THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5683, 17 June 1879, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO AUCKLAND.

(PEIS PF.ES3 AGEXCr.I -Auckland, Monday.

The Hinemoa arrived at Onebunga ft a quarter past eight this morning. Tho Viceregal party breakfasted on board "die Hinemoa. At haif-pa-t nine the Native Minister, Judge Gillies, Rvwi. Marsh, Major Brown, and other chiefs waited on the Governor. Eewi was in-tro:luc--d to iho Governor, and, turning "o the crowd, he said, “ I want the pakthas to see

that I have the Governor ‘V' hand.” Rewi took tile Governor’s ami. The Governor said he hoped both races would become fast friends. Mrs. Gillies was than introduced to Lady Iv>V<ins-;:i. '■ n; 1 - wirn- the vessel the Vice regal part'- was received by the Mayor and Borough Council of Onchunga, who presented an address, to which the Governor replied. Cheers were d:-: given for his Excellency and Lady Robinson, follow, 1 by others for Rewi and the Hon. Mr. Pi nchan.

The shipping in the Mnnnkau harbor was gaily decorated with bnn’.iuj and flags. A procession proceed 'd at a rapid rate to Auckland. At Newmarket the Governor’s carriage made a short stay at the triumphal arch, where a bouquet was presented. ' The city decorations were in groat magnificence. A main arch was erected at the foot of Queenstreet, with various loyal mottos, and all along the street were displayed festoons, flags, and devices bearing words of welcome. The shipping in harbor was profusely decorated. Tho streets were lined with friendly societies aud Volunteers. On the dais were members of tho local bodies, clergymen, representatives in Parliament, consuls, and leading citizens.

The Governor ami Lady Robinson having ascended the dais, Mayor Peacock said : “ Your Excellency,—l have the honor to be the medium to convey tho congratulations of the people of Auckland to you on this your first visit to this fair city, aud I have to ask your forbearance while I read an addiess which encloses their expressions of loyalty and good will.” His Worship then read tho following address “To Sir Hercules Robinson, K.C.M.G., —May it please your Excellency : We, the Mayor, Councillors, aud citizens of the City of Auckland, avail ourselves of your Excellency’s visit to this part of the colony, to assure you of our loyalty and devotion to our Sovereign Lady Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, and to express satisfaction that she has been pleased to appoint your Excellency to tho Governorship of this colony. We heartily bid your Excellency, Lady Robinson, and family welcome to our city and province ; and we trust your stay with us will be a long and pleasant one, aud that we shall often be honored by your presence and residence with us.—On behalf of the citizens of the City of Auckland, Thomas Peacook, Mayor; P. A. Phillips, Town Clerk."

Tho Governor received the beautifully illuminated address, and acknowledged it in the following terms :—Mr. Mayor and Councillors of the city of Auckland, —I acknowledgewith satisfaction the expressions of loyalty to her Majesty the Queen contained in this address, and feel much gratified at tho confidence which you are good enough to express in me as her Majesty's representative in this colony. I thank you for the cordial welcome you offer to Lady Robinson, myself, and family to Auckland, and I can assure you I look forward with great pleasure, not only to this visit, but to returning and making a more lengthened stay among you on a future occasion.

The Mayor called for three cheers for tho Governor, which were given with*great enthusiasm. His Worship also called for three cheers for Lady Robinson, which was also enthusiastically responded to, and the procession then proceeded to Government House, at the entrance to which twenty Maori chiefs gave a welcome in native stylo, and presented an address. Arriving at tho Government House, Mrs. Peacock, wife of the Mayor, presented a splendid bouquet to Lady Robinson, and school children to tho number of 2000 sang the National Anthem.

His Excellency, while on the balcony, conveyed to the Mayor an assurance of the very great pleasure which he felt at the reception accorded him, and his gratification at tho display of loyalty made. He had not, he said, expected to find such a large and handsome city, and the drive from Onchunga had given him a very high impression of the beauty of the country. The proceedings throughout were most enthusiastic and orderly. Onty one serious accident occurred, a woman named Mrs, Gardener falling through a skylight, by which she sustained a serious cut.

The Yico-regal party will visit Waikato and Thames, but the date of their future movements is not fixed. All are very much fatigued with the passage.