GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 77, 27 September 1924, Page 9

GOVERNOR-GENERAL

kFAREWELLED IN NELSON

A BUSY TIME,...

(FBOM ODR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) NELSON, 26th September. His Excellency the Governor-General arrived in Nelson this morning by the s.s. Ngaio on a farewell visit. To the great regret of the citizens the weather proved unpropitious, light rain falling during the morning. A civic farewell was tendered Hisi Excellency at the church . steps, and notwithstanding the weather, a very large crowd of citizens assembled. On the platform to receive His Excellency were the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. W. Lock), City Councillors, Messrs. Atmore and Snodgrass, representing the Legislature, members of local bodies, and clergy, and representative citizens. The Regimental Band was present, and the Territorial and College Cadets were a guard of honour: A mounted escort of the Bth Rillc Regiment escorted His Excellency, who arrived at the church steps, accompanied by Captain Dove, A.D.C., and the-Town Clerk, and. was met by Colonel Young, 0.C., Southern Command, at the foot of the steps. The band played a verse of the National Anthem. His Excellency then inspected the guard o! honour and the escort, and was escorted by the Town Clerk to the platform, where he was received by the Mayor, and introduced to representative citizens. The Mayor expressed the pleasure of the citizens at having His Excellency among them, ,and asked the Town Clerk to read an address, which expressed wholehearted and most sincere regret that His Excellency was vacating office as the representative of His Majesty in this Dominion. "We feel that-words are not needed in order to express our sense of loss, but we desire to assure you that by your tactful, dignified, and kindly manner, you have won your way to the hearts of the people, and it is with feelings of proud and kindly remembrance that we shall always think of you in days to come." The Mayor said that on .behalf of the citizens and himself he wished to add a few words to the somewhat formal address. New Zealand had always been fortunate in having Governors of a high class. The present Governor-General, by virtue of his service and great record in the Navy could probably be classed as the greatest of them all. As head of the Navy in the Great War he had render;' ed great and splendid service to the Empire. Lord Jellicoe and his family hai? endeHred themselves to all the people of New Zealand; they are about to leave us. Lord and Lady Jellicoe had visited all parts of the Dominion, and made themselves acquainted with the people and all the capabilities and resources of the country. They had won their way into thu hearts of the people probably more tliaii any' of their predecessors;. - His Excellency, .in reply, said ho appreciated very highly the expressions of regret and goodwill. He would like to congratulate the people of Nelson on the recognition of the Navy as shown by the formation of a lnrgo l*ody of Sea Scouts, and ho would like to congratulate tho whole of tho city upon the wonderful achievements of their boys as a whole. On almost. every occasion he had visited" Nelson it had beeu to present some trophy to the boys of Nelson, which showed that the rising generation of this city is one to be proud of. It was with the greatest regret that Her Excellency and himself wero leaving these shores. During the four years they had experienced nothing but' hospitality, kindness, and the heartiest goodwill of the people. His Excellency then presented the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration tv Rev. Canon Dart; and the Imperial Service Medal to Mr. Chas. R. Godmun. On the call of the Mayor three rousing cheers were given for His Excellency and Lady Jellicoe. The proceedings terminated with the playing of tho National Anthem by the Regimental Band. . ° At thu Mursden Library over 200 Girl Guides, under Miss Worley, were inapucled by His Excellency^ who was taken round by the provincial commissioner, Mr. Moncrieff, and the provincial secretary, Miss Dayman. The girls presented a fine appearance in their uniforms, and His Excellency expressed himself as agreeably surprised at the wonderful progress made in such a- short time. The Marsden Hall was occupied by hundreds of boys and girls associated with the Scout and Girl Guide move' ment this morning, assembled to have the honour of being addressed by the Governor-General. The Bishop of Nelson presided, and made a few introductory remarks, saying Lord Jellicoe's was a name that would go down in history. Lord .Jellicoe, who was received with cheers, in the course of his remarks said it was particularly pleasing, as the' Sea Scouts bore the name of his own flagship in tho Grand Fleet, a name that brought back many anxious days and many pleasant days, in which lie had witnessed the splendid spirit that animated the British seamen of to-day In presenting the trident His Excellency heartily congratulated the Sea Scouts on having won it.. Captain Moucrir^f, in the absence of Dr. W. D. S. Johnston, thanked His Excellency for .the great honour he had conferred, on them that day. CIVIC LUNCHEON. At the Commercial Hotel a civic luncheon was tendered His Excellency Between 30 and 40 representative citizens were present, including chairmen of various-local_ bodies in-the district The Mayor of Nelson (Mr. W. Lock)' presided, and at his table, in addition to His Excellency, were Mr. H. Atmore, M.P., and the Bishop of Nelson. The only toasts honoured were those of the ivuig and His Excellency.