THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

Evening Star, Issue 12640, 19 April 1907, Page 1

THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

ENTHUSIASM IN CENTRA!, OTAGO. [Spicul to thjs Sub.] CROMWELL, April la The Governor and his party, including tiie Hon. Dr and Mrs Findlay, have so fax had a most enjoyable trip throughout Central Otago. His Excellency was enthusiastically' -welcomed at every railway station en route, and acknowledged the numerous addresses he received in. happy and appropriate terms. He was particularly delighted with the number and the healthy freshness of the school children who came to meet and greet him at the different stopping places. * ' On the arrival of the party at Alexandra on Wednesday a guard- of honor awaited His Excellency, with the local band and most of the townspeople and .school children. A procession was formed, which was gaily decked by the flags carried by all the children, who cheered lustily. Seen after arrival ,an address of welcome was presented to His Excellency, and in the evening a conversazione was held, at winch the Governor and party were present. This morning His Excellency drove to where ho

citizens. He then proceeded to Cromwell, where he was met by a very largo assemblage of town and country people, and was heartily welcomed by the mayor. This afternoon ho visited one of the dredges working in the Clutha River, and examined with interest its operations. Afterwards he visited the hospital, and extended sympathy to the patients there. In the evening he was entertained at a social by the residents of Cromwell. His Excellency is being constantly* impressed with the fact that. Central Otago, like the Nile Valley, requires only water to grow anything and everything, it is quite evident that where irrigation takes place the growth of grass, fruit trees, and grapes is amazing. In a, well-worded speech to-day His Excellency advised the town and district to rely increasingly upon agriculture, horticulture, and pastoral pursuits, and predicted that the people would find a better and more reliable road towards wealth in these directions than from gold mining, which admittedly was accompanied now by increasing difficulties and certainly nob increasing returns. Genuine and spontaneous loyalty has been extended to the Governor throughout the whole of his present tour, and more than once be has expressed his belief that such sincere and spontaneous demonstrations of devotion to the Motherland and to the King would greatly delight His Majesty himself. His Excellency expressed his belief that by this and other tours he bad taken be was amassing information and experience which would help him throughout his term of office in the colony, and also when bo returned to the Motherland at the- expiration of his term. To-morrow the .party leave for Pembroke.