ARRIVAL OF SIR GEORGE BOWEN.

Southland Times, Issue 899, 14 February 1868, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF SIR GEORGE BOWEN.

(Wellington Independent Feb. 6) His Excellency Sir George Bowen, accompanied : by Lady Bowen, Misses Nina, Zoe, and Agnei Bowen, Master George Bowen, and Mr Algernor Lenipriere, Private Secretary, arrived from Sydney ' by the Kaikoura, which dropped anchor in the harbor at half-past five o'clock on Tuesday evening. The Volunteers at once fell in on the reclaimed land, and other preparations were made to receive his Excellency, but after some time had elapsed, it was annonnced, much to the disappointment of a large assemblage of the public, who had collected near the wharf in hopes of getting an early sight of the new Governor, that Sir George 1 would not make his official landing until the next morning. Yesterday morning the whole town was astir at an early hour, and by nine o'clock large numbers of people had assembled about the Queen's Wharf. The different Volunteer corps formed on the reclaimed land, but the No. 1 Rifles, the Veterans, and the Cadets, were afterwards moved on to the Queen's Wharf, where they were drawn up in two lines, with room between sufficient to allow of a careiage being driven through. The No. 1 Rifles occupied the post of honor ; and the whole guard was under the command of Captain Mcßaraet, Captain Buck acting as adjutant. The Artillery, who were in full dress uniform, were posted on the reclaimed land, under the command of Captain Buckley, in readiness to fire a salute. The different military movements executed during the day were directed by the Hon. Major Richardson. The ships in harbor were gaily dressed out with bunting ; and flags were also displayed in different parts of the town. The Government steamer St. Kilda left the wharf about half-past ten and went alongside the Kaikoura, which was lying moored out in the stream, looking gay enough, with a line of flags stretched from stem to stern. Sir George Bowen, accompanied by Lady Bowen, his son and daughters, Mr Lempriere, the Colonial Secretary, Mr Justice Johnston, the Hon. Major Richardson, the Attorney-General, Captain Percival, R.N , Captain Holt, Under Secretary for Defence, Mr Smith, Assistant Private Secretary, Mrs Stafford and one or two other ladies, embarked on board the St. Kilda, at ten minutes to eleven. The Kaikoura and H. M.S. Falcon manned yards, and the latter vessel also fired a salute of sixteen guns, and dipped her ensign from the fore. The salute was immediately responded to from the shore by the Volunteer Artillery. The St. Kilda slowly steamed round the Falcon and then to the Queen's Wharf, which she reached exactly at eleven o'clock. As soon as Sir George Bowen was recognised, three hearty cheers were given by the crowd on the wharf, to which his Excellency responded by a bow. Sir George was dressed in the Civil Service uniform of a Colonial Governor, and wore the star and ribbon of the order of St. Michael and St. George. He landed at once, and was received by the officers of the Falcon .who were awaiting his arrival at a gangway which had been specially rigged up for the occasion. As our new Governor passed down the ranks of the Volunteers, the latted saluted, and the bands played the National Anthem. At the foot of the wharf, his Excellency's carriages, which had been sent on shore in the early part of the morning by the St. Kilda, were waiting. His Excellency, with Lady Bowen and family, took their seats in one of them ; Captain Percival, Mr Lempriere, and Mr Smith, ia the other. The other members of the Governor's party took their seats in private carriages. Before leaving the wharf, his Excellency, in response to the repeated cheering, stood up in the carriage and addressed a few words to the assembled crowd, but the noise rendered his remarks quite undistinguishable. The Governor then drove off to Government House, escorted by a body of mounted police, and followed by a line of carriages and horsemen. The yolunteers were marched up to the Government Domain, where they were formed into line and ordered to pile arms for a short time until Sir George, who had arrived before them, should be ready to be sworn into office. Just before noon Sir George Bowen, accompanied by Mr Justice Johnson, dressed in his judges robes' the Colonial Secretary, and Mr Foster. Goring, Clerk of the Executive Council, came out of Government House, and took his station on the verandah whither Lady Bowen had proceeded him. The hon. Major Richardson Captain Percival and officers of the 'Falcon, with several ladies and gentlemen other than those whom we have mentioned, were also on the verandah. Ho 1 Riflea, the Veterans, and the Cadet Corps were then drawn up in three sides of a square in front of Government House, while upon the lawn, in their rear, were the Artillery Corps with guns unlimbered, and in readiness to fire. A. large number of the public were assembled on the lawn, but the greater part of the crowd had been kept out of the Domain by the police, and were standing in Molesworth-street, eagerly w atching the proceedings. The lawn, rendered animated by the volunteers in their showy uniforms the party on the verandah, the eager crowd about the domain, the ships in harbor dresed out and all lighted up with bright sunlight, formed altogether a very pretty, and let us hope, auspicious scene. Punctually at noon, the ceremony of swearing in the new Governor was begun by Mr Foster Goring reading a copy ol her Majesty's Letters Patent authorising Sir George Bowen to act as Governor of New Zealand, the original document being held by Mr Justice Johnston, who was apparently testing its correspondence with what was read. This being concluded, his Honor administered the customary oath to Sir George Bowen, who received it with uncovered head, and pronounced the words in a distinct and clear tone of voice, plainly audible to all around. As Boon as the last words of the oath were uttered, the Union Jack was hoisted at the flagstaff, and the Falcon, responding to the signal, fired a salute. A royal salute wa9 then fired by the Volunteer Artillery, Volunteers presented arms, and the band played the National Anthem. His Excellency then, through Major Richardson called for three cheers for her Majesty, and the gallant Major humorously suggested that they should show the new Governor the power of New Zealand lungs. The appeal was responded to wi(;h enthusiasm ; three cheers were also given for Sir George, and three for Lady Bowen. Before they were marched off, Major Richardson, on behalf of his Excellency, thanked the corps for their services, and complimented them upon their soldierly behaviour during the day. This concluded the ceremony.