LORD KITCHENER'S TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14301, 22 February 1910, Page 6

LORD KITCHENER'S TOUR.

ARRIVAL AT CHRISTCHURCH.

THE NEW DEFENCE SCHEME.

A WILLING ADVISER,

AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CinusTGinjßCU, Monday. The arrival of Lord Kitchener in Christchurch by the second express from the South to-night drew forth perhaps as large a crowd as has yet assembled to bid welcome to a distinguished visitor to Christchurch. It. was, moreover, not a crowd merely of the curious anxious to catch a glimpse of a man of note. It was more an assembly' of those familiar with the main features of a great military career, and animated by a desire to show by the heartiness of their welcome their appreciation of the vast service to the Empire rendered by him in achieving that career.

The arrival of the illustrious Field-Mar-shal was at 7.27 p.m., when the second express from the South reached Christchurch, but some considerable time before that hour the streets through which Lord Kitchener was to . pass on ; his way from the railway station to the Christchurch Club, his headquarters while in Christchurch, were well lined with people, while a vast crowd had assembled opposite to, and in the vicinity of, the Christchurch station, where Lord Kitchener would first appear. As time went on the crowd increased, and when the train drew in there were assembled in different parts of . the city, along the lino of route, great- throngs of citizens, estimated in numbers at many thousands.

.. The reception, of Lord Kitchener and his first welcome to Christchurch was essentially a civic function, but attendant features were provided by the military, and so well was the whole affair organised and thought 'out. that not a single hitch occurred. The Highland Rifles formed a guard of honour, and/the company in full dress were drawn up before a temporary staging leading from the railway platform, where the presentation of t-lio civic address was to be made. Beyond the guard of honour came the Canterbury "Yeomanry and Cavalry, • also ■ resplendent in bright garb, while on the platform itself were a - company of volunteers, drawn partly from the College Rifles and partly from the City Rifles. ..Four large electric lights shed ■an unusual radiance in tho locality, and the scene from the platform, looking across the gay coats of the volunteers up Manchester-street, densely thronged with people, was a most picturesque and animated one. On tho platform waiting the arrival of the, distinguished visitor was a little group of "civic authorities, ' leading citizens, and military officers. i Presently the train ran into the station, and a moment later _ Lord Kitchener was on the' platform and introduced" by-the Prime Minister, \ Sir Joseph Ward, to the Mayor and city councillors. When the figure of the groat Field-Marshal appeared the enthusiasm of the crowd found Vent in hearty cheers. . . /.,. V- .

y Lord' Kitchener made a brief inspection of. the two companies drawn up before hijn. This ' over, he returned to the temporary platform and the main business of the function followed, viz., a speech of welcome by. the Mayor and / the presentation of an address from the municipality. / THE MAYOR'S SPEECH. j, Tho' Mayor, in tho course of a brief speech, said that:before, presenting the address from the Council he would like to express the great pleasure it gave him and the citizens of Christchurch generally to welcome to this distant part of the Empire so distinguished a visitor. ; The visit of Lord Kitchener was regarded not only as a great honour, but one that would probably •• have . a. . considerable influence on the future • defence policy ' , of the Dominion.' It was recognised that Lord Kitchener's , great experience '= and the great ability he ;had shown in organising work in other parts of the Empire peculiarly/fitted him to give, advice which probably was never more -wanted than it was at the .present" time. He regretted that the time at- 'Lord Kitchener's disposal prevented an opportunity of according him greater hospitality than was possible . on the present occasion, but he honed that the present might not- be the last occasion on which Kitchener would visit New Zealand, and that on future occasions he would have more time at his disposal. He ; hoped , that Lord 1 '- Kitchenershort as , was his visit to Christchurch—would carry back with,him a pleasurable recollection of the city. (Loud applause.) ~ / / , (i ■ i • , /-■ S ' ■ i ; ■ ■ ' THE MUNICIPAL ADDRESS. .The'.municipal address- was read by the town clerk, / and presented by the Mayor - to Lord -Kitchener. The text of the address is as follows :—" To Field-Marshal •.Viscount Kitchener of Khartoum, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E. ' Your Lordship, —On behalf of the citizens of Christchurch, it affords us the greatest: possible pleasure to tender to you a most cordial arid hearty; welcome, and to assure you of the feelings of pleasure with which your brief sojourn in our midst is received by all classes of : the : community. The truly British character impressed upon the city, of? Christchurch in - particular; and the province of Canterbury. in . general, by its founders, which still remains to distinguish them, will, we trust, not ; be one of the; least pleasurable remembrances. of your tour through the Dominion of New Zealand. Wo hail with a considerable amount of satisfaction your visit at this particular juncture, when the Dominion is about to institute an . important change in its system of defence. The advice of so distinguished a military authority as yourself in connection with the vital subject of fitting ourselves to adequately defend this portion of the Empire in case of need, we feel sure, will be of the greatest possible service to tho Government and the Dominion. Your wide experience in dealing with matters of this kind in all parts of the British Empire, and ' the marked success which hat attended your efforts, render the visit you are now making to New Zealand one of the most important events which has occurred in its history. • The intense loyaltv and patriotism which are characteristic of New Zealanders prompt us to express our high admiration of the many and invaluable services you have rendered to the King and the Empire, and we esteem it a great privilege to be able to receive in this remoto portion of His Majesty's dominions so distinguished a soldier and servant of the King as yourself. By all Britons the name of Lord Kitchener of Khartoum is held in the highest honour, and we venture to hope that though your stay in our midst will be but short you will carry away pleasurable recollections of your visit. Signed this 21st day of February, 1910, on behalf of the Mayor, councillors, and citizens of the city of Christchurch.—C. Allison, . Mayor ; H. It. Smith, Town Clerk'." LORD KITCHENER'S REPLY. Lord Kitchener, whose voice carried over a' remarkably large area, made tho following reply:"l thank all the citizens of Christchurch for the very kind and cordial welcome they have afforded me. You, Mr. Mayor, have alluded to the possibility of my advice being of some use to the Government of this country. I can assure you that if such is the case and my experience in military matters can be of any assistance to them, it will be most willingly placed at their disposal. (Loud applause.) It will bo a source of the utmost gratification to me in after/years if by this means 1 can lie associated with a measure that will enable tho splendid young manhood that 1 have seen in all parts of New Zealand to render them--1 solves thoroughly efficient for the defence

of 'their country and able to take their share in the maintenance of the honour and solidarity of the grand old Empire to which wo all belong." (Loud applause.) Three ringing cheers were given for Lord Kitchener at the close of his reply, and the littlo function of welcome came to an end. - ■ . _ Lord Kitchener, accompanied by the Prime Minister, the Mayor, and Colonel Kirkpatrick (his aide-de-camp), then drove away, their carriage being followed by others containing members of the Defence Council, Colonel Hawkins (officer commanding the district), and other military officers and councillors. • To-morrow morning Lord Kitchener will inspect the Lyttelton forts, and in the afternoon will review the cadets and St. John Ambulance Brigade.