PUBLIC RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR.

Patea Mail, 30 November 1880, Page 3

PUBLIC RECEPTION OF THE GOVERNOR.

Sir Arthur Gordon arrived at Auckland and landed with attendants on Wednesday last. The weather was showery, and the public demonstration was not a great success. The Premier went on tho Customs’ steamer to H.M.S. Danae, which had brought his Excellency from Fiji, and received the Governor formally. The Premier and the Governor then came ashore in the captain’s “gig,” rowed by blue jackets, and the Danae fired a salute of 17 guns. The Harbor Board members received tho vice-regal party at the pier steps. From the pier to Queen-street the Governor and party had to wade through mud, no carriage being ready, ami were rather jostled by the crowd. A triumphal arch bore the word “ Welcome,"’ and beneath the motto “ Bon Accord,” the well-known motto of Aberdeen city, from which the Governor bails. The Volunteers formed a guard of honor, together with the Fire Brigade, Salvage Corps, and Constabulary. The triumphal arch was erected at the entrance to Queen street, and there the Governor was received by the Mayor and Corporation, a platform being erected for this ceremony. Tho Mayor shaking hands, said he hoped the Governor’s appointment wo uld be a harbinger of better times to the colony. An address from the City Council was read ; and the Governor replied thus : “I thank you for your address. Jt is deeply gratifying to me In perceive and to acknowledge that loyally towards their Sovereign which is manifested by her subjects in this distant part of her dominions, and which has induced you to greet her representative amongst, you. I thank you also for the kind wishes you have expressed with regard to myself and family, as also for the flattering anticipations which you have been good enough to form with regard to my future connection with the colony. Be that connection of long or short duration, I accept it as an augury of good omen, which 1 trust I may not deserve to forfeit.”

Cheers were given for Sir Arthur and Lady Gordon. The Governor, Hie Premier, tire Mayor and Corporation then drove in carriages to Government House. On reaching there, the Mayor said :—“ H our evergreens are not so fresh, nor our roses so blooming as could be wished, it is solely because we miscalculated tho time of your Excellency’s arrival. They wore got ready too soon.” His Excellency replied : “1 greatly regret that any disappointment lias taken place. Wc were dependent on Hie winds and waves, but I am pleased to be hero at last.”