Governor Thorold Masefield says his final goodbye to Bermuda at a ceremony on the lawn in front of the Cabinet Building this afternoon.

His farewell speech is scheduled for shortly after 4 p.m. - just hours after Deputy Governor Tim Gurney's swearing in as Acting Governor by the Chief Justice.

The one hour ceremony begins with Mr. and Mrs. Masefield's arrival at the Cabinet Office by landau. They will be received by the Premier, the Mayor of Hamilton, the Commissioner of Police and the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment.

The Masefields will then receive a Royal Salute from the Guard of Honour and the Band, and Mr. Masefield will inspect the Guard of Honour.

Next on the agenda is Premier Jennifer Smith's farewell speech followed by Mr. Masefields' reply.

Mr. and Mrs. Masefield's departure by landau will be accompanied by six bars of the national anthem followed by a 17-gun salute.

In case of bad weather the parade will be cancelled and the ceremony held in the Harbour Room of Number 1 shed.

Mr. Masefield's successor, Sir John Vereker, 56, who is currently Permanent Secretary for the Department of International Development in the British Government, arrives on the Island in February.