TIMARU'S WELCOME.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11108, 29 October 1901, Page 5

TIMARU'S WELCOME.

On the arrival of the express train, at Timaru a large crowd had gathered outside tae station, every vantage point being fully occupied to see the hero of whom so inucn had been heard and read, and as the train drew up at the .station cheers were given by the assembled crowd, followed fay others. When the train slowed down au expectant crowd stiw a sturdy, determined, yet pleasant-looking, man emerge from the carriage, escorted by the directors of the. Smith GanterQHry Caledonian bociety. who went to Ntudholme to meet iilm. The visitor at once swpped outside the station platform, and the Timaru High and Main Schools Cadets, win*, were waiting there in uniform. Sir Hector parsed up and down the ranks, making a dose inspection. He expressed the hope that the aider* would , soon be armed with a better rifle, and to one little fellow, whose chest was well thrown out; he remarked, '"That man evidently means business." As the train only stopped fifteen-minutes a*. Timaru, the visitor had to make his inspection brief, and from the cadets he was taken to the waiting room at the station, wuere fche Mayor welcomed him, and all the borougii councillors were presented, besides several prominent citizens, Colonel Jowsey, Major Crawshaw, and Mr J. Craigie, president of the Burns Club. The Mayor, in welcoming Sir Hector expressed the pleasure it gave him to do so, ajid said the pleasure was greater to them all. because his name had been so often associated with their thoughts of late. They welcomed 5 him as a representative of the Army, and hoped his short stay would open his eyes to the possibilities of thie colony. They regretted that ttie weather oown" *orjth hwi been unfavourable «ince hia arrival in the colony, and hoped in his trip north he would enjoy better weather. Unce more he extended a hearty welcome to him to Timaru. s fair Hector 'sincerely thanked the mayor for his kindly •welcome, and also the Caledonian Society and tfce Burns Club for their welcomed. The only regret lie had was that he could not alter lun programme to accept of their further kindness, which ho was .happy to believe they extended to him with all their hearts. He would like to have stayed the night in Timaru. If he could he would have accepted' their .invitation with very great pleasure. The pert of the country he had been through led him to believe it was one of the best in New Zealand, and had he been able to stay he might have- been able to find out a wrinkle ac to how beet to grow good wheat ana good men ("Hear, hear, ,, and {(pplause). Mr Lillico, president of the Caledonian Society, then aeked the company to drink the health of the distinguished guest. They were, he said, pleased to have him with them, more especially as his name had become a household word amongst them ac it had the world over. TJie Caledonian Society w«ro proud of one who had done such yeoman eerrice for his country, and wherever he, might go their good wiab«w would go with him. They had long taken a. keen interest in him, .but after seeing him that interest would be. v increased tenfold. They -all wished him , every success (Hear, hear). - The visitor's health -was then drunk in champagne; , "For He's a, Jolly Good Fellow" being vociferously sung , . When the official greetings ended and the excitement of the public welcome permitted, Sir Hector said:-^"Gentlemen, — I thank you for your kind words and good wishes." The visitor then re-enfcered hia carriage, and as- the train moved out of the station cfrteer followed cheer, and the last recollection Sir. Hector took away from Timaru <Jould not have been other than ploasant,