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The Queen’s Representatives

Beacon
Aug 22/1907
The Governor general and party certainly spent a restful time while here. For the nonce, officialism was cast off and Earl and Lady grey and their daughters and enjoyed themselves just like other humans. There were no formalities of any kind, even the luncheons given by Sir Thomas Shaughnessy and Sir William Van Horne being unmarked by any display. We hope that they will be able to come this way again.

The governor-general before leaving the Algonquin hotel passed a high compliment upon the excellent management of Mr. Allerton. He said it was the best kept hotel he had ever been in. This is high praise, coming from such a source. Guests—His Excellency the governor-general, her Excellency Countess Grey, Lady Sybil, Grey, Lady Evelyn Grey, A. V. Sladen, Capt. D. C. Newton.

Governor-General of Canada Visits SA
In the dawning of the morning of Saturday last, Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada, and party steamed in to St. Andrews from St. John remained in their private car well until 9:20 o’clock when by appointment his Excellency received Mayor Snodgrass and the members of the town council. Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, who was present, also introduced a few citizens to the governor –general.
            His Excellency was in good humor and chatted pleasantly for a few minutes with his visitors. During the brief reception a magnificent big Newfoundland dog persisted in leaping about the Earl, showing affection that was honestly genuine. After breakfast the party entered the carriages of Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, Mr. C. R. Hosmer and Mr. F. W. Thompson, of Montreal, and were driven to the Algonquin hotel. The forenoon was quietly spent, a run out to the Algonquin golf links being the chief feature. The party partook of luncheon at Sir Thomas Shaughnessy’s residence, returning to the hotel afterwards. A large tent was erected on the bowling green for the informal reception at 4 o’clock, but the rain beginning to fall, the tend idea was abandoned, and the reception was held in the drawing room of the hotel. It was of a very informal character. Almost all the hotel guest attended. Among others were Sir William Van Horne, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, G. W. Ganong, M. P. George, J. Clarke, M. P. P. W. C. H. Grimmer, M. P. P Mayor Teed of SS; Mayor Snodgrass, Aldermen Cockburn, Hanson, Cummings, Doon, Rigby, Horsnell, McDowell, and Greenlaw, Sheriff Stuart, Mrs. Stuart, Miss Stuart, Judge Cockburn, Mrs. Cockburn, F. H. Grimmer, Miss Grimmer, R. E. Armstrong, Miss Armstrong, Mrs. Very Whitman, Misses Maloney, Miss Gordon, R. Walter Clarke, Mrs. Clarke, Mrs N M. Clarke, T. R. Wren, Miss Freda Wren and W. F. Kennedy. A feature of the reception was the presentation of a handsome bouquet to her Excellency by Master Whitman, on behalf of the American visitors, and also one by little Miss Farmer.
            Saturday evening after the shower was over the governor-general and his aide strolled about town. On Sunday morning their Excellencies worshipped in All Saints’ church and listened to a good sermon by the Rev. R. R. J. Langford. As they passed out of the church, the choir sang the national anthem. After church they were driven to Minister’s Island, where they lunched with Sir William Van Horne. The party entered their car at 9 o’clock Sunday night and retired. On Monday morning, the car was attached to the regular express and proceeded to Point du Chene. After a trip through PEI Earl Grey will return to the capital.

Beacon
Aug 29/1912
Vice Regal Visit
Duke of Connaught Loyally Welcomed at St. Andrews [Willa’s book, p. 29 photo]
Receives Address, Dedicates School and has a Good Time on the Golf Links
All anticipations with respect to the visit of St. Andrews of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia, last week were more than realized. The weather was not quite up to the mark in all respects, but it remained sufficiently stationary on Thursday to permit the public functions to be held most successfully.
The town was never more gaily decorated, nor was there ever more people on the streets. Autos and carriages by the score were present. SS, Milltown, Calais, SG, the islands and the mainland villages in the County each contributed its quota to the general throng. The Warden of the county, Mr. E. A. McNeill attended, and was present on the dock to greet His Highness and welcome him to Charlotte County. So also were Mayor Murchie, of Milltown, and Mayor Grearson, of St. George.
            Nor was the scene afloat any less dazzling than on shore. The big American yacht Kehtoh was a mass of bunting, so was Mr. Hopkins’s beautiful yacht Seiglinde, also the clipper sardine boat Cansarco, Mr. Wheelock’s yacht, the yachts belonging to the Rigby fleet and many others beside. A more spontaneous greeting to a representative of royalty could not have been devised.
            Promptly at 3 o’clock the vice-regal party landed at the public wharf. The Duke, attired in plain afternoon dress, was accompanied by the Duchess of Princess Patricia, with the official and personal attendants.
            Upon reaching the wharf they were welcomed by a reception committee composed of the Mayor, members of the council and school board and a number of representative residents, included among the latter being Sir William Van Horne an Hon. Senator Mackay.
            The party walked to the head of the wharf where they embarked in carriage and preceded by the St. Andrews band moved in the direction of the new school building, on King Street. They were accompanied by an immense concourse of people, on foot, in autos and carriage. The school children and their teachers were lined up on either side of the street, and greeted the vice-regal party by waving flags and scattering flowers in tier paths.
            Arrived at the school, the visitors were taken to a platform, which had been erected in front of the school, the children being massed around the platform. A portion of the platform had been railed off for the distinguished guests, and was especially furnished and decorated for them.
            Just as the ladies of the party had taken their seats, little Misses Odell and Dorothy Hanson stepped forward and presented the Duchess and Princess with a pretty bouquet each. They shook the hands of the little ladies and thanked them most graciously
            [dedication of school here described]
            [Wednesday, Thursday and Friday golfing was done.]
            The Decorations—
            Never was St. Andrews so thoroughly and so beautifully decorated as it was on the occasion of the vice-regal visit. Not only were the business houses and streets gay with bunting, but most of the dwellings were prettily decorated. The Mason hall was a mass of beautiful decoration, the banners of the lodge being included in them. The members of the Pythian and Orange bodes had their place of meeting gaily decorated with bunting. Customs collector Snodgrass had a most tasteful arrangement of flags and bunting in front of the customs building. Kennedy’s Hotel was very prettily adorned. Wren’s Drug store was handsomely adorned. The block house was likewise decorated. Almost every dwelling in town had its decoration, so that it would be unfair to particularize. A good deal of credit and many thanks are due to contractor McVey, who put himself to a lot of trouble to assist the school committee in carrying out the programme at the school. He worked night and day to get he name plat completed, and also permitted the committee the free use of the lumber for platform purposes.
            Incidents of the visit—
            Almost a serious accident occurred during the procession on Thursday afternoon. Mr. Whidden Graham, of Milltown, got out of his auto to crank it up, not knowing that the power was on. As he finished cranking it the machine started up and came in contact with a carriage containing Mrs. Augustus Rigby and Miss Eva Stoop.  The carriage was overturned and the ladies thrown out, narrowly escaping being run down by he auto.
            As the Duke was driving down King Street, an enthusiastic young woman waved an Irish flag. His Highness recognized the flag and smilingly saluted it.
            Capt. James Leonard was one of the loyal residents of Deer Island to come up to see the Duke. It so happened that the Duke and the Captain were landing about the same time in the forenoon, and the Duke exchanged greetings with Captain James. They got quite chummy at the wharf. Some hours afterward when Captain Leonard was formally introduced to the Duke by the Mayor, his Highness laughingly replied that he had had the pleasure of meeting the Captain before.
            The spice of adventure connected with the ducal visit here will serve to fix it all the more strongly upon the distinguished visitors. The Duke’s military secretary got entangled in a fish weir on the night of arrival and had to spend a couple of hours in working his way out. It was one of the biggest “catches” that the weir had made during the season. Then the ducal party had quite an adventure while on their way to Sir William and Lady Van Horne’s Thursday evening. The rudder of their motor boat became disabled, and quite a long time elapsed before the disabled boat could reach Minister’s Island. When the party returned to the Earl Grey it was on board the Sardine Company’s crack sardine steamer “Casarco” in the charge of Capt. George Johnson. Capt. Johnson made the transfer from island to steamer in splendid shape, landing his precious cargo in the best of order. It was an auspicious beginning for the sardine boat. . . . .
            The vice-regal party entrained at the CPR station on Friday night, and at 5:30 on Saturday morning left for Fredericton, where the Duke received a loyal welcome and where he assisted in the rededication of the restored Anglican cathedra. The exercises were of a most dignified character. From Fredericton the party proceeded west.
            The train in which the vice-regal party is travelling is a splendidly appointed one, the fittings being most sumptuous. Conductor Vandine took the train out of St. Andrews. /the engineer was Bert. Boone.

Duke’s reply to mayor at dedication of school: “I was very glad to follow the example of many others in selecting your charming seaside town for a few days rest before commencing a journey to two months to the Pacific coast and back; and having seen St. Andrews I quite understand how it is that so many hard worked people come here for their holidays. For you are able to offer a number of attractions which few places can boast, and the only regret felt by myself, as well as by the Duchess and my daughter, is that our visit is of such short duration.”