N.Z. REACHED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20486, 21 February 1941, Page 8

N.Z. REACHED

SIR CYRIL NEWALL WELCOME AT AUCKLAND INFORMAL PROCEEDINGS AN UNPLEASANT TRIP (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The Governor-General designate of New Zealand, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall, landed at Auckland at 10.30 o’clock this morning and left half an hour later by special train for Wellington, where the formal swearing-in ceremony will take place. Sir Cyril was accompanied by Lady Newall, their three children, Miss Nora Walton, lady-in-waiting, members of Sir Cyril’s staff, including Captain C. J. Holland-Martin, A.D.C., Mrs. Bevan, wife of Wing Commander H. Bevan, comptroller, and their two sons, and also members of the household staff. The proceedings when the Mariposa arrived were entirely informal. Sir Cyril was met by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, and the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. Hendry Luke. Although the proceedings were informal, they Were not lacking in warmth. Mr. Parry conveyed a hearty welcome from the Government, while from Sir Ernest Davis Lady Newall received a magnificent sheath of orchids and lilies. Waitemata at its Best

This was the first time for many years that the Governor-General designate has arrived at Auckland, and the Waitemata presented a glorious

sight as the liner steamed to her berth. Incidentally, it was the first day of sunshine the travellers had enjoyed since the ship left San Francisco. The trip was one of the most unpleasant for a long time, with wind, driving rain squalls, and rough seas. Others who met Sir Cyril and Lady Newall on the Mariposa were WingCommander Bevan, who arrived in the Dominion a month ago, Mr. D. E. Fouhy, official secretary to the Gov-ernor-General, and naval officers. “A Regular Fellow”

“A regular fellow,” was how one of the ship’s officers described Sir Cyril Newall. The family, he said, had taken part in all shipboard activities and had been highly popular with the passengers.

While waiting to leave the ship, Sir Cyril’s three children engaged in an energetic game of table tennis. Before they left the Mariposa Sir Cyril and Lady Newall paid a formal visit to the master of the ship, Captain Meyer. Although war restrictions precluded the admission of the public to the wharf, there was a knot of interested

spectators. As the party came down the gangway to the waiting cars Sir Cyril raised his hat as he first set foot on New Zealand soil.

At the railway station the new arrivals smiled and bowed to the people, who waved back a cheery 'welcome. The most impressive thing to an observer was the compelling charm of Lady Newall’s smile. Two members of the Red Cross Society .had left in the carriage a bouquet in tones of red, white and blue, and when Lady Newall received this token of welcome siie left the carriage again and sought out the donors on the -platform. The journey to Wellington will be broken overnight and the party will arrive there to-morrow for the official swearing-in ceremony.