ON FISHING TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 51, 2 March 1937, Page 11

ON FISHING TOUR

SIR HARRY LAUDER

"AS GUID AS EVER"

SCOTTISH WELCOME

Fresh from a tour of Australia, where he was the envy of many less fortunate anglers in landing a 2601b striped marlin off Bermagui, New South "Wales, Sir Harry Lauder arrived by the Awatea from Sydney -today with the intention of thoroughly enjoying a fishing holiday in New Zealand where, he announced, "I will stay as long as I can."

"I will go south first," he said. "I was very sorry to learn that my old friend, Donald McDonald, of Edendale, is sick. That is one of the many reasons why I came to New Zealand, and I will see him first." TSir Harry will also see Mrs. D. Allan, of Bolton Street, Mr. McDonald's daughter, today. On a former visit he was the guest of the McDonald family. "I want to see my old friend, John Smith, of Invercargill, as soon as I can," he continued. "I have no professional engagements. lam just on a, fishing holiday. It is the best sport in the world, and there is no place in the world like New Zealand for trout fishing. Last, time I was here I did a good deal of dry fly fishing in the Waikato. There is a fine stretch of water above the Huka Falls, and last time I was there I cut down a lot of the tea tree round some pools, and I believe they now call that the Lauder. Fool." Sir Harry's arrival was something in the nature of a mild national triumph. He was met on the Awatea by Mr. R. H. Nimmo- and Sir James Elliott, amongst others, and a special welcome had been arranged by the Scots community in No. 2 shed, of which the exclusive use had been granted by the Harbour Board. .. He was piped there on disembarkation by a band in charge of Pipe Major J. McCallum, being greeted vociferously en route by fellow countrymen. Taking the platform before a crowd of some 200, it was some time before he escaped the handshakes of many countrywomen, the general appreciation of his perfect health, m spite of his 67 years, being "Ye are as quid as ever." With his personality as magnetic as at any time, enhanced by the national dress, it was clear that Lauder's popularity if anything increases with the years.

Disregarding an introduction as a work of supererogation, Mr. R. H., Nimmo, president"" of the Wellington' Burns Club, on behalf of the Scots assembled, gave Sir Harry a happy and cordial Yvelcome. A welcome was specially extended to Miss Greta Lauder, "the bonnie Yvee lassie." There Yvas no need for him: to amplify the achievements of Sir Harry Lauder, said Mr. Nimmo. "I consider he is one of the greatest Scots of our day 'and generation, one of the ambassadors of the British Empire," he said.

On behalf of the Scottish societies of Wellington, the chairman, Mr. J. G. MacKenzie, expressed the greatest pleasure in Yvelcoming Sir Harry, who, he said, had well earned his rest. He congratulated him on looking very Yvell indeed.

Cheers were heartily given for the visitors.

Thanking them for the manner, in which he had been1 received in Wellington, Sir Harry said:—"l am not on any circus ride this time. I am here for the benefit of my health, which has been excellent for the whole of last year, especially in Australia, where the sun shines nearly every day. I have come to New Zealand on. an expedition, a fishing expedition, that and to see friends of. bygone years. While there is life in the old dog I want to come and see my friends as often as possible. If Ido not sing to you this time I am hoping to come back next year,-and may sing for you. then, but it will cost you something that time. I came to New Zealand because the doctor told me I should take a long sea voyage, and there was no place further away than this. That was not the only reason; when I come here I know I am coming amongst friends."

Headed by the pipers, Sir Harry and Miss Greta Lauder were driven slowly to the Midland Hotel.

After spending the morning with Mrs. Allan and Mr. McDonald (who had come up from Southland especially to see him), Sir Harry Lauder is resting this afternoon. He is availing himself of an invitation extended on arrival to attend the vaudeville show at the Grand Opera House to-night. He will be the guest of the Travel Club tomorrow night and of the Scottish societies on ' Thursday night. On Friday night he ■will leave for the south, returning through Wellington .in about a fortnight, after which he will take a fishing tour through possibly Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and the Taupo district, the itinerary depending largely on the condition of the rivers.