SIR G. F. BOWEN.

Southland Times, Issue 917, 16 March 1868, Page 3

SIR G. F. BOWEN.

An Australian paper gives the following snort notice of Sir G-. F. Bowen, as Governor of Queensland : — His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen, G.C.M.G., was appointed Governor of Queensland on the 10th of July, 1859, and arrived in Brisbane oq the 10th of December following. Sir George was born in 1821, and was educated at the Charterhouse and at Oxford; at the latter he took a first-class degree in 1844, and afterwards became a Fellow of Brasenose, and a member of Lincoln's Tnn. Previous to the Queensland appointment, Sir George Bowen had been Governor of the lonian Islands, and received the command of Her Majesty to proceed to Queensland whilst holding that • position. The first Parliament of Queensland was opened on the 22nd May, 1860 ; and the first session by Sir George Bowen, on the Ist June, 1860. From December until May, the Governor assiduously labored to form the various departments, and having visited Sir "William Denison, at Sydney, en route to Brisbane, received many suggestion from the then Governor of New Sonth Wales, who advised and counselled his friend before taking up his new position. It was thought that any errors which had been committed by the elder colonies in the control of the Civil Service might be remedied, and it is evident that Sir George gave every attention to all the details of arrangement, and the Government of Queensland was commenced in a manner that gave indications of success. It may here be mentioned that the reverses and stagnation of trade which have befallen that colony during the past years are not attributable to the conduct of the Governor, but to the too rapid progress of public works and railways, the stoppage of immigration, the reckless speculation of adventurers, and other similar causes. This, however, has not permanently injured the colony, as it appears again likely to make advances which, with its wonderful resources, must place it in a prosperous condition. Two years since, Sir George Bowen made himself somewhat unpopular with a lar^o portion of the inhabitants of Queensland, owing to his refusal to give the royal assent to the issue of " greenbacks " by the Government of Queensland. He remained steadfast from the first, and unhesitatingly declined to give his approval to any scheme for raising money, except by means pf Treasury j

Bills, This latter course was subsequently adopted, and though an attempt was made to throw blame on Sir George, his conduct has received tho cordial sanction of the Home Government. He has, in despatches and otherwise, exerted, himself to elevate Queensland, and it was doubtless through his attachment to it that he disowned and thwarted the " greenbacks." • Sir George Bowen is now called upon to remove to the more important Government of New Zealand The sagacity and laborious energy with which he has administered the Government of Queensland are indicatioas that he will be well fitted for his new sphere, and we feel sure that his affable demeanor will win for him the esteem of the settlers in New Zealand, whilst his good judgment and wise tactics will doubtless secure the approval of Her Majesty's Government. Eeferring to the departure of Sir George Bowen from Queensland, the "Brisbane Courier" states that *'Sir George Bowen had no personal friendship or acquaintance with the Duke of Buckingham, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that this high appointment (as Govemer of New Zealand) has been conferred on him entirely on public grounds, and as a recognition of his public conduct as the first Governor of Queensland. The salary is (besides allowances) £6000 a year, of which £4500 is paid by the Colony, and £1500 by the Imperial Government. There are two Government Houses, one at Auckland the other at Wellington."