VICE ROYALTY IN LAWRENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 259, 16 January 1873, Page 8

VICE ROYALTY IN LAWRENCE.

On Wednesday, the Bth inst, His Worship the Mayor received a notification that His Excellency would arrive in Lawrence, en route to the Lnkos, on the following Friday. His Worship immediately called a meeting of the Council, which took place the same afternoon, and at which a deception Committee, consisting of the . Mayor, and Crs. Hill aud Hay, was appointed. This Committee immediately set to work energetically to ,niake arrangements to- receive His * .Excellency in a ! fitting manner. They first intended to give a grand banquet andball, but as His. Excellency signified his wish that no such demonstration should take place, the idea was abandoned, and the Committee confined their laboVg td organizing a procession, to meet, Ilis Excellency and escort him through the town. On Friday, several o!' the citizens adorued their habitations in honor of the occasion. Across JVol-'i r<-r>t, between the Commercial nn-1 Victoria Hotels, were suspended green boughs and flags, which had a very pleasing effect. The former establishment was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and over the " main entrance a graceful arch of toi toi grass had been constructed. Ou the flagstaff there floated the Union Jack. The exterior of the Victoria was also tricked out with picturesque arboreal ornature. a conspicuous feature in which, was the branches of English oaks, which, contrasting with the* native evergreens surrounding thorn, had a capital effect. This hotel also sported the Union Jack. Above the Shamrock Hotel was displayed the national flag of Ireland, and several other places were decked with flags, flowers, and evergreens. About four o'clock the Mayor and Town Cfouncil, in buggies, followed by a number of gentlemen on horseback, started for Havelock, at which place they remained to await the arrival of the distinguished visitors. It was anticipated that there would have been a muc'u larger turn out of equestrians to escort His Excellency to Lawrence but the cold threatening nature of the weather deterred many who would otherwise have been present from attending. About half-past five Cobb and Co.'s coach, containing the viceregal party, appeared on the hilU. and the assemblage drew up to' receive it. The party comprised His Excellency Sir George F. Bowon, K.Gh C.M.Gr", L-idy Bowen, the Misses Bowen, His Honor the Superintendent, Major Pitt, A.D.C., and Ciptain Machell, Private Secretary. When they arrived at t'le Bridge Hotel, three hearty cheers were g'ven for His Excellency an'l Lndy Bowen, and were*" duly acknowledged. His Worships the Mayor was here introduced to His Excellency and Lady Bowen, and _ was thanked by the former for coming so far to meet them. After a short stay, the journey towards Lawrence was resumed. The buggies containing tbe IvLiyor and Council led the way. the vice-regal coach came next, the rear being taken by tbe equestrians, the police forming a guard of honor. As the cortege proceeded its numbers were largely augmented, and by the time it arrived at its destination it assumed a ' c respectable length. On arriving at the town ooundary the Friendly Societies were met, drawn up in processional array and in full regalia. Thyse bodies headed the procession up Whitehaven-street as far as its junction with Colonsay-street, when a halt was made, and His Worship the Mayor read the following address : — To His Excellency Sir G. F, Bowen, K.G-. G.M.G., &c, &c. We, the Mayor and Councillors of the town of Lawrence, on behalf of the inhabitants, most cordially welcome you to our tuvsn. We have had only one day's clear notice of your corning, otherwise a greater outward display of enthusiasm would have been shown to the representative of our beloved Queen, for whom we beg to assure you that in no part of Her Majesty's dominions^ tra more attacei, devoted, loyal subjects. * We a:;e hr-ppy to think, and it must also bs gratifying to your Excellency, that during your Governorship of New Zealand, the colony h.is been ble33ed with great peace and prosperity. We sincerely wish your Excellency and I^ily Bowen every success and happiness which the world can afford. His f Excellency read the following rt-ply : — 'j- Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, — Ithank^you for,this Ifty 4 address, and for your hearty welcome to La'ly Bowen and myself. 1 was determined not to leave New Zealand without visiting this important district — remarkable as that portion of Otago in which gold wa« first discovered. "'•<■' The export o^gold from New Zealand has already, exceeded in value twenty-four millions sterling. Ifc is difficult to over-estimate the influence which the gold discoveries have exercised, not only on the progress of the Australian Colonies, but also on the trade and general prosperity of the British empire, and, nidee-t, of the entire civilised world. The good order which has been preserved amid the temptations of so exciting a jpursnlt as gold iniuing is above all praiss. I am glad to know that so many of the miners have now brought their wives and families fcsre, and made permanent homes for themselves in this province. The early founders of Ofcago judged wisely in giving to several of the new townships the names of Briti&h worthies ; and I am confident that the youth of Lawrence will follow the noble example «et to them by the two great and good men who are here cosnmoniorated. His Excellency after reading the formal reply, thanked the citizens lie.iitily on behalf of himself 'and L idy Bowen for coining so far to meet them on such a cold, raw day. Three cheers were given for His ' Excellency, three cheers for L-idy Bowph, and three cheers were also given for His Honor the Superintendent.

The cheering having subsided, the procession resumed its progress — His Excellency and the Mayor walking together. It proceeded through White-haven-streec and Boss Place to Peelstreot. When the Commercial Hotel was reached, a band, stationed in the balcony of the Victoria Hotel, which had been hastily improvised for the occasion, played in a very creditable ■ manner the National Anthem. The streets on the line of march were lined with spectators assembled to gaze on the unwonted pageant. The citizens and citzinesses turned out in large numbers, and there were also a large number of visitors from the various centres of population in the vicinity of Lawrence. His Excellency, Lady Bowen, the iVlisses Bowen, Majoi Pitt, and Captain Machell were accommodated at the Commercial Hotel. His Honor the Superintendent • stayed at the Victoria Hotel. In the course of the evening, Sir George Bowen, accompanied by the Mayor, viewed the town, His Excellenc) stated that Lawrence is the finest inland town in the colony. On Saturday the viceregal party j and His] Honoi the Superintendent, accompanied by the Mayor and Town Council, Messrs. Mouat, Armstrong, M.P.C., and K. Williams, visited the Blue Spur. They went over several of the claims, inspecting closely Hales and party's and the Perseverance Company's. The manager of the latter caused a box to be washed down, to show the visitors the mode in which the gold is swed. Both His Excellency and Lady Bowen manifested great interest in the. style of working, and expressed their gratification at having witnessed io. In returning to Lawrence, His Excellency visited the battery of Gabriels Gully Quartz Mining Company. At half-past 1 1 o'clock the vice-regal party and. His rToaor were entertained at a dejeuner given in the Commeicial Hotel by the Town Council. His Excellency and party took their departure from Lawrence at half-past twelve. They were escorted by the Mayor and Town Council and a number of citizens. The previous evening the Chinese had requested the G-overnor to visit their settlement, and the invitation was accepted. In honor of the anticipated visit tbe Camp was gaily decorated with bright colored flags, flowers, evergreens, &c, and across the street, at the end of the village, depended a monster- wreath, composed <of flowers and green boughs. The Immigration Barracks was fitted up for the reception of the vice-regal party, and was tastefully adorned with Celestial devices, and on the walls were a number of Chinese inscriptions, and a number of verses of Chinese poetry. When the vice-regal party armed at t'.ie barracks, they were received by a number of the principal Chinese. An address in Chinese was presented to His Excellency, a translation of it as follows, beiug read by Mr. King : — To His Excellency Sir George Bowen, K.&. C.M.G. May it please your Excellency, — The Chinese residents in this district, numbering about 200, feel it to be no less a duty than an honor to welcome your Excellency and Lady Howe i, aud to express their deep sense of your .kindness and urbanity, in acceding to their request that you would visit their encampment. They take this opportunity of declaring their loyalty to Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria, and the appreciation of ihe happiness they have experienced during the time thsy nave resided under British rale, and for the consideration and' protection~afforded them in their various pursuits, by the justice aid equity of the laws thflt here exist, and the way they are administered. With earnest prayers that your Excellency, Lady Bowen and family, may be blessed with a long future of health, honor, and prosperity. We remain, Your Excellency's most obedient Servants, Sun Kum Hop. Wong Ok. On Tie. Thomas Chiv Sing. Charles Ah Ying. His Excellency thauked the Chinese for thwir expression of loyalty towards Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, to whose Government he would forward their address. He was also gratified at the good- will manifested towiirdiiJiittiself, Lady Bowen, ,and family. ~ 33er-~was very ' much pleased at being invited to visit the Chinese quarters, aud had accepted it with much pleasure. He was glad to find that the English and Chinese residents of the goldfieLls maintained such friendly relations, and hoped those friendly relations would long continue, to the mutual benefit of both races. The laws were made for the benefic and equal protection oi all ; and under the British flag all races could dwell together in perfect security, freedom, and equality. Before concluding, he would mention one thing. The Chinese ought to bring their wives to New Zealand. As they did riot do so they returned to China, whereas if they brought their wives with them, they would settle permanently in the colony. He again thanked them for their kind reception. The above was translated into Chinese by Mr. Ah Ying, as spoken by His Excellency. Three cheers were then given for His Excellency, Lady Bowen, and family. The whole party then, iv response to^invitation went into- the building, and were entertained with champagne, Chinese fruits, &c. " Health and prosperity to the Chinese " was proposed by His Excellency and drunk with aclamation. ' ThoVice-Begal party then re-entered

the coacli, and resumed their journey to Cargill aud Anderson's station. They were accompanied for some distance by the Mayor and Town CouncilSuch is an account of the visit of His Excellency Sir G-eorge Bowen to Lawrence, and of the proceedings and ceremonies connected therewith.