Arrival of Sir Arthur Gordon. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1312, 25 November 1880, Page 2

Arrival of Sir Arthur Gordon. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT]

Auckland, Last Night. Arrival of H.M.S. Danae. On Tuesday afternoon "a sail in sight" was signalled at Mount Victoria Station, North Shore, and a quarter of an hour later flags denoting that a British man-of-war was in the offing were hoisted, also that His Excellency the Governor Sir Arthur Gordon was a passenger. There was a strong fair wind, and the vessel rounded the North Head shortly after 6 o'clock, and dropped anchor well up the harbor. Governor Dcs Vceux, the Premier, and other gentlemen were in the meantime communicated with, and orders were issued to have the Customs' launch in readiness. This was immediately done, and in due time the Hon. J. Hall (Premier), Captain Herbert (A.D.C. to the Hon Mr Dcs Vceux, Governor of Fiji), and Mr Thomson (Superintendent of the Armed Constabulary), proceeded on board. The Premier and Captain Herbert had a short interview with Sir Arthur, after which they returned to the wharf.

The Hour of Landing, la accordance with previous arrangement, a letter was forwarded on board by Mr P. A. Phillips, Town Clerk, requesting His Excellency to fix an hour most convenient to himself for a public landing. The following reply was received during the evening : H.M. s. Danae, 23rd November, 1880.— Sir,— I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of to-day's date informing' me that the citizens of Auckland desire to accord to his Excellency a public welcome on his landing, and enclosing a copy of the address. I am desired by his Excellency to express the pleasure it will afford him to receive this welcome, and to suggest the hour of U a.m. to-morrow morning, should this prove convenient to the Mayor and other i gentlemen concerned. — I have the honour to be, sir. your obedient servant, L. F. KtfoLLYS^.iptau^A.D.C — P. A. Phillips, Town Clerk, &<?.., Auckland. With commendable forethought a message to this effect was forwarded to the circus manager with the request that he would announce it to the audience, which he did.

The Reception. The reception of the Governor to-day was the poorest affair of the kind ever given in Auckland. The Council had issued no invitations, and the arrangements were most incomplete. The Governor was compelled to walk through the mud up the wharf surrounded by a crowd of boy-'. The affair was altogether very unsatisfactory and tame. The Governor in reply to the city address briefly returned thanks for gooi wishes expressed. He remains in Auckland two days, and then goes on to Wellington to be sworn.

The Danae's Cruise. His Excellency, after having 1 completed several important land claims, accompanied by his aide-de-camp (Captain Knollya) and huite, embarked on the* 1 6th from Tongatabu — the Danae having proceeded there to meet him — under a salute of seventeen <?uns, the blue jacket manning 1 the yards Captain Purvis and the officers and a guard of honour receiving him on deck. The anchor was immediately weighed, and the coal running short, a course was shaped for Suva, where a sufficient quautity to enable the ship to roach Auckland having been shipped, the Danae, on the 18th, left this port, arriviug as above.