Future Governor’s Roll Of Honour In NZ
Bermuda’s Governor designate George Fergusson is an old hand at breaking the ice in the far-flung territories of the former British Empire, according to the UK “Daily Telegraph” today [Apr. 5].
When his father took up his post as Governor-General of New Zealand in the 1960s, a then seven-year-old Mr. Fergusson charmed the locals by performing a cartwheel on the lawn of Government House to loud cheers. ”The Bermudians must be hoping for an encore,” noted the newspaper’s gossip columnist Mandrake.
The “Telegraph” noted the 56-year-old career diplomat [pictured] had agreed to his $231,800 salary being cut by five per cent before he even arrived here.
The move, said the newspaper, “followed some agitating by Dr. Ewart Brown, the former Premier of Britain’s most populous remaining Overseas Territory, on the issue of the Governor’s salary. ‘Not once have I heard even a whisper that the $1.6 million annual outlay that goes to Government House should be cut back’, he said. ‘Is there no moral obligation for the British governor to lead by example, and volunteer to take a pay cut? Oops, I forgot. The British are superior’ …”
A former British high commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa, and the governor of the Pitcairn Islands, Mr. Fergusson’s middle name “Raukawa” is Maori and reflects the history of members of his family being appointed to vice-regal posts in New Zealand.
Mr. Fergusson is scheduled to succeed outgoing Governor Sir Richard Gozney in May.
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