LORD ONSLOW’S RECEPTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1892, 16 May 1889, Page 4

LORD ONSLOW’S RECEPTION.

A lady visitor in Wellington, in a private letter handed to the New Zealand Herald for publication, gives an amusing description of the reception of Lord Onslow at the capital ;—“ You would have laughed,” she writes, “ to see the procession on the arrival of the potentates. The Heretaunga Halt Cavalry, with the seediest and weediest looking horses, like Mark Twain’s description of the horse that was so thin that when it coughed it had to be propped up against a lamp post. But this is a digression. Well they were like that, at ftny rate —ungroomed, and their masters in the same condition. These were the guard of honor. Then the Foresters dressed in their green top boots, green hats, with red, white and bue feathers, and the groggy horses made a striking tout ensemble, The Mayor, Councillors, and private carriages brought up the rear. St. Patrick’s brass band of College boys—l might mention, very brassy indeed—played to these poor wearied travellers on their way home, after hearing about forty addresses read to them, to all of which the Governor had to reply. The band was determined that the music should be appropriate, so they p’ayed in the most ghastly manner, “It may be for years, aud it may be for over” ; oh, how homesick they looked, and, I am certain, were inwardly praying that it wouldn’t be for years and it wouldn’t be for ever. The A.D.O. and Private Secretary were starched up in a Victoria, looking so blase and thoroughly tired out with these j'jß that the band in kindness played “ The girl I left behind me.” This didn’t even bring the blush of youth to their jaded countenances. They brightened on seeing Government House gates; but not so fast, dear boys, still another address, All the bodies in Wellington addressed him ; the Methodist body was the last, and I am sure 1 might state with his Excellency’s approval that be trusts the busybodies will be quiet here for some time to come. There is great grief among the young men here. They find, according to Government House fashions, that they, who consider themselves the pink of fashion, have been wearing collars with turned down peaks, whereas Government House wear collars with only a slit down the neck. However, this is to he remedied immediately.”