KITCHENER IN CHRISTCHURCH

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 45, 22 February 1910, Page 4

KITCHENER IN CHRISTCHURCH

I , — VAST CROWD WELCOMES _____D ■ MARSHAL. | I CIVIC WELCOME AND ADDRESS. I (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) C___IS_C_I_RCH, Monday. I The arrival of Lord Kitchener in I Christchurch by the second express from the South to-night drew forth perhaps as large a crowd as has yet as- [ sembled to bid welcome to a distinguished visitor to <___istchurch. It was, moreover, not a crowd merely of ! the curious anxious to catch a glimpse of a man of note. It was more an assembly of those familiar with the main features of a great military career, and animated by a desire to show by the heartiness of their welcome their appreciation of the vast service to the Empire rendered by him in achieving that career. The train conveying the illusitrious Field-Marshal was timed for 7.27 p_c_, when tbe second express from the South reached Christchurch, but some considerable i time before that hour the streets through which Lord Kitchener was to pass on his way from the railway' sta-. tion to the Christchurch Club, bis head- ! quarters while in Chriatchurcb, were well lined with people, while a vast crowd had assembled opposite to, and in the vicinity of, the -Christchurch station, where Lord Kitchener would first appear. As time went on the crowd increased, and when the train drew in there were assembled in different parts of the city,- along the line of route, great throngs of citizens, estimated in numbers at many thousands. The reception of Lord Kitchener and his first welcome to Christchurch was essentially a civic, function, but attendant features were provided by the mili- : tary, and so well was the whole affair organised and thought out that not a single hitch occurred. Tbe Highland Rifles formed a guard of honour, and the Company in'full dress were drawn up before a temporary staging leading from the railway platform, where the presentation of the civic address was to be made. Beyond the guard of honour came the Canterbury Yeomanry and , Cavalry, also resplendent in bright i garb, while on the platform itself was j a company "of volunteers, drawn partly from the College Rifles 'and partly from the City Rifles. Four large electric! lights shed 'an unusual radiance in the locality, and the scene from the platform, looking across the gay' coats of the volunteers up Manchester-street, densely thronged with people, was a most picturesque and animated one. On the platform, waiting the arrival of the distinguished visitor, was a little group of civic authorities, leading citizens, and military officers. Presently the train ran into the station, and a moment later Lord Kitchener was or. the platform .and introduced by the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph "Ward, to the Mayor and City Councillors. When the figure of the great Flel.d-Maishal appeared, the .enthusiasm . .of ths crowd found vent in hearty cheers. _ Lord Kitchener made a brief inspection of the two companies drawn be before him. This" over,, he returned to the. temporary platform, arid the rsain business of the function followed, viz.,; a speech of welcome by the Mayor and , the presentation of an address from the municipality.

THE MAYOR'S WELCOME. The Mayor, in the course of a brief speech, said that before presenting the. address from the Council he would' like to express the great pleasure it gave him and the citizens of Christchurch generally, to welcome to this distant part of the Empire so distinguished a visitor. The visit of Lord Kitchener was regarded not only as a great honour, but one that would probably have a considerable influence on the future defence policy of the Dominion. It was recognised that Lord-Kitchener's great experience and the great ability he had shown in organising work, in other parts of the Empire, peculiarly fitted him to give advice which probably was never more wanted than it was at the present time. He regretted that the time at Lord Kitchener's disposal prevented an opportunity of according him greater hospitality than was possible on the present occasion, but he hoped that the present might not be the last occasion on which Lord Kitchener would visit New Zealand', and that on futureoccasions he would have more time at his disposal He hoped that Lord Kitchener—short as was his visit to Christchurch— carry back with him a pleasurable recollection of the city (Loud applause.) * .1

MDNICIPAL ADDRESS. The municipal address was read by the Town Clerk and presented by the Mayor to Lord Kitchener. The text of the address is as follows Field-Marshal Viscount Kitchener of Khartoum, G C B 0.M., G.C.MG.: G.C.I.E. Your --On behalf of the citizens of Christchurch, it affords us the greatest possible pleasure to tender to you a most cordial and hearty welcome, and to assure you of the feelings of pleasure with which your brief sojourn in our midst is-re-ceived by oil classes of the community. The truly British character impre'ssfupon the city of Christchurch in particular, and the province of Canterbury m general, by its founders, which still remains to distinguish them, will, we trus.,, not he one of the least pleasurable remembrances of your tour through the Dominion of New Zealand. We hail with a considerable amount of satisfaction your visit at this particular juncture when the Dominion is about to institute an important change in its system of defence. The advice of so distinguished a military authority as yours< rfx- COnnection with the vital subject of fitting ourselves,, to adequately defend this portion of the Empire in case of need, we feel sure, will be of the greatest possible service to the Government and the Dominion. Your wide experience in dealing with matters of this kind in all parts of the British Empire and the marked success which has attended your efforts, render the,visit you are now making to New Zealand one of the most important events which has occurred in its history. The intense loyalty and patriotism which are characteristic of New Zealanders prompt us to express our high admiration of the many and invaluable services you have rendered to the. King nnd the Empire, and we esteem it a great privilege to be able to receive in this remote .portion of His Majesty's dominions so distinguished "a; soldier and servant of th. King as yourself. By all Britons, the name of lord Kitchener of Khartoum is held in the highest honour, and wo venture to hope that .though your stay in our midst will be but short you will carry away pleasurable recollections oi your visit. Signed this 21st day of February, 1910, on behalf! of the Mayor, councillors, and citizens of the city vof Chrifltchurch.—C. Allison, Mayor; H K. ; Smith. Town Clerk."

fie__^m___^, s : Lord Kitchener, whose voir* over a remarkably large __„! " 'f nt « following reply.-!.! Zens of Christchurch for-the I ci& and cordial welcome they haJ^ l^4 I mc. You, Mr. Mayor,. have the possibility of V ££>:: some use to the ■ GsreS@gSß country. I can, assure ou that « ttu is the case and my sarperiencj %V*' be,of y it will be most willingly p S IJS disposal, (loud applausfe vii* M a source of the uffi^jl^-*" " mc in after. years if -by ttsT n ■>-'- can be associated with* mil enable the splendid youn?_? that I have seen" in t Zealand to render ______&gj| efficient for the defence-,. t "W and able to take their share "hS* tenance of; the honour and £_&** the grand old Empire to which 5 1 ; belong." (Loud applause.) , hUi ."' * Three ringing cheers we ; » •_.;, .' , ■" I Lord Kitchener at the c l»' f ! ,TCllI « I and the little function of to an end. =: Lord Kitchener, accompanied hlllf "• Prime Minister, the __££_£?_££ ,f, t6t I Kirkpatrick (his -_M_S^ " drove away, their carriage wl P L, the! . by others containing f «Jg fence Council, Colonel Sfe m - commanding theidistrirfT '_ ( office « military oleers otha , To-morrow morning- __a «.',.'-'••.' - will inspect the the afternoon will review the .iY* a St. John Ambulance Brigife. ™ »* ■'-. :•~ " ' ASHBURTOFS RECEPTION.' CBy Telegraphers __.. . . ~ ASHBDETOI., Monday,A crowd of over 1500 people fn,various parts of the borough "and "aw rounding country gathered ■at th. rail' ■■ way station this evening' to see Lord Kit chener as he passed through by _*._.. en route to Christchurch. __. address Ii welcome was presented by ! the Mayor to which the Field-Marshal. responded. • Leading citizens were inirodiirad -and •the proceedings during'the. stay, of th. ' train were very enthusiastic *-- ••-.'..'.' '* , The Prime Minister, in the com_ B 0 ( ' a brief speech, said that this. th. I first time since Lord Kitchener's arriva. ' that he (the speaker) had referred to his presence in the country or to the objects of his visit, and he did so now j order to express the gratification of ;h. might say, all New Zealand, at the Government having secured'the benefit 0 * the knowledge, experience," judgment; and skill of Lord Kitchener to advise them in regard to all important questions oi internal defence. It was an'epoch, the - Dominion's history. Sir Joseph icon-*: i eluded by referring to the general en-,, thusiasm which had prevailed in connec- ' tion with the visit from the Bluff onward, V which evidenced the patriotism, of th. ' . people of New Zealand for the Britishflag. The Prime Minister was heartilj received. ..*:■.'■" . *: —— : i THE WELLINGTON PARADE. (By Telegraph.— Association.) ' . '. WELLINGTON, Monday. The Government _teamer''-.TutariehJ : ■ left Wellington this afternoon for Grey- ■ 'mouth, Westport, and Nelson to bring .. : troops for the Kitchener camp at Johns sonville, near Wellington. •. __ <" h - WELCOME AT TTMARU. i • . , '■ - - -~ " 'VC __ (By Teles-aph.—Press Association.) ' • TTMARU, Monday. Lord Kitchener was given a splendid reception as he passed through here ten ' day. Accompanied by the Prime Minis-, i ter, he was escorted to a specially-erected i dais outside the railway station, and i there he was cordially welcomed by .the.' [Mayor, who presented an address and ' handsomely got-up album] containing - local views. The Field-Marshal, • briefly, "' ( but in suitable words, acknowledged the I hearty welcome given him, and expressed ; the hope that New Zealand would ever ' [remain as loyal in her support of the. Old Country as she had been in the past. '' The speaker made special reference 'to I Timaru having organised a New Zealand j battleship fund. Lord Kitchener . wa< '. ! heartily cheered, by the thousands . who i turned out to see him, the welcome being generally enthusiastic. '-•'.' -"" : — '. " ' THE AUSTRALIAN SCHEME. ~ ■ • MAIN F____Xn_ES ADOPTED, ; • ■'"' ; ■ —"— ■# i i?3B: (Received 10.40 ami.) i?IS|S! MELBOURNE, this day, : Mr. Deakin states that the main portion of Lord iKtchener's report- be adopted.