LORD PLUNKET'S FAREWELL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13747, 31 May 1910, Page 8

LORD PLUNKET'S FAREWELL.

VISIT TO ELLESMEBE DIS-

TRICT

His Excellency the Governor spent some time yesterday saying farewell to the loyal residents in various parts of the Eliesmere district. Tbe demands on tho time of the representative of his Majesty in these Dominions are such that Lord Plunket experienced tho pleasure of greeting new acquaintances for the first time, and almost in the tame breath saying farewell. In other words, some of the districts were honoured yesterday by the first visit of n Governor recorded in their history. His Excellency was everywhere received with Joval enthusiasm, and farewelled with regret. It was evident that the children oeoeciallv appreciated his Excellency's Visit not because of the concomitant holiday but becauso Lord Plunket has the happy faculty ol bein" able to say the right thing to tne rising generation in the way that they can understand it. . The first official visit paid by his Excellency was to the Lincoln school, at which iverc gathered the children nf the Lincoln, Springston, Springston Scuth, Ladbrooks. and Broad fields prliools—a rharming bevy of healthy vouiig colonials. His Excellency, who arrived at the Lincoln school punctually at ten o'clock, wa.s accompanied by Mr R- Heaton Rhodes, M.P., Captain fiathornc-Hardy. A.D.C., and Mrs A. K. G. Rhodes. He was welcomed to the district by Mr Wolfe (chairman of the Springs Road Board), Mr Patterson (chairman of Lincoln Road Board), ond members of tho different Road Boards and School Committees. The children provided a vocal -welcome by singing the National Anthem, and a loyal one by flying the flag on the flagstaff. The lc'caf interest in his Excellency's visit was evidenced by the large attendance of the residents. Lord Plunket gave a short address to the children, who were massed in the playground, pointing out to them that they_wc-re to be the future rulers of this part of he Empire. He emphasised tho fact that The people of the Old Country were not n-ercly interested in England, Scotland, and ireland, but also in the overseas Dominions. The children of New Zealand should not imagine that patriotism recant only that they were ready to fight and die for their country. It meant that they were ready to help their country in every way. They were just as patriotic in serving their school aud district well as others bad been in serving, the Empire in South Africa. 'Every, boy and girl could he patriotic by obeying bis or her parents and teachers-, and oy working hard in school and playing fairly outside of school. In conclusion, his Excellency expressed the hope that the boys and girls would have a happy time, and that next to their religious duties their duties to their King and country would claim their attention. His suggestion that tho children would be set no more lessons that day was received with reassuring smiles by the elders and enthusiasm by tho juniors. His Excellency afterwards saw the flag which had been presented to the Lincoln School by the children of the Lincoln School in England, and expressed the hope that the association which had been started between the two schools would bo continued in tho future.

The cheers of the assembly at Lincoln made an appropriate farewell. Tho motor cars conveying the party were then headed towards the Selwyn traffic bridge, which was crossed in tho forenoon.. His Excellency was Waylaid at oho end of the bridge by the members of the Ellesmere Road Board, who desired to take tho opportunity of •welcoming and farewelling at one time his Majesty's representative. An address 'was presented by the. members of tho. Ellesmere Road Board. The address stated-that'this was the first official visit to tbo district that had been made by n ; Governor of the Dominion, and in pardonable pride drew attention to tho results which .had been achieved since the Canterbury pioneers first, cast their eyes on the tussocky and unroaded plains..- His Excellency was not. less happy in his reply than the Board had been in its welcome. Ho said 'that, it would be a great pleasure to him to-.testify at Homo to the loyalty of-New Zealand, as he had recently had tho opportunity, of observing, the public sorrow at tho, death of King Edward, and hearing many expressions of ' loyalty towards the new King. He fully recognised the work which ha_ been done by tho pioneers of Canterbury, in converting the unroaded swamps and tussock}* plains into verdant paddocks and smiling homesteads. England had sent of her best to New.Zealand, and looking at tho men, womou, and children of tho new country ho could not say that there had been any deterioration in-the progeny of the pioneers. Quite a procession of motor cars accompanied the Governor to Leeston. Mr and Mrs Geo. E.,Rhodes joined the party at the bridge, and the members of the Road Board- occupied . a car. Altogether, six cars pulled up at the Loestou school ground, which was the liost stopping place. His Excellency was received by tho Leeston Boy Scouts, who formed a guard of honour; and greeted -the distinguished visitor with a Maori war cry. The school children of Doyleston, Leeston, and Leeston Convent had been gathered to the ono centre to say farewell, and the message of the occasion was appropriately conveyed by the chairman of tho School Committee, the Rev. Mr Durvord. In reply to the greetings, his Excellenev emphasised the importance ol patriotism, and the part young people would play in the future of the Empire. He pointed out that it was the duty of children to pay attention to their religious duties (the most important cf all), to obey their teachers and parents, and play the game in tleir ordinary duties and recreations. They should not be proud of the Empire simply because it was the richest and greatest, and perhaps the mest powerful, in tbe world, but because more than any other it was- making for the freedom and good of the ivorl-1. His Excellency also added an appreciation of the work being done by New Zealand teachers. The patriotism 'which they taught tha children was true patriotism. It was not the"Jingo patriotism, but at the same time .they were putting their very best efforts forward to make the children -worthy members of the Empire. He had to thank them on behalf of his Majesty and the Old Country for the good work they had done. His Excellency added a word on behalf of the school "children, whose fondness for a holiday he said lie was able to gauge from personal experience. Everything seemed to promise fairly in this direction, and the party left amid ringing cheers. The Boy Scouts again lined the exit, and his" Excellency seized the opportunity to express to the Chief Scout bis pleasure that the organisation had taken root in Loci-ton. It was. a very excellent institution, and he hoped that the day .was not far distant when the founder would be seenin the Dominion.

Killinchy was the next place of call, and a most interesting ceremony awaited the party. There was a largo attendance. ' of residents, _nd the school children were massed in tbe playgrounel. The entrance to the school ground had been arched, and a floral design proclaimed a welcome. The chairman of the school committee (Mr C. H. Chatterton) welcomed his Excellency, and introduced tho members of the* schcol committee. He pointed out that Killinchy bore tho name of :i well-known Irish district, and that the name had been bestowed by some immigrants from the Emerald Isle. It was intendeel to convey that tbe sentiments of loyalty in the Old Land were kept warm in

the land of their adoption. Part of th© chairman's .duty was to present to Lord Plunket a flag from the school children of Killinchy. with the request that Lady Plunket would present it to the children of Killinchy school in Ireland. On the flag were worked the shamrock and fern (emblems of Ireland and New Zealand;, and tho chairman expressed the hope that as they were inter-twined on the flag, so might the hearts of the people of the two Killinchvs inter-twine. The flag was presented to Lord Plunket by one of the senior _irls, and the chairman .said tliat the; desire of tbe pupils was that it should be hoisted in Ireland on Empire Day. Should the children of Kiliinchy return a similar gift, flag would be hoisted in Xew Zealand on the succeeding Empire Day. In the course- of a very happy reply, his Excellency said that he would not fail to convey the message to Lady Plunket. and he would do bis best -to be present when the flag was hoisted in Ireland. These little romantic ideas might seem out of piace in th<* workaday world, but for all that the same spirit of romance filled the northern Irishmen as that which animated the southern Irishmen and people of the Latin race. The people of Killinchy would be pleased to learn of tho prosperous -v.irt of the world in which the immigrants of long ago had made their homes, and they would be glad also to bear that the tame spirit of patriotism wa.s present here as in the Old Land. Several of the old Killinchy settlers wero presented to his Excellency, and a little time was spent in a tolk over the Old Country impressions and recollections.

Brookside was the next objective, and it was reached just before lunch time. His Excellency was received by the Chairman (Mr Cunningham) and members of the School Committee, and made heartily welcome. The school children and residents gathered in ihe school building, and the sboi'b ceremony took place in the large class room. An address was presented to Lord Plunket, and he made a characteristically happy reply. He .pointed out. that the truest patriotism was liiat provided by a happy, strong, prosperous, and healthy young ,r/eople. He impressed on the young people that the King was no figure head, but one man called to a high position, who had many duties to perform. A King who did his duty had a very bard time indeed. Every boy and girl should, in his or her daily life, render to tl.n school, the Dominion, and the Empire, a record of honest arid true work aud obedience, which was the truest .patriotism.

A visit to Southbridge was ono of tbo final items on the day's prograr.ir.ic;. His Excellency arrived there in the afternoon, and was received at the rchoclhoitsc by Mr Hubbard, chairman of the Town Board, and members of that body. The members of tbe School Committee were also present, and the Southbridge Band gave the first touch of brass music to the day's proceedings. Tho formal ceremony was purely a school affair. The chairman of the School Committee (the Rev. H: G. Hawkes) said that this was the first occasion within the memory of the oldest inhabitant that Southbridge had been visited by a Governor of tbe Dominion, though there was a belief that Sir George Grey bad once visited the district. He cordially welcomed Lord Plunket, and expressed the regrets of the committee that there was no guard of honour, in the shape of a corps of cadets, to attend his Excellency. In reply to the various addresses Lord Plunket said that while "ihere was universal sorrow at the death of King Edward, there was much in the new King of which the .p'wrple might be glad and proud. King George knew this country, and had met its most prominent people. He v.ould bo acquainted with its aims and aspirations, and with its loyalty to the Empire and Throne.

His Excellency and party received an enthusiastic fsend-off from 'Southbridge. A short stay was made at Leeston on the return journey, anil Lord Plunket took farewell of the members of the local bodies who had occomnanied him during the day. Hf.s Excellency returned to Christchurch late iv the afternoon.