AN APPRECIATION OF NEW ZELAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14431, 26 January 1909, Page 8

AN APPRECIATION OF NEW ZELAND.

FROM LIEUTENANT KNOX. The following Idler from Lieutenant Knox, organising lecturer for (he Navy Leaguey speaks for itself:— To the Editor. Otago Daily Times RiR,--«pfoH> leavin-r Hie shores of tin', hospitable and beautiful land will you allo'y 1110. through (he medium of vour'columns In express my I hank to the large number ot Icmil friends—ton numerous to correspond with individually—(.lirouifhout the Dominion who have contributed towards making my slay such a pleasant one. I'rain Auckliind to the Hind' I ]i„ vc ~,-.. ceucd the utmost, kindness.

I landed at Wellington on November 4 an entire stranger to Ihe country, and unknown to anyone in if except. Mr 0. W rainier, the indoFnlisruLlp hon. secretary of Ihe Navy League in Wellington. T shall leave behind me when I sail for London on the 28|h many kind friends to whom my gratitude is duo and lo whom it is unstintingl.y given.

That there were plenty of enthusiaslio Navy Leaguers in New Zealand I knowwell before I landed. I can only hope after all the assistance T have received from I hem, from the nress, the Railway Department, and the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, that T have been successful in increasing the membership of the branches of the league throughout, the Dominion, and in creating an additional interest in those two great services—the Koyal Navy and the Mercantile Marine— upon which the. whole fabric of the Empire rests, and in whose ean.se Ihe Navy League considers it an honour to work.

May T hone that all branches of the league m this country will undertake the following three things:—

1. Place the Navy League wall map in all schools, and, if the Minister of Railways will sanction it, at all important railway stations. 2. Clive prizes for'essays on naval history in all schools. 3. Take the children from different parts of Ihe Dominion down to tlio porls to visit any warships which may bo lying there.

I bid farewell io New Zealand with extreme regret, as it has been . largely responsible for restoring me to health and vigour, bill with the consolation that > leave behind me many who will be working hove, as I hope to continue to work at. Home, in (he great cause of Imperial defence. The fleet at England is her all in ell: Her fieri is in your bands, And in her fleet 'her fate. Wellington. January 23.