FIRST WELCOMES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 169, 13 April 1935, Page 8

FIRST WELCOMES

Vice-Regal Family Lands From Rangitata WHARF SHED ADDRESSES Ironically enough, the first glimpse caught of Lord Galway as he was about to step ashore at Pipitea Wharf was of a tall figure in resplendent uniform clutching his cocked hat in .a forty to fifty miles an hour gust of wind. By the time he and Lady Galway and their children had descended: the gangway from the Rangitata at the end of the series of ceremonial welcomes, a dense crowd had lined the barriers inside the wharf shed. Also inside the shed stood top-hatted Government and Harbour Board representatives, naval and military officers, whose uniforms were bright with gold braid, tassels and dress swords, and wives of the officials. A guard of honour from H.M.S. Diomede was drawn up opposite the platform erected for their Excellencies and members of the welcoming party. Official Welcomes. Punctually at 9.15 a.m. a call was made on Lord Galway on board the ship by the Administrator of the Government (the Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Myers), who was in his Privy Councillor’s uniform, and was attended by the Acting-Clerk bf the Executive Council (Mr. A. W. Mulligan). They were followed five minutes afterward by the Acting-Prime Minister (Rt. lion. J, G. Coates) and Ministers of the Crown, and later by the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces (Sir William Sinclair-Burgess) and the Rear-Admiral commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy (Rear-Admiral Burges Watson). A salute of 19 guns was fired from I Point Jerningham and a Royal Salute ' was given by the naval guard of honour, whose band played the first six bars of the National Anthem, when at 9.40 a.m. Lord and Lady Galway and their children, accompanied by Captain A. Heber-Percy. Major A. F. Purvis, M.C., and Sir Standish O’Grady Roche, R.N., aides-de-camp, disembarked and arrived inside the wharf shed. The guard of honour was inspected and, a great deal of ceremonial handshaking over, the party moved to the platform to receive the formal address of welcome from the Harbour Board, read by the chairman, Mr. T. R. Barren Harbour Board’s Address. ‘We desire to extend to you on this the occasion of your first landing in New Zealand a very hearty and cordial welcome,” Mr. Barren said. “The high office which you have been called upon to fill as the King’s representative is one of the most honourable that can be conferred upon any of his Majesty’s subjects. This honour has been borne with outstanding ability and distinction by your predecessors, and we feel sure that the future will reveal that you, too, will stand with equal merit among your peers at the conclusion of your term of office. “We recognise that it must be a wrench to your Excellency and the Viscountess Galway to sever, even though only for a time, the personal ties formed by life-long associations in the Mother Country, but we hasten to express our confident belief that in the whole-hearted loyalty and goodwill, of all classes in this Dominion, of which you will receive abundant evidence, you will find some solace for your temporary isolation from relatives and friends in the Homeland. The difficult times through which the world is passing call for the clearest vision and balanced judgment, and we believe that these qualities are possessed in rich measure by your Excellency. “We sincerely trust that your Excellency, 'as well as her Excellency Viscountess Galway ,and your family, will have a happy sojourn in this country.” His Excellency’s Reply. “I thank you most warmly for the address which you have presented to me bn my landing at the capital city of New Zealand to assume the office of bls Majesty’s representative in this

Dominion,” stated Lord Galway in reply. “It is very gratifying indeed to me, as it is also to Lady Galway, to receive so cordial a welcome from the governing body of this large and constantlyexpanding port, which has a high reputation nbt only for its modern equipment and natural advantages, but also for the foresight and enterprise of those who for more than half a century have controlled the policy of the Wellington Harbour Board. “I appreciate very much your kindlyexpressed hope that our stay in the Dominion may be a happy one. The warm-hearted reception, which we and our children have received from you this morning and the proverbial reputation of the people of New Zealand for loyalty and friendly goodwill have already given us confidence that with God’s blessing this hope will be realised.” A SOLDIER’S TRIBUTE Crowd Cheers Lord Galway at War Memorial On their departure from Pipitea Wharf Lord and Lady Galway’s first thought was for the memory of New Zealand’s dead in the Great War. Accompanied by the official welcoming part# from the ship’s side, they motored to the memorial in Lambton Quay, where Lord Galway laid a wreath in the presence of many hundreds of citizens. With cheers and handclaps lie was given, a warm welcome on his first appearance in the city. Crowds had gathered at vantage points about the war memorial half au hour before the ceremony was due to take place. The Vice-Regal party arrived at 10.10 a.m., by which time a guard of honour composed of members of the executives of the New Zealand and Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Associations, under Colonel A. Cowies, V.D., president of the Wellington association, was lined up on either side of the steps leading to tlie Shrine of Remembrance.

Cheers were given by the assemblage as Lord Galway’s car, in which also were Lady Galway and their small son, drew up before the memorial. The noise was hushed when his Excellency took in his hand the wreath, beautifully made with laurel leaves and Flanders poppies by disabled New Zealand ex-service men. Lord Galway’s soldierly bearing xyas impressive as he mounted the steps and entered the shrine, where he placed the wreath beside the one left there by his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. As the party departed the returned soldiers gave their Excellencies three cheers. These ivere added to along the quay by other citizens. e-Vluisiastically greeting the occupants of the open car as it moved past, bound for the Town Hall and Government House. MAYORAL WELCOME Scene at Town Hall INFORMAL CONVERSATION As the weather was blustery, dull and threatening, there was no great assemblage of the public in the streets of tlie city as their Excellencies drove to the Town Hall, following tlie ceremony at the War Memorial. There were some 500 or 000 people outside tlie hall, but as there was no public function until the evening, the entrance lobby, beflagged and carpeted, was reserved as a reception hall. There their Excellencies were met by his Worship the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, and Mrs. Hislop, and tlie Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (representing the Government) and Mrs. Coates. Lord Galway created more than a favourable impression. Smilingly he advanced up the steps to meet the outstretched hand of his Worship—his first municipal welcome in New Zealand.

Standing in tlie lobby were most of tlie members of tlie City Council and the various heads of department. His Worship, after a few minutes’ conversation, introduced their Excellencies to all present. As they left for

tlie waiting motors, Lord Galway said, “I hope to see you all again before very long.” 'Their Excellencies were attended by Major A. Purvis, military secretary, Captain A. Jleber-Percy. military A.D.C.. and Lieutenant Sir Standish O'Grady Roche, naval A.D.C. Among those present were: Cr. W. H. Bennett, Cr. M. F. find Miss Luckie, Cr. and Mrs. R. McKeen. Cr. and Mrs. R. Semple. Cr. C. H. Chapman, Cr. T. and Miss Forsvth. Cr. W. J- and Mrs. Gatidin. Cr. 11. A. Huggins. Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Hart. Mr. and Mrs. M. Cable, Mr. and Mrs. J. O'Shea, Mr. and Mrs. C. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. R. Herron, Mr. E. P. Norman.