BACK FROM CHATHAMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11245, 24 June 1922, Page 4

BACK FROM CHATHAMS

COVERNOR-CENERAL’S VISIT

ISLANDERS’ WELCOME TO VISCOUNT AND LADY JELLICOE. MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER Their Excellencies the Governor-Gen-eral Je!l:(Ot ) and Lady Jeliicoe returiud u> Wellington yesterday morning fio-n xhiir vi.-it- lo the Chatham Island.-. Tne voyage v.as made on H.M.S. ( ha;]; .n:. and with the party was Captain Smithy, aide-do-f amp to -* is Exculit :u> . and. the Under-Secre-tary. of Intern;; 1 . Affair- (Mr Janie* liislop), representing the Government. Only twice before in the history of tho islander.- have they had a vih.it from the representative of the King, tho former Governors to visit them being Lord Glasgow and Lord Plunket. A HEARTY WELCOME. PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS. H.M.S. Chatham arrived in Hanson. Bay, off Waitangi, at 9.45 t.m. on Wednesday, and, after the local Stipendiary Magistrate, Dr. Clayton, had made an official call on the Governor(•oueral on hoard the warship. Their Excellencies landed, receiving a most hearty welcome from the returned soldiers, other residents, and the school children from Owcitgn. the latter having come overland some 14 miles for the occasion. An addrese of welcome, expressing pleasure at the visit and loyalty to the Throne, was presented by Dr. Clayton, and, in reply, Lord Jellicoe expressed his satisfaction, as His Majesty’s representative, at having the opportunity of meeting the European an<L native residents. He referred to the pleasure felt by Lady Jellicoe at being able to accompany him, and then went on to say that he had learned with the deepest interest that from 50 to 60 of the island’s own men had volunteered for active service during the war. That, he paid, was a true indication of the spirit of loyalty and devotion to duty so essential in the Empire's hour of need. He referred to the first settlement of tho islands, congratulated the residents on their progress, and wished them every prosperity in their undertakings. Cheers were given for Their Excellencies.

PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE. Hie Governor-General then read a message to the islanders from the Prime Minister, and the gathering gave cheers for Mr Massey and tho Government of New Zealand.

The Prime Minister’s message was as follows: —“On the auspicious occasion of the visit of Their Excellencies tho Governor-General and the Viscountess Jellicoe to the Chatham Islands, I desire to convey to the European and native residents the good wishes of the Government and the people of New Zealand.

“It has always been recognised that the Chatham Islands are among the most important- of the outlying islands under the Government of New Zealand. Their romantic history and their early population anterior to the arrival of the Maoris and their steady and peaceful development in recent years will always cause them to be regarded by the people of New Zealand as one of the most valued constituent parts of the Dominion. “The Government is well aware of the difficulties under which the inhabitants labour through infrequent communication and other problems, but expresses the hope that as prosperity returns to the Dominion as a whole, this prosperity will be reflected in the steady growth, expansion, and development’of the industries which have already proved so successful in the la* lands. It is well-known that there is no better dairying country in New Zealand than exists in some part of the Chatham and Pitt Islands, where mild climate and rich pasture are to he found. It ‘seems obvious that when shipping facilities become more available the opportunities for disposing of the island products will lead to marked development of sheep farming and other occupations which are well suited to the locality. . “The Government congratulates the inhabitants. both Maori and European, on their loyal and patriotic attachment to the Empire ; and, through the august personage of the representative of His Majesty the King, wishes them all prosperity and good fortune.” INTERESTING FUNCTIONS. The returned soldiers and the leading residents, including Mr Solomon, the last of the Morioris, were presented to Their Excellencies. After luncheon the party rode to Te One, two or three miles from Waitangi, and about a quarter of a mile from its destination was met by a guard of honour composed of school children on horseback—everyone appears to own a horse at Chatham Islands. An address of welcome was presented to Her Excellency by the school children, and, having thanked them, Lady Jellicoe presented to tne children toys, which she had brought for the purpose from Wellington. An address was also presented to Lord Jellicoe by the natives, who had delivered a typical haka upon the arrival of the party. A number of gifts were made to Lady Jellicoe by the school children, and to Lord Jellicoe by the natives. Incidentally, Their Excellencies were interested spectators of the working of tho large Maori oven, in which the natives cooked the meal for the tea which followed. During the afternoon H.M.S. Chatham was thrown open to the residents and to th© school children, Lord Jellicoe having been particularly anxious that the children should have the chance to use to the full the most unusual opportunity of seeing a warship. The ship's band played on shore, to the pleasure of the residents. Finally, at 4.30 p.m., Their Excellencies return ed to the ship and IoH for Wellington