WELCOME TO LORD GALWAY

Evening Star, Issue 22004, 13 April 1935, Page 25

WELCOME TO LORD GALWAY

WISE PUBLIC INTEREST BAD WEATHER DEFIED BY CROWD [Special to the ‘ Star.’ 1 WELLINGTON, April 13. Wellington’s welcome to the new Governor-General lacked nothing m its warmth and in the demonstrations or wide public interest in Viscount Galway, Lady Galway, and their young iaimlv, who accompanied them in the day s ceremonial, excepting for the evening citizens’ welcome in the Town Hall. But the weather toned off enthusiasm until it could be displayed by the great assemblage in the evening. The landing ceremony had to be conducted within the shelter of the large wharf shed, with its doors closed immediately His Excellency and party had landed. A boisterous southerly blew, with constant threat of rain squalls, but the Government officials showed courage in maintaining their arrangements for the afternoon ceremonial on the steps of Parliament Building, where His Excellency signed the oath of office, Sir Michael Myers (Administrator) bolding down the papers lest they blow swiftly to leeward. The Wellington climate, after a remarkable rim of calm conditions, had reasserted itself as “ windy,” and the Governor-General’s tall figure frequently bent to the blasts. This feature of New Zealand’s welcome found expression in the Town Hall gathering, which laughed heartily in the wrong place, when Mr Ransom, representing the Government, spoke of the distinguished visitor coming into the sunshine of a New Zealand welcome. Mr Hislop (mayor) on the same topic suggested that it was better to see the worst to begin with, because when one overcame the worst it was possible to view the future with confidence. “ Your Excellency has been subjected to the worst the south can do, hut it is only fair to warn you that there are northern winds that blow.” (Laughter.) Viscount Galway, in a happy response, spoke without notes, and used many good turns of phrase. Ho suggested that, as a military man, he was prone to Be brief, though he trusted his remarks would not lack cordality, for he referred in terms of very high appreciation to the warmth of Wellington’s welcome to himself and Lady Galway and their family, who were, he declared, thrilled with excitement on arriving in New Zealand. The weather, he added, was really calm compared with that of 100 miles from shore, and for all the abuse of that day’s weather, it might have been worse (laughter). It began by pouring with rain early in the morning, but had the good sense to clear up “though there was a wind which compelled me to hold my hat.” One of His Excellency’s happiest references was in reply to .Mr Ransom’s remark that it must - bo a wrench to pull up the roots of old associations to come to this distant dominion to render public service. " A wrench, it is,” admitted the Governor-General, “to pull up the roots and go far away, but we already feel, in the face of all the kindnesses shown to us. that we arc beginning already to put down new- roots into this most hospitable soil, and I feel, therefore, that it will not be long before those roots will go so deep that they will begin to produce a crop of the flowers of friendship.” (Loud applause.) On behalf of the city tho mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) presented His Excellency with an illuminating address and a water colour which, as ho expressed it, depicted a local scene which the weather had probably prevented their Excellencies from seeing as yet. Those on tho platform, in addition to the party from Government House, included the Acting, Prime Minister (Hon. E. A. Ransom), Mrs Ransom, the Chief Justice and Lady Myers, the mayoress, Hon. R. Masters and Mr P. Fraser, M.P., as well as city councillors and members of other local bodies. Upon tho arriviS of their Excellencies the huge audience 'rose as one as the strains of tho National Anthem came from the organ. Tho mayor, in presenting the address and water colour, mentioned that the engrossment and illuminations were the work of returned soldiers. Mr Ransom welcomed their Excellencies on behalf of the Government, and at the conclusion of his speech tho mayor presented the city’s address. Lord Galway, in his reply, expressed thanks for the great warmth of the, welcome and for the city’s souvenir “ in remembrance of an unforgettable day and nn unforgettable occasion.”