FIELD-MARSHAL MONTGOMERY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25247, 28 July 1947, Page 8

FIELD-MARSHAL MONTGOMERY

Tumultuous Welcome To Gisborne

MEETING WITH MAORIS (P.A.) GISBORNE. July 27. Huge crowds gave Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery a tremendous welcome on Saturday as he drove through Gisborne to a civic reception, and at a meeting with former servicemen. After being greeted by civic officials at the airfield. Field-Marshal Montgomery drove through the town, where exuberant crowds lined the route. At the civic reception at the Opera House he was given a terrific welcome of cheering and the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The Mayor (Mr N. H. Bull) recalled that in the eleventh century an ancestor of Field-Marshal Montgomery, Sieur Roger de Montgomery, sailed from Normandy as second-in-command to William the Conqueror. “What a historic coincidence that you. a descendent of Roger de Montgomery, should, nearly 1000 years later, return to Normandy to save England,” he added. A presentation of a bound copy of a booklet. “Gisborne —on the Sea.” prepared by the Gisborne 30.000 Club, and a ceremonial carved walking stick from the Maori people of the district was made to Field-Marshal Montgomery by the Mayor. To meet the convenience-of the fieldmarshal, who was showing signs of the strain of his tour and the effects of his cold, more than 1200 returned servicemen marched through the town six abreast, and assembled before the visitor’s hotel, w’here Field-Marshal Montgomery inspected the ranks The field-marshal had a long talk with the relatives of the late Lieutenant Moana Ngarimu, V.C., and senior members of the tribe. The visitors included Mr H. Ngarimu, father of the V.C. winner. Mr I. Pokiha, senior elder of the tribe. Mr H. T. Reedy, a former captain of the Maori Battalion, and Mr P Awatere, a former Maori Battalion commander.

The party presented Field-Marshal Montgomery with a carved “speaking stick,” of the type used by Maori orators, and also a book, “1116 Price of Citizenship.” written by Sir Apirana Ngata. and containing an inscription “From the far slopes of Point 209 at El Taboga gap. the spirit of Te Moan-anui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu hails you. as we his kinsmen this day hail you, warrior chief and victorious leader. Haere mai. Haere atu.” Enthusiastic crowds lined the route, and at the airfield gave Field-Marshal Montgomery a great send-off when ne left by air for Rotorua to-day

QUIET DAY AT ROTORUA

A full day has been arranged tor Field-Marshal Montgomery to-morrow. He will visit the soldiers’ convalescent hospital, attend a civic reception, and a Maori reception. •