SIR JOSEPH WARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 4 March 1929, Page 4

SIR JOSEPH WARD

COLOSSAL BANQUET AT INVERCARGILL TWO THOUSAND GUESTS (By Telegranh—Special to “The Mail”) CHRISTCHURCH, 2nd March. A banquet on a colossal scale, and surpassing all banquets previously held in New Zealand will be tendered to Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister, by the citizens of Invercargill on 20th Alarch. Two thousand guests are being catered for. To obtain the necessary crockery, cutlery, and paraphernalia of a banquet, the caterer has exhausted the resources of Invercargill, Dunedin, and Christchurch, and he may find it necessary to tap the resources of Wellington also. From 160 to 180 dozen plates, glasses, knives, and forks are required for each course, and 530 yards of tablecloth will be needed. The banquet will be held in the Invercargill Drill Hall, the only building capable of housing the multitude of Sir Joseph’s admirers.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS AT GISBORNE

(By Telegraph—Press Association) GISBORNE, 2nd Alarch. Tile Prime Alinister was accorded a series of highly enthusiastic receptions at Gisborne during yesterday and today. On his arrival last night he was met outside his hotel by cheering crowds, who also joined in the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” In the evening a civic reception was accorded the Prime Minister, an overflow gathering representative of every shade of political thought and business interests assembling in welcoming Sir Joseph Ward. The Mayor, Mr D. W. Coleman, described the guest of honour as being one "of the best known statesmen in the British Empire. Two small boys travelled all the way from Napier to Gisborne to be introduced to the Prime Alinister. They had missed seeing him in the former town and had prevailed on an indulgent parent to motor them through to Gisborne. The youngsters were duly introduced on Saturday night to Sir Joseph Ward, who gravely expressed ins regret for his oversight m “not looking them up” in Napier.