SIR JOSEPH WARD AT GISBORNE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLII, Issue 12822, 14 April 1916, Page 3

SIR JOSEPH WARD AT GISBORNE.

Pkr Pit ess Association. Gisborne. April )3. Sir J. G. Ward arrived to-day to fuifil his promise to deliver a recruiting speech. He was tendered a civic reception. He visited the railway works, Ngatapa. litis afternoon. He was entertained at lunch by the citizens, and at dinner bv the Waikohu County Cotincil. Sir Joseph will return to Wellington to-morrow. At the civic reception Mr Townsk-v (chairman of the Harbor Board) said - Sir Joseph Ward had shown «rcat foresight in presenting the Mother Conntry with a gift Dreadnought. Sir Joseph had been looked upon as ambitious in this connection., but time bad shown that- his ambition was in the right direction. He had done sonicthing which had. gone a long way towards saving the Empire. Kcplviug. Sir Joseph pan! a great tribute to the work of the British Navy. Acknowledging Mr Townlcys reterencc to the Dreadnought, he said every pubi lie man became- an object of criticism, but he hnd always endeavored to keep the country's good in trout of him. whether the wind was favorable or not If it had not been for the great old British Navy, we would! not be able to maintain our position in the world I to-day. Wo should do everything possible in recognition of the groat work | of the men who are lighting for us at sea. —(Applause.)The other speakers were Mr hlierrnU (Mayor), Mr Bright (chairman 01 the Chamber of Commerce), anil Sir Jas. Carroll. , . , , , - Sir Joseph Ward concluded jus iecruiting campaign by addressing a crowded audience of about 2000 persons in His Majesty's Theatre to-night The meeting was advertised for eight o'clock, bnt long before that hour the hall was crowded,- and hundreds of people were turned away. Every nook and corner of the hall was crowded, and at every door and window there were eager listeners. Young fellows climbed up in the roof, and were content t» peer in at the gallery windows, so intent were they all to hear Sir Joseph speak. The Mayor (Mr W. G. Slierratt) presided, and on the platform were Sir Jas. Carroll, members of the council, members of the Recruiting Committee, and prominent members of the district- . c . At the conclusion of Jus address, air Joseph was warmly applanded, and he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks bv acclamation, the meeting dosing With cheers for Sir Joseph Ward.