AUCKLAND FAREWELL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 125, 8 March 1935, Page 3

AUCKLAND FAREWELL

LORD AND. LADY BLEDISLOE. CHILDREN'S DEMONSTRATION. (Per Press Association). " AUCKLAND, March 7. Lord and 'Lady Bledisloe left tonight for Wellington after their farewell visit. There was an enthusiastic scene at the railway station. A rousing demonstration of loyalty to the King and affection for the Gov-ernor-General and Lady Bledisloe was given by 10,000 Auckland school children in the Domain this afternoon. The gathering, ,at which the children of Auckland bade farewell to their Excellencies prior to their departure for England, was attended by several thousand adults. The cheering, throwing aloft of hats and waving of handkerchiefs in the warm sunlight made the scene a memorable one. In the course of his address, Lord Bledisloe said it had been suggested that they' might like a message sent to his Majesty. "I have anticipated and written out a telegram which I want you to authorise me to send to your friend and King," he said. "It is this: " 'Over 10,000 children assembled in the Auckland Domain this afternoon to wish us good-bye, desire me to convey their affectionate homage to your Majesty. —Bledisloe.' " Cheering marked his Excellency's reading of the message. Their Excellencies drove round the ranks of children and as they left the Domain the band played "Auld Lang Syne."