Sir Arthur Porritt Next Governor

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31247, 20 December 1966, Page 1

Sir Arthur Porritt Next Governor

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 19,

Sir Arthur Porritt will become the first New Zealand-born Governor-General when he succeeds Sir Bernard Fergusson next year. A distinguished surgeon and sportsman, Sir Arthur Porritt has been Sergeant-Surgeon to the Queen since 1952.

In announcing the appointment today, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said: “I am sure that all New Zealanders will join me in proudly welcoming the choice of Sir Arthur Porritt as Her Majesty’s representative in New Zealand.

“I am certain that Sir Arthur Porritt will prove to be a most capable successor to Sir Bernard Fergusson, who has set such a high standard in carrying out, both officially and in informal contacts with people throughout New Zealand, the responsibilities of his high office as the

personal representative of Her Majesty the Queen,” Mr Holyoake said.

Sir Bernard Fergusson’s term expires on November 9, 1967. The Governor-General designate was born in Wanganui in 1900, the son of Dr and Mrs E. E. Porritt. Rhodes Scholar

He was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School and Otago University before transferring to Magdalen College, Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar.

He graduated M.A. (Oxon), M.Ch. (Oxon), F.R.C.S. (Eng.), and subsequently became an honorary fellow of numerous colleges of surgeons.

Sports Record

Mr Holyoake said that not only in the field of his chosen profession but also in the international sports world Sir Arthur Porritt had a truly outstanding record, “the cause

of many moments of pride to New Zealand.”

He was captain of the New Zealand team to the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924, where he ran third in the 100 metres athletics event. This is still the only sprint medal won by a New Zealander.

He was again captain of the New Zealand team to the Olympic Games in Amsterdam in 1928 and was manager of the team to the Games in Berlin in 1936. Sir Arthur Porritt has maintained his interest in this field to the present He is a member of the International Olympic Committee and the British Olympic Council, and chairman of the British Empire and Commonwealth Games Federation. Mr Holyoake said that in spite of Sir Arthur Porritt’s long absence from this country, he bad continued to maintain the closest association in London with the New Zealand community and had participated fully in many activities of particular interest to New Zealand.

“He will prove, I am sure, to be a popular and happy choice in his role as Gover-nor-General,” the Prime Minister said.