VISIT OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ANDREW RUSSELL

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 7958, 10 April 1922, Page 3

VISIT OF MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ANDREW RUSSELL

ACCORDED A CIVIC RECEP TJON.

Major-General Sir Andrew Russell reached here from Matamata shortly after six o’clock on Friday evening, and was met on arrival by Colonel Wilson, President of the local branch of the Returned Soldiers Association, and other officials of that body.

On Saturday morning he was accorded a civic reception in the Borough Council Chambers. His Worship the Mayor (Mr B. Dive), in welcoming Sir Andrew, said it gave him great pleasure to extend a hearty welcome to such a distinguished visitor, one who had had the honour of commanding the New Zealand division at the front, arid who had earned for himself the respect of both officers and men. He had now returned and was taking a keen interest in the returned soldiers, and to further their cause would, he understood, seek political honours to afford him the opportunity of bringing before Parliament the needs and wants of the returned men. He (the Mayor) trusted Sir Andrew's stay in the town would be a pleasant one, and on behalf of the citizens he extended to him a hearty and cordial welcome. Colonel Ward expressed his pleasure at being present to welcome an old comrade of the peaceful days before the war, and was pleased to see Sir Andrew looking so well. It was also a great pleasure to find that he had realised that the victories of the battlefield are not by any means the last to be won. Peace has also to have its victories, and the man who had done his best on the battlefield could still find much to do. All were glad to see Sir Andrew taking up the work he had and wished him the best of good fortune. There was much to be clone, and the fact that Sir Andrew Russell was the head of the Returned Soldiers’ Association augured well for its future welfare. Captain Mair said that as an old resident of Tauranga he was very proud to be present to assist in welcoming one who had been such a distinguished leader in the field. The returned men were extremely fortunate in having such a friend to look after their interests. Three cheers were then given for the visitor. Sir Andrew in rising to reply was greeted with hearty applause. He felt deeply the honour done him by such a reception, and appreciated very much the expressions of goodwill, which he felt extended to all who went away and fought. It was especially gratifying to meet with such a reception in Tauranga, as Tauranga was a name that recalled memories of early engagements. The work as President of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was very congenial, and one in which there was a very wide scope for activity. The gospel which he wished to preach was hard work and selfreliance- “rolling up your sleeves and getting right at it and being very cheerful.” Those,‘after all, were the qualities which placed the Anglo-Saxon race where it is, and it seemed to him that all the constant running to the Government for this, that and the other thing this leaning upon other people was bound to gradually under-mine our self-reliance. He again expressed his deep appreciation of the reception he had received, -Applause. After the civic reception Sir An-' drew, accompanied by Captain Mair and members of the local executive of the Association, was motor ed to various points of interest. A visit was first made to the Domain to inspect the Memorial Gates, and thence the party went to Gate Pa. Here Captain Mair, with the aid of maps and sketches, and out of that wonderful fund of knowledge which he alone possesses, graphically described the events of that historic day, pointing out from the eminence on which the church now stands, the various important points On the way out a call was made at the. residence of Mr Poole (VicePresident of the Association) where Mrs Poole and her friends kindly served morning tea. From Gate Pa the party went on to Te Ilenga, where six weeks after the reverse at Gate Pa a decisive victory was gained over the Maoris. Here again Captain Mair explained and pointed out the happenings of that fight. On the return journey a call was made at the Government Horticultural Station. The time was all too short for Sir Andrew, who promised himself another visit to the Station before leaving Tauranga. The final call was made at the hospital, where the General spent a quarter of an-hour at the bedside of Mr Savage, a returned soldier who bas been many months in hospital with an injured spine. After lunch a start was made Jm the Mindcn block between the Wairoa River and Whakarnarania. Here the General met a number'of the men who are settled there, and discussed with them sympathetically the problems with which they are confronted. At Air Houghteu . s afternoon tea was waiting, and alter having a good look over the faim, on which excellent work has been done, the party relume dto town. Sir Andrew was much struck by die glorious view of the harbom which can be obtained from these heights. . In the evening Sir Andrew attended the annual general meeting of the local branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, as reported elsewhere. . Yesterday the General was taken to the Apata Settlement making the trip bv the launch Farina. For Bronchial Cough*, *M® - UV,.dd Great Peppermint t uu.