GENERAL SIR HECTOR MACDONALD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2485, 30 October 1901, Page 80

GENERAL SIR HECTOR MACDONALD.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC AND CORDIAL

WELCOME.

RECEPTIONS AT BLUFF AND

INVERCAEGILL.

(By Oub Special Cobrespondent.)

INVERCARGILL, October 22.

Four' o'clock this morning, with a heavy fog overhanging the summit of Bluff Hill, did not look promising as we were aroused fey the siren of the tug Theresa Ward to go out into Fouveaux Strait to meet the iWestralia, with the great Scottish General Sir Hector Macdonald on board. However, soon after half-past 4 there were on board Rt least 30 of our leading sons of Scotland. iWhi3tle after whistle failed to bring the Caledonian Pipe Band down to the tug, and at 4.50 the Westralia appeared round the point. Harbourmaster Macdonald cast off und met the steamer at the lightship, escorting her to the berth just opposite the railWay station. Meanwhile the Pipe B?.nd, under Drum-major M'Greg'or, had marched down to the wharf, playing" The Campbells are Coming." By "this time bunting toas flying from the other vessels in port, and the wharf was beginning to have quite an animated appearance. As the steamer JWestralia was making fast the Pipe Band serenaded the General with " The Cock o' the" North," "Mackenzie Highlanders," " Pibroch o' Donuil Dhu," " Over the JWaters," and other tunes, until Dr Torrance, the health officer, had passed the .passengers, when a large ntmiber of persons, headed by Sir J. G. Ward and Mr Arch. M'Kellar, stepped on board at the invitation of Captain Waller. The skipper left Sir Joseph in charge while a welcome cup of coffee was handed round" by the ship's Stewards.

WELCOME AT THE BLUFF.

A few minutes before 6 o'clock General Sir Hector Macdonald, X.C.8., D.5.0., •A.D.C., made his appearance and was welcomed by hearty applause. Among those present in the saloon were Sir J. G. Ward End secretary, Meesrs Arch. M'Kellar (chief of the Highland Society of Southland, whose guest the General is to be during his stay in Southland), Malcolm Robertson (president of the Southland Caledonian Society), Kenneth Cameron (secretary to the Welcoming Committee), Dugald M'Pherson and Roderick Mackenzie (chieftains of the •Dunedin Gaelic Society), Hugh Cameron "(Mataura), Colin, Roderick, Alex., and William Gray (Waianiwa), H. S. Hunter (Injvereargill), W. B. Mitchell (Invercargill), A. Ferguson (Invercargill), I. W. Raymond (Invercargill), Captain Macdonald (Bluff), jW. Forrester (Lime Hills), A. M'Lean (WaiBniwa), D. M'Kenzie (Winton), Jaa. Mackie jLongbush), A. W. M'Gilvray (Invercargill), Peter M'Ewan (Invercargill), G. M'Leod (Waianiwa), D. Noble (Wainiwa), Jno. JFraser (Waimatuku), Hart (Gore), Rev. N. X. M'Laren (Bluff), M'Kay (Stewart Island), jrad others, including some ladies.

After Sir Hector had been introduced to % few of those nearest Sir Joseph by that gentleman, a few minutes were spent in general conversation.

. Sir Joseph then explained that the real Mreleome would be extended to Sir Hector Macdonald in Invercargill, but he would just then briefly welcome him to the colony. He said that, on behalf of the people of the colony, it was hi 3 duty to extend to him a hearty welcome. Had the session of Parliament not been progress he was sure other members of the Ministry and members of the House would have been present to do honour to a person who had from the lowest rung *of the ladder attained to a position of world-wide distinction in the great work of military warfare. The fact that there were present representatives from all over Southland, not only of his own nationality, but of every section of the community, would give him some idea of the esteem in which he was held by ■New Zealanders, and it was the desire of all that this all too •brief visit to the colony would afford none but the pleasantest recollections. While Sir Hector was in the colony th© Government would enable him to ccc whatever part of it he wanted to by the aid of special trains, while he would also be free to use any of the Government Departments, telegraph and postal. He had been besieged by the people yesterday while coming south to make Sir Hector's welcome one befitting the great services he had rendered to the Empire. He hoped the General would be so impressed with our country that he would tome back to reside permanently among us. He congratulated him on his appearance, remarking that with all the great strain of fthe past two years he was looking better than when be (Sir J. G. Ward) paw him a few years ago in London. Ho again Accorded him a hearty welcome. — (Applause.)

Mr A. M'Kellar simply extended a cordial welcome to Sir Hector on behalf of the Jiighland Society.

Sii Hectoi Macdonald, who on rising was %cry warmly received, remarked on the early feour in the morning lor talking, and that he Jiad noticed from Fremanfcle to the Bluff that the people rose early, which no doubt accounted for their prosperity. Alter paying a tribute to our forefathers and the pioneers of tkia colfliiv. he Ranked them

for their kind welcome. He as a soldier had simply tried to do his duty, and he was pleased to see that it had been in a manner which gained approbation. It was with a degree of pleasure that he found the tartan of the old country and the garb of the old Highlands represented in the Toom. It showed they had not been forgotten in this new country. It took the place in this colony of the old antiqitities, old sculpture, and architecture which existed in the old country. He did not wish to say much on the subject, seeing the occasion which had brought together English, Irish, and Scotch. He thanked them for their early attention to him that morning, and wished them to remember he was speaking from the bottom of his heart when he acknowledged the cordial manner in which they had received him.

After this the public withdrew, and some photographs of the General and Sir Joseph were taken on the deck of the steamer.

Your representative waited on Sir Hector, who, in the course of conversation, said that his visit to the colony was an entirely private one, while on leave. He was ignorant of the mode of transport, and therefore could not say how long he would be able^to stay in the colony; but he must be in Colombo on the 12th December. In reply to a direct question, he said, so far as he knew, he had no relatives in New Zealand. He expressed his disappointment at not having seen.Milford Sound, but the weather being so thick had made that quite infpossible. He was delighted to have an opportunity of visiting a colony where so many of his nationality were settled, and apparently thriving. The Otago Gaelic Society's chieftains then had an audience with him, and he said that he would be in Dunedin possibly by Thursday night, but Friday morning at late ,t, and. would be pleased to spend an hour with their Gaelic Society.

To Mrs Alexander Gray, of Wallacetown, belongs the honour of, pinning the first spray of heather in his coat in this colony. The Pipe Band were waiting at the steamer's side for Sir Hector when the train was drawn up to play him to the station, and lie entrained at the Bluff amidst the great enthusiasm of the crowd congregated on the platform.

RECEPTION AT INVERCARGILL.

On arrival at Invercargill of the train from the Bluff a huge crowd was awaiting outside the station premises, while on the platform were Lady and Miss Ward and Mr 3 Henderson, the mayor and councillor?, to whom Sir Hector was introduced. Sir J. G. Ward, in a few words, welcomed Sir Hector to the country and Invercargill, expressing a hope that the school children would be given a whole holiday to mark the event of a visit from a person who had so added to the lustre and glory of the British army. All along the line crowds of children had greeted the General during the train journey from the Bluff, and he had asked for a holiday for them.

The Mayor (Mr C. S. Longuet) briefly welcomed General Sir Hector Macdonald to the town of Invereargill, expressing the belief that had the citizens been given their choice of visitors they would have chosen Sir Hector Macdonald. — (Cheers.) He hoped the General would have an enjoyable sojourn in a province that abounded with men. of his own nationality.

General Sir Hector, in reply, was very brief. He thanked them for the cordial welcome on hia passing through, and was sure that he would enjoy himself. General Macdonald then spent a few minutes with the veterans, who formed a guard of honour through the station building to the street, where a carriage was waiting. He took his seat in the carriage amidst prolonged cheers from the crowd, and was driven round the town to the Club Hotel, where the mayor and councillors entertained him.

This afternoon he was taken for a drive into the country, and expressed himself as delighted with the progress suoh a young country had made.

A huge crowd of country people have been in town all day, and around his hotel large crowds have been cheering themselves hoarse when the General moved out or returned. The weather has been beautiful all day.