THE GOVERNOR'S TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13886, 25 April 1907, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR'S TOUR.

STAY AT QUEEXSTOWN. VISIT .TO THE SCHOOLS. CONVERSAZIONE AND CONCERT. (Fnon Odb Ow.v Reporter.) QUEENSTOWN, April. 2*. His Exocllency the Governor 6pcrit Monday in viewing the upper part of Lako Wakatipu, baiug convoyed in the paddlo rttcamer Mountaineer, xlo was aceornpanicd by Mr William IVasev, Mr Gavin (Mayor), rind tlio borough councillors. A visit was paid to Glenorchy, after which the boat crossed over to Kinloch, where his Excclloncy had a chit with Mr Bryant, a very old resident at the head of tlio lake. The weather in the morning was fine, but the afternoon was cold, with showers.

To-day his Excellency visited 'no public school, where he was received by Mr Hiddleistone, the head master. The children joined in singing the National Anthem as the distinguished .visitor entered. After learning a few facts connected with the school, his Excellency addressed the children, explaining' to tlieni some of the functions of a Governor, aiid advising them to diligently study their lessons so that, in the future they might become worthy citizens of New Zealand and partakers iti tlio. destinies o! the great British Empire. His Excellency was loudly cheered 011 leaving the school.

At the Dominican Convent School his Excellency was received by Father O'Donnell, and after taking his seat in the comfortable and well-lighted schoolroom the following programme was gone through with a view to bringing before his Excellency some of tho results of the excellent, training imparted in tho institution:—"Song of welcomo" (words written for the occasion), by tho pupils on his Excellency's entrance; chorus. "Swing song": vocal solo, " Shadojvland," Miss Monica M'Bridc; pianoforte solo, "Happiness," Miss M'Carthy; and chorus, "Meeting of the waters." His Excellency addressed a few words to the children, lhanking them for the very excellent entertainment, they had afforded him, and "God save tho King" was sung as the concluding item.

Both schools hud been tastefully dcco-ravo-1 with flowers bv (ho Pupils.

His Excellency also visited the pari, which has reoont.lv been greatly improved by tho gardener, Mr Wilcox. \

In the evening a. conversazione and concert was held in tile Garrison Hall, which was profusely decorated with llax trees, ferns, a.nd flags. The night was wet, which militated against a large attendance. A musical programme was contributed to by Miss Donne, Miss Warren, Messrs R. Kcole, 0. Cook, and. J. C. M'Bride. Miss Warren and Hiss Reid acted as accompanist..;.

His Excellency, in- the course of a brief speech, thanked the residents of Queenstown for all tho- kindness and hospitality ho had received since coming to tho town. Ho know well that the representative of Iho King would be'properly honoured and respected wherever he went in New Zealand, but, ho did not. take it as - a matter of courea that the people would go to the enormous amount of trouble that they had to make his 6ta.v among them interesting and enjoyable. His Excellency went on to refer to the advantages of tho district as a tourist resort. Having been able to visit almost all the principle bcauly spots of New Zealand, ho could say that there was nothing moro beautiful than what had boon found in this neighbourhood, and the district, had the .advantage over a geed many places of comparatively easy communication with tho centres of civilisation. The future of the district, he thought, depended more on the tourist traffic than on gold mining or farming. In order to build up the tourist traffic I hoy should see to it. that they kept the town in « healthy sta.te, because if any suggestion of disease attached to a place {he tourist would at once shy clear of it. He also advised that anglers should he catered for. There were some good rivers flowing inlo the lake, and money spent in the interests of fishers would bo well spent. There was no more useful person to get a hold of than the fi?her. Ho could bo depended on to stay longer than Ihe, tourist. After making.some remarks of a general nature on the attractions of Qucenstown and its neighbourhood, his Excellency again thanked tho people for their kindness, and concluded by expressinghis appreciation of the efforts of the vocalists of the evening—(Applnv.se.)

Refreshments were handed round, and after tho Mayor (Mr Gavin) had presented a' number of those in tile hall to his Excellency the formal proceedings closed.

To-morrow his Excellency goes on to Lumsden.