AUCKLAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 327, 9 December 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

The Auckland correspondent of the, O. D. Times writes as follows : The principal event of a political , character since.my,, last ( communication has been the arrival and reception of our new Governor, Sir Arthur Gordon. * Governor and people will be alike glad to forget the wretched circumstance surrounding his entry into, the Northern capitalof the Colony'. Such a series of official blunders have never before been witnessed "in connection with the reception of the Queen’s' representative. The people had been , waiting for his Excellency’s arrival until the triumphal, arch and its floral decorations Had withered, the Volunteers , and Constabulary worn out, and the patience of everybody utterly exhausted. When he did at last arrive there seemed to be no directing authority, as the acting Mayor lost his head, for things were left to take whatever shape goods luck or fate might give them. The Governor’s carriage was driven so smartly through the streets, either to get rid o! the “ ruck,” or to enable him to reach the friendly shelter of Government House, that, not many of the com-, paratively small number of people lining the route had any opportunity of seeing him. Considering that Sir Arthur left Fiji without the formalities of leave-taking, it was rather an ominous inauguration of his rule in New Zealand, and few public men, unless indowed with great force of character* could have undergone the ordeal- so philosophically as his Excellency. It needed not a second glance at his features to see marked in every line decision and firmness, and that he is one of'those men who possess 4< , a backbone.” The Press has been giving his Excellency some well meant advice as to his future conduct—assuring him that while a benevolent despotism may be a very proper thing in Fiji, in this Colony, thejQueen’srepresentative, under responsi ble government will be expected to be guided by the advice of the Ministry, having the confidence of the Parliament for the time being. Sir Arthur Gordon however is a sto toman of too active a mind to subside into a merely ornamental position, and there is mo doubt that* like Sir Hercules Robinson, he wiJ take occasion, on great .public questions, to i expound his personal views and to assort his individuality. A very pretty quarrelis likely to ensue over the distressing contretemps attendant upon, his excel- , , lency’s reception, the municipal authorities blaming the Government • for misleading them as to the' date his probable arrival, while it, in turn, it is alleged, places on the ample shoulders of Captain Purvis, of the Danse, the responsibility arising out of the fiasco. | (i..