LADY ALICE FERGUSSON

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 102, 24 January 1930, Page 4

LADY ALICE FERGUSSON

FAREWELL BY FARMERS’ WIVES Yesterday afternoon a farewell reception was tendered to Her Excellency the Lady Alice Fergusson by members of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, which was held at the Pioneer Club. The large reception room was decorated with bowls of blue hydrangeas and red gladioli .and African daisies. Her Excellency, who was attended by Captain Orr-Ewing, was received by the president (Mrs. C. C. Jackson) and the vice-presidents, and was escorted to the platform. Mrs. Pow, on behalf of the division, presented her with a basket of New Zealand plants and flowers, tied with a red ribbon. Mrs. Jackson said they wished to heartily welcome Lady Alice, and to thank her for the interest she had taken in the division since its inception. They felt their work was important in drawing town and country together, and they asked Her Excellency to convey to Their Majesties the King and Queen the deep sense of loyalty to the Empire felt by every woman in the division. Dlrs. Wickham, vice-president, expressed the great sorrow all felt at parting with Their Excellencies. “You have endeared yourselves to us as no other Governor and his wife have done,” she said, adding that the bonds which held flip women to the Empire were those of love, and these bonds tTheir Excellencies had strengthened.

Mrs. Harris (Oakura) added her tribute, saying that they had found a real friend in Lady Alice Fergusson, and her interest and help had given their work a status it could not otherwise have had. She asked Lady Alice to convey to the farmers’ wives of Great Britain a sisterly greeting from farmers’ wives in New Zealand. Mrs. Jackson then asked Her Excellency to accept an illuminated address which was headed with the badge of the division, flanked by vignettes of the work of the Bush Nurse and Housekeepers’ while at the foot were tiny sketches of New Zealand scenery. This was contained in a roll of grey suede painted with sprays of manuka, and tied with the colours of the division, red, white, blue and green. The inscription was headed by Lowell’s verse:

“She doeth little kindnesses which most leave undone or despise ; • For naught that sets one’s heart at ease Or giveth happiness or peace. Is low esteemed in her eyes.”

The address read: “We, as women representatives of the farming community of New Zealand, on the eve of your departure from these shores, wish to exnress our appreciation of your unfailing devotion to duty as wife of our Governor-General, your tact and kindness and’ your ever-ready sympathy with ‘the cause that lacks assistance.’ You have endeared yourself to the people throughout the land, and your gracious personality will long be remembered. We desire for you a pleasant voyage and a’happy homecoming, and many return visits to this country, together with long life, health and prosperity.” Her Excellency said she found it difficult to express her thanks. She would keep this address among her treasures, and she expressed thanks for the flowers, as she took a special interest in the bush of New Zealand. She felt that she had not done as much as she ought for the country women, for in their official capacity much time had to be spent in the towns, but what she had seen had shown her the bravery and selfsacrifice as well as the happiness of the country women. She had met and conversed with many during her recent visit to the Royal Show in the south. She lived among farmers in Scotland and would convey the message given by Mrs. Harris. Also she hoped to have an opportunity of giving the message of loyalty from the president, which was “in line with the feeling of loyalty to the Crown found everywhere in New Zealand. She thought this was perhaps one of the reasons why life was so delightful in the Dominion, For herself she had spent five years of her girlhood here, and when she left felt she never would be happy anywhere else. However, she had been, but she had brought all her children up to love New Zealand, and was glad each had had the opportunity to visit it and sec for themselves how delightful it was. She expressed sympathy for those engaged in country pursuits in what was said to be a bad year, and expressed hopes for prosperity in the. succeeding years, promising that she would be an advocate for buying New Zealand wool. In conclusion she wished good luck to the division and good years in the future. Songs were sung by Mrs. Goodson and Mrs. Spidy, and afternoon tea was served and raspberries and crenm. Her Excellency moved aliout, speaking to all members of the division present, saying individual good-byes. The gathering concluded with all present singing “Auld Lang Syne.” During the afternoon Mrs. Jackson was presented with a bouquet of red and blue flowers.