“JOLLY GOOD FELLOW"

Evening Star, Issue 22577, 19 February 1937, Page 8

“JOLLY GOOD FELLOW"

REMARKABLE RECEPTION TO PREMIER RECORD CROWD AT CHRISTCHURCH [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 19. Christchurch seized the opportunity to-day to open its heart to give the Prime Minister a welcome worthy # of his office when he paid his first visit to the South Island. . The cheering crowds at Lyttelton and on the Christchurch railway station were merely a preliminary to the enthusiasm which swayed the crowd of 2,000 people at the civic reception. Only for Royalty

has this city previously seen such a crowd attend a civic reception. It was a record, and the scene on the arrival of Mr Savage’s car in Manchester street, and later on his entering the theatre, there were remarkable demonstrations for a city usually noted for its restraint. More than 500 cheering people greeted Mr Savage’s arrival in the street, and in the theatre his appearance was the signal for 1,500 voices to join in singing “ For he’s a jolly good fellow.” AT LYTTELTON An enthusiastic admirer of _ the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, hoisted the Irish flag on the steamer express at the wharf at Lyttelton this morning as th© Wahine, bringing Mr Savage on his first official visit to the South Island', moved to her berth. Cheers were lustily given by a fairly large party on th© wharf. It was a hearty and spontaneous welcome to Mr Savage on his arrival at the gateway of the South Island. On behalf of the citizens of Lyttelton, the mayor (Mr F. E. Sutton) extended a hearty welcome to the Prime Minister, saying that Lyttelton was pleased to have the honour of being the first to give him a welcome in the South Island.