VICE-REGAL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 28 October 1921, Page 4

VICE-REGAL

MEMORIALS UNVEILED

GOVERNOR VISITS SOUTH

TARANAKI

The occasion of the first visit of their Excellencies Viscount and Viscountess' Jelhcoe to some of the towns of South Taranaki will live long in the memories ,of those who welcomed the King's re- | presentativo yesterday. The visit was a brief one, as His Excellency's party j was due in New Plymouth the same day, but at each stoppage along the route the well arranged programme en-! , abled fitting ceremonies to be conduct-! cd. The route taken through this district was via Hawera, Manaia, Auroa and Opunake, and at each place their! Excellencies received a most hearty, welcome. Arriving at Manaia shortly! before one o clock, tho Vice-Regal party i was,, met by a detachment of the Mounted Rules under Colonel Suther-: land, which formed the bodyguard and conducted the party to the Octagon.! Ihey were received by a large and enthusiastic crowd, which had been wait-! mg expectantly for some minutes. The i guard of honour was formed by terri-! tpnals and senior cadets under Lieut. i Z?**?'*;®-* and tho local members of the R.S.A. wore also present on parade. Alter inspecting the guard of' honour and shaking hands with the re-1 turned soldiers, their Excellencies Mounted the platform amidst prolonged cheering and were subsequently addressed by representatives of local bodies. An address read by Mr J. G. Craig, chairman of the Manaia Town Board ' and also by Mr Thos. McPhil' lips (chairman of the Waimate West County Council) Mr B. Badland (president of the Manaia branch of the 11.b.A ), Mr Thos. McPhillips (chairman of the Patriotic Society), and Mrs Christine Mitohell (president of the Ladies' Patriotic Society), stated as IOHOWS '. " j _ " Great was the satisfaction that we,' m common with our fellow-citizens of •x,° w Zealand, felt when we learned that His Gracious Majesty the Kinohad conferred upon us the signal honour of appointing as his represen-1 tative in our Dominion so distinguished a person as yourself, one wfio had so -worthily upheld the glorious traditions of our mighty Empire. We recall witfi gratitude tho part you took in defending our Empire during that long, tireless vigil in the North Sea, and to you we extend our heartfelt thanks. Our sincere wish is for a long and lasting peace among all nations, the strengthening of the cords which, amd the daughterlands to the Motherland, and a widespread happiness and prosperity. .To Her Excellency Viscountess Jellicoe. |on behalf of the wives and mothers of i our district, we express their gratitude at her present among them. Nor can we overlook the arduous labours of her Excellency during the trying circumstances of the recent conflict. With- very great pleasure, therefore, on behalf of the Manaia Town Board, the Waimate West County Council, and : citizens, we extend to your Excellencies a hearty welcome to our district, and • trust that your visit to Taranaki, with its many historic spots, will be fraught with deepest pleasure now and fragrant memories in days to come. We humbly, request that it may please you to extend,to His Majesty the expression of our continued devotion ami loyalty to the Throne." His Excellency said in reply: "I am happy to accede to your request that an expression of your devotion to the Throne be conveyed to His Majesty. He is well-aware of, and values highly, the unswerving loyalty of his New Zealand people, who have given such visible proof of it, whenever called upon to do so. Her Excellency and 1 are very grateful for the warm welcome which you extend to us on behalf of the people of this district, and it is a great pleasure to us to visit one -jf the most prosperous parts of New Zealand. I deeply appreciate your kindly expressed reference to my appoint- . ment and to my service in the late war, and I earnestly share your wish for a long continuance oi peace and of i the loyal spirit of co-operation which exists between the several portions of' our great Empire. We offer our best, wishes that peace may bring with it happiness and prosperity to you all." , iMr B. Badland, president of the , Manaia branch of the Returned Sol-' diers' Association, read the following address of welcome: j "May it please Your Excellency— We, members of the Manaia branch rQt the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, desire to. extend; to you and.Lady Jellicoe a hearty welcome to' our midst on this your first visit to Manaia. The mission which occasions your visit—the unveiling of a memorial to our. fallen comrades—is naturally one which specially appeals .to us, land we could desire no more fitting person" than- Your Excellency, whose noble service as Lord Admiral of the. great British Navy during the war, to perform this ceremony, which recalls to our minds the comrfton sacrifices made by men and women of the whole Empire. ■ . j "While regretting that your, stay amongst us is so short owing to pressure of the duties of your high office, we desire to express to you, as the representative of our noble and beloved King, our unswerving loyalty to His Majesty and the Empire of which he is the head. Moreover, the members of this branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association-make this pledge ' —That should it be the Empire's sad ' misfortune to have to enter into another war in the defence of its sacred 1 principles and traditions, we will be i prepared to go forward again and do i our part to the best of our strength < and ability. ( j "That Your Excellencies may enjoy i the tour which you are now making, 1 and that long life and good health i may be vouchsafed to you, are the sin- < cere wishes of this the Manaia branch; of the Returned Soldiers' Association." Lord Jellicoe replied: "I acknowledge with much appreciation your expression of devotion and loyalty to His Majesty and the Empire, of which you have given such convincing proof during the late war, and I • welcome' your pledge of renewed service in the event of a recurrence of such a crisis, for it | is the knowledge of tße Empire's i strength and unity, and its readiness i to champion the cause of freedom in the future as in the past, that is most ' calculated to prevent a further war throughout the world. Her Excellency ] and I are grateful indeed for your ' warm words of welcome to xis, and we i feel the more touched in that they i come from comrades of those brave' j men, whose glorious memory and noble i self-sacrifice for the Empire' we'are to- ] day gathered together to perpetuate. < We are very grateful for the good \ wishes which you offer to us, and we i hope that you will Ions; be spared to < enjoy happiness and prosperity in this T beautiful country, for tnp safety of 1 wliioJi you have jziven such great ser- t vi"«." ~ i Mr. T. McPhillips, chairman of the i Waimate West County Council, then i

briefly addressed the gathering He «Jid their next duty tfcit day was one »>g or tlie memorial erected by th* wave teJlows wtiq had made the bu £*?•«<*"»• -U» the great war He present, of extending to the relatives or those whose names were inscribed on the memorial their deepest sympathy i had TjT"^? WOUld ***• liked 1 f f 11 rwhole meino™l scheme comtlft 6 **« ""veiling ceremony; it would then have looked much more j;»po S ,n g; but as * later da(« may Zl have been convenient for his Exoelwer? thlu had ft PlOCeed *8 *& were All would agree that there \S Uli be nn ° mol* ***»* Person than Imf Gl !!! Cy £ T unveil the memorial, t °S r alJhouKh Lord Jellicoo was in ~ different sphere during the war, ho pujed a most important part as head lt flrit^fl«et, Pin'aßßistSi to win the war. The people of the Empire, and especially the people in the overseas Dominions, owed a great debt of gratitude to Lord JeUfeoTw • nni° f tlie n/ vy ' J«'..l«»P™g the trade 2 s °Pc» for the safe transport of' I oops and the carriage of produce to the seat of war. He knew his Excel-1 ! ency»s tune was very limited, and so : lie muld not detain them any We? further than to thank his Excellency for the honour he had conferred upon. the people of the district by coKj ~lf io ,a" aia ** Vr eil this m^orial. He »Jso conveyed the thanks of the uebSe I?.l ier m EXCet nC* for «er present on tins memorable occasion. His Excellency remarked that it was J great occasion for which they had that day gathered together, to honour, the memories of those brave men from iir S + tt Wt- who had given their lives ior the Empire. The late war had been the biggest struggle in history, and it X\ tonsola 1 tto»io» to know that those1 who had made the supreme sacrifice! had not done so in vain. It was now I u Uhi,K U + ty to,*» *hat the ideals for which they fought were upheld, that! their memory was revered, and .thatf those who were dependent upon them 1 should not want in the future. This! was a great district, fraught "with ff i ary nm.! m? ries of the «arly history of the British race in New Zealand. He hoped he would have the opporl^l*K°l Bee\ n Ssome of the historic spots before he left. It was good to know, that the two races who had fought gallant fights 50 or 60 years ago were now living together in the greatest possible friendship. Those were fights between gentlemen; they left no bitter memories behind It was a _ real pleasure for her Excellency and himself to be there that day and to see so many inhabitants of the Manaia district gathered around to take part jn this ceremony and to give his Excellency and Lady Jellicoe an onportumty of meeting them. He ooked forward to further visits to this beautiful spot—a spot made beautiful by nature—and he only hoped that itsbeauty was equalled by the prosperity of its inhabitants UNVEILING THE MEMORIAL. Before unveiling the memorial, his Excellency said he counted it an honour to do so. In a loud, clear voice lie said:,"To the glorious memory ot those who gave their lives in the great war I unveil this memorial " bergeant-Major Mahoney feounded the "Last Post." - On. the memorial, which is an» obelisk, are inscribed the names of I those gallant local boys who had made the supreme sacrifice in the great war n-L wereas follows: A. Aitkeri C 11. M. Allison, H. J. H. Anderson, C. Anstey E. Barlow, E. Bennett, L. Butler, A. Cadrnan, A. H. Campbell, C. C. Campbell, W. A. Claque J. E. Clegg L. J. Cunningham, J. Davidson, a" Dixon, S Doak, E. Gamlin, A. J. Gil-' ™>ur, W. Hamerton, C.' Hill, C. Hughes J. Hughes, R. C. Johnstone, Lloyd, D. McConachie, L. W Meuli P. Murphy, P. L. Parry. D:ktaSfe Youn Ricketts, and 0. m! Wreaths were placed on the ; basement of the memorial by relatives and fneuds of the fallen soldiers,.. arid a wreath was placed.on the Maori War Veterans Monument by the Returned Soldiers. Association. Lady Jellicoe's love for the children was plainly evident when she received a bouquet of flowers from, a party of little girls. J I At the conclusion of the ceremony his Excellency asked that the school children might have a holiday to commemorate the unveiling of 'the memorial. ■ ■ ..-•... * Ti eir Exce^encies then paid a visit to the Domain and later returned to the Octagon, where, prior to their dePfS r%n^ m' oa' they met relatives or the fallen soldiers. I AUROA. After a pleasant drive the Vice-regal party .arrived at Auroa, where a large gathering awaited them. The returned men formed the guard of honour. Their 1 il/xcellencies were received by Mr. "W Bradford, who conducted them to a platform on which a chosen few afterwards took their seats. ,^ r- T- McPhillips represented the Waimate West County Council and the Patriotic Society, Mr. Badley the Manaia Town Board, Messrs Meldon, Gitford, and McKay the Hawera Hospital Board, and Mr. B. Badland the Manaia branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr. Bradford said: We are gathered hero to-day for a very solemn purpose, the most solemn Jn the life of man that is to show our last respect to the dead and in a small way to try to do honour to their memory. No matter lf- l he, se Joys-fell on the battlefields of Galhpoh or France, in the hospitals or at sea, each of them was a. unit of the greatest army the world has ever produced, fought in the greatest battle m the history of the worldj and died tor the greatest cause the world has ever known—the cause of freedom and justice. We nt least "should thank God their sacrifices were not in vain, for by their death they have preserved to us the freedom of our Empire, our country, and our homes. Mr Bradford then asked His Excellency to unveil the monument erected by the residents of Auroa in memory of their dead. His Excellency said: "I am highly privileged by being asked to-day to. take part in this ceremony. It is a very solemn ceremony, as the chairman remarked. I feel that in selecting His Majesty's representative to unveil this memorial you are giving one more proof , of New Zealand's affection for and loyalty to the Throne, and as His ■Majesty's representative I deeply ap- ' ureciate the honour . of representing : him on this solemn occasion. Were His Maiesty himself present I feel sure ] it -would give him pleasure to express the gratitude he feels, as ruler of the great British Empire, for the sacrifices made by New Zealanders for the Empire in the Great War. Nobody appreciates more than he tlie great work that the men of this Dominion did when fighting for Empire, freedom and civilisation. I know, too. that His Maiesty would express what everynody at tins moment must feel in their hearts—tfie deeoest sympathy for f.he relatives of tlio.se whose names are insorilied on tins memorial, and in his name I tender to them that deep sym-

pa thy. Again, if His Majesty wer« - uere to-day he would look with prida '''■. upon those returned soldiers who ar«e here to-day to do honour to the memory of their gallant comrades/ and bj* would bo as pleased as I am at th*opi>ortunity ot meeting them." . lii. unveiling the memorial His Hk— celiency said: "To the glorious mem.« ory of those in this district who gar*- "■ their lives for the cause of Empire ¥ unveil this memorial." „ , *" .Sergt.-Major Mahoney soibded fcJuast Post. r : '■"■?■' z.i I

Tlie names inscribed on the memorial are as follows: Pte. H. J. L Ander- f son, Gunner A. A. Campbell, C6r# M-"■ E. Clegg, Pte. A. B. Curry,^m4W' r:i Doak, Mm. R. G, Johnstone. sRTi| fc ? H. Parkinson, Tpr. M. L. Poole, tui<k ? Pte. A. bmith. ; f :;

Quito a notable part of the - mony was the presentation by Hi'b Ifiic- ■"*■ celleney to the Auroa school cricket - eleven of the Primary .Schools Cricket: i? Shield, present-ed by the South Tarai- *■ iiaki Cricket Association, and. won by the local schoolboys last season. JJterthe presentation His Excellency shoot *?• hands with the boys. ; " * Mr Larcom f teacher and coach of . the boys, replied, thanking the Gover- ? nor for his kind words and also forpresenting the trophy. . ;; In a happy little speech His Excel---A lency said that he knew of no better- I way to celebrate the occasion than to- 5 give'a whole holiday to ; the schoolfl * children. Ho hoped that, those who- i had the power to do so would carry .&■ his wish into effect. '■■'.'. f.

Mr O. J. Hawken, M.P. for Egmont, :'f who accompanied their Excellencies^ r from Hawera to Opunake, expressed * the people's appreciationof tbe" Gover- ? nor s visit. >••-■ ~-.;-■ H^-' "1 ■'"'■; £ Her Excellency was presented with.- :■ a bouquet by a party^of little- girls. " I Viscount JelHcoe explained thafcv they were at that moment due at Opu- - nake, so that his visit to Auroa would have to be short. Before concluding-" he said that there was one thing" which Her Excellency and he liked, and that was to visit one of the. country districts of New Zealand. It hadT been a real honour to perform the un-S; veiling ceremony, and it had been ».. - pleasure to meet some of tbose who>.% were producing. As they all kfaew. %■■' everything in New Zealand depended? P" on what came from the soil. Z After -wishing good-bye and good-'ll Juck to everyone their Excellencie*■.& departed amidst cheers. ;- „- ;.'?'■ -:■%

OPUNAKE

At Opunake there was another large «v gathering, and their Excellencies -wei-e^ warmly welcome J. Frpm. the steps ot'i the -Post Offioe the following address., was delivered by Mr G. W. Rogers, on behalf -. of the County Council, Town ; Board and Harbour Board: . ?

"It gives us great pleasure to wel-4 come you, as the representative of His >: Majesty King George Vi, to this re—:: mote part of His Majesty's Dominion, to express, our' .sincere loyalty to King and Empire,; and thankfulness^ to At 4 mighty God for the preservation'and ß aehverance of the Empire in the>* mighty".struggle recently engaged in. 5 We desire to tender to you personally |- our sincere,welcome and gratitude forthe able and successful part played by. -i you in the late war, in guiding and; directing the Grand Fleet to success^: ful victory. We also congratulte youii) 'on the appointment as Governor-Gen-: eral of this very important Dominion, > basking in the salubrious, climate,pi~ the South Pacific. , We heartily wish L; you and Lady Jellicoe and; family as.' happy and joyous sojourn in the iDo— minion, and trust your term of office-^ will be a lengthy one.'' X ; H -^ His Excellency replied, saying: "IB= thank you for the loyal words in whicßTyou express your devotion to the King r and Empire; arid. I share your grati—" tude to the Almighty in that it pleased:. Him to grant victory to our cause'in ythe Great War, in securing; which} Ne w;~ Zealand is so justly proud of the part, played by her sons for the cause of the* Empire, d am sincerely grateiul lor-',' tlie kindly words in whica; you greetv; me as His Majesty's representative,^ and in which.you express' yonr\appre-< . ciation of my appointment and of such,<" services as I was able to render dur--ing the war. On behalf of Her Excel-^i lency and of our - familyj I acknow-;--ledge with gratitude your good wishes, for our health and happiness in' .New^? Zealand, and we sincerely hope that> the same may fall to the lot of all this* people of this, beautiful country." ; ; After fhe formal address in, reply,? Hit) Excellency said: "I want again,, in less formal language, to express to* you our great pleasure to come, event lor so brief a oeriod, to this town.'*; H« thanked them for coming, to see,v him in such large .-numbers. ; The» population of Opunake, he was toldiwas only 500, but fie could hardly be--lieve that when he saw all of them^ before him. He knew by repute the> beauties of the district, and only.wisher ed that time would give him'jan oppjor-:-tunity of seeing them, but they had*: some years to spend in New Zealand^' and it was likely this would not be bisi only visit to Opunake. He knew thatOpunake was _ cne of the watering, places of the district. He asked for a. holiday for the school children;.' 1 At the conclusion of the sp^eclies:,,. Her Excellency was presented witli a v beautiful bouquet by a little girlx Theparty then walked round to the site of the Egmont County Memorial, %hicb._ overlooked the beach, and, witnessedJ. the laying of the tablet by His Excel--lency. • _ ■";.. In a speech His Excellency stressed!: the great value which-such memorials., were to the young. It* helped them:, to appreciate the sacrifices made and. also inspired them to carry .on the> great work which their - forefathershad commenced. He hoped-that before--loiig the memorial would be completed,. - and he added that, .as a sailor, the^ -site overlooking the' sea appealed to* him. .'.-.;.. The chairman of the Harbour Board: explained the plan of the proposed* harbour to His Excellency, and afterafternoon tea had been partaken of" the A 7ice-Regal party departed for NewPlymouth.