VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2499, 24 March 1881, Page 2

VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

Between 11 and 12 o’clock last evening a special train from the South, conveying His Excellency and the viceregal party, reached the Timam station. The platform was guarded by policemen, surrounded by citizen soldiers, and in the rear ranks, intent on witnessing the landing ceremonial, were several hundred civilians. When Sir Arthur ' stepped from the snug seclusion of his carriage, thanks to the vigilance of the men in blue and the fact that his Worship and the members of the Borough Council, being stern believers in orthodox hours were driving their pigs to market, and dreaming of a resuscitated . and ragged fire brigade in the arms of Morpheus, there was no formal reception. His Excellency looked to the right and then to the left, but policemen, volunteers, and vacancy alone met his anxious gaze. At length Lieut-Colonel Packe,commanding officer of the district,screwinghis courage fo the sticking point, gallantly and courageously rushed forward into the void, and warmly grasped the gubernatorial hand. exclamation from the vigilant satellite in blue of “ Will you . stand back, now, I tell you?” drowned the congratulations, and the sentiments must pass like many other things unrecorded. Orders to present arms were given, and after some slight confusion a guard of honor consisting of a dozen representatives of the C Battery under Captain Hamersley was formed. A seige party took up their position between the railway sheds and the surf boats under the command of Sergeant Turnbull, it having been arranged that

eight rounds should bo tired in,honor of the Queen’s representative. Either the powder was damp or the howitzer vas not in working trim, hut considerable delay was occasioned by the fuze merely igniting and the powder going off like a Roman candle without exploding. To add to the startling, or rather soarkling effect of this display, the adillerymen, without waiting for ins.Tuctions, performed with astounding celerity, a number of wheel-about circlewidening movements every time the powder with a whiz flew upwards. In tin’s way a had half hour for the howitzermen but an amusing oO minutesfor the spectators, was disposed of. M bile this performance was going on a: the beach His Excellenc}', to the sound of the martial music rendered by tlie Artillery Band, and followed by a promiscuous band of serenaders singing a ditty which need not be mentioned, drove up to the Grosvenor, where, as may well be imagined, Host Meildedid the amiable in true vice-regal style. The volunteers were dismissed, the minstrels, who had formed four deep, received the orders “ Wheel . about ! quick march!” and the people dispersed. A. guard remained on fatigue duty,and at daybreak this morning a “ weary worn soldier” could be seen at day break with his carbine under his arm, a la cudgel, his busby hanging dejectedly at the back of his neck, and a cutty pipe in his rpouth, looking excessively unrefreshed and .evidently in. want of refreshment. The picture was one of heroic fortitude and faithful attachment to the path of dnt}' that would have done credit to a concierge. . This morning at ten ■ o’clock .the eeremonyof laying the foundation stone of the new Mechanics’ Institute took place. His -Excellency and suite left the Grosvenor in a four-in-hand driven by Host Meikle, the Timaru contingent of the C.Y’.C., arrayed in all their glory of scarlet and blue, and commanded by Captain Dundas and Qnartcr-Mastcr-Sergeant McGninncss, forming the escort. At the scene of the celebration an elegant platform of hoards and battens bad been prepared. This was embellished with bannerettes of various hues, but the Union Jack was conspicuous by its absence. About 200 ladies and gentlemen took their places on the platform, and a crowd of about 1500 citizens watched the proceedings from the street. His Excellency on ascending the structure, and reaching the covered canopy was formally welcomed by His Worship the Mayor, and Mr Lough,'town clerk, read the following address . To His Excellency the Honorable Arthur Hamilton Gordon, K.G.C.M., &c. May it please your Excellency— . > We, the Mayor, Councillors, and Burgesses of the town of Timaru, desire to offer you a loyal' and hearty welcome on the occasion of this your first visit.

Wc are pleased to know that your tour up to the present has been attended with safety and success, and we trust that although it has been hurried you may have been led to think most favorably of the industry, energy, and loyalty displayed by the colonists, as well as having created in you a feeling of interest and pride in a colony abounding in natural resources, and over which you, as the Representative of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, have been called upon to preside. We regret exceedingly that your visit is of so short,duration, as we arc confident, if time permitted, that you would have been convinced that the prosperity of this seaport town and its district is of such a permanent character as to add in no small measure to the general welfare of the colony. We trust that your Excellency will at no very distant period again visit our town, and we hope you may live long in the enjoyment of health and happiness, and that the official term of your administration may be attended with peace and prosperity. His Excellency read the following reply : Mr Mayor and Gentlemen—l am obliged to yon for your address, and the greeting which it contains.

My hurried visit to this island, which is now nearly brought to a close, has been one of much interest to me, and has afforded me a most agreeable opportunity of witnessing the energy and activity of' its people, as well as of acknowledging the loyalty they profess to Her Majesty’s person and throne. I heartily share your/hope that the period of my connection with the colony may be one of peace, prosperity, and progress. Mr John Jackson, President of the Mechanics’ Institute, then read the next address as follows

To His Excellency the Honorable Sir Arthur-Gordon, G.0.M.G., Governor of New Zealand. May it please your Excellency— We, the President and members of the Mechanics’ Institute, offer you, the representative of our Gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria, a most loyal and hearty welcome to Timaru. We have taken the opportunity of you*- visit to invito you to lay the foundation stone of a new building for the Mechanics’ Institute. The previous building having been lately destroyed by fire, the members of the institute determined to erect a more commodious and substantial structure. As the object of the Institute is to advance the social, intellectual, and moral welfare of the community, we were confident that you would willingly aid in the promotion of this object: We beg in conclusion to ask your Excellency to receive our best thanks for the kind manner in which you acceded to our request, and may your Excellency, on your next visit amongst us, be enabled to stay longer in the district and witness the successful completion of the building commenced to-day. His Excellency replied as follows : Gentlemen, —I receive with pleasure the address which has just been read, and can assui’e you that it has afforded me satisfaction to comply with your request that I would lay the first stone of your Institute. The Government and Legislature of this colony have done much to promote the' Education of the neople, hut to give full effect to the utility of our educational establishments it is indispensably necessary that self-education should supplement the teaching of the school. Such selfeducation is materially assisted by institutions such as that to which you belong, and •which, I hope, may long prove of advantage and utility to the people of Timaru and its vicinity. The foundation stone, which was suspended from a tripod, and beneath which had been placed copies of the South CanteebukyTimes and “Timaru Herald,” aud a parchment scroll containing the address and a list

of the members of the ‘lnstitute, was then laid in the usual formal manner. The trowel used for the purpose was of solid silver, the handle being of goa wood and silver mounted. The. blade, tastefully engraved . with a border of ’ acanthus leaves arid ferns, was procured from the establishment of Mr J. T. Partridge, manufacturing jeweller, by whom it was bea«tifull} r engraved as follows : “ Presented to His Excellency the Hon. Sir Arthur H. Gordon, Governor of Now Zealand on, the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the Mechanics’ Institute at Timaru, March 21, 1881. IVL.de H. Duval, architect.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, at the invitation of Air Jackson, three cheers wore given for His Excellency. The bugle sounded, His Excellency and suite mounted their equipage, and a hurried drive up North street, past the monastry, and the public schools, and down to the Breakwater was made. The school children -held high holiday, and tho signs of rejoicing were made manifest by the Union Jack flying at half mast frop the Government buildings, and the shipping in the wharf being gaily decorated. A slight misadventure occurred during his Excellency's drive round. Two .of the. horses became intractable opposite the public school, and had to bo taken out of the harness for safety, so that His Excellency returned to the starting point with a team reduced to half its.original dimensions. It is quite unnecessary to allude to the ■ imaginary champagne that was spilled or to tho compliments that were profusely bestowed on the fine buildings, the luxuriant gardens, the bountiful scenery, the massive monuments of human engineering that met the vice-regal gaze. Sullies is to say that His Excellency appeared to enjoy himself, his suite tried to lie happy, while his Worship tho Mayor, President Jackson, and a number of other benevo-lent-looking gentleman, got up in the highest stylo of art for the occasion, did all they possibly could to entertain the visitors in a cheap way. The viceregal party took their departure for Ashburton shortly before eleven o’clock