THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1925, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

MIS EXCELLENCY’S WELCOME

FIXE ACKNOWLEDGING SPEECH

On Saturday forenoon nt the welcome to the Governor-General (brief reference to which was made in Saturday's issue), there was a grand attendance of the general public when Lord and Lady Fergusson, and party arrived by car, having driven froiii the Westland Hospital. The Territorial guard of honour came to the salute, and the .Municipal Land played the National Anthem. Sir Charles Fergusson. who took the salute, then inspected the guard of honor, Cadets and the Returned Soldiers present. The Hand meantime played a pleasing selection. The Governor-General conversed with the Returned men for several minutes, and then a number of leading citizens were introduced to the party which consisted of Sir dairies and j.adv Fergusson and M.aior and Mrs 1 lavilaml. Those present on the steps of tl.e Free Public Library from which the speeches were made, included the M.ayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs: G. A. lVrry). the Hon. Mr and Mrs Michel. Mr T. E. A'. Seddon, M.P.. !MU | Mrs Seddon. Mr and Mrs H. AL Coul.sou, and Mr T. 11. Chesterman 'County Chairman) and Airs Chesterman and Air A. A. Andrews (Town Clerk).

The Mayor (Mr Perry) said a very "real, pleasure and honour was afforded them by the visit of the Governor(leueral and her Ladyship to Hokitika. It was pleasing to find that they had tine weather for their visit. Ihe people ol this distriet were a veil loyal community, and they were pleased to honor the King’s representative. In the period of the late war they had shown their loyalty to the Empire in mi uncertain manner. Now that was over, and the appointment of his Excellency to his high office was one that would further help to advance the good feeling and loyalty of the people to the Throne and Empire, lie again extended the heartiest of welcomes to their visitors, and would ask the Tou n Clerk to read the address from the people of the distriet. The Town Clerk (Mr A. A. Andrcwes) here read the address (which was published in Saturday’s issue').

The .Mayor then presented the address. which was in the form ol a silken banneret, to his Excellency. Mr T. I!. Chesterman (County Chairman) said he had very much pleasure in ‘milling with the Mayor in extending on behalf of the people of the County of Westland a very cordial welcome to the district, which extended over a distance ol ‘2Oll miles along the sea coast that his Excellency had recently travelled by steamer. He had pleasure in endorsing the statement ol the loyalty of the people. He regretted the visit of his Excellency was to he so short, but be honed that in the near future be would again come to this district and that on that occasion he would make a journey to South Westland. He wished their Excellencies a pleasant stay in the distriet. and thanked them on hehall of the people for having honored the district by the visit even if it was so short a one. ATr T. E. Y. Seddon. ALP., associated himself with the words of the previous speakers and on hehall of the constituents of Westland joined in extending a welcome to the district. His Excellency was not a stranger to \\ cstland. for as long ago as 18,!> he had been in Hokitika, though his stay had not been a long one then. Yesterday was her Excellency's brithday, and he wished her many happy returns ol the day, and. he trusted she would have pleasant recollections ol her visit. He was glad that Ids Excellency had been able lo visit the district and hoped it would prove 11 lianny one that would he repeated in the early future. lie again had the pleasure ol extending a warm and hearty welcome to Westland. Ilis Excellency was greeted with applause and stopping forward replied in the following official terms:-

Mr Mayor and -Mr Chairmen: — I thank you most heartily lor the very kind welcome which on heliaii of those whom you respectively represent you have given to her Excellency and myself on this occasion.

In it sen.-e in' are not entirely -I i iiii'jci s In Westland iiihl Hokitika. I!-, we Imre lioln been hero wiili our |in rents in days none by, and we welcome the opportunity of renewing our acquaintance with a part ol the Dominion wliirh is mi lull of beauty and of interest. We hope I hat future and less hurried visits may wive us the opportunity of renewing acquaintances mid mailing friendships among you. I am very sensitive of the loyal feelings of devotion to the Throne and Empire wliii h are expressed in your address, and which shall no convoyed to 11 is .Majesty the King. I know that in our efforts to promote that ideal of unity lie tween the Dominion and the .Mother Country to which you make passing reference we .shall have" you loyal sympathy and co-operation ; and the warmth of your welcome gives us every en- < ourageruent in undertaking the task.

Continuing his Excellency said there were so many different people and interests present that day that it was difficult to know whom to refer to first, lie would put the children first, as it was to them that they looked to fie the citizens of the future. He wanted Hie boys and girls to remember always that they have a great chance in their lives. They have a fine country and tlie finest of schools. They must all try anil make the host use of their opportunities. I fe asked them to remember their fathers and grandfathers, to he like them, and to always be loyal to their King and country. To the soldiers of the present day he would say they belong to a regiment that has won a great name, and it was their duty to live up to that great name, which had been won by the men who had given their lives to uphold that groat reputation. He asked them to do their utmost to live up to the high standard set them for the honor of the regiment was in their keeping, and for the honor of the memory of their dead comrades. To his comrades, the returned soldier-, he next turned. He asked the people not to forget the services they had rendered. It was to those who gave their lives and those who had been willing to do so for the cause but who had come back that they should do every honor. Nothing they could do would be too much to show appreciation of such services or adequately recompense them. They had won a crown of gloi'v for New Zealand that nothing eollld efface. Her Excellency and himself had grown up in the country. Ho had been here himself in 1873 He did not remember much, but he had unpleasant recollections of coming over the bar. His father had travelled up the Coast in 1874. Her Excellency’s father (Kuril Glasgow) was here at a later date. There was a great change in this country since their early visit. ft was a wonderful thriving country that

had sprung up in a few short yeais, a country that everyone should bo proud of. It seemed that there were two sets of people to whom they owed everything. The first was the old pioneers who made this country. They had a strong sense of religion, and a great love of education, their wonderful determination to overcome difficulties, their self reliance and their great loyalty. They recognised that the British Constitution was the finest in the world. The second set of people was those who gave their lives for their country. The younger people had a great example 'to follow. By copying aiid living up to the lives of those he had referred to, they had splendid chances. The examples of the past were worth living up to. They should show they appreciated those examples Uv their loyalty, not of lip service bui the loyalty of true service.

He wished to say that her Excellency and himself had come to this country keenly interested in it and its people, and they wanted to he useful to every interest for the advancement of the country, lie thanked them lor theii warm welcome that day. \\ herevci they go they find kindly people who make friendships nt once. When the time was available they hoped to be able to come among them again and meet-more of them, not only in the towns hut in the country also. He thanked them for their kind welcome. (Applause.) The Mayor expressed the pleasure he was sure all felt at the splendid address given, and at his call three hearty cheers were given for his Excellency and I lie function concluded. His Excellency then went to the school children assembled, and expressed his pleasure at their presence. He said he had a direction from the King himself to meet as many of the children as possible. It was usual on the occasion of his making a visit to ask for a holiday for the children, but now they had, lie understood, a six weeks-’ holiday. When he next came to see them lie would have more time io

spend with them, and then perhaps he would he able to secure a real holiday for the occasion. When his Excellency had concluded the children gave him hearty cheers. On leaving the guard of honor gave a further salute, the Hand playing the National Anthem.. TH E Dll EDGE VISITED. His Excellency and party then motored to the Ilium dredge, where under the direction of Mr S, AV. Ford (General .Manager) they were shown the operations of this wonderful gold saver. The dredge was in full working order, and the keenest interest was shown in (he working of the dredge, upwards of an hour being spent there. TO KANIERI LAKE. Entering the motor ears again the party moved off up Adair’s road to Ilium, 1 lienee to Kanieri Lake. On arrival there luncheon was partaken of. and then a short walk was taken along the shores of the Lake which was as smooth as a mill pond, hut low clouds interrupted the view ol the surrounding hills to some extent. Shortly before three o'clock a start was made for llokitika, Cass Square being readied about 11. lift p.m.. his Excellency expressing his pleasure at the outing. AT CASS SQL A RE.

Tim Vico Regal party reached Cass .Square about 11. Ill) oeloek after a very pleasant time at Lake Kanieri. The Hon. If. L. .Michel, Bresident of the Beautifying Society entertained the party at afternoon tea. Later the Governor-General and Lady Fergusson moved about with the people many of whom were introduced to their Excellencies. Ilefore leaving Class Square the Governor-General inspected the Cenotaph and also the. Rufus Statue. Subsequently the parly were the guests of the Mayor and Mayoress at. their residence.

The party left by the ordinary train at 5.!Fi lor (I rev mouth, the vice-regal coach being attached to the rear of the train. A number of people including the civic bind county authorities assembled and cheers were given for their Excellencies. The Governor-Gen-eral standing on the platform as the train moved out. thanked the people for a very pleasant day and a very enjoyable outing. The party sailed from Greymouth for AVestporr on Saturday evening.