THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1331, 11 January 1881, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

A public meeting of burgesses was held in the Council Chambers on the evening of Saturday last. Between thirty and forty , persons were present. His Worship the Mayor presided. He stated that the fact had become geneially known that His Excellency the Governor was about to make a tour of the colony, and that in pursuance of that determination he would pass through Hamilton on an early clay. The steamer conveying him north, left Wellington the previous night. He might be expected to reach Auckland tomorrow (Sunday), and the probabilities were he would come on to Waikato reaching Hamilton the early part of next week. It was very necessary that something in the shape of a formal reception should be i given, and^to do so they would see that there was very little time to be lost. He had forwarded a telegram to his Excellency's Secretary asking him to state the exact day on which they might look for his arrival in Hamilton. In all probability a reply to that telegram would not reach them until Monday. Mr Gwynne was not aware whether His Excellency had visited tho place officially or otherwise. At the same time he thought it would not be right to allow the oppoitunity to pass without making some sort of recognition of his official character. He thought the very least that could be done was to receive him at the railway station, to provide him with a carnage to bring him on to the township, and, having arrived there, to present him with a formal address of \\ elcome. Mr Hill thought it would be enough if they met him at the railway-station | and presented an address to him on his arrival there. He believed that would be more m accord with His Excellency's own views. He was a man who was represented to be averse to ceremony and no doubt lie would make arrangements for conveyance by his own carriage. A discussion endued as to the pioposals made by the two previous speakers, and a motion and counter motion affirming their respective views having been tabled, Mr Whitaker s.iid he thought the address should De presented within the Borough, and not at the Kailway Station. H<? added that, in the case of other Governors who had visited Hamilton, a more formal reception had been awarded than that proposed by either of the other .speakeis. Iv all previous oases of the kind, a triumphal arch had been erected, and it would be rather invidious not to make a t>irailai display on the occasion of Sir Arthur Gordon's visit. The cost need not exceed £20, and he was quite sure there would be no difficulty in providing for the cost by private subscription. He concluded by tabling a motion to that effect, which was seconded by Mr O'Neil. Mr Gwyune withdrew the motion tabled by him, in favor of the amendment moved by Mr Whitaker. In reply to an objection that it was improper to squander tho money of the ratepayers on the erection of triumphal archeß, Mr Whitaker said ho always would object tv Borough rate:-, being appropriated in .such a manner. Such, howevei, was not the object in this case. The resolution expressly provided that the funds lequirod should bo I. used by private subscription. On the motion and amendment being put, the latter was carried by a majority. A subscription was then made in the room, and although the suto raised, did not trauspii c, a very considerable proportion ot the estimated cost must have been collected. Mr White moved "That the Mayor and Borough Council, the chairmen of the two conterminous County Councils, together with the membeis in the Geneial Assembly for Waipa and Waikato, be constituted a committee to prepare the address, and make the other arrangements decided upon for the occasion. 1 ' Mr Searancke moved, as* an amendment, " That only Mich members of the Borough Council as were present, or had otherwise shown an interest in the matter should constitute members of the committee." The amendment was discussed, and resulted m the original motion being remodelled so as to include the two representatives in the Assembly, tiie chairmen of the County Councils, the Mayor and other gentlemen, mdependant altogether ot their connection with the Borough Council. The meeting then separated.