PUBLIC SCHOOLBOYS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 101, 28 March 1929, Page 2

PUBLIC SCHOOLBOYS

EVE OF DEPARTURE. IMPRESSED WITH DOMINION APPRECIATION EXPRESSED. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, March 27. A civic reception was accorded the touring Englisn public schoolboys at Hamilton to-day. The head of the party, Mr J. R. Darling, replying to the Mayor’s speech, said that this was his last opportunity of speaking in New Zealand. He wished to thank the Governor and Prime Minister, who had given every assistance publicly and privately. The services of Mr D. Ardell, of the Internal Affairs Department, who had accompanied the visitors, were also deeply appreciated. He also thanked the secretaries of the Public School Bovs’ Associations. The party had been impressed by" the kindness of individual hosts and the people generally, as well as by the official hospitality. . \ . After reviewing the objects of the tour as in previous speeches, he asked how far they had succeeded. The boys’ interests were naturally diverse and one hundred per cent, interest in various matters was impossible, but the boys had been thoroughly happy and interested in most things. Perhaps in New Zealand it was unnecessary to emphasise the Imperial bonds of union. Still, the visit might have awakened feelings of mutual interest and pride in the British race and also have strengthened the friendship of the people of Britain and New Zealand to one another. He felt that it was inevitable that the tour would result indirectly in benefit for New Zealand, as members of the party, being greatly impressed, would spread their knowledge of New Zealand among a large and influential circle. Anyhow, from the point of view of the boys, the tour had been an unqualified success. Seeing how the resources of the Dominion had developed in a short period, they had been gratified to feel that this was the work of British people. The party had been very greatly impressed with the contentment of New Zealanders, which certainly could not be wondered at. Mr Darling concluded with a further expression of thanks to tne people of New Zealand as a whole and asked the Press Asssociation to send the following message: “Please convey to all papers in New. Zealand the gratitude of the English schoolboys’ tour for the very ample treatment and help given to our party.”