THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3655, 1 April 1924, Page 31

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

VISIT TO QUEENSTOWN

His Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Jellieoe, accompanied by Commodore Dove, A.D.C., and Captain Curtis, private secretary, arrived at Queenstown on Wednesday evening by the s.s. Karnslaw. Mr Jas. Horn, M.P., joined the vice-regal party at Kingston. When the steamer berthed at the wharf the Alayor (Air A. Simson), the Alayoress, and Captain P. Alaekenzie (representing the military) went on board, and the Mayor accorded his Excellency a hearty welcome to Queenstown. As Lord Jellieoe came down the gangway the large crowd on the wharf burst into hearty cheering, a compliment that was duly acknowledged. A. 8.30 p.m. liis. Excellency was accorded a civic reception in the Garrison Hall, when an address of welcome was presented to him by the Alayor On behalf of the townspeople.

Speeches were also made by the Rev Sholto Bishop and Mr J. Horn, ALP.

His Excellency made an appropriate reply, in which he acknowledged the expressions of loyalty offered by the people of Queenstown, and he thanked them for their hearty welcome. He said that, ho had much enjoyed his trip up the lake from Singston, aiid although he had been so orl a time in Wakatipu he had seen enough of its scenic beauties to make him wish to become more fully acquainted with

all there was yet to be unfolded to him. He was also looking forward with much interest to his expedition into the Routeburn Valley, where he was going to stalk deer. In conclusion, he asked the education authorities to celebrate the occasion giving the school children a holiday. Tire proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem. several townspeople were subsequently introduced to his Excellency. VISIT TO WAKATIPU. The Governor-General and his party had a very full day at Wakatipu on Thursday (writes our correspondent). Accompanied by the Mayor, Mr Jas. Horn, M.P., and sqme of the councillors, and as the guest of the Queenstown Borough Council, his Excellency set out at 8.30 a.m. in brilliant sunshine on a motor trip up the Shotover into the heart of the mining country. When Lord Jellicoe’s visit to Wakatipu was planned, a suggestion was made that he would like to see something of the rivers which it was proposed to dam in connection with the Kawarau gold scheme; also, that he should make acquaintance with some part of the locality which was so much talked of in the light of the probable revival of gold-mining. Hence his excursion into the mountainous region of the Upper Shotover. In order, however, that his Excellency should also have an opportunity of passing through some of the agricultural land of the district, the Frankton road was followed, and the Kawarau Falls visited. Here the site of the proposed dam at the outlet of Lake Wakatipu was pointed out, and a brief outline of the Kawarau scheme was given, in all of which his Excellency appeared to be keenly interested. The cars then sped on their way to the Wakatipu flour mills, where the proprietor, Mr Win. Reid (chairman of the Lake County Council), met the part}' and showed tnem something of one of the district’s industries. The journey was then continued to Arrowtown. The visit to the old gold-mining township was quite unofficial, but .a stop was made for a few minutes and opportunity was given some oi the residents of meeting the Governor-General. It is well worthy of mention that in addition to the several miners present who had come long distances to honour his Excellency seven small children —five of them girls—had walked from Skippers Point, scrambled down precipitous hillsides and crossed over the river in a “chair” in order to see the Governor-General. His hearty handshake and kindly greeting made their long trail well worth while.