VICE-REGAL TOUR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 June 1928, Page 9

VICE-REGAL TOUR

SOUTH TARANAKI VISIT.

THEIR EXCELLENCIES AT ELTHAM. Their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and Lady Alice Fergusson, attended by their suite, arrived at Eltham. by car this morning. They were met at the Town Hall by Sir Walter Carn cross, Speaker of tiie Legislative Council, who presented his Worship the Mayor (Mr. I. J. the Mayoress, and Lady Carncross. A speech of welcome was extended by the Mayor, who was supported' by Sir Walter and Lady Garncross, members of the Eltham County and Borough Councils, and leading citizens. An illuminated address was presented to Their Excellencies by the Town Clerk, Mr. W. Waters. In acknowledgment, His Excellency said that his visit to the province had been long delayed, but he hoped it would be admitted that it was better late than never. He already recognised that Taranaki, in common with the rest of the Dominion, possessed the happy knack of speedily making official visitors quite at home. He referred to the wonderful progress made in Taranaki since he had first viewed it from the sea 55 years- ago. It was a source of satisfaction to Lady Alice and himself, who both hailed from dairying districts, to visit what was probably tlie foremost dairying centre of the Dominion. As the humble representative of His Majesty the King, he stressed the importance' of such visits as the Vice-Regal party was now making as a. means of bringing home to the people the bond of unity existing between the Mother Country and the Dominion. At the conclusion of the reception His Excellency was introduced by the Mayor and Sir Walter Camerass _to many old identities of tlie district, with whom Sir Charles freely conversed upon the- great change's on all sides during the set-tiers’ comparatively short residence in the district. Sir Charles Fergusson then inspected tlie assemblage of 40 returned soldiers drawn up before the Town Hall. Prior to lunch the party was taken for a short motor drive around the country. This afternoon Their Excellencies will visit the Egmont Box Factory, the Eltham Dairy Factory, the Public School, and the Salvation Army Boys’ Home. At His Excellency’s request no functions 1 have been arranged for to-night. The party leaves by car for Hnwern. at 10 a.m. to-morrow. HAWERA ARRANGEMENTS. BANDS ON PARADE. The arrangements for the various musical organisations in connection with the Governor-General’s visit tomorrow are as follows: At the Alain School, where the ViceRegal party arrives at 11.45 a.m., the School Flute Band will play. At the Onera. House-, the Mam School Orchestra will ,play a programme of mus-ic from 1.30 till 2 p.m.. at winch time the civic reception will be tendered to Their Excellencies by his Worship the Mayor. The Havera Pipe Band will play the party from tlie hotel to the Opera House.

The Municipal Brass Band will assemble outside the Opera House before ‘2.30 p.m., and head the returned soldiers’ march to the Memorial Arch, where the hand will play during the inspection of veterans. At 3 p.m! the visitors proceed' to the High School, where- the school military band will play during the inspection of the- guard of honour. The High School Orchestra, will give items while afternoon tea is being served. OKAIAWA VISIT CANCELLED. Lady Alice Fergusson has not been •able to arrange to attend the proposed reception which the women’s division of the Farmers’ Union wished to hold at Mrs. D. M. Cameron’s house at Okaiawa. They intend to present a handsome pot pound bowl, made of Now Zealand woods, to Her Excellency, and wished to do so formally at the reception. Mrs. W. E. Carter, president of the division, and two vicepresidents 1 have been invited to the reception' given to Her Excellency at Mrs. Pacey’s residence to-morrow evening.

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN HAWERA.

To-morrow evening Lady Alice- Fergusson will lie. the guest of the Mayoress. Mrs. Pacer, at her residence. when representatives of various women’s organisations will be presented to Her Excellency. Invitation holders have been requested to be in attendance shortly before 8 o’clock.