Pahiatua En Fete

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7067, 28 January 1933, Page 8

Pahiatua En Fete

The Vico Regal party, travelling in an open touring car, arrived at Pafiiatua at noon and wero received at the Borough Chambers by His Worship‘the Mayor (Mr. J. D. Wilson) and the Mayoress, and Mr. S. Bolton (chairman of the Pahiatua County Council) and Mrs. Bolton. Mrs. Wilson presented Lady Bledisloe with a beautiful bouquet of pale pink roses, carnations, phlox and maiden hair fern with pink streamers.

After the formal presentation to their Excellencies of prominent citizens and members of local bodies and their wives, the. Vico Regal party, accompanied by the Mayor and Mayoress, walked through the .Square gardens where school children lined their path, to tako their part in tho welcome. As the Governor-General entered Memorial Squaro he passed through a guard of returned soldiers wearing mufti and their medals. Their Excellencies shook hands with each man after conversing with Dr. H. Paterson, who was m charge. The Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Cubs were drawn up before the memorial, her Excellency chatting with the leaders. On the platform, in addition to tho distinguished visitors, were the Mayor and Mayoress and Mr. and Mrs. S. Bolton. Address of Welcome. When their Excellencies, Lord ana Lady Bledisloe arrived at the dais, the Mayor (Mr. J. D. Wilson) extended an official welcome in tho form of an illuminated address, artistically executed in Old English text. The welcome read: Pahiatua, January 27, 1933. “To his Excellency Tho Right Honourable Lord Bledisloe, D.S., P.C., G.C.M.G., K.8.E., and The Lady Bledisloe. “May it please your Excellencies:— “On behalf of the residents of this town and county we extend to you a hearty welcome. ‘.‘We appreciate the opportunity given us of expressing through you as his Gracious Majesty's representative our loyalty to our King and Empire. “Apart from the high and honourable official position you occupy you have taken a keen interest in the everyday life of the people. Your practical knowledge of farming and tho interest you have taken in tho welfare of this Dominion is appreciated by all sections of tho community. “We hope that your Excellencies have had a pleasant sojourn in this Dominion and trust that Pahiatua will find a placo amongst your pleasant memories and records. Yours sincerely, J. D. WILSON, Mayor. S. BOLTON, County Chairman. Mr. Wilson added, “There is no need for me to add to tho sentiments expressed in the address of welcome except to say that we hope your Excellencies will be abl<3 to again visit Pahiatua before your term of office in incw Zealand concludes.''. (Applause.) Mr. S. Bolton, on behalf of the county ratepayers, expressed his heartfelt thanks to their Excellencies for paying Pahiatua a visit, and added: “It the residents of this district, in the next two years, cannot find an excuse to extend the Governor-General and the Lady Bledisloe an invitation to pay Pahiatua another visit, I will eat my hat.'' (Laughter.) • His Excellency was cheered when he rose to reply. After thanking Mr. Bolton for his delightfully original words of welcome and the Mayor for the cnarming welcome from the citizens of Pahiatua and expression of loyalty to the King, Lord Bledisloe said that his Majesty was the great link of Empire. He congratulated the Mayor on the well laid out town and attractive gardens, maintaining that it was an enormous advantage to have beautiful surroundings and that there was nothing of more importance in a new country than tho correction of the drawbacks and handicaps of the Old Land. “I will carry away very pleasant recollections of Pahiatua,'' he added, “and would like to take this opportunity of congratulating the Mayor on his long period of outstanding service to the borough.'' (Applause.) When his Excellency had concluded his address, Mrs. 11. Paterson, chairman of tho Bush Group of Women's Institutes, presented her Excellency with a hand-worked cushion on behalf of the members of tho various institutes in tho district, the token being in appreciation of tho great interest her Excellency had tahen in tho movement. Lady Bledisloo expressed her thanks for the gift. The Mayor then called for three cheers for the Governor-General and three more for her Excellency. After his Excellency had stepped down from the dais, he met members of the Masonic fraternity who had congregated to greet the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of New Zealand. His Excellency and Lady Bledisloe lunched privately and shortly after 2 o’clock left for Ekctahuna.