THE GOVERNOR'S MOVEMENTS:

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 14

THE GOVERNOR'S MOVEMENTS:

(Bt Our Speoiai Repoktek.) BALCLUTHA, June 3. His Excellency and party put in a busy clay on Saturday. After the visit to Kaifcaongata on the previous day, Balclutha was reached at 5 p.m.., and here, as at Milton, the Governor and suite stayed overnight in the compartments attached to the viceregal travelling carriage. During the night there was a fairly heavy fall of snow, and A when morning broke the whole country side was covered with a white mantle, which, while imparting its own picturesquepess to the surrounding scenery, was not bhe most tempting of weather to go out in. In addition to the snow on the hilltops and low-lying lands in the valley, there were Unmistakable signs of more to follow 1 ; but \he weather indications were not allowed to fnterfere with the mapped-out plan for the Say's proceedings, and at 9.30 a.m. a Bovernor's special drew up at the BalJutha railway platform, and a start was immediately made for those back-blocks of he Catlins district which have been wrought into closer touch with civilisation i>y means of railway communication. The first stoppage made was at ROMAHAPA, where about 25 of the surrounding settlers had gathered at the shed that does duty as ft railway station. Six members of the Clutha Mounted Rifles, under Lieutenant Jackman, were drawn up on the platform as «. guard of honour, and as i he— vice-regal train drew up the customary military palute *was given. Snow was falling heavily at the time, -and on stepping from the platform jLord and Lady Plunket and the Hon. Kathleen Plunket, as well as others of the party, were quickly coated by the Winter iKing. and were thus brought into conformity with the surroundings. Mr William Hay, an old settler and chairman of the Clutha County Council, extended a formal welcome to his Excellency on behalf pf the settlers, and in doing so said it was 38 years since a Governor visited them, and among those present that day were the sons and daughters and the N grand-childreii of early settlers, who came through bush tracks to welcome the then Governor, Sir Geor°e Grey. Cheers having been given for his Excellency, Lady Plunket. the 3Son. Kathleen Plunket, a.nd Sir J. G. 'Ward, the Governor and his lady shook 'Lands with all or nearly all of those proBent, and a promise was made that on some future occasion another visit would be paid 'to the district. As the party departed , cheers were again given, and the train sped to OWAKA. ]Here the station was decorated with what jEags were available, and about 30 of the Inhabitants, braving the elements, assembled \o <1o honour to the King's representative. Mr A. C. Sounder*, on behalf of the people x>[ the dijtiift. extended a cordial welcome to bis IXcelloncv and Lady 1-Munkot, and alho to tiir J. (i. W.-.id, and. m explanation of tl>p sms'lno^ of tho he stated chat culv 'h'^it noti< c -u£ li.j Go\-ci.aoi.'s

intended visit had been given, and this, combined with the weather, accounted for so manj' being away who would have been pleased to be present. The settlement had been in existence for 40 years, and the present was the fiist occasion on which a Governor had visited the place. Lord Plunket, in reply, said it gave- great pleasure to Lady Plunket and himself to visit places off the main lines of traffic. He had not been long in the colony, but had visited as iinauy of such plaoes as possible, and as time progressed he would visit others, and he hoped on some future occasion to be able to return to Owaka and to stay longer. Hearty cheers lor his Excellency ->nd lady followed, and the train then sped to CATLINS, where some 15 or 20 persons assembled on the platform to do honour to the vice-regal j visitors. Mr John White, chairman of the ; School Committee, welcomed the Governor on behalf of the district, and assured him that, though the Catlins district was amongst the most isolated of the backblocks in the colony, his Majesty had no j more loyal or patriotic subjects in the I colony than those in that district. All ! that they wanted was that the railway should be pushed forward and that they should lie given better roads, and whwi these necessaries were provided there would follow a large and thriving population. His Excellency warmly thanked so many of the settlers of the district for coming out to meet him on so inclement a day and on a few hours' notice, and said it was a great satisfaction to him to meet the first pioneers of settlement near their homes. Such settlers were the baokbone of progressive settlement — men and women who said little and did much. With reference to what had been said about railways and roads, Sir T. G. Ward, who was pi'osent, would no doubt make a note of it. During his journeyings through the colony he had observed that other back-blocks wove suffering as the Catlins district was, but it had to be remembered that New Zealand was only a new country, and that such works could only be accomplished by degrees. Mr W. Bannerman, tho local schoolmaster, explained that the school children would have been present, but on a two hours' notice, and some distance to travel, he had been unable to arrange matters. He presented a petition to his Excellency, on behalf of residents of the district, asking that tho name of the local railway station be altered from Catlins to Ralanui, and this his Excellency promised to hand over to Sir J. G. Ward for consideration. The return journey was commenced shortly afterwards, cheers being given as the party departed. On the way back, Messrs J. W. Thomson and T. Mackenzie, M.H.R.'s, were ' picked up at Hunt's road, and j BALCLUTHA ! was reached again shortly after 1 p.m.. Here j his Excellency was met by the Mayor (Mr J. Dunne) and borough councillors, and the I Clutha Brass Band played the National { Anthem as the Governor and Lady Plunket j ond suite alighted on tho platl orm. The j , Clutha Mounted Rifles wore also in attendance, and were lined up as a guaid of i 1. ono or. I

The Town Clerk (Mr J. C. Mitchell) read an address of welcome, signed by the Mayor and councillors, in which pleasure was expressed that his Excellency was visiting all parts of the colony, and that their Excellencies took a deep interest in the various charitable and philanthropic institutions throughout the colony and in every movement which had for its obiect the wellbeing of the people. His Excellency was also asstired of the loyalty of the people of the district to the Throne.

His Excellency replied as follows: — "MiMayor and Gentlemen, — It gives me very much pleasure to have this opportunity of paying a visit to your town, and I am grateful to you for your kind words of welcome. With reference to the remarks in your address as to my visiting all parts of the colony, I can only say that I have every intention of following the excellent example set me by past Governors, and especially by my predecessor. During the time I have been in New Zealand I have visited many districts, both central and scattered, and I can assure you that my experience hitherto of the kindly and loyal welcome that I have received wherever I have been has afforded me not only v great pleasure, but much encouragement to continue my travels and, so far as my other duties permit, to see as much as possible of New Zealand and New Zealanders. You are right in saying that her Excellency and I take a great interest in those institutions in this colony which have for their aim the alleviation of distress of mind and body, and it has given us much satisfaction to find in all parts of New Zealand so many admirable societies of this nature. It affords me much pleasure to know your sentiments of loyalty to his Majesty the King, and it is most gratifying to Lady Plunket and myself to receive so cordial a welcome from the people of Balclutha." His Excellency concluded by complimenting the local band on its very interesting rendering of the National Anthem.

Cheers wore heartily given for Lord and Lady Plunket at the oonelusi »i of tlie addresses, and the Governor and party were Ihen driven to the Town Hall, where a liberal luncheon was partaken of by about 40 guests. The toasts honoured at this function were: "The King" aud "His Excellency the Governor " _ (proposed by the Mayor), " The Parliament of New Zealand " (proposed by Mr W. Hay, and replied to by Sir J. G. Ward), and " The Mayor " (proposed by his Excellency, and responded to by Mr J. Dunne, who, in replying, said it was the eighth occasion on which he had presided at similar functions to Governors of the colony). The luncheon, by request of the Governor, and in order to avoid giving offence to any section, of the community, was conducted on purely tempei*anoe principles, the toasts being honoured in cold water and hot tea. In replying 1 to the toasfc of his health, his Excellency remarked that since he had been in the colony ho had already travelled about 10,000 miles. The Governor and party, accompanied by Sir J. G. "Ward, were then driven back to tin, railway station, where a special train wns in waiting, and, leaving Balchvfcha at 3.15 p. in , no stoppage was made until

Dunedin was reached, about eight minutes before 5 p.m., the journey occupying lhr 37min

VISIT TO PORT CHALMERS,

Shortly after ariiving in town Lord and Lady Plunket and suite proceeded to Port Chalmers. They were met on arrival by the Mayor (Mr Do Maus), who was accompanied by Mr A. Leek, the town clerk. The Mayor expressed pleasure at his Excellency's visit to the port, and hoped that that would not be considered an official- reception. His Excellency said he appreciated the Mayor's kindness in meeting him, and assured him his visit was simply for the purposes of rest. He had recently travelled many hundred miles, and attended inceptions, banquets, and other functions. He hoped on this occasion no public demonstration would be made on Sunday. It was his intention to pay a formal visit to Port Chalmers shortly after the opening of Parliament, and be would take the opportunity then of visiting the various points of interest.

After some conversation of a general nature the interview ended, and his Excellency, attend-ed by Captain Braithwaite, proceeded to the export pier, where the viee -regal train was stationed, and spent Sunday in comparative quiet.

His Excellency and suite attended morning service at Holy Trinity Church, Port Chalmers, on Sunday. The service was choral, and the sermon was preached by the Vicar, the Rev. Mr Christian.