VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR AND LADY BOWEN TO DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 256, 26 December 1872, Page 5

VISIT OF THE GOVERNOR AND LADY BO WEN TO DUNEDIN.

The visit of Sir George and Lady Bowen to Otago, apart from any political sense, has been looked forward to with considerable interest, as an event likely to give aest to the festivities of the approaching season. The prospect of balls, partie?, flower-shows, and other recreations, patronised by ViceRoyalty, filled many with pleasurable excitement, while others looked for mow solid

results. The community, therefore, were prepared to give Jiis Excellency and Lady a hearty welcome. The servants of the Corporation had been engaged for some days before in the erection of a triumphal arch at* the junction of Rattray and High streets, nenr to the Cargill Monument. It was designed by Mr Mirams, City Surveyor, and the result is pleasing and effective, and surpasses anything of the kind yet attempted in Dunedin. It was compos dof ope principal, with two minor arches on either side, surmounted by turrets, and clothed throughout with evergreens. On the jetty side were the words, in illuminated Tetters, "Welcome Sir George and Lady Bowen," "Honour," "Loyalty," with the mono* grams of Her Majesty and his Excellency. On the apex of the centre arch was placed a transparency showing tbe Imperial coat of arms, surmounted by a crown, while from the various turrets flags were unfurled. Conspicuous among these were the Union Jack, the St George, and other ensigns. On the Rattray street side of the arch were written the mottoes, " Honor to our Queen and ■ ountry," "Fidelity," and "Liberty," together with monograms similar to those on the reverse side. A platform was erected on the south side of Rattray street, for the accommoda.ion of lady spectators. During the early morning the citizens manifested. their loyalty by a display of flags, and other meaus, while the streets became thronged with people in holiday attire, many of whom were visitors from the country. The shipping alongside the various jetties was profusely dressed with bunting, and, the weather being fine, bright, and cheerful, contributed much to the general effect. As the day advanced the various business places were closed. Meanwhile, the children belonging to the different Bands of Hope mustered at the Drill Shed At three o'clock they formed in procession, to the number of about 1200, and, headed by the fife and drum band in uniform, marched through Princes street to Fern Will house. As the hour of debarkation approached, the Artillery were formed up with their euns in Crawford street. No. 1 Company City Guards composed the guard of honor, and took up their position on the wharf opposite the landing shed ; whi'e the North Dunedin Rifles and Cadets were thrown out along Princes street to keep off the press of the people. About this time the press became excessive, every available space adjacent to the scene of demonstration being occupied. \b the Luna steamed up -he Bay, the Golden Age, under a blaze of flags, went down to meet her. The former was received with hearty and prolonged cheers as she approached the wharf. Owing, however, to the tide not being full, she touched ground, and some little delay was occasioned in coming alongside. Whtn made fast, his WorBhip the Mayor went on board, and welcomed -irGeorgeaud Lady Bowen to the city. Soon after, Sir George, Lady Bowen, and suite landed and were received by tie members of the Provincial Government ; the guard of honor, under command of Captain Wales, presenting arms, and the Artillery meanwhile firing a salute of seventeen gun». His Excellency proceeded up the Wharf towards the carriage, the Artillery Band playing the National Anthem. Tbe cheers aud other demonstrations of welcome at this time were deafening, and continued until the Viceroyal party reached tbe triumphal arch. On arriving at the arch, bis Excellency, Lady Bowen, and euite alightel, and were received on the platform by the Mayor and City Councillors. His Worship then advanced, and presented a very tastefully prepared address, the work of Mr Weston, and of which the following is a copy :—: —

We, the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Dunedin, on behalf of the citizens, most cordially welcome you on this your second official visit to our City as the representative of our beloved Queen. The pleasure we feel in meeting your Excellency is much increased on this occasion, because you are accompanied by Lady Bowen, who now have an opportunity of seeing our City and Province, and of sharing with you our hospitality. We congratulate your Excellency on the prosperity that has accrued to the Colony since your last visit — prosperity which we believe to have been greatly induced by the measures adopted by your Excellency, in concert with your confidential advisers. We much regret that New Zealand is nbout to be deprived of your Excellency's services ; but aßvre cannot have the privilege of retaining them, we congratulate you upon the evidence of the continued confidence of Her Majesty in placing in your hands the Government of so important a Colony as Victoria, and hope that your accession to to high a position will enable you to suggest such measures as will result in mutually beneficial relations between New Zealand and that Colony. "We trust that to whatever new duties your Excellency is called, you will bear this Colony in kindly remembrance, and that the consciousness of the success that has attended your efforts to promote our welfare will add to the happiness of yourself and Lady Bowen through your future lives.

His Excellency replied as follows :—: — Mr. Mator and Gentlemen, — On. behalf of Lady Bowen and myself, I thank you with my whole heart for this address of welcome with which you have met us, so to speak, on the threshhold of your fair City. A. quarter 6f a century has not elapsed since the 23rd of March, 1848, when the little band of Scotch emigrants first landed on the site of what is now a populous and well-built town, but which was then silent and uninhabited, and covered with a thick forest. But the single Province of Otago, of which those hono-ed men were the .founders, already far surpasses in revenue, in trade, in all the elements of national weilth, many entire Colonies, such as Jamaica, Barbadoes, and Antigna, which have been settled for above two centuries.

I congratnlate'you on the remarkable progress which Dunedin in particular has achieved— on its rapidly increasing material prosperity, and on the noble provision which has been made here for education in all its branches, andforindustiial and charitable institutions. My family and I rejoice at the prospect of becoming, for a time, your fellow citizens.

With you, Mr. Mayor and gentlemen, I trust that my accession to the Government pi the great neighboring Colony of Victoria mayenable me to assist in strengthening the many ties which connect it with New Zealand, and especially with the Province of Otago. I shall continue to devote myself to the pefomiance of this and of my other duties with all the energy and activity compatible with the constitutional limits of the office of the representative of the Queen in Colonies possessing "Pa*i-Kivnr»oTi4:a.fy goveraxnexi-t, ajid I assure y«u. that wherever Lady Bowen and I may be hereafter, we shall always look back with affectionate interest to New Zealand, in' which we have spent five of ihe best and happiest yenrs of our lives, and with the history of which my name, as that of the Governor during an important and oritical period, must be for ever associated. -

His Honor the Superintendent asked the large assemblage to put the cope-stone to their loyalty by giving three cheers for the (jueen, which were enthusiastically given; and at his Worship the -Mayor a request, three more were as heartily given for Sir George and Lady Bowen.

I Sir George next called for three enters' for Dunedin, and the call was cheerfully responded to. Lady Bowen! was presented, by the Mayor's daughter,, with a very handsome bouquet made by Mr H. M. West, Mr Allan's gardeuer. The vice regal party then entered, tbe carriage amidst the cheering of the crowd, and the procession was formed and marched tot Fern Hill, where, as his Excellency entered the gates, the Band of Hope and Sunday children, under the leadership of Mr 6. B. West, sang the National Anthem with effect. The reception of Sir George and Lady Bo wen all along the line ot routs by the thousands who lined the etrett* wa* cordial in the fitreow. ;