VICE-REGAL TOUR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 June 1928, Page 5

VICE-REGAL TOUR.

VISIT TO SOUTH TARANAKI. THE EILTHAM PROGRAMME. Art. Eltha.m yesterday afternoon their Excellencies, the Governor-General,- Sir Clii-aPles and Lady Fergusson visited the public school, being met” on arrival by the school committee and a large assemblage of prominent citizens, parents of the scholars, and fully 50C pupils of the Elthajm, Mata, JRawhitiroa Te Rlati 'and Mangami'ingi public schools and the Eltiham Convent School. Hsis Excellency briefly addressed the scholars 1 and 'became immensely papular by making definite arrangements for the observance of a holiday to-day at all the schools, represented. He spoke to the children •on the virtues of unseilifiishnessr and . useful citizenship, pointing out that the well-being of the fair country they were . fortunate enough to live in was due in a, great measure to the unselfishness and selfsacrifice of the pioneer settlers. In a very short span of yearisi the country had been transformed from a wild waste to smiling fianms and busy cities. They were lucky to live in such a country, and he was sure they would grow into good and happy citizens. He was pleased to see them all looking so strong and healthy and he would record his visit to Eiltham when he next wrote to His Majesty the King. After presentation of the members of the teaching staffs and a short inspection of the school building and appointments, a visit was paid to the Eiltham Box Company's factory, in which the members of the party were much interested.

In consequence of the machinery not being in operation a proposed visit oi : inspection of the Elttiham Dairy Company's factory was cancelled. At 3.30 3iis Excellency and party were received at the Salvation Army Boys’. Home, over which, they were shown by Adjutant Hogan and, afterwards entertained at afternoon tea, in the school gymnasium. Here a large squad of the boys (of whom there ate 4'2 in the institution) gave a pleasing display of gymnastic exercises and rendered "a programme of vocal items, fin which they earned the applause of their Excellencies and a fair number of visitors. Hiis Excellency had a short talk to the boys, recounting some of his war experiences to exemplify his advice to “keep on keeping on.” PRESENTATION TO HER EXCELLENCY. Am opportunity was provided; the South Taranaki women’s branch of the Farmer®’ Union of meeting Her Excellency, who is patroness of the division, and presenting her with a handsome pot pourri oowl from the members of the divisions as a memento of Her Exeol,lonov's viist to South Taranaki. Mr® W. E. Carter, who was introduced to the vice-regal party by the Mayor, Mr I. J. Bridger, together with a (number of other members, including the president of the Eltham branch (Mrs J. Cocker), made the presentation, remarking that the little gift was made from New Zealand wood and made in New Zealand. Her Excellency expressed horsed t as being delighted to receive the gift amd isaid that she would treasure it very much. She realised the groat amount of work which the division was dioing, especially in the country districts. Mrs Carter was asked to convey her Excellency’s best thanks to alii the members for their token of goodwill.