THE GOVERNOR'S TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13888, 27 April 1907, Page 10

THE GOVERNOR'S TOUR.

RECEPTIONS AT DIPTON AND

WIN'JON.

CENTRE BUSH ENTHUSIASM.

ARRIVAL IN DUNEDIN

, His Excellency the Governor left Lums<len yesterday morning at 9.50 by special tram.

At Dipton ihere was a largo gnt-hcring, including the school children. Mr R. D. M'Lachion .spoke some words of wclcomo to his Lxccllcney, expressing the loyalty o. the people of tho district and their pleasure that the King's representative .should have seen fit to honour ihem with a . visit. The chief products of the dishe said, were turnips and children. Incy not brought any of tho turnips for his hxcellsncy's visit, but there was a sample of the second product, which, ho believed, compared favourably with the imported article.—(Applause.) . Hi» | Excellency, in reply, said he appreciated very imicli the reasons that had prompted the people to come together in such large numbers ill so scattered a community to_ wclcomc him. Wherever he went in New Zealand he had met with the same loyalty that had prompted tho people of Dipton to assemble. He had also received tho greatest kindness, and, as a consequoncc, he had spent an agreeable time. It spoke well for the Empire that fit present there should be such a united feeling in every part of it. fie thought there was not a cloud on tho sky to mar t.hat proper understanding and that prooer union which should exist in tho nation.— (Applause.)

A number of the residents were presented to his Excellency. As time nressed, his Execllency had no opportunity of meeting others.

Centre Busli is another sparsely-popu-lated district, but p. number of settlers from nil parts, together with the school children, had assembled on the platform. Captain Murray welcomed his Excellency, who, in reply, expressed -his pleasure at l-lio warm greeting accorded to liiin. He was glad to see tho school cadets. Tho Cadet movement was ono ho greatly admired.

After a number of residents, including some early settlers, had been presented io his Excellency, the train went oil its way. Wiitou was quito picturesque with its numerous flags. The school children, under Mr ,T. B. Hutchinson, head master, sang tho National Anthem, and a few of the townspeople who had made their way to Hie station raised their liatj as a mark-, of respect to the King's representative as ho stepped from his special carriage. Mr C. D. Moore (Mayor), and Crs Wilson. Roach, and Cowie, and Mr W. Russell (town clerk), woro presented Io liis Excolloncy. and Mr Moore, in a brief speech, spoke the pleasure of tho citizens at his Execllcncy's visit, >

His Excellency, in reply, expressed his apyrcciatioii of (ho demonstration made on his hel(al(. It. made his heart swell with pritio lo go over a torn' suoli as ho had now almost finished. He went from one town lo another and received the same, welcome, and the saino assurances of loyally, of interest, of pride in the Empire, and of satisfaction with the laws under which they lived—(Applause.) Speaking to tho children, ho said ho had lived in mcst of tho countries of tho world, and .lie could say that, ho had' seen no children anywhere who had belter opportunities and woro healthier and happier than the /children of Now Zealand.—(Applause.)

Messrs W. Ronald (chairman of tho Southland County Council) and .Tames Elemiiii; (a member of the council) hoarded the train at Waikiwi and invited his Kxcellenoy to lunch with She council in Invercargill. His Excellency accepted tho invitation.

Invercargill was experiencing; a tropical downpour as his Excellency's train arrived at schedule time—six minutes past, midday. Tho Hon. Mr Feldwick, M.L.C.. the Mayor (Mr W. H. Scandretl), and other citizens welcomed his Excellency, who at once drove away,

His Excellency came on to Dunedin by tho second express, arriving hero at- 7.5 p.m. To-day his Excellency proceeds to Ohristehurch, en route to Wellington, by the tirst express.