GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 20346, 30 November 1929, Page 14

GOVERNOR-GENERAL

LORD BLEDISLOE APPOINTED LEADING AUTHORITY ON AGRICULTURE [Pek United Association.] WELLINGTON, November 29. His Excellency, the Governor-Gene« ral, has reeived official advice that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to appoint the Right Honourable Lord Bledisloe, K.8.E., to be Governor-General of New Zealand in succession to General Sir Charles Ferguusson, Baronet, G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D. 5.0., M.V.0., whose term of office will expire early next year. Lord Bledisloe, Governor-General designate of New Zealand, is a son of Mr Charles Bathurst, of Lydney Park, Gloucestershire, and was born on September 21, 1867. He was created a Knight of the Order cf the British Empire in 1917, and the following year was elevated to the peerage, taking the title of Baron Bledisloe of Lydney. Baron Bledisloe will always be remembered for his war-time services as Secretary to the Ministry of Food, until a break-down in health brought about bis retirement. During his period of office, however, he rendered valuable aid to Great Britain in an hour of extreme trial. Lord Bledisloe was Under-Secretary for Agriculture in the Conservative Ministry which has just gone out of office. He is the first of the title, which was created in 1918, as a result of his long parliamentary connection, when, as Mr Charles Bathurst, ho did much lor the Conservative Party. He entered Parliament in 1910 for South Wilts,; which seat he continued to occupy until raised to tho peerage. He has the reputation of having been the most indefatigable questioner ever seen in the House, as well as being a debater _of considerable ability. During the period of tho Great War he undertook many difficult tasks, including the chairmanship of the Royal Commission om Sugar Supply and Director of Sugar, Distribution, as well as playing a very, important part in arranging _ Britain * food supply during the anxious days of tho D-boat campaign. After tile war. he became president of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association, and of tho Bath and West of England Agricultural Association, and generally allowed his interest in agricultural matters. Among his numerous writings are many, important papers on farming subjects, and ho now spends a groat dealof his time in superintending the breeding of cattle and pigs. As a young man he played a prominent part in county, cricket, and even now, though more l than sixty years old, plays an excellent round of golf. Lord Bledisloe s first info, the Hon. Bertha Susan Lopes (s. daughter or Lord Ludlow) died in 1926, and he was later married to the Hon. Mrs Alma, Kate Elaine Cooper-Smith, second daughter of the first and last Baiou Giantanca. He has two sons and one daughter. After leaving Oxford university he entered the Royal Agricultural College, Chichester, of winch ho is a golf medallist, and be was later appointed chairman of tho Governors of the college.

DOMINION GOVERNMENT’S CONGRATULATIONS. WELLINGTON, November 30. The Prime Minister has cabled as iollows to Lord Bledisloe on behalf of the Government and people of the dominion:—“ I. desire to extend warm, congratulations upon your appointment as Governor-General of New Zealand. I beg to assure you that a. very cordial welcome awaits Lady Bledisloe and yourself.”