GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

Grey River Argus, 8 April 1921, Page 4

GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL. AT .WESTPORT. Morgan’s rieture J'healre was under \'ißegal patronage on Tuesday night lasi, h<‘r Excellency Lady Jellicoe. and (] H . || (ll |. Limy Jellicoe with Captain ('urlis (secretary) being Iho guests of Hie Anialg I'i'O|iti<‘l ary <’ompanv. The front row of the gallery was reserved for the party, and with I hem were the Mayor and Mayoress i Air ami Mis John Menzies). <T Barry. <’r Enright. Air AV. H. Mclntyre (chairman Buller County Council) ami Miss N. Enright. Mrs Curtis's orcheslra contributed a programme of music al the intervals and also playml the Na j.ional Anthem on arrival ol the party and at tin' conclusion of 'lie picture progralinin'. I’he ‘‘star ’ picture was an interesting one set in a profusion of delightful Japanesi' forestry and garden scenes. AT REEFTON. A’eslerday a few niinu|tos after noon l.ofl . relieve ami pari rea<died Reefton I'roiii Westport. The party were met at the Council Chambers bv the (‘bunty chairman ami councillors. I’he chairman ext ended a welcome ami regretting his short stay. He visited ihe Krep-il Dark Aline and lie was enivrtained ai liiaeheou at Dawson's Hotel. He left for (ireyiiioiii li after unveiling the I'allen Soldiers’ Memorial.

REEFTON SOLDIERS’ MEAIoRIAL. REEFTON, April 7. Lord and Lady Jell'uoe and their (laughter aTi'ived at k’cefton at noon, ami were welcomed by Mr. 'James \n!d fCounly Chairman) and the Councillors and their wives, and (he ladies of the I’airiotic Committee. They visited the Criishingt >n quartz I batteries, and were entertained at lunchi'on at Dawson’s Hotel a; two , Thu Governor. otter .-■» eln.'|uen( speech by Ihe County Chairman, nn- \ (’iloiP ihe Soldiers’ Al emoria I. 'l'lkGovernor paid a line tribute for the preparations nimle by New Zealand statesmen juior to the war. and tin 1 gallant work of the soldiers on the bat i lelield. Several wreaths were plum’d on ihe nioniiim-nl after theun \ oiling, including ore by Miss Sarah Aloiris, (1.8. E.. on behalf of Ihe LadWELC(.>.A! E AT BRI'NNER. Yi-xtordav afternoon ihe Aiceh’ogali I’ariy looke the journey from Reef- : ion to Greymouth ai I’rnniier. Here they were met by the Deputy Mayor ' ( Air. .1. Alahmci ami members of the j Brunner Borough Couneil. Their stay was not long enough to allow them to see much of the town, nor to inspect the Biiiner Bridge, but the position was placed before the GovernorGeneral as to the necessity im-

provements Io the bridge. 'l’he practical isolation o|.‘ Taylorville was also brought under his notice. A short stop was made al Dobson, where Air. J. D. Lynch’s new mine was visited. His , Excellency e\’inced keen interest in this new undertaking arid complimented Afr. I'.ym-h on his initiative in opening up a n(?w All along the route from L’m'fion to Greymoiith the party received eiilhimiast ic recepl ions.

ARRIA ES LN G.R E Y Al( )U'l’l|. I’he Governor-General i Lord Jellinod party arrived in Greymoiith l:o j t evening at 6 p.m. from Reofton. He was accompanied bv Her Excellency Lady Jellicoe and the Hou. Aliss Lucy Jullieoe. The Vice-Regal Parly left Rcefi.m :, t p.m. by ear. ami made a short slay ar Brunner, where they wore met by the Mayor of Brunner (Air. F. Williams) ami councillors, and about a do/en cars conveying the .Mayor of Greymoiith (Air. J. D. Lynch > councillors and members of local bodies "'•■l the Vice-Regal Party at Brunner •'"id escorted them to Greymouth. The business premises were bedecked with tings and ferns, while an arch of honour was erected in Tuinni St. The (Jovernor General was fornmlly veli-omod bv Un' Mayor on behalf of the citizens. CITIZENS’ RECEPTION

At eight p.ni t the Governor-G-ener--o’l was tendered a. civic reception i n | the Town Hall. The Citizens’ Band attended and prior to the arrival o f i the Vice-Regal party rendered several I select ions. There was a. very large au- i dience and upon the arrival of the party 'lie cheering and applause was loud and prolonged. On the stage there were: The ViceRosal Pari, consisting of Lord Jelliroo, Lady and the Hon. Lucy Jellicoe I and the a.ides-do-comps Captains A. R. Curtis and P. R. Mundy; the AJayor (Mr -J. D. Lynch), Messrs T. E A'. Sodden, AV. H. Parfitt, H. F. Doogan. A. Naylor, G. R. Cottle, J, Weaver, J. Steer, J. AlcLean. Proceeding commenced with the National Anthem, and then followed the formal welcome and address bv the Mayor, Afr J. D. Lynch.

The Alayor s aid the people were indeed happy to bp so honoured to have such a distinguished visitor amiongsf them. He did not need to mention the splendid services rendered by Lord Jellicoe in the recent war. By bis services in command of the Navy he had done magnificent- work in helping to win the war. He extended to him a cordial welcome to the '

West Coast and to Greymouth in particular. The Mayor then read the official address which was as follows: — To His Excellency, the Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, G.C.8., 0.M., G 0.V.0., Admiral of the Fleet, Gov-ernor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, May it please your Excellency, •for and on behalf of the people of Greymouth and the surrounding districts, we, the Mayor and Borough Councillors of Greymouth, the Chairman ami Alembeis of the Grey County Council, the Chairman and MenHbers of the Greymouth Harbour Board, and the Chairman and Members of the Cobden Town Board, respectfully ask your acceptance of a most hearty welcome to thi s part of the Dominion of New Zealand. AVe wish to greet your Excellency, firstly, as the honoured representative of his Most Gracious | Majesty the King, towards whose I throne and person we profess the most, ardent loyalty ami devotion: unit secondly, to yourself more . personally, as being one, whom we have long esteemed and admired as defender of the liberties and rights of the British people. AVe trust that this, your Excellency's first visit, to us, may be a most enjoyable one not only to yourself, but also Io your gracious wife, Lady JpL licoe, and to your daughter, the ; Hon. T.ucy Jellicoe, both of whom I we ask to be allowed to join in our I welcome. AVishing your Excellency I and family long life, heflpl*h and happiness. we remain,—your Ex< elleu-

I cy's most dutiful Servants; J. D. ; LAN CH, Mayor of Grey mouth; ' ADAAI BLAIR. Chairman of the I Grey County Council. JESSE] | STEER. (‘hairman of Grevmouth I Harbour Board: A. A BILL!’. II? j Chairman Cobden Town Board. I Miss Chunn rendered a song ‘AAaiaia Maori.” Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P.. said that as Member for Westland ho was | indeed proud to welcome their dis-1 ! tinguisbed visitor. They welcomed. 1 him both as :» representative i f the I Kins; and as a >2reat Admiral of ihe Fleet. By doing so, they were thus giving proof of their, unswerving loyally to King and Empire. Hi- nuade rcl'ereme to the recent war and the. services rendered io the Empire by Lord .lelhcoe and made particular reIcience fo the great victory achieved’ bv the British Fleet, under command of Lord Jellicoe at Jutland. Air Seddon went on io traverse the deeds of th»‘ Navy in combating Germany’s strongest weapon lor enforcing a blockade and preventing the transportation of troops, namely the submarines. At present there was great competition between Japan ami Americai in armaments and should those two nations clash the colonies would h e in an unenviable position and so | ihe people had amongst them, one who i was eminently suited to give advice to New. Zealand in naval matters. .Should sinh an occasion arise he was confident the Government of New Zeahrnd would be guided by the advice of their Governor General. (Applause.) On behalf of the people of his con- , stituency be extended to the discing-

uished visitor ihe heartiest of welcomes and expressed the hope that the slay on the AA’est Coast would replete with pleasure. (Applause.) Air Fi<><l Smith then gave a song, ‘ The Death of Nelson” for which he received an encore. The Governor-General on rising to reply was greeted with three cheers, ami enthusiastic applause, which ended in the audience singing “For He’s a JoHv Good Fellow.* Lord Jellicoe I then read a. formal reply io ihe address which was as follows:—Your Worship ami Borough Councillors of Greymoiith, Air Chairman and members of the Grey County Council. Air Chairman and members of the Greynyouth Harbour Board. Afr Chairman and members of the Cobden Town Board, and people of Greymouth and the surrounding districts:— I thank you very much for the kindly words of welcome, which yon have addresed to me. The expressions of loyalty and devotion to lu> the King to which you give utterance

are deeply appreciated. J am very conscious of the strength of those Tbelings in this Dominion, and the last few years have afforded abundant proof of their existence, were proof needed. It is gratifying to jni‘ as his Majesty’s representative to listen to the words in which you reiterate the assurance of the loyalty of Greyniou l h and the surrounding districts [ | thank you also for the personal referI once you make to myself. The people I of New Zealand, being an island peo-

I pie. realise more strongly perhaps tbai others their dependence upon Hie Brifsh Navy for safety and prosperity, I and the officers and men of the Navy ■ felt it to be a great honour that if fell to their lot io safeguard the pasI sflgo of the gallant soldiers of the New Zealand. Expeditionary Forces to the battlefields on which the fights for civilisation were waged. I am very grateful for the. good wishes you extend. to her Excellency, my daughter and the remainder of our family, and I earnestly hope that although temporary difficulties may lie before the people of this Dominion, those difficulties will be overcome by the indomitable spirit of the people, and that happiness and prosperity will come to you during our stay in New Zealand. Continuing be said, that on arrival in Greymouth the first thing that had greeted him was the bursting of a lio4rt\ in, that, the Alayor had requested him to address a gathering of citizens. He belonged to a. silent service, but he had to confess that Hie traditions of the Navy were broken as he had delivered eight speeches per day for the last four days. An item that evening stated that ‘“England Expects every Man to do his i Duty,” so he would acquiesce. Her

Excellency, his daughter, and himself deeply appreciated the splendid welcome accorded them. jWiey were becoming accustomed to the expressions oi loyalty to the Empire and it gave added pleasure to find such loyalty here. So long as the portions of the Empire remained loyal so long would the Empire remain strong. He had no doubt that his party would enjoy the stay in Greymouth. (Applause.) Hr was sure when they left Greymouth they would leave with feelings of regret. He had just come from Westport and had seen, the beauties of the country. Is was undoubted that I there was a strong tie of friendship between Westport and Greymouth. (Laughter.) The only difference of opinion between the two communities being as to which was the better place. (Laughter.) Touching upon naval matters Lord Jellicoe said the navy in the recent war had done magnificent work, hut without the army it s task would have been fruitless. New Zealand’s share in the Empire’s 'task was at least equal to any part of the Empire, indeed, she excelled many parts, and in individual prowess the New Zealander was on a high plane. From the’ moment the Expeditionary Force landed at Gallipoli till .the return to New Zealand they covered themselves with glory. (Applause.) The spirit; of the army and navy was hereditary ’ ami had been instrumental in carrying •tlic Empire through many difficulties, and dangers. The British Navy was' not prepared to meet modern warfare as carried out by the Germans. Nobody realised the depths of infamy to :

which the Germans sunk in maritime warfare in sinking ships. Consequently Britain was unprepared for such methods of warfare and it took; many months to adopt themselves ; such methods, ft was to the nuvgnHi-. cent and indomitable spirit and cour-i age of the members of the fleet and merchant service that final success 'was duo. Another great factor in j welding together the members of the naval service was the splendid spirit of carmaderie. There was a mutual admiration and respect among all ranks for each other and tbi- went far to gaining victory. The Empire was now passing through stressful limes and if the same spirit of com-, radesfiip existed among the people nowall the difficulties would pas< as a smoko cloud. It all made -acrifices and worked in friendly spiri; then ( (here would be no cau<e lor pessimism. Ti was his hope Hint in the, (hivs io come the people would standi shoulder to shoulder and then there would he a future of great prosperity for the people of the Empire. Con-, eluding he thanked the people for, their very hearty welcome. (Applause.). Musical items were then rendered as fololws: —Clarinet solo, “Drinking, Song,’’ Mr E. Moss; song, “My Am, Folk,” Mrs stoop: song, "'lhe Devon-j shire Wedding,” Mr T. Clark: song,, 'The Slave Song,” Miss A - Hannan. | Th*' reception terminated with the” Mat ion al Anthem. The Governor-General. Lady .Tellieoe - infl Hon. Miss l.uey .Tellieoe are the | ■■nests of Mr. .T. 1). Lynch.

BALL TONIGHT. ,\ Vme-Kogal Ball will be tendered ( ■ to their Excellencies the Governor-I General unfl Lady Jellieoe ar th.. Town ( Hall to-night, commencing at nine) o'clock pi The entrance will bo the library door. Albert Street. The large museum room upstairs lias I 1,,.,.,! ~--Aed for supper, the adjoin!ing room for cards and the. gallery for onlookers. The dr 'rations for I the Ball are excellent, and every .thing tends to a most successful Hmction worthy of the occasion.