NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1924, Page 5

NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

AN, EXCELLENT SPEAKER. (By Telegraph.—Special to. the Star.) . > . WELLINGTON, Dec. 18. The new Gove r nor-Gene r al, Sir Charles . Fergusson, is sure of becoming widely popular with all New Zeaj landert, 'whose interest in him will Ibe all. 1 the greater because, in addition being an admirable speaker, he' possesses that characteristic for humour which was so strongly marked in his-'predecessor, Lord Jellicoe. He provided, a couple of bright instances during!.the .civic reception accorded him last night. The first was in connection'; with a speech he made at the swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, for Which he was received with numerous plaudits on account of the excellent impression made. Replying to remarks regarding the speech, Sir Oharlesl ‘humorously replied that he wished [he had never made it. “After listening to- the extraordinarily kind remarks-- that have been made-,” he said: “I begin to- regret that 1 ever made that speech the other day, because ;I, feel like the golfer who lias gone round in the best number of strokes that he ever did, and feels it would be better’ for him if he never | tries to .go round again. I feel as if T would like to rest on that speech and not tempt fortune again tonight.’’ Hearty laughter greeted I this' Rtf,le .confession on His Excellency’s part, and it was renewed, when -he told the following anecdote anent Lady Alice Fergusson’s reputed prowess al -a. Maori linguist: “My fatherand Her Excellency’s father | were greatly interested in and had | many -friends among the Maori race,” I remarked Sir Charles Fergusson.” Indeed', Her Excellency, I believe, had a reputation of being an expert in the Maori language. Whether she deserved that reputation I do not know, but at any rate may I tell you that at the time when we were engaged, to be married, in one of tho«e charming flights of fancy newspapers sometimes indulge in, in announcing our engagement referred to our connection, with New Zealand, and said that the young couple are able to converse .with each other in the Maori language. For mv part lam happy to say -that Her Excellency conveyed her concurrence with the proposals which' I had laid before her in the more natural and to me more intelligible manner. Will vou please take us as. you find us.” enjoined Sir Charles, in conclusion, “believing that we really have the interests of the Dominion at heart?” We hope to find some wav in which we can be of use. ...New Zealand has been called the ‘country of opportunity for all.’ That. I take it. refers as much to the imw Governor-General as it does to the .iiew. settler, and our earnest nvayer.is that we ir>nv have vision to see and to grasp those opportunities and to use them to the best of your interests.” '