VICE-REGAL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 September 1924, Page 9

VICE-REGAL

VISCOUNT AND LADY JELLICOE

FAREV'ELLED AT HAWERA

Their Excellencies Viscount and Lady Jellicoe passed through Hawera by theexpress this morning, after a farewell visit' to the northern end of the province. A huge crowd assembled at the station to see for the last time the popular Governor-General, who as the train drew in to the station, received ai great reception. At the western end of the platform the l adults were gathered, while at the other end the pupils of the various schools were drawn up in neat and orderly lines In addition to his Worship the Mayor (Mr L A. Bone) a number of borough councillors were present, also the* ex-Mayor and ex-Memher for the district, Mr*E Dixon.

Mr. Bone in an address said: Your Excellencies, Lord and Lady Jellicoe, —There is -no measure of gladness in our assembling here this morning; i ather we must strike the note of sorrow, for I speak truly, your Excellencies, when I say that I am voicing the thoughts of the. citizens of Hawera here to-dav, sav we are one and all truly and sincerely sorry that the time has come when we must bid you goodbye. There is no doubt that through the years that you have had the great honour and responsibility of representing our beloved Sovereign, King George T, in this Dominion as GovernorGeneral you have carried out many and varied duties both to the honour of your Sovereign and to the honour of this Dominion. As citizens we thank you both for the many times you have shown us that you joyed to enter into our lives and our aspirations, that, despite your, exalted position, you were indeed one of us. Your greatness was never imposed upon us • yours ever were the gracious and charming personalities that bespeak the true lady and gentlea # MU. In all the many . activities of life —in our church work, our social life, the business career, and the sports of our Dominion, in which we as a people take such a delight and carry through so earnestly—in all these you have ever had time, thought, and energy to enter into fully and frankly with us. Your Excellencies both have never spared yourselves in public duties, and many times, we are sure, you must have felt like saying no to some of the many requests that have been made for your gracious presences. We would remember, in: bidding you farewell, how fortunate this Dominion has been in having *as our -.King’s representative one of the greatest amongst our great British admirals. During all the years of war the navy and the mercantile marine played a most conspicuous part, and it is only by reading and studying the events that then happened that one is able to-day to form any idea of just what a marvellous service the navy did contribute to the winning of the war. In every sea our navy patrolled the waters and kept the sea- roads open to our commerce, to the transportation of soldiers, of food, and of the wounded. To-day your Excellency, we remembre that while we art parting with you, our Governor-General, your name will ever remain an honoured and cherished one in the hearts of the people of this Dominion. In saying farewell we would include in all we say your gracious and honoured. wife, Lady Jellicoe. She lias by her winsome and gracious manner endeared herself to us all. She has ever been willing to support to the utmost of her power and ability the Vice-Regal duties of hey husband, and for this we ask her to accept our deepest thanks and gratitude. In conclusion, we feel, your Excellencies, that your residence amongst us has been an inspiration. You have been intensely human in all your dealings with us, this leaves behind it that finest of all remembrances, the remembrance of a truly Christian influence. Your Excellencies, w© wish you and the members of your family bon voyage and a happy reunion with your loved ones in dear old England. ' We trust you all will be spared for many years to take part in the affairs of the Old Land, and we shall ever watch with the keenest interest your future activities and movements. For the people of Hawera I wish you goodbye. Viscount. Jellicoe thanked the Mayor for his very kind remarks, and said that the four years lie , had spent in Now Zealand had been full of happiness. He thanked the' Mayor on behalf of his brother officers and himself for the kind references to his work during the war. The day of the departure of himself and family from New Zealand would be a day of sadness, and they would never forget the happy days they had spent in this country. He would not say “Farewell,” but “God be with you.!’ Cheers were given for their Excellencies as this part of the function drew to a close. Their Excellencies then walked to the other end of the station, where the school children were awaiting their arrival. THE SCHOOLS.

The occasion of . their Excellencies’ farewell visit was a red-letter day in the history of the school children, every school in and near Hawera being represented, including Nolantown (under the headamster, Mr, Jackson), St. Mary”s (Miss Clarke), Technical College (Mr. Gray), Hawera (Mr. Bates), and Convent (Miss Ena Hooker), making a total of about 500 children. The Mayor (M.r L. A. Bone), who introduced his Excellency, stated that it would be their lust farewell to his Excellency, and asked them to give him three hearty British cheers. His Excellency, addressing the children, stated that he had never expected to be called upon in this manner, but it gave him very much pleasure to say . a few words of farewell. He said that they were living in one df the best and finest districts in the Dominion, and one of the best places in the British Empire. They had been set a very fine example by their forefathers, whose spirit they should cultivate, so that they would be true representatives of those who had gone before. The boys must work, and the girls must make them work. (Laughter.) He suggested that the boys should select their wives from those who were in front of 'them. (Renewed laughter.) His Excellency finally wished them good luck and great happiness for their future.

Floral presentations were made from the Convent school. His Excellency received a buttonhole, presented by John McCarthy; to the Hon. Lucy Jellicoe a box of chocolates, by Santina Harrington; and a bouquet to her Excellency, by Joyce Goodwin. Their 'Excellencies returned thanks for the gifts, kindness, and good wishes. Upon the train drawing away from the platform three hearty cheers were given by the united schools and citizens.