TRIBUTE TO HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18007, 6 August 1920, Page 6

TRIBUTE TO HIGH COMMISSIONER.

EFFECTIVE AND SPLENDID SERVICE.

(Facni Oub Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, June 10. At a .ecture on Zealand given oy Miss Frances B. Lysnar. P.R.G.S., under the auspices of the Rojal Colonial Institute, Sir Charles Lucas, K.C.8., K.C.M G presided, and paid a grateful tribute to the services of Sir Thomas Mackenzie durin" the latter's term of office as High Commissioner for New Zealand. Sir Thomas, he said, had m his younger days contributed a great deal to tho knowledge of New Zealand as a result of his explorations on the West Coast, but ho (the speaker) tpok that opportunity of venturing his opinion that successful as Sir Thomas was as an explorer, he had been even more successful as High Commissioner for Now Zealand in this country.—("Hoar, hear.") For eight years, including the most difficult vears of the war, ho had represented New Zealand.and surely no dominion had been served more effectively. He had rendered the most effective and splendid service to New Zealand, and all who knew him in tho Motherland had formed an excellent estimate of his abilities. Sir Thomas had be<>n successful in making no enemies in fTio Mother Country, but had won for himself golden- opinions and vcrv many friends. They all wished him God-«peod on his return to tho land of his birth, and hoped the day -would come when they m.ight see him again in England.—(Applause.) There was a large and interested audience. Miss Lysnar's lecture, which was illustrated with lantern slides, was in the nature of a tour through tho North and South Islands, showing some of the places visited by tho Prince of Wales.

She mentioned that during her voyago to E.ugland across the Atlantic her vessel was within speaking distance of H.M.S. Renown, and the passengers wanted to send a wireless greeting to tho Prince of \Va! s but the captain said the warship was travelling ,=o fast that no -wireless could catch her up.