GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19504, 12 June 1925, Page 7

GOVERNOR-GENERAL

ANOTHER BUSY DAY. VISITS TO HOSPITALS. ENTERTAINED BY ROTARY CLUB. Tils Excellency tho Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) spent another busy day yesterday. In the morning, accompanied by her Excellency (Lady Alice, Fergussoii), Miss Fergusson, and Miss OrrEwing, the Mayor, and tho Mayoress, he visited tho Dunedin Hospital and Die Ross Home. His Excellency was subsequently tho guest of tho Rotary Club at luncheon, and in the afternoon he paid a visit to tho Karitane-Harris Hospital. VISIT TO DUNEDIN HOSPITAL. The vice-regal parly reached the Hospital about 10.30 a.in., and w-erc met byMessrs W. E. R. Knight, W. B. Morgan, D. Larnach, .T. W. Dove, ,T. W. Scurr, ,A. E. Quelch, and Mrs Macdonald (members of the Hospital Board), Mi- Jacobs (secretary of (lie board). Dr Falconer (medical superintendent), and Miss Tennant (matron). On the arrival of the party Lady Fergusson was presented with a handsome bouquet by Miss Thelma Knight, daughter of the chairman of the board. Sir Charles Fergusson was shown through tho Plmiket, Dominion, and Batchelor wards, and the lady members of the party visited tho wards in which tho female patients were located. His Excellency had a chat with every patient iu tho three wards mentioned, and his visit was highly appreciated by the inmates. The visitors were subsequently entertained at morning tea in the nurscs’s home. VISIT TO ROSS HOME. Shortly after 11.30 a.in. tho party proceeded to tlie Ross Home at North-East Valley, where they were met by the Rev. G. Miller (Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly), the Rev. W. Saunders (convener of the Ross House Committee), the Rev. tV. Trotter (convener of the House Committee of the orphanages), Messrs .T. M‘George, T. C. Ross, P. Belt, W. M’llutchoson, D. Barron, J. B. Brugh, P. L. Clark (representing the Presbyterian Social Service Association), and Sister Young (matron of Ross Home). Amongst those present, were Sir John Ross (founder of (he home), Lady Ross, Miss Ross, and Miss Z. Ross. The inmates of the home, numbering about 50, were assembled in the dining room for the occasion. In the course of a brief speech tho Rev. Mr Miller said they felt greatly honoured in seeing Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson at; Ross Home, and they were very pleased to welcome them. It was not possible to give very much detail iu connection with tho home and Hie work that was being done by the Presbyterian Church for orphan children and (he old people.. Tho Church first took up the work about 1007, feeling that it was ealled upon to help the poor and needy and to care for the orphans who bad been left without care and the old people. The Church had two orphanages at Anderson's Buy, on sunny slopes, with a commanding and beautiful outlook. In the Nisliet Home there were about 30 girls, and in the Glendining Home there were about -10 boys. The work had been very successful, and the boys and girls who had gone out from time to time were proving good citizens. Many of the boys served in the war, and some of them had made the supreme sacrifice. The work was managed by a committee, several members of which were present that day. The committee was composed of loading townsmen, who took a very keen interest in (lie work, and they had done a great deal to serve their Church lit this way. The Church realised how very important it was to cure for tlie children, and he thought it had done good work in helping those who had been left homeless. Tho Ross Home was built in IMS. There were 11 acres of ground, which had been given by Sir John' Ross, whom they were very pleased to have with them that day, accompanied by Lady Ross. Sir John Ross had not only given the land, but had helped very materially with the buildings. The buildings cost about £20,000, and d. cost a little more than £3OOO a year to run these institutions. Ti e Ross Homo had about 50 inmates. Tho women were accommodated on one side and tlie men on the other, but provision was made for married couples, who were not separated, and who had rooms of their own. In quite a short time the authorities exi>ectcd to have a hospital built. It would contain two wards—one for men and one for women. They were very pleased that their Excellencies had been able to visit tho homo, and thep hoped that on a future visit to Dunedin they would bo able to visit tho orphanages. Sir Charles Fergusson said he would like to express the great pleasure of her Excellency, ins daughter, ins niece, and himself at being able to pay a visit to the homo. Wherever they went in New Zealand they got a very hearty welcome. From the day when (hey landed they had been received xvith a friendliness which really warmed their hearts. Ho had read somewhere lhat Now Zealand was a land of sunny skies and warm hearts. They had sunny skies that day, and wherever they went' they found warm hearts. There never was a truer saying about Now- Zealand than the one lie had quoted. They had boon in New Zealand for six months, hut owing to the infantile paralysis and Mr Massey’s death they had hitherto l>oen prevented from seeing any of the country except Wellington and AnckJand and the surroundings of those cities. They had come to Dunedin for just two (lavs, not because they would not like to say for two months, hut because then- could get away tor only a few days- If they had not come at the present, juncture they would have had to wait till November, and they could not think of waiting so long. They were looking forward lo coming back in the summer and making a much longer stay, and ho hoped that on that occasion •they would really make friends. In Auckland and Wellington they had toon similarinstitutions—orphanages and homes for the aged. Iu Wellington they had had the great happiness of getting the old folk down to spend an afternoon with them, and it was one of the happiest afternoons (hoy had spent in Now'Zealand. (Applause.) Her Excellency and ho had enjoyed going to the home and having a talk with those present. 'They hoped that during tho- time they wore in New Zealand they would become much better acquainted with the people and that they would become real friends. It was delightful to come to a country like New Zealand and find how much was being done by tho kindness of one person and another to care for those who needed care, such as (he orphans and the aged people, and it wan delightful to find that the church with which he was most closely connected was taking tho lead in llicse matters all over Now Zealand. He supposed ho must not talk too much about Scotchmen or of being connected -with any particular church, but he thought lie might say that he was proud of being a Scotchman and proud of being connected with the church. Ho was particularly proud, because ho saw how inucti good work was being done by tho descendants of the church in this country. It was a particular pleasure to have the opportunity of meeting Sir John and Lady Ross, and it was delightful to know that they had been pood enough to join in the welcome. In conclusion. Sir Charles said that Lady Fergusson and ho were looking forward to coming to Dunedin again in a few months, and they hoped to have the privilege of becoming better acquainted with tlie people. (Applause.) , , . • Mrs Edwards, one of the oldest inmates of the home, then presented Lady Alice Fergusson with a beautiful bouquet. Sir Charles raised a hearty laugh by remarking : “I hope tho oldest is going to present me with a bouquet too.” Before taking their departure the Vico Regal party were shown over the building.

ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON. SIR CHARLES FERGUSSON , entertained. Tho Governor-General was the guest of honour at tho weekly luncheon of the Rotary Club, which was heldl m the Savoy Lounge yesterday. Dr Marshall Macdonald (president of the Rotary Club) occupied tho chair, and there were nearly 80 members present. . , . . M i • After the Governor-General had to I* on his seat tho following song of welcome composed by a local rotanan, was sung to me tune of “Men of Harlech. . Hull! tlic chief of nil Kew Zealand, Chieftain of the Scottish Uiflnnd, Snit to us from Hritum’s Freeland, Royal guest is he. We arc hero to greet thee, (Had are we to meet thee; Isjvnl and true, we’ll follow you. Whom Britain’s King has sent to dwcl iJinoug us. JTail! :i solfiiur triorl and loyal, Hail! our guest, on service Royal, Welcome to Otago’s soil, Guest yf Rotary. After lunch had been partaken of the Chairman said it gave him groat pleasure to extend a very hearty welcome Jo Rotar.an Sir Charles Fergusson.—(Applaus .) no thought he was justified in saying tuat that was a red letter day in the history the Dunedin Rotary CluD. It was a matter of very great satsfnctipn to them to bo able to welcome a Governor-General who was also a Rotanan, because they t<w«f that as a recognition of the high ideal., tor which Rotary stood—the ideals that they sot before them and which, above all, they wore trying to impress on the youngcr genoration. Ho was sure that, Iris Exc - lency would be very glad to hear that tho Duncd’ii Rotary Club, although it was a young one, entering on its third year, had devoted most of its energies towards assisting what it called the boys movement. This was a movement very dear to his Excellency’s heart. The club s energies had been directed chiefly towards .assisting the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides. it believed that tho Scouts should carry out in tho spirit and letter the objects which the leaders of the Scout movement had before them. Tho club felt that if it was to tackle with any hope of success the many evil influences at work in tile world to-day ifc must get tho help of the young men and women whoso minds wore m the plastic stage, who would put service above self and who would pay attention to discipline and duty, about which his Excellency so ably spoke tty* other night. lhat was oiio reason why they were so Mad to have as Governor-General men who _had distinguished themselves in the Royal Navy and tho British Army—(applause)—-bocaige those wore the men who would provide the exemplification of what they were striving for as a Rotarw Club. They believed that Rotary was one of the best ways, if not the best, way, of accomplishing that ideal. They were glad to Welcome his Excellency as a distinguished soldier, because they wore pleased lo have another opportunity of associating themselves wit.li the great British Army through such a distinguished representative as they had in the present Governor-General. When Ixird Jelliooe loft those shores everyone felt that his successor would have a very difficult position to fill in following in his footsteps. Before Sir Charles Fergusson came hero the people had heard of his accomplishments, and now they knew of them, and they knew that ho was carrying out that diffi cult task in a very pre-eminent manner. There was another reason for welcoming Su Charles, and that, was because he was the son of the man who first introduced trout into Now Zealand. —(Applause.) He thought, they should erect a monument to that great benefactor, who had given Now Zealanders, so many hours of enjoyment, fa Wellington their representatives were striving to make up their minds whether to have fusion , or confusion in politics. Ho thought that if Sir Charles were to dissolve the House altogether and run the country himself for five years with tho assistance of a few under-secretaries they would have another reason to congratulate themselves.—(Langhter and applause.) So long as tho British Government sent out hero representative men of tho type of the last two Govornors-General no matter what Government was in power he did not think there would be the slightest weakening of the ties that bound us to the Old Country and the Throne. Ho thought they should bo proud of tho fact that the Imperial Government had honoured them by sending out such a distinguished man.—(Applause.) Sir Charles Fergusson, who was greeted with tho singing of “F"or He’s a Jolly Good Fellow," loud cheers, and applause, said he wished, first of all, to thank them for their welcome. A Rotary Club gave one a lesson in how welcomes should, bo given. Ho had learned that in Wellington, and had had further experience of it in Auckland. He could not tell them how much ho appreciated tho kind things that had been said about him. Tho previous speaker had suggested that it would bo a good thing if ho assumed control of affairs in New Zealand himself, but ho was (round to say that the prospect would fill him wfth alarm. In case there was any feeling abroad that ho was assuming to take such an unconstitutional step as to declare himself dictator in New Zealand, might he say that ho had no intention of so doing? Ho thought New Zealand wag a magnificent country, and he thought he would prefer to remain perfectly neutral. He* was delighted to hear Dr Macdonald say that ho could claim a reflected glory because his father had introduced trout into Now Zealand. He had previously noted that fact as tho most tolling thing to bring out in his speeches.—(Laughter.) When ho came to New Zealand he got letters and had personal interviews with people who said his father was not the first man to introduce trout. He did not know who introduced the first trout, but ho had a vivid recollection that when he was a boy ho wont down to the Hutt River with his father and certain tanks and there seeing live trout released into tho river. He also remembered his father telling him that tho trout came from their little burn at Home. In (heir game book there was an entry in 1873 relating to some small trout being caught and despatched to" Now Zealand!! When ho took over from Lord Jellicoo he received some notes relating lo the Rotary clubs in Now Zealand. Lord Jellicoo had stated that the, speaker would find those clubs of enormous help if there was anything lhat ho wanted done. He (Sir Charles) could honestly say that in his short experience Lord Jellicoe’s recommendations had been amply fulfilled. His Excellency went on lo say that from his experience of the Boy Scouts ho knew how much the Rotary clubs were doing to help the movement, and ho knew how much Dunedin was doing. But this was not the only way in which the Rotary clubs had helped. ' He made it a common rule not lo join in an appeal to tho public for subscriptions, but be had made two exceptions. The first. was in Auckland, where the jubilee Instiluto for tho Blind was in a very poor way. lie thought that could be classed as an exception, as .it was a dominion matter and was an appeal for the Hind. Ho made an appeal, which was taken up next doy by the Rotary Club, which had practically "guaranteed to raise £15,000 within throe months for the object in view. (Applause.) He understood that tho whole of Auckland had been organised in a most methodical way. He had had a letter from Rotarian Hutchison last week stating that the first steps had been taken and that they had already started building. The next exception was in regard to the Kantane Home in Wellington. Last week ho was asked to take part in a public mooting, and he thought, it was a fair thing lo make an exception. The Wellington Rotary Club took the maltor up. and on the nail subscribed £2OOO, while in the first three days of the appeal it raised another £2OOO. These were two instances of what Rotary had done. As regards the movement generally he. was intensely thankful to be associated with il, because it seemed lo him to fill one of the greatest needs of tho present time. . Not only was it training tho young, but it was carrying out important lessons learned during the .war. Out of the war there had grown one very good tiling and that was an intense longing on I ho part, of the people all over the world for better conditions, and the people had seen that the only way to get better conditions was to frame Iho idea of service above self. That could bo seen in a thousand different ways, and it invariably sprang from tho conception of military service. Men learned during the war that the military creed was the creed of self-forgetful-ness. Once a man joined tho army he lost his individuality, and he did his duty bocause it was Ins duty lo his fellow-men. This sense of loyalty grew up with a man from tlie moment he joined the army, when he became one of a baud of brothers pledged to do all they could for the common good. In the war onr men stuck it out: (o the end, knowing that by sacrificing themselves they were going to help their enmrhdes or "help the ctm.se. They could all realise that they owed something to the country beyond mere rates and taxes. They had realised that service represented the rent for their room upon earth. When tho ideal of Rotary became deeply rooted in a community and permeated the whole world the problems which were now causing so much anxieiv would be solved. (More Rotary progre-s and more progress of the _ I' ■ H. movement would, he believed, revo.iitmnise 1 tho world more than anything else. Rotary 1

was criticised at times as a too exclusive body, but that was done by people who did not know what the movement meant. He thought it was necessary that Rotarian? should always remember the danger of a movement of this sort being allowed to slacken off and lizzie out after it became established. There must be active work. The movement must show itself to be strong, vigorous, and active, otherwise it would fizzle out. From what; he had seen he did not think there was any danger of that at present, because the Rotary clubs were so well organised that just now it was all active work. It was because Rotary stood for the principle. of service, which, he thought, was going to- be the solution of their difficulties, that he was proud to belong to it. He would be proud to join their gatherings, and if there was anything he could do it. would be gladly done. He hoped they would not look on him as being in any way removed from them. He would like to be a simple Rotarian and take part in tho matters they had in view.—(Applause.). Mr Tapley moved a hearty vote of thanks to Sir Charles Fergusson for his address. Ho said they had listened with great interest to the Governor-General's remarks, and they were very proud to think that Rotarian Sir Charles was one of themseives. Sir Charles was a Rotarian in spirit and a Rotarian in every sense of the word, and in every address he had given in-Dunedin ho had provided them with fresh food for "thought. . The motion was carried with enthusiasm. A number of community songs were sung under the leadership of Mr Drew, and a solo was rendered by Mr L. North. The accompaniments were played by Mr Bennoll. The proceedings were brought to a close with the singing of a verse of the National Anthem. PLUNKET NURSING. * .. NEW QUARTERS AT KARITANE. FOUNDATION STONE LAID. The official function of the laying of the foundation stone of the nurses’ new quarters at the Kuritane-Harris Hospital drew a large gathering to the site of the new building yesterday afternoon. Tho work of erection was started only seven weeks ago, but very rapid progress Ims been made, and the brick walls have already reached a height that gives an adequate idea of the extent and massiveness of the building. It is a two-storey building with dormer gabies and contains no fewer than 57 separate bedrooms, in each one of which, it may he mentioned, a wardrobe is provided. The cost of the building will bo between £14,000 and £15,000. The architects are Messrs Mandcno and Fraser, and the Fletcher Construction Company is the contractor. The site of the new home is just across the street from the back or the Karitiuie-Harris Hospital and a little higher up the hill. Its main purpose, is to provide accommodation for nurses from all over Now Zealand who will take here a special short intensive course of training in Plunkot Society methods. Tho site was gaily decorated with flags yesterday, and an extensive wooden staging held seats for ft large number of visitors. It was evident that the function had attracted wide interest, and prominent among those present were not only officials and members of the PJunket Society, but loaders in medical, educational, ecclesiastical, legal, and social circles of the city. A band of ITunket nurses to the number of about 50 drawn up at the entrance formed a guard of honour to receive the Vice-regal party*. Among the apologies announced by the Mayor, Mr H. L. Tapley, who presided, were ones received from the Hon. J. G. Contes, Prime Minister, Sir Maui Pomare, Minister of Health, Sir James Parr, Minister of Education, Sir Truby King, Director of Child Welfare, Dr M H. Watt, Acting Director-General of Health, and Mr W. E. S. Knight, chairman of the Otago Ilospital Board. The Mayor, in welcoming the Vice-regal party, expressed Ins sense of the very- high honour conferred on him that afternoon by the X’lunket Society in asking him to preside. He had always had an intense admiration for tile splendid humanitarian work being carried on by the society in connection with the Karitane-Harris Hospital. Their Excellencies had already evinced a very practical and warm interest in the doings of the society. In Wellington they had themselves moved to forward its interests in a practical way, and it was therefore a special pleasure that on this their first official visit to Dunedin they should have their presence on that occasion. This new building at the Karitane-Harris Hospital was being erected in order to provide accommodation for midwifery- nurses who would take a special short, intensive course of training in .the Plunket Society’s methods. This course had been arranged for in compliance with the Health Department’s request for tho co-operation of the society in reducing maternal mortality and infantile mortality in the first month of life. ’l’he Government, recognising the splendid work so far done by the Karitane Harris Ilospital, was handing over to it this very important matter of trying to reduce the unfortunate maternal mortality that had been taking place. They regretted exceedingly that it, was not their pleasure to have with them that day the founder of the Plunket Society, Sir Truby King. Out of the scheme he evolved in this city 18 years ago tho movement had now spread not only over thg whole of the dominion, but over tho whole of the Empire and m Eastern and Continental countries. Since Sir Trubv’s scheme had been promulgated tho infant mortality rate in the dominion had been reduced to less than a. half of what it was previously. If there was any man in the dominion who deserved the thanks of tho dominion and of the Empire it was Sir Truby King. They were most grateful to the band of women and also to the men who wore devoting 1 themselves to this noble humanitarian work. It must be a great, joy to them to see the consummation of what had been their ideal for so Ion"-. - The Government of the country, fortunately, realised the great value and importance of the society s yiork, as was shown bv the Government’s financial support It' was providing £12,000, tho estimated cost of this braiding, but estimates were not always correct, and the lowest tender was £14,450. He was sure the Governmcnt -would not spoil the ship for a ha’porth of tar, and that the additional £2450 would be forthcoming. The very fine property on which the building was being elected‘was a gift to the society in memory of the late Mr Horatio Massey, of Invercar'dll His widow and daughter were giv'mg the sum of £2OOO to be expended for this purpose. It was hope* that this generous donation would bo the forerunner of mßuy others rs funds wore urgently needed to enable the society to extend its beneficent work.—-(Applause.) Mrs J. A. Johnstope, as president of tho Plunket Society, then requested his Excellency to lay the foundation stone, which bears tho following inscription:— “This stone was laid by his Excellency Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart., LL.D. (Glas.), C MU., K.C.8., D. 5.0., M.V.0., GovernorGeneral of New Zealand. 11-6-25. In a ringing, clear voice his Excellency declared the stone "Weil and truly laid." lie began a speech which was a model of brevity and pith by pleasantly remarking that it was cold, and though ho had on a thick coat he saw there some people who bad not. If lie kept them too long the Hospital might bo tilled with people who were not expecting to bo there.—(Laughter.) He expressed groat regret at the acsence of Sir Truby King. He was sure they were all delighted beyond words when his Majesty conferred upon him the honour that he did. It had been one of his greatest pleasures at Government House last week to hand to Sir Truby King his Royal patent of knighthood The thanks of the whole dominion were due to Sir Truby and Lady King for their work. Not only the dominion but the whole world owed a debt of gratitude to those whose minds conceived and whose energy carried on the wonderful work which was centred in this Plunket Society. It was their privilege last Friday to be present at a large public meeting in Wellington called for the purpose of raising additional funds for building a Karitane Hospital. He then had the pleasure—if he( might say so without egotism—of showing how much he had learned of the work of the society. It was work in which every one of them must be deeply interested. 'The figures that had been quoted were well known to them, but might, he ask, Did everyone recognise the immense difference between the figures for New Zealand and those which obtained in other countries - ; He thought he was right in saying that the next, country to New Zealand—he need not specify it—showed a figure of no less than 15 per cent., where ours was 4 per cent., and the figure in some countries rose as high as 23 and 28. That showed how the work which this society had done in New Zealand had born fruit. But there was this one point to remember. and that was that the work was only half done, because although tho rate of mortality among children below two years of age had come down to that low figure, still there was much to ho done before the figures of mortality for the first month were as satisfactory as they should bo. To obtain that result ho was quite

sure he was right, in saying that it was only a matter of education, education of the mothers in what ought to be done to reduce that mortality. That could only be done by the extension of the work of the society, so that the Karitane nurses were trained to give the education to the community in order to reduce a rather lamentable rate of mortality at present. He concluded by assuring them of the pleasure that it gave her Excellency and himself to have the opportunity of taking part in this noble work of humanity.—(Applause.) The lion. C. E. Statham, M.P. (Speaker of the House of Representatives), said he had been asked to say a few words as an M.P., and he was particularly glad to do so because the institution happened to be in the district he represented in Parliament. There were only two things he wished to say. In the first place he believed that there was no question upon which there was such unanimity among the members of the House as upon the question of the good work that was being done by the Plunket Society. He believed that if the. Government brought down any sum of money upon the Estimates to be voted for the work of the society that every member of the House would support it. —(Applause.) In the second place it had been suggested that the work of this society should be nationalised and taken over altogether by the Government and made into' a Government department. He thought they would agree with him that it would be a lasting pity if the work that was well done by this noble band of women in particular were to be taken over by a Government department. It would not be for the good of the work, but a. step in the wrong direction.- —(“Hear, hear, and applause.) Wo in Dunedin were very proud of the fact that this society had< Its birthplace here. We were proud of the fact that its work had extended throughout the whole of the world. He trusted the society would he abundantly blessed in its work in the future. —(Applause.) Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., Chancellor of the Otago University,-and a member of the Advisory Board of the Society, expressed on behalf of the society its deep gratitude and its very sincere thanks to his Excellency for the service ho had rendered that afternoon. The society was very gratified 'that his name was to bo associated with this building. They wore all very pleased at the keen interest his Excellency had displaved in our educational institutions. He was sure Sir Charles had found Ijy this time that they bulked very largely m the life of this community. It was only the previous day lie had had the honour of receiving his Excellency at the University, and so keen was his interest in what he saw there that if the- speaker had not been at his elbow to shove him along he would have missed his lunch.—(Laughter.) He thanked his Excellency also as Chancellor of the University because that building was going, at anyrate in a measure, tosgerve the purposes of the University botP for medical students and for students of home science. _ At Pl tho Se close of the proceedings the majority of those present accepted in© invitation to partake of afternoon tea at th© Kantane ilospital. Their were escorted over the institution by the matron Miss Buisson. In the evening the Vice-regal party were the guests of the Maydr and Mayoress at dinner. INSPECTION AT KENSINGTON HALL. On his way to the Karitane Hospital yastorady afternoon the Hovornor-General, accompanied by Major Havdand AD.C inspected, at Kensington Dnll HalL the weekly parade of C. Company Ist (Cadot) Battalion Otago Regiment (Dunedin Technical High School Cadets). . On arnva the Governor was met by Liedtenant-colonel Bel! D. 5.0., Staff Officer in Conuuand_ of the Regimental District, and then _ watched the cadets carrying out various infantry, musketry, and physical training. exercises. At, the conclusion of the parade, in a short address to the boys. . the them some sound advice in their training and duties as citizens of the Empire. / AT THE Y.M.C.A. In the late afternoon his Excellency visited the Y.M.C.A.. where be met the hoard of directors Captain Sundstrum, the president, in welcoming him, said that he could not but express appreciation for the extreme honour that had been paid the association by this visit. He said thattho Y M.C.A. of Dunedin was endeavouring to serve* the young men and boys munity, but wore specialising in their ettoits with the bovs. The number m membership at present is about S6O. After being introduced individually to the directors present and to several ladies who were also present, his Excellency said that he felt that there was no need of thanks for h.s visit; here for he had a very definite link with the Y.M.C.A., having for four years heea president of the association in his own bcottisn home. He said that his visit at present was necessarily a hurried one, but he hoped he * would have the opportunity oi coming a-ain on tome future occasion and that-Aa would like to be given an opportunity of taking some little part in the work. He then 'visited the swimming pool and the gymnasium, where the married ladies class was in session, and he congratulated both Mr Hanna and the ladies on the excellency of the work being done, saying that as an old soldier the precision of the work Had filled him with interest. In the boys division. Mr Adair took the opportunity of explaining something of the all-round dub programme to his Excellency, who remarked that he found it very similar to the programme being conducted in Auckland for bovs, and agreed that uniformity of work in" all associations would be in the best interests of the work. He was interested in visiting the house department, and expressed surprise at the possibility of supplying board ,pn a profit-earning basis at the rate being charged, saying that conditions here were very different to those pertaining in Great Britain On leaving the building bo was again thanked for his visit and heartily cheered.