THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 36

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

(Fboh Oub Own Correspondent.) Kaitangata, Jnne 6.

His Excellency the Governor paid * visit here to-day, and was cordially received. On arrival at the station an illuminated address was presented by the mayor. The party were then taken up to the Kaitangata Company's coal mine, which was inspeoted. Afterwards they were dri?en in drags to the school, and then to the Bridge Hotel, where a sumptuous lunch was- set out. Excellent speeches were made by the Governor, bhe Mayor, and the Hon. T. Fergus. The party were driven round the township in drags after lunch, and left in the afternoon brain for Dunedin, amidst ringing cheers. The weather ws* lovely. '

The address "'presented to his.. Excellency at Mataura, where he was welcomed on Friday by the mayor (Mr H. Cameron), borough council* lors, and others, waß a model of brevity. His Excellency and party were entertained at luncheon, and afterwards visited bhe State school, when the children sang a patriotic song. The party afterwards visited Messrs Gardiner and Son's implement factory, bhe Mataura Paper Miils, and the Southland Refrigerating Company's works. His Excellency and party visited Gore on Saturday morning. The Gore Rifles furnished a guard of honour, and the Gore Brass Band played the National Anthem as the train drew up to the platform. The loyal address was handsomely framed in New Zealand woods, and was ornamented by a few water colour views. After his Excellency had replied to the address from the corporation he received an artistically prepared address from ths Irian residents of Gore. At the top was the harp of Erin, wrought in green aud gold, set in the centre of a cluster of ahamrotfcs. The address w«s bordered with pearls, and set in a baekgroundof pale blue plusb, the ef&cb being delighbfullj artistic and original, the whole being the work of the nuns of the loc«l convent. In reply his Excellency said :—": — " No address presented to me as the representative of Her Most Gracions Majesty fche Qusen could be more acceptable to me, personally, than this ' which emaaates from my own countrymen. An Irishman myself, is is n matter ot pride fo me to see how in all parts of th« British Empire Irish* men are taking prominent places, and coatribuiiag their pare to the advancement of civilisation, and to the welfare of a large portion of the world. Bound together as are all divisions of the British Isles by common interests, traditions, and -blood, it is invidious to give any one of the three a" choice, bub we Irishmen "may justly congratulate ourselves tipon the many greab and valiant names of our countrymen to whom the British Empire owes so much. Without the great Duke «f Wellington to deliver Europe in the hour of trial, the Lawrences, Nicholsons, Goughs, and Montgomerys, aptly termed " saviours of India," anil many another celebrated liwhman, we could scarcely hope to occupy the unparalleled position we now hold to the admiration and envy of the whole world ; and in present times, should the clouds of war break over us, we should again look to Irishmen to lead us to victory, for our two greatest generals — Lord Wolseley and Lord Roberts— own Ireland as the land of their birth. In the three- divisions of our nation ws possess the three elements essential to prosperity — English enterprise, Scotch prudence, and Irish enthusiasm, with the courage peculiar to all three. Where else can such a combination be found ? ■So let ua each strive to fulfil his part nobly, and vie with, one another only in the effort to promote the well-being of the great whole. The Vice-regal party, accompanied by the mayor and councillors and Mr M'Nab, M.H.R., then proceeded to the Gore School, where they were met and welcomed by the chairman and members of bhe committee. The children sang a verse of the National Anthem, and in a brief address Lord Rnnfurly counselled them to make the best use of their school days — to so work that they would fit themselves to 'become worthy citizens of the British < Empire. Eaeb Gore School was next visited, his Excellency being welcomed there by'-the 'Rev. J. A. Asher and Mr J. Latham. The children sang a verse of the National Anthem, aud his Excellency addressed them iv similar terms as those employed by him to the soaolars of the Gore School. The visitors were thereafter showu over bhe Gore Electric Light Works. After luncheon his Exopll^twy »nd suite, accompanied by the mayor and noanoilior*, started on a driving tour thrown tbe W-dkaka, Chatton, Knapdale, and OUwa dfc*"*otß, and on their return were enterta'T^ by the mayor at • dinner at the Criterion Hotel. . " l