BOUND FOR BRITAIN

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 60

BOUND FOR BRITAIN

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S FAREWELL.

MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE. WELLINGTON, February 7. The Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) and Lady Alice Fergusson will leave Wellington on the Kangitata to-morrow afternoon for the Homeland. His Excellency's farewell message to the people of New Zealand is as follows :— On leaving New Zealand, Lady Alice Fergusson and I wish to express our deep gratitude for all the kindness shown to us by one and all during our stay in the country. In our farewell tours wc have tried to convey to you our appreciation of all that has been done t<> make our stay pleasant, and to express the happiness with which we have made our home among you during the last five years, and the regret with which we part from you. Our term of office has passed all too quickly for us, and we have nothing hut the most happy and grateful recollections of the country and its people. We would like to add a special word of thanks and of farewell to the people of the Native race, whose friendship and confidence we have greatly enjoyed and prized. To all in New Zealand we send an affectionate farewell, not forgetting the childr-n and young people who have at all times been such a joy to us. We have loved New Zealand since the time when we were children ourselves here, and we shall keep our happy memory of her for all time.

PRESENTATION OF ILLUMINATED ADDRESS. WELLINGTON. February 6. An illuminated address ami album of photographs were presented to sir Cliarles and Lady Alice Fergusson by the Mayor (Mr G. A, Troup), on behalf of the people of Wellington and the surrounding boroughs ami disti nets. at a civic farew-ll gathering in the Town Hall to-night. They are fine examples of the engravers’ and binders’ art. The volume is bound in dark blue morocco, inlaid with green, red, and gold, and bears Sir Charles Fergusson’s crest —a Scotch thistle iu gold and the motto, “ Dalcius ex asperis.” The binding is the work of Mr J. Kinsell. The engraving and bordering—the latter largely carried out in Maori motifs —is the work of Mr W. R. Bock, who has a long list of artistic and finely-executed works of this kind to his credit. Appended to the address are the signatures of the mayors of Wellington (Mr G. A. Troup), Lower Hutt (Sir Alexander Roberts), Petone (Mr 1). MKenzie), Eastbourne (Mr 11. M. Jones), Upper Hutt (Mr P. Robertson), the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board (Mr J. W. M'Ewan), and the chairmen of the Hutt County Council (Mr 1). R. Hoggard). Makara County Council (Mr E. Windley), and the Johnsonville Town Board (Mr A. A, Moore).

The sepia-toned photographs included in the volume are representative of the various districts, among them being panoramas of the city and harbour (1841 and 1929), and views of Lower Hutt, Petone. the Botanic Gardens. Oriental Bay, Day’s Bay, Maidstone Park, Barton’s Bush, Upper Hutt, Titahi Bay, Johnsonville, and the seascape from the top of Paekakariki Hill. The address and photographs are contained in a finely-carved kauri ebonyfinished casket, measuring IGin by 14in by 31 in. The slightly convex lid has a unique design of four tuataras, with noses meeting in the centre and the tails running to the corners. The sides are carved in rich relief with symbolical designs, and the four corners are ornamented with projecting bird-like heads. The casket is the work of a Rotorua craftsman.