DPS David Cates Addresses GG's Luncheon
October 22, 2004

Your Excellency, on behalf of the Under Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries I thank you for inviting us into your home today for lunch. It is an honour to be invited to Government House to dine with Her Majesty's representative.

It is difficult for those of us in the wider Bahamian community to think of Government House as a home. I believe that most people think of this famous landmark as being only a landmark and perhaps a famous tourist attraction. However, Government House is home to the Governor-General and family during his or her tenure of office.

Your Excellency, according to my count, there were fifteen Proprietary Governors from 1670 to 1716, forty-nine Royal Governors between 1717 and 1972 and seven Governors General from 1973 to the present. A number of famous landmarks in the country have been named after your predecessors in office including Shirley Street, Dunmore Lane and Dunmore Town, Dowdeswell Street, Rawson Square, Cockburn Town, Matthew Town, Bannerman Town and Sir Milo Butler Highway.

There have been three Government Houses to occupy Mount Fritzwilliam, since Richard Fritzwilliam, who was Royal Governor until 1738, acquired the property m 1733. Prior to that time, Governors such as Woodes Rogers lived at Fort Nassau. The original building was replaced between 1803 and 1806. That building was severely damaged during the hurricane of 1929 and was rebuilt m 1932. The present building contains part of the 1806 structure and the office wing over which we sit was constructed in 1909.

There have been many interesting Governors to occupy this residence, including Sir Cameron Lees, the first Bahamian Governor, not to be confused with Governor-General. There are also many interesting stories surrounding your predecessors including Mrs. Phenny, wife of George Phenny, second Royal Governor, who was alleged to have sold liquor from the back entrance to the then Government House. Perhaps the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were the most famous of all.

In 1940, when it was announced that the Duke had been appointed Governor, the Colonial Government of the Bahama Islands voted 10,000 pounds to redecorate the mansion to suit the Duchess. Some of the work was completed before their arrival. However, the Duchess brought in an American interior decorator and redid much of the work. The story is told that when she saw the ballroom, where we sit, she advised the decorator that money should not be wasted on redecorating it because it was built in gracelessness and nothing could be done with it. Your Excellency, I believe these beautiful decorations were installed in more recent times.

In thanking Your Excellency, I believe I am expressing the sentiments of all of my colleagues assembled here. We deeply appreciate your kind invitation and for thinking of us. As far as I am aware this is only the second time that we have been invited to Government House as a group for a private event. Your Excellency, thank you again and we wish you and your family the very best in the fast approaching holiday season.