THE GOVERNOR AT TAPANUL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 53

THE GOVERNOR AT TAPANUL.

(From Otjb Own Corbespondent.) TAPANUI, November 22. His Excellency Lord Ranfurly arrived at Tapanui by train yesterday afternooa, and was met at the railway station by a, good assemblage of residents. A. neat four-in-hand team was in readiness, and the vice-regal party, the member for Clutha (Mr J. W. Thomson), the Mayor (Mr T. J. Quayle), and the ex-Mayor (Mr J. T. Burrellj were conveyed therein to th*e township, quite a procession of vehicles, cyclists, etc., following. The business places were gay with bunting, and M'Cann's Fr,rmers' Club Hotel, where his Excellency is stopping, was decorated with flags, and the word " Welcome " appeared above- the entrance. The school children were ranged in the street, the Kelso Brass Band provided music, and there was a splendid turnout of people. After the singing of " God save the Queen" the Town Clerk read an address of welcSsae to his Excellency, conveying the pleasure it afforded the residents generally in seeing her Majesty's representative in. the- district, and wishing him a pleasant sojourn here. His Excellency replied, and returned thanks for the kindly welcome. He expressed the hope- that his visits throughout the colony would, be of benefit to N<w Zealand and the mother land- He was also pleased at leasning that the volunteer movement .had been, taken up in the district. Hearty cheers were then given for Lord Ranfurly, and after he had viewed- the school children and chatted with newly-made acquaintances sea-fs were, again taken in the conveyance for a trip round the northern portion of the district, via, Crookston, Heriot, and Kelso. The procession comprised a guard of mounted constables (Matheson and Matthews), the four-in-hand team with the vice-regal party, and two waggonettes containing the borough councillors, and had quite an imposing appearance. The trip was a very pleasant one. His Excellency could not have seen the country to better advantage, and no doubt the prosperous appearance of the farmers' holdings would not escape hi? keen observation. At Oookston he was met by the chairman of the School Committee and a number of residents, and after friendly introductions and a word to the children, promising them a holiday, the journey was resumed. There was a.' large gathering at Heriot, and here an address of welcome was read by Mr T. J. Collins, and happily replied to by Lord Ranfurly. In the course of his re-_ marks his Excellency said he would probably" be driving through Heriot at the end of January or beginning of February on a tour through the goldfields. " G-od save the Queen," cheers for her Majesty and the Governor, and a few words to the children by his Excellency again comprised the programme. At Kelso a similar proceeding was gone through, Mr Malcolm welcoming the' Governor in a few loyal and appropriate remarks. Tapanui was reached shortly before 6*o'clock, and hia Excellency dined with the Mayor and member for the district at M'Cann's Hotel. No function was arranged for the evening, but the young people got up a dance in honour of the occasion. Lord Eanfurly has delighted the people j of this part by his genial and pleasing manner, and the expression made ,m the Tapanui ad- j dress of welcome that "he is really and in truth a Governor for the people " is fully borne ' out on his acqur intance being made. i To-day a fishing party has been arranged, the scene of operations being on the Waipahi Stream), and some prominent local anglers have the arrangements in hand. To-morrow the State nursery ancl school will be visited, and the Governor will leave for Dunedin by the midday train. His Excellency is fortunate in

meeting with such splendid weather after the [ unsettled variety we have had lately. Unfor- J tunately the rains have spoilt the best fishing water in the Pornahaka River, otherwise good sport would have been assured there, as the Wairaahi is' too well iished. .