SOMETHING LIKE A WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 73, 26 March 1923, Page 8

SOMETHING LIKE A WELCOME.

GREETINGS TO SIR JOSEPH. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") TAURANGA, this day. A pleasant surprise awaited Sir Joseph Ward to-day when he was motoring to Oropi. When his cur rounded a bend in the road at Waimapu there was a small group of settlers, a mere handful, including children. They were standing right across the road. The adults hold a banner forming an archway bearing the words, "Good luck: the country wants you, Sir Joseph, and 30 do we." The children, healthy, happyfaced youngsters, bearing fern fronds helped to form the barrier across the path. Sir Joseph's car stopped, and the little party of enthusiasts on the road gave a lusty cheer and immediately surrounded the statesman, who, deeply moved by this unexpected and unrehearsed exhibition of good feeling, came out of his car. Things like this help to make life worth living, lie said with evident feeling, for lie quickly saw that the little people that had welcomed him had been acting on their own initiative. He shook hands with each one and then 'begged to be allowed to take, as a memento, the home-made banner, so simple but so telling. His request was gladly acceded to, and the party once more moved on. The part of the district where this pleasant little incident occurred is one of the most picturesque spots one could desire. The adjoining farms contain magnificent crops of maize and other produce, and splendid dairying he ds are also to be seen, but just beyond are undeveloped areas of rich lands still in their natural state, which settlers might easily have utilised had the Government realised the position and given some assistance in providinp financial aid. the absence of which is holding up the production of the country.