GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 102, 30 March 1926, Page 7

GOVERNOR-GENERAL

PRIMARY SCHOOLS VISITED. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS. MESSAGES TO THE CHILDREN. The Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson), accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson, Captain Vernon Wentworth and the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs F. J. Nathan) this morning paid flying visits of inspection to four of the local primary schools, when he was greeted with marked enthusiasm by the scholars.

Under the guidance of tho Mayor, College Street School was first visited, the scholars being assembled in the quadrangle in the interior of the building. On-arrivel the party was met at the gates by the headmaster (Mr W. A. Swinbourne), the chairman of the school committee (Mr E. V. West), and other members, and conducted to a dais, which was draped with flags. When seated the opportunity >vas taken by the head prefect, Master Ron Martin, to voice a few words of* welcome on behalf of liis fellow scholars, while Miss Betty Brownjohn asked Her Excellency to accept a beautiful bouquet. Mr Swinbourne, in thanking His Excellency for the great honour he had accorded tho school, stated that they welcomed him not only in his official capacity, but as a distinguished soldier. It was indeed appropriate, he added, for the children in this far flung Dominion to personally meet the representative of the King whom they had never had »the fortune to view in person, and ho hoped that Their Excellencies’ stay in the Dominion would be indeed a happy one. His Excellency, on rising to reply, was greeted with sustained applause, which he smilingly acknowledged. In the course of a few brief remarks to the children, the distinguished visitorreferred to the brave part played by their two fellow scholars in extending a welcome on their behalf, for he well knew what a hard part it was to play. He stood before them as representative of the -King, and was merely carrying out the instructions given him by the King, who, although not personally able to visit them, took a close interest in their welfare, and looked upon them as a valuable part of his Empire. “The boys and girls of New Zealand to-day are indeed fortunate,” continued His Excellency, “to live in such a beautiful country—a country which was made for them, by the efforts of their fathers and forefatliyf'.” He and Her Excellency had resided in the Dominion as children, but in those days this smiling community had been but a wilderness of bush, flax and swamp. Only some 50 years ago its development commenced, yet to-day it was a country of which they might well be proud, but it was their duty to further tho great work by being loyal to their country and their King. As they grew older they would no doubt be told by some that the King and Flag meant little, but he wished them to remember that their forefathers had fought and died for the country and Empire in which they now lived, and it was their duty to strive to maintain tho proud standard set. He urged them to help one another, for by tho development of such principles the better citizens would they grow. In commemoration of his visit, His Excellency announced that he had requested that the present term be shortened by one day—a holiday to enable them to remember the occasion of the visit of the representative of their King, to whom he hoped they would always remain loyal.

Prior to the party proceeding on its way, “Blue Bells of Scotland” and “Killarney” were sung by tho children. His Excellency, who appeared pleasantly surprised at the singing of the former, took tho opportunity to mention that he came from the country around which tho theme of tho song was written. The members ot the teaching staff were introduced to tho Vice-Regal party. AT HOKOWHITU.

On arrival at Hokowhitu it was found that the children had been drawn up in series of lines on the lawn fronting tho school, the assemblage singing the National Anthem as tho party entered the gates, where they had been mot by the chairman of the committee, Mr W. S. Woodroofe. On Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson taking their seats on the steps leading into the building, Master Ralph Holmes handed, to His Excellency a history of Hokowhitu in booklet form, tho work of one of the scholars, prefacing his request for its acceptance with an excellent speech of welcome, which was delivered unfalteringly. His Excellency complimented Master Holmes on his fluency, and expressed tho wish that he had someone who could do service in that respect for him. Miss Raymona Manendez also handed to Her Excellency a dainty bouquet. In thanking the children for the heartiness of their welcome, His Excellency urged them never to bo discouraged by difficulties encountered, and to be cheerful and contented, which would result in their growing up to be good and loyal citizens. His Excellency concluded by making the announcement relative to the declaration of a holiday, being accorded three hearty cheers ■on the call of Master lan Hamilton. AT TERRACE END. Owing to some of tho children at Hokowhitu finding the standing over long, it having been deemed inadvisable to permit of their sitting on the damp grass, the programme was somewhat curtailed, but His Excellency thoughtfully observed his time-table and thus permitted tho scholars to bo drawn up in readiness at Terraco End at tho time of his arrival. The party was met at the entrance to tho baths, tho Memorial Gates fronting that building being decorated with greenery, while directly behind a Union Jack was draped on the railing of the steps leading to the entrance. The children were drawn up on the parade ground facing a dais outside the building/to which tho party, together with members of the school committee, proceeded, the National Anthem being sung ,as they took their places. A few words of welcomo on behalf of the assembled scholars were .delivered by Master Wallace Robertson, while Mabel Albrecht handed to Her Excellency a bouquet, following which Mr G. H. Stiles expressed tho plea-sure-of tho residents of Terrace End at the presence of His Excellency and Lady Alice Fergusson. His Excellency, in the course of his reply, likened the children there assembled to acorns and expressed the hope that they, like tho good hard acorns which were worthy of planting, would grow into worthy citizens in later years. The acting-headmaster, Mr F. Fairbrother, following the singing of the >chorus of “Land of Hope and Glory,”

thanked His Excellency for his words of advice which ho hoped would prove fruitful, concluding by calling for three hearty cheers for the GovernorGeneral as representative of the King. AT CENTRAL SCHOOL.

In the spacious assembly hall at Central School were seated the scholars. The Vice-Regal party was met at the school gates by tho headmaster, Mr L. F. de Berry, and members ot the school committee, and conducted through a double lino of boys who were drawn up from the gates to tho main entrance into tho building proper. On tho visitors taking their seats on tho dais, Mr de Berry expressed tho pleasure of tho school at the visit, for they were not unmindful of the wonderful service performed by His Excellency and his illustrious family. Master lan Young, head prefect, then read the wording of a beautiful illuminated address, the work of Mr H. F. Gabite3 (first assistant) and his son, and which was mounted on morocco with a water colour painting of the school. The address read : —To General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart., LL.D. G.C.M.G., K.C.8., D. 5.0., M.V.0., Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Dominion of New Zealand. —May it please you, Your Excellency : It is with the utmost pride that we, the pupils and the teachers of Central School, Palmerston North, to-day welcomo Your Excellency and Lady Fergusson to our school. This is the first occasion upon which the representative of His Majesty the King has so honoured us; and this day will mark an epoch in tho history of’Central School. Proudly we declare our loyalty to our King and to those noble ideals upon which our Empire is founded; striving to emulate tho fine example of devotion to duty and to Empire so worthily set by Your Excellency. We trust that your stay in our country may be very happy and that Your Excellency and Lady Fergusson may long enjoy tho love and cherish the memory of the school children of New Zealand. Signed on behalf of the School, lan Y r oung, Phyllis Nicholls, Jean Rough, Phyllis McLean, prefects; L. F. de Berry, headmaster; H. J. Canton, chairman; Harold T. Peat, secretary. His Excellency expressed his pleasure at the receipt of the gift and then delivered an address on lines similar to those given at the other schools. The children rendered in very pleasing manner “The Empire Flag” and “Our Aim,” being complimented upon their musical ability by tho Governor-Gen-eral. Later, the party were conducted over the infant school where various examples of work were displayed.