FAREWELL TRIBUTE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 131, 15 March 1935, Page 3

FAREWELL TRIBUTE

LORD AND LADY BLEDISLOE. A MEMORABLE GATHERING. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 14. Representatives of every section of the community assembled in the Town Hall to-night on the occasion of the civic farewell to their Excellencies Lord and Ladyi Bledisloe. The hall was packed and thousands unable to gain admittance listened outside to the speeches by means of loud speakers. The speakers were the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) and the Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop). Mr Hislop presented Lord Bledisloe with fin address from the citizens of Wellington and the inhabitants of the surrounding districts. The address was accompanied by a small watercolour reminiscent of the district, and was enclosed in a casket of New Zealand woods. When their Excellencies came to New Zealand, said Mr Hislop, much was expected, for Lord Bledislie was known as an eminent man of great scientific and scholastic distinction; but expectations had been exceeded many times, and no one ever had vacated office more honoured, respected or beloved than their Excellencies. New Zealand owed them a debt of gratitude that could never be repaid. Mr Hislop announced that Lord Bledisloe had consented to have his portrait painted in England for permanent housing in the National Art Gallery here. - Mr Forbes, in a eulogistic speech, punctuated by applause, said that no matter where one went, from one end of the country to the other, their Excellencies’ name was spoken of with the greatest affection. “When one looks back on the time of their arrival and remembers how things have been very difficult during the period they have been here, one realises how much they have done to encourage the spirit of optimism when the clouds looked dark,” said Mr Forbes. Lord Bledisloe’s Reply. Lord Bledisloe, in reply, referred to the pleasure which their stay in the Dominion had given to Lady Bledisloe and himself. In doing their best they had merely been doing their duty. He left for home after five years in this Britain of the Pacific with the firm conviction that the maintenance and integrity of the British Empire were essential to world progress and world peace, that only those qualities which made the Empire in the past could maintain it in the future, namely courage, honesty, enterprise and faith. Of those the most vital was resolute and unflagging faith —faith in God faith in our country and Empire and their high purpose and destiny, and faith in ourselves. It we had but clear vision, robust faith and ever-increasing mutual knowledge, a future of harmonious aifd confident progress (national and Imperial) was eternally assured.

He took the opportunity of saying in the presence of the Prime Minister that his relations with his Ministers, founded upon tlie most perfect frankness, had been throughout his term of office, most cordial. His successor, Lord Galway, a man of high character, ideals and traditions, would he hoped, enjoy both from the Government and people the same measure of friendly goodwill which had made his task so easy and pleasurable. “Our love for you and your country is deep and sincere,” concluded his Excellency, “and if we have, as you are good enough toi indicate found a place in your hearts, it will be to us a potent tonic —an ‘elixir vitae’ —to sustain our vitality and possible utility in the days that lie before us. With sad hearts we wish you farewell. We certainly shall not forget 3 t ou.” Loudly Cheered. At the conclusion of his Excellency’s speech the audience rose and cheered him. The National Anthem sung, and this was. followed by the impromptu singing of “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,” with more cheering. On leaving the hall their Excellencies were given a continuous friendly ovation, while outside an enormous crowd lined the streets and watched them drive away amid cheers and farewells. It was a memorable occasion and an eloquent testimony to the affection in 6 which their Excellencies are held by the people.

THE CHILDREN’S FAREWELL. AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. WELLINGTON, March 14. Nearly 10,000 of the secondary and primary school children of Wellington city and suburbs gathered at Newtown Park this afternoon to farewell Lord and Lady Rledisloe. In the brilliant sunshine the scene was an impressive and animated one and when their Excellencies arrived they were given a most enthusiastic reception. The atmosphere was remiscent of that at the display given by school children during the visit of the Duke of Gloucester.