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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Government House

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Government House.

Government House. Aucklanders have many reasons for revering the memory of Captain Hobson, the first governor of this colony, and certainly his ample provision in the matter of public reserves alone entitles
Photo Standish & Preece.Capt. H. D. O. Ward.Lord Ranfurly.Hon. C. E. Hill-Trevor.Capt. Dudley Alexander.

Photo Standish & Preece.
Capt. H. D. O. Ward.
Lord Ranfurly.
Hon. C. E. Hill-Trevor.
Capt. Dudley Alexander.

him to a more prominent place in the history of the Northern Capital than has hitherto been accorded him. Those who are familiar with the sufferings of Wellington through the land-grabbing propensities of her founders, have some idea of the incalculable service rendered by Governor Hobson in his determined opposition to the land-sharking, which, as soon as it became known that Auckland was to be the capital of the new colony, was so audaciously attempted. Of the many reserves which have been kept from the hands of the spoiler, few are more beautiful than the grounds surrounding Government House. The area is about ten acres, with an extensive frontage on the north to Waterloo Quadrant, the east and west sides fronting respectively Symonds and Princes Streets. The house faces about north-east, and between it and the Quadrant are beautiful flowers, a splendid lawn, and heavy clusters of oak trees and native evergreens. page 10 At the rear are the stables and a fine grass paddock of about three acres, separated from the road beyond by the only remnant of the old “Barracks” wall. These beautiful grounds are, by permission of His Excellency, and subject to the control of the custodian, thrown open to the public on Mondays. Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This privilege is, needless to say, not vouchsafed when Government House is occupied by his Excellency's family. Making reasonable allowance for the age of Government House, and the conditions of the colony at the time of its erection. It is a most creditable structure. The main entrance is from the centre of the front, and from the spacious hall are reached, on the right and left respectively, the drawing and dining rooms. Both of these are exceedingly large, lofty, and well lighted, and the ball room at their rear is nearly fifty feet wide by a length of 100 feet. The principal bedroom is also very fine, as are many of the other apartments. There are in all some thirty-five rooms, from the majority of which very beautiful views are obtainable. This is particularly remarkable in the case of the principal bedroom, from which Rangitoto, the North Shore, and the Intervening waters are in full view. It may be mentioned that Auckland has always been a favourite place of residence with the governors of the Colony, and this is by no means surprising to those who are familiar with the past and present capitals. Though the Auckland house is greatly inferior to the more recent establishment, this is much more than compensated for by the vastly more beautiful grounds and the very favourable contrast in the matters of climate and scenery. It is quite natural that Auckland should have what seems to be more than a fair share of attention. Auckland is the only town except the capital that possesses a Government House, and, Wellington being the theatre of action, relaxation must be sought else-where. When Auckland was the capital, and therefore the scene of action, Sir George Grey instituted his island home for relaxation, and there were not wanting those who complained that His Excellency of those days spent rather too much time at Kawau. For those who are not obliged to climb the hills on “Shanks' ponies,” and who may pass the heat of midsummer days in the cool shade of spreading oaks and sycamores, Auckland, with its beautiful yachting harbour and otherwise charming surroundings, possesses wonderful attractions almost unknown in the other parts of New Zealand. Successive governments are, therefore, to be complimented on their unanimity, as to the wisdom of preserving intact the Government House at Auckland.
Government House, Auckland.

Government House, Auckland.

Uchter John Mark, K.C.M.G., Earl of Ranfurly, Viscount Northland, and Baron Welles, of Duncannon, County Tyrone, Ireland, and Baron Ranfurly, of Ramphorlie, County Renfrew, United Kingdom, was born at Guernsey page 11 on the 14th of August, 1856. Lord Ranfurly is the second son of Thomas, third Earl of Ranfurly, by his wife Harriet, daughter of John Rimmington, Esq., of Broomhead Hall, County York. Becoming a cadet on board H.M.S. “Britannia,” he passed for the Royal Navy, but, giving up a naval career, entered Trinity College, Cambridge, at the age of eighteen. His Excellency, who is fifth Earl, succeeded his brother, who died on the 10th of May, 1875, while on a shooting expedition in Abyssinia. On the 10th of February, 1880, he was married to the Hon. Constance Elizabeth Caulfield, only child of James Alfred, seventh Viscount Charlemont, C.B., and has one son — Viscount Northland, born in 1882, and two daughters — the Ladies Constance and Eileen Knox. The title of Viscount Northland dates back to 1791, and that of Baron Welles ten years earlier. Lord Ranfurly holds a seat in the House of Lords as Baron Ranfurly, of the United Kingdom. The blood of the Royal House of Scotland flows in the veins of His Excellency, for his ancestor Uchtred, who flourished late in the twelfth century, married Princess Adama, daughter of the Earl of Huntingdon, their son being granted the barony of Knox. The family assumed this name, the famous reformer. John Knox, being one of its descendants. It is interesting to know that Lord Ranfurly is a lineal descendant, on the grand-maternal side, of the great Quaker. William Penn, of whom there are many fine relies at Northland House. His Excellency became a Lord-in-Waiting to Her Majesty the Queen in 1895, which honourable position he retained till his appointment as Governor of New Zealand in 1897. In recognition of her Diamond Jubilee, Her Majesty presented the Earl of Ranfurly and the rest of her Household with a medal, and conferred on him the additional honour of Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George. He is also a Knight of Justice of the order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem—an order to which he has for many years belonged, and whose chief work in these modern times is the St. John's Ambulance Association, which has branches all over England, and in many of the colonies, including New Zealand. At grand functions such as that of Jubilee Day, this association has several corps at work along the most crowded routes, and their temporary hospital tents prove, from the number of cases they have to treat, that this branch is most useful to the public. The headquarters of the order are at St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell—the same spot where in 1381 the ancient “Hospital” was burned at Wat Tyler's insurrection, which the Knights immediately rebuilt. The order, which was established to defend the Holy Sepulchre, was the great bulwark of Christendom against the invasion of the Turks. His Excellency is a member of the following well-known London clubs:—Carlton. Bachelors', and Travellers'; also of the Royal Yacht Squadron (Cowes) — the only club permitted to fly the white ensign,
Northland House, Ireland.

Northland House, Ireland.

page 12 as in Her Majesty's navy. His seat is know as Northland House, Dungannon, Tyrone, Ireland. Northland House—a stately, rambling pile of buildings of the Georgian period—was completed by the Governor's grandfather in 1841, previously to which the family residence had been Dungannon Park—a smaller but picturesque building, since used as a farm house. This mansion—Northland House—is full of objects of interest, including a painting by Peter Vandyke of Sir Thomas and Lady Juliana Penn (Lord Ranfurly's great-great-grand-parents, and son and daughter-in-law of the celebrated William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania). Viscountess Pery, as Mary Queen of Scots (His Lordship's great-great-grandmother), Mrs. Stuart (daughter of Sir T. Penn). Lady Lonsdale (an aunt of Mary Juliana, Countess of Ranfurly), and many others, besides a large quantity of lovely Chelsea. Mandarin-Worcester, and Berlin china. The park itself is a beautifully wooded, undulating stretch of country, possessing a superb avenue of beeches, a fine laured drive of a mile in length, a lovely lake where first rate skating may be enjoyed in winter, and an eighteen hole golf course. The Earl is greatly esteemed by his tenantry at Dungannon, and it may be remarked that evictions are almost unknown on his estates. On two occasions prior to his appointment to New Zealand, Lord Ranfurly passed through the Colony as a tourist, and was greatly impressed with the beauty of its scenery. At Mildura, in the colony of Victoria, the Governor possesses a fine orchard—chiefly oranges and lemons—which is admitted to be one of the best in the colonies. It is not a part of the Chaffey Bros. Irrigation Colonies, but has an irrigation plant of its own. His Lordship—who spent some time on this estate—is considered to be an authority on fruit-growing. He has also long been interested in mining matters—not as a speculator, but as a student at the Geological Institute, Jermyn Street, where he went through several courses in treating ores and minerals, which he followed up by taking a few practical field excursions. Speaking of the appointment of His Excellency, who arrived at Wellington on the 10th of August, 1897, a London paper says, “Lord Ranfurly's statesmanlike capacity, bonhomie, love of sport, and charm of manner, mark him out as especially suited to the post.” He is six feet in height, rather youthful in appearance, and possesses a characteristic affability which is most pleasing.
Front Hall of Northland House.

Front Hall of Northland House.

The Countess of Ranfurly is the only child of James Alfred, seventh Viscount Charlemont, C.B., and her mother, who died in 1888, was the youngest daughter of the third Lord Castlemaine. One of her ancestors—the famous Sir Toby Caulfeild—fought for Queen Elizabeth against the valiant O'Neil, Earl of Tyrone, and his heir was created Lord Charlemont by James I. in 1620. Another was a distinguished Irish patriot, and raised the famous “Irish Volunteers” of the eighteenth century. The “Gentlewoman” page 13 of June 5th, 1897, says that “Lady Ranfurly's delicate, patrician beauty, and sweet and gracious presence, youthfulness, kindliness of heart, vivacity, conversational powers, and perfect taste in dress, will assuredly render her as beloved and popular in New Zealand as in English society.”

Captain Dudley Alexander, Private Secretary to His Excellency the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., is a son of Henry Alexander. Esq., of Forkhill, County Armagh, and of Lady Louisa Alexander, daughter of the second Earl of Ranfurly, and is first cousin to the Governor. Born in 1863, Captain Alexander was educated at Marlborough College, and, choosing a military career, entered the Militia in 1882. Two years later he passed his examinations, and became a lieutenant in the fourteenth West Yorkshire Regiment; for three years, before his appointment as private secretary to Lord Ranfurly in June, 1897, he was adjutant of the Bedfordshire Volunteers. He is a member of the United Service Club. London.

The Hon. Charles Edward Hill-Trevor, Assistant Private Secretary to Lord Ranfurly, is the third son of the late Baron Trevor, of Brynkinalt, Chirk, North Wales (third son of the third Marquis of Downshire), and of the Hon. Mary Catherine Curzon (daughter of the Hon. and Rev. Alfred Curzon, and sister of Alfred, Lord Searsdale, of Keddelston, Derby). His paternal grandmother was Lady Maria Windsor, daughter of the fifth Earl of Plymouth. Lord Trevor—father of the subject of this notice—held a seat in the House of Commons for the same constituency from 1845 to 1880, and was a magistrate for Counties Salop, Nottingham, Denbigh, Flint, and Down, and deputy-lieutenant for Nottingham and Down. He was Major in the North Shropshire Yeomanry Cavalry from 1863 to 1872, and a lieutenant-colonel of the South Down Militia. In 1862, on succeeding to the estates of the late Viscount Dungannon, he assumed the additional name of Trevor. The Hon. Charles Hill-Trevor, who was born on the 23rd of December, 1863, was educated at Eton College. Entering the Militia in 1883, he was for some time captain of the third Battalion of Royal Welsh Fusiliers, from which regiment he resigned in 1893. Mr. Hill-Trevor had seven years' experience in orangegrowing in Florida. United States of America. In 1887 he acquired an estate in that country, which he still retains. He was appointed to the staff of His Excellency in June, 1897. The Hon. Charles Hill-Trevor is a member of “White's” Club, St. James' Street, London.

Lake On Lord Ranfurly's Estate, Ireland.

Lake On Lord Ranfurly's Estate, Ireland.

Captain Henry Dudley Ossulston Ward. Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency the Governor, was born on the 23rd of May, 1872, and was educated at the Oxford Military College. He entered the Royal Artillery in July. 1891, and joined the Royal Horse Artillery in May. 1896. Captain Ward was appointed to the staff of His Excellency in June, 1897. In October, 1899, Captain Ward, as holding a commission in the Royal Artillery, left New Zealand to join in the operations of the British Army against the South African and Orange Free State republics.

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River Bed in a Kauri Forest.

River Bed in a Kauri Forest.