Index  Return to Colonial Events 1844

Maitland Mercury 26 October 1844

THE GOVERNOR’S INTENDED VISIT

Preparations are made to receive his Excellency with every possible mark of respect due to his exalted position. It is said that “an address’ is in readiness to be presented to Sir George on his arrival, but of the nature of the address we are ignorant. His Excellency will, it is said, visit the gaol, stockade, military and convict hospitals, Nobby’s Island, the court house, and the post office; and we believe the village of Stockton, and inspect the mills, manufactories, and salt works there. It is supposed the Governor will sleep on Thursday night at Newcastle and proceed to Maitland by the steamer Thistle on Friday morning. We have every reason to believe that the whole of the inhabitants, who are early risers, will be on the wharf at five o’clock tomorrow morning, the ladies in their “best bibs and tuckers” and “Sweetest of smiles,” to welcome his Excellency and suite to his hotel. We are further confidentially informed that a band of music will not be in attendance. His Excellency, although a military man of the old regime, is not fond of unnecessary parade. But the attentions and civilities of the inhabitants will be but proper, considering that his Excellency’s visit to the districts of the Hunter are like angels' – few and far between. A substantial breakfast, in Rouse’s best style, at the Newcastle Inn, would be equally as palatable as an address after a ten hours’ voyage by steam, and more to the purpose. We hope that such of our friends as patronise Fisher & Co’s colonial tweed will be decked in their best superfines and blue buttons, and shave betimes. We sent ourselves this afternoon to the only hairdresser’s in the town for a pot of pomatum and the lend of a curling tongs, and were positively told that “all was sold and that tongs was sent to Maitland by express”. This was a sad blow to us all. A stylish friend of ours in this town has stated his intention of going to bed at eight this evening, to be awakened at midnight, when he will commence the business of his toilet, and be ready by half past four to morrow morning.