THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

llis Excellency the Governor, addressing the contingent, said: —

,1; am ihe]?R ; to-day, not to bid- -you, 'fj, final fnrpwell, but simply to mark .the first step which makes you soldiers of a Great Empire. I am watching with deepest interest the careers of the contingents already gone to the front, and I believe I am justified in saying there is not a man in New Zealand who takes more interest in the welfare of her soldiers who are leaving this shore thau I do. In wishing you God speed I would remind you that it is an honour to you to stand as "Soldiers of the Queen" side b3' side and shoulder to shoulder on the field of battle with regiments whose records have wou the warmest admiration even of England's enemies, and who have inscribed upon their role of fame the thousand fights which helped to bmld up this mighty Empire, sharing as you will do the prestige of belonging to an army which in the past has scaled the heights of Abraham, conquered the plains of India, marched to Kandahar under the same great Irishman who is now leading your comrades to victory, and who will in the future ever uphold the traditions which have made British arms famous throughout the wide world. The sons of the Empire stand together; and the present has proved' that when England calls Peers of the Realm and Sous of the Soil are equally prepared to sacrifice any personal interests in order to- take arms in her service, and to stand together as troopers side by side. Proud England may be and justly too, when, without conscription, she may know, that every man, worthy the name throughout her vast Empire, is not only ready'but anxious to do ids share'in any capacity, .what-

j trust the day is not far distant when iwe shall welcome you back, having ! added yet another glorious episode Ito the history of our country. THE PREMIER'S ADDRESS. The FUg'ht Hon. E. J. Seddon was received ywith applause. He said: "Your , Excellency, officers, non-com-missioned officers, and members of the Fourth Contingent, it gives me greatpleasure indeed to be with you on this great occasion. Before speaking, I will rend Ad. you some communications which I am sure you will listen to with great pleasuW Mr Seddon then road a number of cablegrams (published elsewhere), messages from Her Majesty, Lord Roberts, and the Premier of Natal. These were received with great, applause. Mr Seddon then referred in feeling language to the great loss sustained by Lord Roberts in the death of his only son, and said although upon his return to England the Queen and Parliament would heap honours upon him still they could not replace the loss of his boy. He said when new came about adversities sustained by the British forces in South Africa they felt that no matter what they suffered, the adversities only went to prove that in the Old Counii*y or these colonies they never lost faith in their soldiers. Their kindred at Home were equally determined. It was pleasing to think that their men had already done well.

Speeches were also made by the Hon. J. 0. Ward and by His Worship the Mayor (Mr D. Gcldie). Till-] MxVYOR'S LUNCHEON. At one o'clock the Rough Riders were entertained at luncheon by His Worship the Mayor at the Drill Hall. The Mayor presided; on his rightwere His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurly), the lions, the Premier (Mr Seddon), Mr Justice Conollj', Colonel Pole-Penton, Captain Wilford Smith, Hon. Chas. Hill-Trevor, Lieut. Thompson (Rough Eiders), Mr A. Myers and Captain Abbott (Rough Riders);' on the Mayors left were seated Earl Bcauchamp, Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonel Banks. Captain Alexa.nder, Mr J. H. Witheford, -Major AVhitc (Auckland Infantry Battalion), Mr R. Hohbs (chairman Board of. Education), Hon. Jas. Carroll, Mr F. Dil-1 linghara (American consul), Mr H. T. Gorrie, and Lieut. Walker (Rough | Riders. Amongst the guests were: Rabbi Goldstein, Mr J.. H. Upton, Captain Major, Mr Jas. Kirker, Mr R. R. Hunt, Mr F.-La wry, M.H.R., BrigadeSurgeon Lieut.-Colonel Dawson, Rer. W. E. Gillam, Mr, S". Vaile (president Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Erson, Mr Geo. Fowlcls, M.H.R., Mr F. .Jackson (Union Company), Mr J. M.. Brigham (Auckland Harbour Board). Colonel ,P. Dj>nan, Mr V. E. Rice. Dr. King, Mr Wm. Berry, Mr T. W. Leys, Mr J. M. Geddis, Mr L D. Nathan, Major Morrow, Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Hon. J. A. : Tole, Mr W. J. Napier, M.H.R., Captain Baurae, Mr W. R. Whitford (Tv- ! ranga), Messrs Warnock, McColl, C. E. ; Button, J an.d^J*.,C-=M-ac(]iy (Mayors of suburban boroughs), Mr Erskine (private! secretary' to the Earl of Aberdeen), City Councillors Warren, Pan-, Courtney, Tudehope, Ividd, Hannan, Hewson, Jamieson, Entrican Grey, Salmon, Farrell, Patterson, Mr Jas. Stewart, CIS., and Inspector Cullen. . •

e\-er, beginning* with the son of Her Majesty the Queen, who volunteered to fill any position, no matter how subordinate, on Lord Roberts' staff in Squth ; Africa, thus throwing riches, rank, business, personal ad-

vantage a.ll on one side to uphold. England's honour and to hand down to posterity her F,ag unsoileci as S inherited it. Men oi ]Ne\v Zealand, do your duty—l know yon will. Emulate, your' brave comrades and I