WARM WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1930, Page 7

WARM WELCOME.

TO GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

LORD BLEDISLOE LANDS.

GRATEFUL . FOR RECEPTION.

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY.

{By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day.

After spending the night aboard the Rangitiki in the harbour, the Governor-General-designate, Lord Bledisloe, disembarked on the ferry steamer Muritai at 9.45 a.m. to-day, landing at. Pipitea wharf, where a large crowd had assembled to take part in the welcome by the chairman, members and officials of the Wellington Harbour Board.

Prior to the welcome Lord Bledisloe inspected a guard of honour provided by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. After the function there was a great outburst of cheering and waving of handkerchiefs as the official party went to the Town Hall, through streets lined with people, to be welcomed by the Mayor and City Councillors.

Before the landing, Major Bathurst, military and private secretary, Mr. A. C. Day, official secretary, Sir John Hanham, A.D.C., the Administrator of New Zealand, Sir Michael Myers, the ActingPrime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, other Ministers of the Crown, the G.O.C. the New Zealand Forces, General Young, and the Chief of the General Staff and the Senior Naval Officer went aboard the liner.

A noteworthy feature of the general welcome was the presence of two aeroplanes, which flew over the liner earlier in the morning.

Replying to Mr. J. W. McEwan, chairman of the Harbour Board, Lord Bledisloe said their hearty welcome encouraged them to approach with-confidence the responsible duties which lay ahead of them. He paid a tribute to Wellington Harbour, and to the splendid manner In which the board had provided shipping facilities. The City's Welcome. The arrangements for thb _ informal welcome to' the Governor-General at the Town' Hall steps were very simple, the function occupying only a few minutes. The crowd rushed across to the cars, and the Mayor and Mrs. Troup were presented to Lord and Lady Bledisloe. Mr. Troup expressed the council's and the city's welcome, and the hope that Their Excellencies' stay in New Zealand would be enjoyable. The Mayor then introduced the councillors and their wives.

Lord and Lady Bledisloe afterwards drove off to Government House, along a route well thronged with people. A noisy reception was given them at the gates by Wellington college boys and by children from St. Mark's school. The swearing in ceremony was to take place at Parliament Buildings at 3 p.m. Message From Prime Minister. The following message was received by Lord Bledisloe from the Prime Minister at Botorua:— "On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand I desire to extend to your Excellencies a most cordial welcome to this Dominion. I am greatly disappointed that my indisposition prevents my attendance at your induction ceremony, but look forward to having the pleasure of meeting you both personally in the near future. I sincerely trust your term of office will be pleasant j and that your Excellencies will thoroughly enjoy your sojourn among us. Kindest wishes and personal regards.' 5 •

His Excellency sent the following reply:—"Please accept tlie warmest thanks of-Lady Bledisloe and myself for the very kind message you have sent to welcome us on landing in the Dominion. We both greatly regret that indisposition prevents your being- present at my formal assumption of office to-day, but sincerely hope you may soon be restored to health and strength. We are looking forward very much to an early opportunity of meeting you."

The SM'earing-in ceremony was broadcast this afternoon, and all stations will to-morrow evening "broadcast the concert in, the Wellington Town Hall in honour of their Excellencies.