VICE-REGAL VISIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21223, 1 July 1932, Page 12

VICE-REGAL VISIT.

DAY SPENT IN TAURANGA.

FUNCTION AT HIGH SCHOOL.

TO THE PUPILS.

OFFICIAL WELCOME OF BOROUGH

[by telegraph. —special reporter.] TAUBANGA, Thursday.

A busy day was spent by tho GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, and the Lady Bledisloe at Tauranga to-day.

Escorted by the Mayor, Mr. B. C. Bobbins, tho Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Agriculture and member for tho district, and members of tho Borough Council, Their Excellencies left their hotel at 9.30 and drove to tho military cemetery, which contains tho graves of soldiers, sailors and Maoris killed in tho Maori wars. They were shown the monument erected to Rawiri Puhiraki, a chief who led the Maoris at tho battle of Gato Pa. From the cemetery the party proceeded to tho site of tho Gate Pa battle and tho memorial church. Tho details of tho battlo were explained to them in relation to tho physical surroundings. Citrus Fruit Farm. A call was then paid to Mr. J. H. Davidson's citrus fruit farm, formerly the Government experimental citrus farm. Their Excellencies inspected the packingshed and orchard, and weretthen entertained at morning tea by Mrs. Davidson. From tho orchard they drove to tho curing depot of the Tauranga Citrus Association, Limited, and were conducted through tho curing and storage chambers, and witnessed tho process of cleaning, grading and wrapping lemons. After a brief visit to tho factory of tho Tauranga Co-operative Dairy Association, they proceeded to the district high school, in tho grounds of which tho children from surrounding schools were assembled. Upon their arrival Their Excellencies were saluted by a guard of honour of school cadets, who presented arms with marked precision. The assembled pupils then sang tho National Anthem, after which u striking incident, the first of its kind during the tour, occurred. Head Prefect's Speech.

The head prefect of the school, Anthony Fell, stepped forward and addressed Their Excellencies in a brief speech on behalf of the pupils. He said tho pupils welcomed Their Excellencies to Tauranga and hoped their visit would be a pleasant one. A bouquet was presented to the Lady Bledisloe by a small girl pupil, after which the chairman of the school committee, Mr. B. P. Andrews, gave a short welcoming speech. His Excellency said during the tour he had heard a good many speeches of welcome at schools, but had never heard a better-expressed or more eloquent one than that which Fell had addressed to them. It recalled to him tho speeches of Fell's grandfather, Sir Arthur Fell, who sat next to His Excellency in the House of Commons.

After urging upon the children that they should maintain pride in their school, Lord Bledisloo said he had often been asked what was the secret of happiness. The answer to his mind was very simple. It was for them to make the best use of their faculties, to learn all they could from their teachers, and to do all in their power to make others happy. Using Eyes and Hands.

lie was glad they were doing all at their school to exercise their eyes and hands. In the old days, education was producing a nation of clerks, but they could npt have a country composed only of. clerks. They needed someone who could add to the wealth of their country by using their hands and eyes. The most miserable people were those who kept their eyes shut when there was a lot of beautiful things to be seen about them. He advocated the cultivation of an inquiring mind and urged them not to take things for granted. They should keep bright ideals ever before their eyes so as to becomo worthy citizens of the Empire. Their Excellencies received an ovation as they loft the school. After lunch an official welcome was extended to Their Excellencies on behalf of the people of Tauranga. A largo crowd assembled outside the Town Hall, and returned soldiers, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides were lined up in tho roadway. Their Excellencies were greeted by the National Anthem, and mounted the high steps leading to the entrance of the hall which served as a platform. Tho Mayor gave a brief address of welcome, a formal address being read bv the" town clerk. The chief of tho Ngaiterangi tribe, 'Patau Ngatai, with a feather mat over.his shoulders, and grasping a taiaha, also made a speech of welcome. Borough Congratulated.

His Excollency, in thanking them for their loyal welcome, congratulated the borough upon having attained its jubilee.. Ho said they should remember that upon tho farming community depended tho prosperity of every man and woman in the country, and it was up to them to see that tho sourco of their wealth did not suffer unduly. The Dominion's delegates had left for Ottawa, but whatever the conference might produce, there still remained tho necessity to provido products of high quality and absoluto uniformity of quality, and to provido exactly what their customers wanted. As a judge of butter, ho could say that so far in Now Zealand ho had not seen better butter than he saw that morning in the Tauranga factory. He appealed to them to organise their industry and co-operate steadfastly in the future. If thoy maintained cheerfulness, they could bo confident, if their methods wore s6und, that they had a much better timo in front of them. After llio welcome convorsaziono and afternoon tea tendered in the Town Hall, His Excellency presented tho trophies won at tho recent show of the Tauranga Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The function took place in tho Coronation Hall.

Thoir Excellencies, who have no public engagements this evening, will leave for Matamata and To Aroha to-morrow morning.