GENERAL GODLEY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 71, 4 January 1935, Page 3

GENERAL GODLEY.

VISIT TO DUNEDIN. (Special to the "Guardian.") DUNEDIN, January 3. Major-General Sir Afexander and Lady Godley arrived in Dunedin last evening after motoring from Invercargill. Sir Alexander, who was Officer Commanding tho New Zealand Military Forces prior to tho war, has had a distinguished military career. In the course of an interview with an "Otago Daily Times" reporter, Sir Alexander expressed his pleasure at ■being back in Dunedin after a long absence. His visit, he said, was one of pleasure. It was his great desire to renew old friendships, and he hoped that the next few days would be very successful in this respect. Since his arrival in Invercargill a week ago he had met several whom he remembered well, and the welcome he had received had been more than hearty.

Sir Alexander referred to his visit -to the .Southern Lakes and to the Eglinton Valley, the scenery of which had impressed him deeply with its majesty and beauty. The completed road to Milford, he thought, would possess outstanding attractions. Accommodation was necessary at Te Anau, in his opinion, and if the region was made known he felt sure that many people would be prepared to come from England to visit it. He regretted that time did not permit him to visit Queenstown, as had previously been intended. He also remarked that he had enjoyed his motor trip that day from Invercargill. The weatherVas somewhat misty, but tho fine rolling farm lands had made a very pleasant impression on him. The change in the weather had come as a surprise to him, as, though ho had visited Dunedin many times years ago, he always recalled it as a place where there was fine weather. When asked to express an opinion on the change in the defence system from compulsory to voluntary training, Sir Alexander stated that he had not yet-had an opportunity to study tho work which was being done under the present system, but would be ed to note its results. Ho expressed pleasure, on being informed of the work of the Cadet corps at high schools and at the standard of marksmanship which had been attained in some of the local schools.