of interest aud such n striking example of rapid progress. Cheers were then given for his Excellency and Lady Eobinson. The viceparty then drove off to the X* ernhill Club. The number of citizens who turned out on this occasion was larger than on any previous occasion. „ _ ■ April 28. During his stay at Queenstown the Governor was presented with an address from the Chinese residents of tho district. In the course of it they said “Sons of the Celestial Country are only slightly acquainted with the English tonmie, yet we have heard pleasant and favorable reports of your Excellency’s just and generous dealings with men of all races, and that you treat all races with loyal impartiality. We desire to congratulate your Excellency, and to render to you the best wishes of our hearts. Much disquiet has been ours of late by reason of the Bill against Chinese immigration, but we desire to beg from your Excellency a fair consideration of our position, and to point out that now we have thrown open our flowing and blessed country to the enterprising English, so also we may hope to be permitted to mako our homo in the spare corners of the English colonies. We desire to convey to your Excellency the trust and confidence we have in the kindness and justice with which you will regard our interests.’’ His Excellency is reported to have replied that he had spent some years iu China, and was therefore acquainted with the character of their countrymen, and daring his administration in this colony should favorably consider the request of their petition. The proposed banquet to his Excellency the Governor has been postponed sine die on account of his suffering from an attack of asthma. Ho to-day visited our chief public institutions and will to-night be present at the theatre. April 30. The Governor and suite to-day visited the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company’s works. To-night they attend the Choral concert, and to-morrow at noon his Excellency holds an undress levee. May 2. The Governor and suite left Dunedin by special train at 9 o’clock this morning, accompanied , by the Postmaster-General and Mr. G. McLean. The Artillery Volunteers formed a guard of honor. on the. railway platform. Amongst those present were the Mayor and several of the City Councillors, the AttorneyGeneral, Superintendent Weldon, Lieut.Colonel'Stavely, aud Major Wales. As the train moved off there 1 was much hearty cheering. At Oamaru and the intervening stations between there and Dunedin his Excellency met' with a cordial reception, and was presented with the usual addresses. Oamaru, May 2. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Eobinson and suite arrived by special train from Dunedin at one o’clock. After an address from the members of the Council and Harbor Board, proceeded to inspect the harbor works and then went to the Star and Garter Hotel for luncheon. The vice-regal party left for Timaru at 3.35, - Txmaru, May 2. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Eobinbod, and suite, arrived here at 5.30 p.m. to-day aud were received most enthusiastically. An address signed by the Mayor and Borough Councillors, and chairmen of local bodies, was presented to the Governor. In reply his Excellency Baid he had been greatly impressed not only with the magnificent ecenery cl New Zealand, but also fcy the boundless resources of the colony, and the rapid advances made in manufacturing and industrial pursuits. He had no doubt there was a great future before the colony. A salute wa’s fifed by the Volunteer Artillery, also by some vessels in port. A ball in honor of the visit is being held in the Mechanics’ Institute to-night. It is a very grand affair. The institute is splendidly decorated with evergreens and flowers. About 150 are present. The vice-regal party leave for Christchurch at ten a.m. to-morrow. • Timaru, May 3. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Kobinson and suite visited the Breakwater at 9.30 this morning. The monster steam crane was christened the “ Hercules,” by Miss Eobinson, in' presence of a large concourse of people. Mr. F. Archer, Chairman of the Harbor Board, on behalf of that body and the people, ' briefly thanked Miss Eobinson for the honor she had conferred upon them. Afterwards the harbor works were inspected, and Jus Exoelleney expressed his conviction that the breakwater would lead to the advancement of the place. The party returned to the railway station and left for the North at 9.55 by special train. Ashburton, May 3. The Governor and suite arrived from Timaru by a special train in charge of Mr. Conyers at Tinwatd at half-past eleven. Between two and three hundred residents were collected to receive his Excellency. On stepping from the train he was met by the Chairman of the County Council, who presented a congratulatory address. The Governor replied in suitable terms. Alter passing under the triumphal arch, his Excellency turned the first sod of the Mount Somers railway. In doing so he made a short speech in which he referred to the great advantages of railways in opening up and developing the resources of the country, and promoting the comfort of the people. Cheers were given for his Excellency, Lady Eobinson, and her Majesty the Queen. The visitors and leading residents subsequently sat down to. a .luncheon provided in Mossman’s railway store by the new railway contractor. “ The Health of his Excellency and Lady Eobinson” was drunk, and the Governor responded. They then proceeded by train to Ashburton, which they reached at a quarter to one. At the station the vice-regal party were met by the Mayor and members of the Borough Council, Who presented them with an address. , The Governor having briefly responded, ascended the carriage which, was in waiting, and accompanied by tho Mayor and a considerable number of the leading citizens in private and public carriages, he drove round the town, inspecting the public buildings and places of interest. . About, two or three thousand persona assembled at tho railway station, and the Governor was loudly cheered as he passed through the crowd. All the principal buildings, hotels, and places of business were decorated with flags, and a magnificent arch, with tho words “Welcome Sir Hercules,” surrounded with a floral crown, was erected over the main, thoroughfare just below the station. ,

CUBISTCUCECH, April 28. Ifc was stated at. the City Council meeting to-night by the Mayor that the Governor will arrive at i o'clock on Saturday. Funds have been voted by the Council for triumphal arches, &c. A meeting of Councillors and citizens is fixed for 3 o’clock to-morrow to make arrangements. A citizens’ ball will be held on Tuesday and a banquet will be given by the Mayor on Wednesday.

Christchurch, May 2. Sir. Conyers," the Commissioner of Railways, lofti for Timaru by express this morning to take charge of the special train which brings the Governor to Christchurch to-morrow.

Christchurch, May 4. His Excellency the Governor arrived here by special train at 3.30 p.m. yesterday. At the station the vice-regal party was met by the Mayor, the City Council, ami the belwyn County Council, and addresses were delivered by each body, to which bis Excellency replied. There was a grand procession through the city, in which the Volunteers, fire brigades, and friendly societies took part. Ihiee triumphal arches were erected —at the Eailway-s.ation, Cathedral-square, and in Victoria-street; 1200 children from the district schools sang the National Anthem. Flags were displayed all over the city. The people turned out in thousands and showed great enthusiasm. The Governor will be the guest of the Hon. W. Eobinson during his stay here. On Tuesday night a grand hall will bo held at the Oddfellows’ Hall. May 7.

Tho Governor to-day went round the_ city to inspect tho public institutions, visiting the Canterbury University, public schools, and some of the business places. The fire brigade to-night arranged a demonstration for the Governor, and formed in line in Cathedral-square as ho drove past, with engines decorated and torches of U*’’ 10 )*. 3 colored fires. Several rockets were also let otl. To-day the Governor held an undress levee, which was largely attended, and to-night he attends a citizens’ ball. To-morrow he visits East Christchurch School and other public mstitutions. ~ „ 0 Lyttelton, May 8.

The reception of Sir Hercules Eobinson to-day was a great success. Addresses were presented by the Borough Council and friendly societies. The public buildings, including the Orphanage, were inspected. Lady Eobinson appeared to be specially interested in conversing with tho chiliren at the Orphanage, aud the Governor complimented the superintendent upon the condition of the place and the orderly appearance of the inmates. The members of the Harbor Board explained to the Governor the works it contemplated re the harbor, and those accomplished by it were also inspected. The Harbor Board’s steamer accompanied the Hinemoa out of the harbor.