GOVERNOR AT PALMERSTON.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 228, 19 June 1908, Page 8

GOVERNOR AT PALMERSTON.

WELCOME BY THE CITIZENS. (BY TELECttArn.—SFECUIi CORRESPONDENT.) Palmorston Horth, Juno 18. Considerable activity was shown by tho business people this morning in preparing for the welcome to his Excclloncy tho Governor. Every available piece of bunting was pressed into requisition, and in Main Street the display of flags susponded across tho 1 street was most effective, as it was also along the route leading to the Governor's rcsidenco. Being sale day a largo number of country peoplo arrived in town to participate in- tho festivitios. Some of tho shops closed during the reception, while others elected to remain open. The proprietor of ono hotel closed his bars for about two hours. At about two o'clock peoplo poured out in all directions, and crowded along Main Street towards tho railway station.

Oil tho arrival of tho train his Excellency was met at tho station by Mr. W. T. Wood, 11.P., and Mr. J. A. Nash (Mayor of Palmerston). Ho was thei escorted to the Show Grounds by members of the Manawatu and I'eilding Mounted Rifles, the school cadets also mustering in strong forco. The largo grand-stand was packed with children and adults, the reception ceremony taking place on an elevated platform at tho centre ol : tho staud. The various local bodies were well represented. Cheers wore givon .by tho school children to her Excellency Lady Plunket, and little Miss Wood, youngest daughter of Mr. W. T. Wood, M.P., presented a handsome bouquet of ilowers. The Mayor then 'extended a 'hoarty welcome to thoir Excellencies, and in so doing referred briefly to tho early history of the Manawatu, and tho trying times tho settlers then had with the Natives. The district was first inhabited by tho'Rangitano tribe, and old Natives had said that Manawatu meant depressed spirit, but the more recent Natives' hold that Manawatu means the new heart. \The first white trader to see tho Manawatu Gorge was a man named Duff, and Mr. Snjllson was tho. first settler to orect- a store iri Palmerston. Hie speaker hoped that their Excellencies would have a very enjoyable stay, and ho assured them that tho peoplo of Palmerston would do all they possibly could to make their visit pleasant. In conclusion, his Worship referred to tho good work done by Lady Plunket, which had endeared her to tho women throughout the Dominion. Mr. Collingwood, Town Clerk, then read the address of welcome, which was morocco bound and lined with whito satin, and tastefully printed in fivo colours. It read as follows: — "His Excellency the Eight Hon. William Loo, Baron Plunket, Knight Commander of tho Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael ana Knight Commander of tho Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its dependencies.

" Your Escollency, wo, tbo Mayor, councillors, and residents of Palmerston North and vicinity, desire to extend to your Excellency and to Lady Plunket and family a right hearty wclcomo upon the. occasion of your taking up your abode amongst us.. We trust you will find every comfort. and convcnienco in.tho home you have chosen, and. thai , the charm of your surroundings will, more than compensate for tho lack of facilities obtainable in large centres of population. Tho choice of Palmerston North as tho location of tho representative of Royalty in tho Dominion is a groat honour, and wo aro pleased to.know that sufficiently satisfactory arrangements have been ra'ade. Tho close proximity of this town to tho scat of Government, aud its ready access to the Empire City, make it an ideal sito for tho. ViceRegal residence, and wo feel sure your advent will tend to tho further advancement of the district, both socially and commercially and that you Will never have cause to regret the selection you have now made.

" Signed on behalf of the Mayor,' councillors, and residents of Palmerston North and vicinity—James Alfred Nash (Mayor), William Thomas Wood, M.P., William Harold Collingwood (Tojvn Clerk);" Mr. W. T. Wood, M.P., said it gave him groat .pleasure as the member for the district to welcomo their Excellencies. It was an agreeable surprise to know that his Excellency, aftor having toured all over the Dominion, and having seen many moro beautiful towns, had selected Palmerston ns his abode. Ho was sure everything would bo dono to mako their stay a happy one. Hearty cheers followed the speeches, ami His Excellency, in rising to rcplv, was greeted with loud applause from the" thousands of voices, and particularly from tho school children. REPLY BY HIS EXCELLENCY. With a good-natured smile Lord Plnnkijt remarked that ho might find sonie difficulty in speaking to such u largo gathering, but he would do bis best to make himself Tieard.' In expressing his appreciation of such a warm reception, lie said what pleased him most was to soe such a largo gathering of children, and such a spirit of loyalty. "Tho greatest difficulty that the people of .New Zealand had to consider was tc'o small popu-' lation. v They must remember, that a country like this, with' a small .population, must bo a temptation to other countries. It was essential, from a defence point of view, that they should have tho forces to repel a foreign invasion, and, if nccessary, to bo able to send men to other parts of tho British dominion. Regarding his stay in Palmerston, his Excellency said he was looking forward to a happy time. If.ho were pormitted to say so ; Palulcrston was tho most suitable placo to get away fjom easily. (Laughter.) Ho knew of no other place in tho whole Dominion which presented such easy facilities for travelling, and Palmerston North should be right prond of this. Ho had heard that tho climatic conditions wero not too favourablo, but ho assured them that he had left Napier in tho morning .in pouring rain, and. came to Palmerston to find sunshine. (Applauso.) . Loud, cheering followed, .and . his . Excellency was then escorted from tlio. grounds to bis residence by the .mounted .corps, the band playing a lively , tune as lie took his departure. (by telegraph—press association.) Napier, June 18. The Governor and suite left by the' express train to-day to take up their residence at Palmerston North.