THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 372, 26 November 1898, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

His Excellency the Governor, the Earl of ftanfurly, accompanied by Lady ltanfurly, Lady Constance Knox, and Lord Northland, his daughter and ton, Capt. Alexander, A.D.G., and Mr Garland, paid an oflicial visit to Hamilton yesterday afternoon. The weather was perfect, and as the afternoon was observed as a half-holiday by the business people of Hamilton, it is only natural to suppose that the proceedings were witnessed by a large concourse, including interested spectators fiom all parts of the Waikato. The /ice-Royal party, which arrived by special train from Rotorua at 1.20 p.m , was met on arrival at Hamilton West by Mr V. W. Lang, M.H.R. for Waikato, who introduced His Worship the Mayor. The Town Clerk, Mr C. J. W. Barton, then read the following address of welcome, which had been executed iu a most creditable style at the Waikato Akgu.s Office : To His Excellevcy Tim Right Honourable tub Earl ok Kaskirly, K.0.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony ov New Zealand. May it please Your Excellency : We, the inhabitants of Hamilton, desire to respectfully extend to you a most cordial welcome to our town, upon this, the first occasion of your visit to the Waikato, and to congratulate you upon the wish thus evidenced by you to make yourself acquainted with the country and people over whom you have been called by our Most Gracious Majesty to govern. We trust that during Your Lordship's term of ofiice the colony will advance and prosper, and we hope that Your Excellency'sjresidence amongst us will be a long and pleasant one. With loyalty and respect, we, on behalf of the inhabitants of Hamilton, subscribe ourselves, W. Dbv, Mavor. C. J. W. Barton, Town Clerk. The Waikato Mounted Rifles formed a guard of honour aud received His Excellency with the Royal salute, the Hamilton Town Band playing the National Anthem.

His Worship the Mayor thenpreseuted Mrs T. Slade and Miss Dey, the latter handing Lady Ranfurly a beautiful boquet of white roses. His Excellency replied as follows : Mr MAYOB, BOKGESSES AND INHABITANTS ok Hamilton, —I beg to thank you for the loyal welcome you extend to me as the Representative of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, upon my first >isit to this district, and I can assure you that the duty which impels me to see for myself all parts of the colony, is a most pleasing one. I trust that the prosperity everywhere apparent may in no wise diminish, and tliat every year may see fresh enterprise, trade further developed, and every portion of this beautiful and interesting country opened up for the equal beuefit of the uative race and the British settler. In the lour I am now doing, I have visited one of the most interesting parts, not only of New Zealand, but of the whole world, and I consider the future of this portion of the British Empire, when communications are more thoroughly completed, should indeed be a most felicitous one. I shall watch .'that future with deepest interest, and in thanking you for your kind reception, I beg to wish you every happiness aud prosperity in the years to come. After the councillors had been introduced by His Worship the Mayor, and three ringing cheers had been given, the Vice-Regal party (with the exception of Lord Northlands), accompanied by Mrs Slade and Miss Dey, were driven to the Commercial Hotel by the veteran whip, Mr W. K. Carter, who supplied a dashing turn-out for the occasion. Lord Northlands and His Worship the Mayor drove together in a single buggy. At 2 p.m. His Excellency and party were entertained at luncheon at the Commercial Botcl. The chair was occupied by His Worship the Mayor, and the vice-chair was taken by Mr F. W. Lang, M.H.R. Invitations had been issued only to those occupying official positions in the township, including the Councillors, exMayors, the Chairmen of adjoining Counties, and the officers of the Waikato Mounted Rifles. There were present:—The Vice-Regal party, Mrs Slade, Miss Dey, His Worship the Mayor (chairman), Mr F. W. Lang, M.H.R. (vice-chairman), ex - Mayors Messrs Graham, Edgenurobe and Knox, Crs. Bright, Davis, Gwynne, Salmon, Sandes, Slade and Tristram, Mr C. J. W. Barton (Town Clerk), Revs. R. O'C. Biggs, J. M. Mitchell and Dr. Hoskiog, Drs. Kenny and Brewiß, Captains Reid and Hunt, "Lieutenants Hurd-Wood and Weathtrill, Messrs W. H. Mandeno (Chairman Waipa County Council), A. Primrose (Chairman Waikato County Council), T. Kirk, P. E. Stevens, J. M. Murray, H. Holloway, G. W. Sare, A. V. McDonald, A. Grant, Thomson and presss representatives. The luncheon reflected the greatest credit on Host Smith and his worthy wife, and they must indeed be complimented for their purveying, more especially when one considers the adverse circumstances under which they have laboured. A glance at the menu card will show that there was nothing to be desired :•

Poultry : Roast Turkey, Roast Duck, Roast Fowl Joints :

Roast Beef, Roast Lamb, Corned Beef, Tickled Pork, Corned Tongue, Ham. Vegetables : New Potatoes, Green Peas, Cauliflower. Salads : Pastry :

Plum Pudding (hot), Peach Pie, Apricot Pie, Gooseberry Pie, Stewed Pears, Blanc Mange, Boiled Custard, Rice Pudding, Jam Tart. Fruit : (In season). Brkad and CIIKKSK. Wink List : Beer : Bass and Campbell-Ehrenfried. Stout : Guinness. Whisky : XXX Breadalbane. Brandy : Hennessey.

Winks : Port, Sherry, Claret (St. Julien and Australian), Frontignac, Coustantia, Tokay. Lemonade, Ginger Ale and Soda Water.

At the conclusion of the luncheon, His Worship the Mayor (Mr Wm. Dey) pro posed the customary loyal toasts of "Her Majesty the Queen " and " The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Royal Family." His Worship again rose and said he Had another toast which gave him much pleasure to propose, and one in which they would all join him heartily in drinking. It was not often that the township received a visit from Royalty, and he was sure the people of Hamilton were very pleased to have an opportunity of showing their loyalty. Although they might live in an insignificant corner of the Empire, when the war cloud darkened over them they were just as ready to participate as those nearer at hand. The toast he had to propose was that of Lord and Lady Ranfurly. He hoped they would have a pleasant stay in New Zealand, and that their sojourn here would result in increased prosperity to the country, (Continued App'ause).

His Excellency, who on rising, was received with continued applause, replied as follows :—Mr Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,—l thank you kindly for the way in which you have received this toast. I cannot, however, agree with your worthy Mayor in calling this an insignificant corner of the British Empire. It may be the farthest corner, but it is one of the most prosperous at the present tin:e, and I trust it will ever remain as prosperous as it is now. 1 feel great pleasure in stating that both Lady Kanfurly's and lr.y own stay in the colony has been an exceedingly pleasant one. It could hardly fail to be so when we meet with such a hearty welcome wherever we may be. When I visit the various towns in this colony, I generally to say a few words regarding the duties of the colony and the duties of the Mother Laud to her colonies. The duty of England has ever been to watch over, protect and foster them in their infancy ; when this infancy has been passed and they have attained sufeienfc age to look after themselves they have always been left to govern themselves ; but the colonies have the

benefit of the British Army when needed ; the benefit of the British navy to protect their commerce and their shores, and this is a very heavy burden on the British taxpayer, because, al though the colony no doubt is called upon to subscribe to a certain extent to pay the vast amount necessary, still it is the cause of serious taxation to England. But.the British taxpayer never grudges this. People in England like to pee their colonies prosperous, to see roads opened for their merchandise, and prefer to buy colonial merchandise to that im ported from foreign countries. The colonies also owe something to the Mother Land. (Hear, hear, and applause). It has often been asked, Are England's colonies loyal ? We have only to look at the Jubilee to answer that question. It has quite opened the eyes of the whole European world. It has shown them that England will never stand alone ; chat England stands together with her colonies as one single body. (Hea,r, hear, and applause). This they show in the time of peace, and the question then arises. What would it be in the time of turmoil and disaster ? Personally, I feel justified in saying that as far as New Zealand is concerned 1 know what it would be here, and I feel equally confident about the other members of the British Empire in all the various oceans of the world. (Hear, hear, and applause). All of us, no matter where we are,call the Mother Country—Home. The native races who know Her Most Gracious Majesty as their chieftaine3S equally call her " white mother " (hear, hear), and acknowledge her as one to be looked up to in the time of danger or peril, and no doubt would be ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with any British troops (hear, hear, and applause). The thunder cloud which has apparently been hanging over our heads during the past few weeks seems to have disappeared, and I can only hope that the remaining years of our Sovereign's long reign may be years of peace and prosperity throughout the world. (App'ause). We must be prepared and let the world know that we are one great united nation. (Hear, hear, and applause). They lay that at the present time we are not so eager as we were, as a certain poet says : " Old England's sons are English yet, Old England's hearts are strong. Men whisper that our arm is weak, Men say our blood is cold, And that our hearts no longer speak The clarion note of old ; But let the spear and sword draw near The sleeping lion's den, Our island's shore shall start once more To life with armed men." I trust that the patriotism that brought out these lines will still continue throughout this Empire. I feel that it does in New Zealand, and can only say that let young New Zealanders look on the deeds that have made our Empire, to the men from Marlborough, Nelson, Wellington and other great names, then the spirit of patriotism will come to them and they will be ready to do what* ever their country may require. (Applause). I thank you hearfily for the manner in which you have drunk my health, and also on behalf of Lady Ranfurly. (Continued applause). His Excellency then rose to proposo "The Health of the Mayor," and in doing so said :—" I consider it unnecessary to make a speech regarding his virtues, as you doubtless know hiin much better than I do-" (Applause). His Worship briefly replied. The Vice-Regal party then left for the Jubilee Gardens for the purpose of laying THE FOUNDATION STONE of the Hamilton Public Library. The stone, which was presented and the work in connection therewith done gratuitiously by Mr T. Chapped, of Hamilton, as a donation to the library fund, was inscribed as follows : November 25th, IS9B. EARL OF RAN F URL Y, GOVEROR. A very handsome silver trowel, supplied from Mr Howden's establishment, and inscribed "Hamilton Public Library, 25th November, 1895," was presented to His Excellency, with which he smoothed the mortar for the reception of the stone. Everything was in readiness for the ceremony, and no time was lost. After placing the stone in position His Excellency said :—" Mr Mayob, ladies and gentlemen,—l have much pleasure in declaring this stone well and truly laid. I am glad to see the people of Hamilton desire to have a public library. We all know that a little education is a very bad thing, and the tendency of these times is for everybody to have a little and then things get left alone. This is a decidedly dangerous thing to the community at large. The secret of progress is education, not merely education which teaches us to read and write, to multiply and divide, but higher education which leads us to read what clever and wiser men have written on various subjects of interest, and so deduce for ourselves our own theories of what is right and what is wrong and to judge what is really for the good and advancement of the human race and the British Empire we belong to. It is to encourage a higher standard of thought and for the relaxation of those who are weary and overwrought, that such institutions are established and to give the chance of seeing such works as might not be within che reach in their own home. I have much pleasure in taking part in this small ceremony, and I wish this institution prosperity, and hope that it may develop in the future into a large and good library.

After " Rule Britannia" had been played by the Hamilton Town Band, His Worship the Mayor thanked His Excellency for laying the foundation stone, and hoped that the institution, the foundation stone of which was well and truly laid, would prove an everlasting benefit to Hamilton.

Cheers were given for the Queen and Lord and Lady Ranfurly, and the party drove off to 'the sterring strains of Ihe " Star Spangled Banner." The Vice • Regal party then return to the Commercial Hotel, and after a short delay, His Excellency, His Worship the Mayor, Mr Lang, M.H.R., Lord Northland and Captain Alexander went for a drive, Mr W. K. Carter handling the ribbons. The Mounted Rifles formed an escort, and the route taken lay through the Tamahere districts across the Narrows Bridge and back to Hamilton, passing the Wair kato Hospital and Lake House, arriving just at 6 o'clock. His Excellency expressed himself as very pleased with the country through which they had passed. In the evening the Vice-regal party, consisting of His Excellency and Lady Ranfurly, Lord Northland, Lady Constance Knox, Capt. Alexander and MiGarland, attended at the Volunteer Hall to witness the performance of '• Dandy Dick " by the Hamilton Comedy Company. Those accompanying the party were His Worship the Mayor, Mrs Slade, Miss Dey, the Town Clerk, Mr P. W. Lang, member for Waikuto, Capt. Reid and Lieut. Hurd-Wood. The hall had beeu most tastefully decorated by a .number of young ladies, and the portion occupied by the Governor's party was nicely carpeted and seated with comfortable arm-chairs. The hall was well filled and punctually at 8 o'clock His Excellency and sttite arrived, being received with the National Anthem. The play was at once proceeded with, and the performance was one that any company might be proud of. The whole affair passed off without the slightest hitch, the applause being freonent and prolonged. At the conclusion the whole of the performers were called before the curtain, and at the request of His Excellency were introduced to him aud Lady Ranfurly, who expressed themselves as very pleased with their

efforts and congratulated them on their production. The party then returned to the Commercial Hotel, and they leave by special train for the Mercer Regatta at 9 o'clock to'day.