SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18526, 30 October 1925, Page 8

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

TIMARU. Social and Personal. Mrs Herbert ElworLhy and hex - four younger daughters (Craigmore) .left yesterday for the north, en route for England. Mr Ebvortby accompanied tliem to Wellington. Mrs Frank Fitchett (Duncdin) is the guest of Mrs I». L. Orbell (Park lane). Mrs M. H. Godby -\viLl leave Christe.hurch to-day for a few days in South Canterbury. Mrs Campbell Hay is expected from Christehureh to-day to attend the Waihi sports at Winchester. Mr and Mrs T.' F. Gibson, Mrs F. G. Gibson, and Misses Fay and Joyce Gib- j son arrived from Christohurrh yesterday j to be present at the Craighead School, sports to-day. I The Weather. j •Perfect spring weather continues to favour South Canterbury, yesterday be- | ing another day of bright sunshine and j unclouded skies. i Governor-General's Visit. ! Yesterday his Excellency the Gov- j crnor-Gcneral, Sir Charles Fergusson, ! and Lady Alice Fergusson arrived in Timaru on their first official visit, and were accorded a civic reception in King George's place. . A guard of honour was provided by the 2nd Cadet Battalion. Canterbury Regiment, under Lieutenant do Joux. 'Au address was read 'by the Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace), who added a further word of welcome to his Excellency, not only as Governor-General of the Dominion but as a great soldier who had served in the war for the liberty and peace of the peoples of the earth. His Excellency had fought side by side with men from this lan.d, and the association and comradeship that had sprung up had done much to cement the bonds of Empire. The Mayor trusted that after the official welcome they would see much i more of their Excellencies in their private capacities. His Worship then called for three cheers for their Excellencies, which were heartily given. Hearty applause greeted his Excellency as he stepped forward to respond to the welcome. He expressed thanks 011 behalf of her Excellency and himself for the address and the kind welcome which h3d been accorded them on their first, official visit to. the borough. He said that the expressions of loyalty to tho Throne and Empire would be conveyed to his Majesty the King, whoso interest in the Dominion was unfailing, and who appreciated fully the loyalty and devotion which were characteristics of t-hc people of tho Dominion. It gave their Excelloncies great pleasure to travel through the coun/try, and.note the great development which had taken place since .the early years which.they had spent in the Dominion as. children. In all matters which so closely concerned the prosperity: and welfare of the country, the people could be assured of thdlr warm sympathy, and he trusted that during-their stay in New Zealand theyiwuld be permitted to- enter wholeheartedly; into everything 1 that went to make for the happiness and contentment of the poople. (Applause.) Ho had had tho privilcgo and honour of serving with the New Zealand troops in the war, and he was pleased to meet them again. Ho kiictv what splendid service they had rendered, and their courage, discipline, and efficiency had been magnificent. He had met . ether old aoldiers, too, veterans of the Maori War, to whom the people owed a great deal,'and there; were also the veterans of the South African War. Among all these old soldiers.he had found much in common, and much to talk over. Then, again, her Excellency and he were country people, and there was much for them to do and learn as they travelled amongst those who contributed so much' to the prosperity of tho, Dominion. Last, but not least, were the children. There were.no ' finer children in the world, physically j or mentally, than the Xew Zealand children. (Applause.) It was to them that, they looked to carry on. in the future. .They wanted the children to grow up with the same ideas as their grandfathers—ideas of industry, initiative, and self-reliance. Thoso were the qualities that had built up New Zealand, and they need have no fear of the futuro when -they considered the class of children who were growing up now. If the children did not grow up as they expected them to do, then it would not be .the children's fault but their own. They looked forward to many happy years, in this-.'countrv, and although thi3 visit was short, they would come again. Her Excellency was then presented with a bouquet, of flowers by Miss Audrey Holdgate. After the public reception, their. Excellencies motored to the A. and P. Show Grounds, where they were met by the president (Mr J. E. P. Cameron) and members of the committee, and were subsequently/the guests of the Management Committee at hmch'eon. 'The-.Vice-Regal party spent the remainder of the' afternoon at the show, at the conclusion of which the cups for the hunters' classes were presented to the winners by Lady Alice Fergusson. To-day their Excellencies will visit the hospital and schools and St. Saviour's Orphanage, and will be tendered a civic luncheon.