ALONG COAST ROAD

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25245, 25 July 1947, Page 8

ALONG COAST ROAD

Lord Montgomery’s Tour BIG GATHERING AT WESTPORT From Our Own Reporter WESTPORT July 24. It was a cold, foggy morning in Greymouth when Field-Marshal Montgomery left at 8.45 to-day and only a small crowd, mostly children, ■was there to farewell him. A few miles along the coast road to Westport the sun burst through, and the weather was perfect for the 75-mile drive along the picturesque highway, diverse in its seascapes and views of native bush and ferns, steep bluffs, and towering mountains *That road is a wonderful piece of engineering, and it says a great deal for the pioneers who came to the West Coast to organise it.” said Lord Montgomery when addressing ' Westport residents.

Settlement along this route is sparse, and only two groups of school children were at the roadside to catch a glimpse of the famous general Isolated homesteaders were not so demonstrative as on other roads along which Lord Montgomery has passed this week, but three women gave him a new style of welcome by waving fern fronds over the road Visitors from Karamea

Nearly all the citizens of Westport had assembled in Palmerston street, near the Borough Ch?mbers. and Lord Montgomery was cheered as his car aoproached In brilliant sunshine. Those further along the main street had only a fleeting glimpse of him. as he was travelling in a saloon car, the open car which he had used for ceremonial drives through other towns having been sent to Picton for transhipping to the North Island Those who attended the civic recention. between 2000 and 3000. including numbers from as far north as Karamea, had an unexcelled close-up view. tor Lord Montgomery stood in the roadway while the crowd, led by th° band. Sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” On the main s*cds of the Borough Chambers an elderly man wearing war ribbons and a medal loudly greeted Lord Montgomery who went across to insnect *he medal. It was a South African War medal, and the field-marshal told the wearer that he was not at that war as he was only a little chap, indicating a toddler’s height.

Welcome to Field-Marshal Reaching the platform, Lord Montgom’ery shook hands with Colonel D. J. Fountaine, who, as former commander of the 26th Battalion, had met the former commander of the Bth Army in North Africa. Lord Montgomery’s fame was world wide, and his skill and organisation had brought victory in a military sense, said, the Mayor (Mr J. M. Robertson). An assurance that, if necesiary, the people of Buller would again stand fast for their principles was given Lord Montgomery by Mr F. Connew, chairman of the Buller County Council. The official austerity of the fieldmarshal masked his kindly heart, Mr Connew said. All the men and women who had served under him knew him as “Monty.” and as “Monty” he was welcomed. The Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) said that everywhere Lord Montgomery had received the acclamation of the people The depth of the feeling in Westport’s welcome could only be measured by its enthusiasm, said Mr. H. Campbell, president of the Westport branch of the Returned Services’ Association. Returned men were more elated than any other section by the visit of Lord Montgomery, whose skill and personality had led his armies to victory. “I don’t know how many live here, but they seem to be all here,” said Field-Marshal Montgomery, after he had tested the microphones and solicitously inquired from the crowd on a balcony 50 yards away if they could hear him. When told by the Mayor that the population was 5000, Lord Montgomery said the crowd seemed like 6000. It had been a great and moving inspiration to h ave such welcomes, he said. The whole ceremony -was over in half an hour, and Lord Montgomery was soon away to the airport at Carter’s Beach. A smaller crowd assembled there. He spent his last few minutes being photographed with aeroplane crews and Christchurch drivers of the fleet of official cars. Two Lodestars took the official party to Nelson. The aeroplane in which Lord Montgomery was a passenger twice circled Westport before heading north.

ENTHUSIASM AT NELSON

(P.A.) NELSON. July 24. The welcome given to Field-Marshal Montgomery by the people of Nelson this afternoon was probably the most enthusiastic ever given a distinguished visitor to the city. In brilliant sunshine, a large crowd assembled at the Church Steps for the civic reception When Field-Marshal Montgomery stepped from his aeroplane on his arrival at Nelson he had an informal chat with a group of bystanders.

ROUSING CHEERS AT BLENHEIM

(P.A.) BLENHEIM, July 24. When Field-Marshal Montgomery arrived at Blenheim punctually or. scheduled time this afternoon, he was greeted with rousing cheers from one of the largest crowds in the towns history. He was met by the Mayor (Mr W. J. Girling), and after inspecting a parade of former servicemen and service women, he attended a civic reception in the Market Place, which was gay with bunting. His easy informality soon made him a great favourite.

A homely touch was nis grateful acceptance of a pair of home-knitted sox which he said would go well with his recently acquired New Zealand