GOVR.-GENERAL’S VISIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 June 1937, Page 14

GOVR.-GENERAL’S VISIT

REWANUI MINE INSPECTED. Tin’s morning, His Excellency visited the Liverpool State mine, at Rewanui, a special train being run from Greymouth for the official party. His Excellency was accompanied by Sir Standish O’Grady ’Roche, and included in the party were Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister of Mines and Acting Minister of Labour), Messrs A. Tyndall (Under Secretary of Mines), J. S. Hunter (Commissioner of Employment), J. O’Brien M.P., C. J. Strongman (Superintendent of State Mines), S. Y. Jones (Private Secretary to the Minister of Mines), The Mayor (Mr W. Meldrum), Messrs F. H. Denton (Town Clerk), P. J. McLean (Grey Harbour Board), J. Ryall and JI. G. Carter (Grey County Council), A. Mosley (Grey Hospital Board), and Mrs Mosley, and Mr G. Lowes (Inspector of Gold Mines). At Rewanui, the party was met by Messrs A. Smith (manager of the Liverpool mine), F. Cook (electrician), Geo. English and W. Pendlebury (President and Secretary, respectively, of the State Miners’ Union). The visit was made informal, and His Excellency was given every opportunity to inspect the surface workings, as well as the interior of the mine. The rope boys had anticipated the arrival of the party, and caused amusement by placing across the path a sign board bearing the words: “Toll. Pay as you enter.” The school children had been assembled at the bathhouses, and His Excellency spent some time with them before donning the electric equipment for the trip down the mine. Later, he requested that the school should be closed this afternoon.

Nine members of the party, including His Excellency, were taken into the mine by Messrs Strongman and Smith, a visit being paid to the main dip, which is beings developed in the Kimbell West level? the newest section in the mine. In the face, 65 chains from the mouth of the mine, and 800 feet below ground, His Excellency witnessed the preparation of a shot, which was fired shortly afterwards, displaying keen interest in a test for gas, and the width of coal seam exposed.

The party returned: to Greymouth for lunch, and this afternoon His Excellency is visiting the Greymouth schools.

RECEPTION AT REEFTON.

[OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

REEFTON, June 25. Lord Galway paid his first visit to Reefton yesterday, arriving at mid-

day from Westport. The GovernorGeneral was tendered an official reception at the Criterion Theatre. Accompanying His Excellency were his aide-de-camp (Sir Standish O’Grady Roche), Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister of Mines), Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P. for Motueka, There was a representative gathering of citizens at the theatre, which was filled. Pupils of the Reefton District and Convent Schools assembled, and were granted a holiday for the remainder of the day, at the request of His Excellency. Mr F. W. Archer- (County Chairman) met His Excellency, and, after meeting a number of citizens, Lord Galway was officially welcomed. As-

sociated with Mr Archer were Messrs

J. O’Regan and G. B. Mclnroe, of the County Council, Mr W. B. Auld (County Clerk), and Mr M. Fennell (Engineer). The Chairman welcomed His Excellency to the Inangahua district, and said they were all pleased' to have Lord Galway pay his first visit to Reefton. He read the following address of welcome: — “To His Excellency, the Right Hon. Viscount Galway, P. 0., GIC.M.G., D. 5.0., 0.8. E., Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty’s Dominoin of New Zealand and its dependencies. “May it please Your Excellency: On

behalf of the citizens of the Inangahua County, we respectfully wish to extend to you a most cordial welcome to our district, on the occasion of this, your first visit to this portion of His Majesty’s Dominion. We wish to convey to you the assurance of the loyalty and devotion of the people of our community, to the Throne and the person of His Majesty the King. We apreciate your desire, by a close personal contact, to become fully acquainted with the aspirations and hopes of the people in every portion of the Dominion, and' it is very gratifying to ns to find you so sympathetic and interested. In this remote corner of the realm, you will find many descendants of pioneer stock, who, amidst prodigious hardship and grave risk, paved the way for the amenities enjoyed by this young country. We wish to express the pride we feel in being associated with our great and glorious Empire and its Constitution, which stands for dignity, liberty, and justice, and' also for the statesmanship of our Ministers and Members oi’ Parliament, in the cause of world peace. We feel assured that during your term as His Majesty’s representative, in this Dominion, you will find much to appeal to you, and may we express the hope that when the time arrives for you to vacate your exalted office and to leave our shores, that Your Excellency and Lady Galway will have a happy memory of your sojourn in these favoured isles.

“We have the honour to remain, Your Excellency’s obedient and faithful servants, F. W. Archer (County Chairman). W. Blackadder, W. S Clark, G. B. Mclnroe, J. F. Scawright, W. Clayton. J. O’Regan. T. R. Watson (County Councillors), and W. B. Auld (County Clerk).’’ In reply. His' Excellency thanked Air Archer for the expressions of loyalty to the Crown. He was especially grateful for the address of welcome, which ho would treasure as a memento of his visit to the district. Everywhere throughout New Zealand ho had been received with the utmost kindness and courtesy. lie was enjoying his stay in the district, and was seeing many interesting things. He wished the people and the district every happiness and prosperity. To the boys and girls, he offered good wishes, and trusted that they would grow into happy manhood and womanhood. He could not close without referring to the position of the British Empire, and the fact that wherever the Union Jack tiew there the people enjoyed liberty and justice, and were free to work out their destinies unhindered.. He regretted that. Lady Galway was not able to make the trip with him, and he was deply grateful for the welcome extended to him. Three cheers were given for His Excellency, at the call of tho County ('hairman.

The Inangahua County Council entertained’ Bis Excellency and his official party, and 40 guests, at a luncheon. Mr F. W. Archer presided, and at the close of the meal a short

toast-list was honoured. (After the drinking of the loyal toast, Mr F. ,W. Archer proposed the toast of "Our Guest.” In doing so, he referred to the personal interest which the Governor-General -was taking in all parts of the Dominion. This was clearly shown by the visit with which the district was honoured that day. In reply, Lord Galway said he was glad to be able to visit this part of the Dominion. He had planned to make the tour more especially to see something of the mining industry, . but while in the district he had viewed many interesting sights. He mentioned the fine work being accomplished in th? breaking-in of pakihi land at Westport, and the successes of the experiments of the Cawthron Institute. He felt that with energy, foresight, and careful planning, a great future lay ahead of this class of land. He trusted that the Inangahua district was in for a period of prosperity, and he wished its people success, and happiness. ' Mr J. B. Auld (Chairman of the Inangahua Hospital Board) proposed the toast of the Parliament of New Zealand, and referred to the work being accomplished' by the present Government in their efforts to improve the living conditions of the people. Mr Webb thanked Mr Auld for his references to the work being carried on by the present Government. Parliament; was only the reflex of the hopes and aspirations of the people. He ventured to say that the New Zealand Parliament was the finest and cleanest Parliament in the world. Mr K. J. Holyoake (member for Motueka) welcomed His Excellency to this portion of his electorate. Like Mr Webb, he felt that at times we all took Parliament’ too .seriously; this was not the right spirit. He considered that in Mr Webb the country had a Minister of Mines .who was capably filling the position. At the close of the luncheon, the official party left for Waiuta, where they paid a visit of inspection to the Blackwater Mine, accompanied by Mr W. J. Humphries (general manager of the company), Mr W. GorePorter (secretary), and the County Chairman and members of the County Council. The party were* taken underground and viewed the workings, under the direction of Mr T. R. Hogg, mine superintendent.