VICE-REGAL VISIT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 50, 29 January 1937, Page 7

VICE-REGAL VISIT

LORD GALWAY AT FEILDING. OFFICIAL WELCOME EXTENDED. His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral, Lord Galway, who is the guest of Mr R. L. Levin, “Westella,” for several days, accompanied by Captain Stuart French, A.D.C., to-day paid his first official visit to Feilding and was warmly welcomed at a function in Manchester. Square, where there was a large attendance of residents of the town and district. Local body representatives and leading citizens of the town were on the otneial dais. His Excellency, before mounting the platform erected for the ceremony, inspected a guard of honour formed by returned soldiers, wearing medals, under Major B. McLeod, M.C. ' MAYOIt’S WELCOME.

On behalf of the residents of Feilding and district, the Mayor (Mr T. C. Collins) extended the heartiest of welcomes. “And may 1 be permitted,” Mr Collins added, “to express our deep regret that Her Excellency Lady Galway has been unable to accompany you, and we ask that you will on your return extend to Her Excellency our sympathy in her indisposition, with a wish that she will soon be restored to her usual good health. “To you, as the King’s representative, we wish to say that we give place 'to no one in our loyalty to the Throne, and, as a tribute to your own soldierly qualities, your bodyguard today is composed entirely of members of the Keturned Soldiers’ Association of this district. “Where we stand at the moment was, a matter .of sixty years ago, practically all heavy bush and fern, but, due to the excellent work done by the early pioneers of the district, under the capable management of the corporation responsible for the fjettlement of the Manchester Block, we have now one of the most fertile areas and also one of the greatest stockproducing centres in New Zealand, together with the prosperous town of Feilding, and the townships of Halcombe, Cheltenham, Kimbolton, Apiti and Ashhurst, of all of which we are justly proud. On the industrial side we have our freezing works, butter factory, wool scouring factory and various other works employing hundreds of hands, and in our stock saleyards, where weekly sales are held, we claim to have the largest turnover of stock in the North Island. Our various parks make ample provision for the recreational requirements of our inhabitants, and our racecourse for the size of the town will compare favourably with any in New Zealand. “In addition to the several primary ecliools, the Feilding District Agricultural High School, with its well and completely stocked farm, is an institution which has built up a Dominionwide reputation. I would like to mention our regret that circumstances prevent the assemblage of the school children in their numbers to join in our welcome to-day. “We are delighted to have you with us, and trust that you will pay us another visit when Her Excellency Lady Galway will be able to accompany you. We hope that your stay in New Zealand will be enjoyable and that you will take. away to-dav none but the most pleasant of recollections of your visit, to Feilding.” _ , ... MANIFESTATION OF LOYALTY. “On behalf of the counties of Manawatu, lvairanga, Kiwitea, Poliangina, and Oroua,” stated Mr A. Campbell (chairman of the Oroua County Council), “it affords me pleasure to be associated with the Mayor in extending a hearty welcome on behalf of the residents on the occasion of your first visit to Feilding and district; and Your Excellency, as the representative of Their Majesties the King and Queen, I can assure you that in no part of the British Empire are tliero more loyal subjects than are to be found in this surrounding district. “Later in the day, from a vantage point, you will have an opportunity of viewing the district, once covered by dense lorest, which will convey to you Home idea ot the work accomplished by our sterling pioneer settlers. The counties 1 have the honour of representing to-day control approximately 120 U miles ot metalled roads and" innumerable bridges across the various livers and streams.

“\Ve all wisii you a pleasant and happy time during your residence in tins lair Dominion. With tiie Mayor, we sincerely regret the indisposition ol Her Exccuency Daily Galway, and trust that she will soon be restored to perieet health.” non. J. ID Cobbe, member of Parliament tor the district, joined in the welcome to tils n.xcenoiicy, stating that lie had had tne pleasure of hearing Lord Gaiway speaking at the opening of Parliamoiu in August, rtidd, wui'ii His DxceUency had said that Lady Galway and he, during their sojourn in :\ew Zealand, hoped tliat they might assist in some uegree to promote the progress of the Dominion and its people, it was plainly shown by His Excellency that lie took a.close interest, and intended to do what Jay within his power for tlie prosperity of the Dominion. His Excellency had said tliat he would promote every ettort for peace, but that it was necessary to take reasonable steps to protect the Dominion and its jieople. Lord Galway, continued Mr Cobbe, was a soldier, and possessed a proud and distinguished decoration in recognition of his services. Mr Cobbe added that they were very pleased to have His Excellency there to inspect the very good land and stock of the district. It was a very loyal district. Jn conclusion, Mr Cobbe said all hoped that Lady Galway would soon be restored to health. PROGRESS OF THE DISTRICT. His Excellency, in reply, said: — ‘The address which you have presented to me to-day on behalf of the residents of h ending and the surrounding districts is one conspicuous lor its tone of loyalty and warm attachment to the Throne, and, as His Majesty’s representative in mis Dominion, I wish to acknowledge, with deep appreciation, the loyal sentiments to winch yuu have given expression. “1 am also gratuiui to you, Mr Mayor, to Mr Campbell, the chairman of the Oroua County Council, and to Hon. Mr Cobbe, your representative in Parliament, lor the cordial welcome to your town. 1 can assure you I warmly appreciate this testimony of friendly leemig. “It has been a pleasure to me to inspect the guard oi honour ol returned soldiers on parade here to-day—a guard representing those gallant men of your town and district who responded so nobly to the nations call iu time of need. “1 am most interested, Mr Mayor, in the reference which you have made to the progress during the past Sixty years of 1-eilding, the adjoining district, the fertile lands which comprise that district, and to the lndustncs Which liave been established in connec-

tion with the primary output of those lands. May tliat progress long continue. It is my intention to pay a visit to some of your industr.al establishments to-day, and later to drive through a portion of your district in order to seo for myself something ol a part of blew Zealand about wliicli I have already hoard a groat deal. “It is a matter for congratulation that such a progressive town and district should possess an up-to-date Agricultural High School, in which the younger generation are trained in the rudiments of practical farming. “In conclusion, Mr Mayor, I should like to express my personal and grateful acknowledgements of the kind reference which you have made to my wife’s recent accident. She is now making very satisfactory progress. On some future date it is my intention to accept the very kind invitation which you now convey to me to pay another visit to Pelleting and I sincerely hope that on that occasion it 'Will be possible for Lady Galway to accompany me,” Lord Galway added. His Excellency said lie was sorry that circumstances did not permit ol an inspection of the schools, or the presence of the children He always liked to see them, and the Mayor had acceded to his customary request tliat they he granted an extra day’s holiday before the resumption of school to mark the occasion. VISIT TO SALE YARDS. Immediately after the official welcome, His Excellency paid a visit to the saieyards, where he was escorted by Mr \V. H. Hall, president of the Auctioneers’ Association. Mr Hail explained to His Excellency the procedure of the sale, and took Loru Galway through every department. Accompanying His Excellency on his tour of inspection were the Mayor (Mr Collins), the town clerk (Mr C. H. Tate), and Mr Cobbe. Over half an hour was spent at the saieyards, His Excellency uisplaying a keen interest in the activities. Wneu passing the store sheep pens, comment was made by His Excellency regarding the incidence oi bidi-b;di on some oi the wool. Mr Gordon Eliott, formerly M.l\ for Oroua, who is in charge of the stock department of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-op. Dist. Co., Ltd., was introduced to His Excellency. Later, Lord Galway was the guest of honour at a civic luncheon before driving through the district to inspect the surrounding country.