THE GOVERNOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 183, 20 December 1912, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR.

A WELLINGTON WELCOME. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Though the early morning v had been made gloomy by heavy driving rain squalls, the clouds cleared away towards midday, and when the special train from Auckland pulled in at 12.30 with Lord and Lady Liverpool, bright sunshine prevailed. There was a fair gathering of the public, who greeted their Excellencies with warm welcoming cheers. At the station a space had been reserved, to which only Ministers of the Crown, the Mayor of the city, councillors and members of public bodies and their wives were allowed entry. Amongst those present were the Hons. 11. D. Bell, W. 11. Herries, R. 11. Rhodes, A. 'L. Herdman and Dr. Pomare, the Mayor (Mr. D. McLaren), the chairman of the Harbor Board (Mr. R. Fletcher), and the members of the City Council. On alighting from the train His Excellency and the Countess of Liverpool were introduced by the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) to the Ministers and the Mayor. Mr. McLaren, in welcoming Lord and Lady Liverpool on behalf of the people of Wellington, referred to the fact that His Excellency's father was in New Zea- ! land in the time of the Waikato war, to help the country in its hour of trial. "Surely then," he said, "your Excellency must belong to us, and our welcome is the more hearty on that account." His Excellency, in reply, said: "I thank you cordially for the warm welcome which you have extended to me as the representative of the Sovereign, on my arrival at Wellington, and for your expressions of loyalty. You have also struck a ; personal note, and T cannot express adequately how much I appreciate the spontaneous expression of goodwill and kindliness contained in the words you have uttered, and while expressing my deep gratitude to the citizens of Wellington for their warm welcome, I must assure yon that Lady Liverpool and myself will strive our hardest, to merit your esteem, and when my term of office conies to an end I trust that, in some small degree, I shall have merited your approval, which I know my predecessor, Lord Islington, so well earned. I thank you from the bottom of'my-heart." (Applause.) At the call of the Mayor, cheers were given for Lord and Lady Liverpool, who then left for Government Houes.

THE SWEARING-IN. Lord Liverpool was formally sworn in as Governor of New Zealand at 3 o'clock this aftorndon. As His. Excellency left the Vice-Regal residence the Royal New Zealand Artillery fired a salute at Pipitea Point. The journey to the centre of the city was quiet. The ships in the harbor were decorated, ana flags were flying from a number of the principal buildings. Along Lambton Quay the ros hvay was lined with troops oh the seaward side, leaving the rest of the thoroughfare free for traffic. As His Excellency's carriage drove along the quay he was saluted here and there bv the onlookers, and reaclily acknowledged the courtesy when lie recognised it. At the Government Buildings a. fairly large crowd had assembled to witness the swearing-in- ceremony. On the platform were the Prime Minister and Ministers of the Qrown, and the commanders and officers of the British warships and the German cruiser Cormorant, the Mayor of Wellington, Major-General Godley, Colonel Collins (hon. A.D.C'. to His Excellency), Bishop Sprott, members of' the New Zealand General Staff, and many members of Parliament and prominent citizens.

Promptly at 3 o'clock the Administrator (Sir Robert Stout. Chief Justice) arrived. He was accompanied by Lady Stout. His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman, ami Mr. D. 0. A. Cooper (Registrar of the Supreme Court) and Mr. F. .T. Andrews (Clerk of the Executive Committee). A few moments later His Excellency the Governor-designate, attended by the Countess of Liverpool, Miss Follvejambc. and Captains Rlmwc- and Eastwood. A.D.C.'s. arrived. As soon as Ilis Excellency had taken his seat on the dias,' the Secretary to the Executive read the commission appointing His Excellency the fiovernor of Xcw Zealand; Then Sir Robert Stout administered the oaths of office and allegiance. His Excellency's signature having been witnessed by the. Chief Justice and Prime Minister, while a score of photographers snapped him, the fiovernor read a message from the King, expressing his pleasant recollections of New Zealand, and how much he and the Queen had enjoyed their visit.

Mr. Massey called for three cheers for the King and Queen. These were heartily given, and the band played "God Save the King." The Prime Minister, in extending a welcome to their Excellencies, said that the people of New Zealand had reason to congratulate themselves on the type of men who had been chosen to govern this country. Throughout New Zealand the. true British spirit obtained, and in the farthest out parts of the country a happy, lieartv and sincere welcome always awaited the King's representatives. Tt was as well to remember that there was a bond of interest between Lord Liverpool's family and New Zealand, his father having served in the Maori War. His father little thought in those days that his son would one day be Governor of New Zealand. (Applause.) Many other changes had taken place since that time, and to-day the Maori was our fellow citizen, and just as ready to fight for the British flag as those of British descent. He wished their Excellencies a welcome on behalf of the. whole of the people of New Zealand, and prosperity and happiness in the coming year. Lord Liverpool expressed appreciation for the hearty welcome he and the countess had received. They would do their best to deserve that kindness. The New Year was approaching, when one felt a desire to do good to someone, and he would do his best for the Dominion of which he was now Governor. (Applause.) Aft,er spending some time in introductions and conversation, His Excellency left for Government House.