'GOOD-BYE MEW ZEALAND'

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16297, 23 March 1927, Page 7

'GOOD-BYE MEW ZEALAND'

DUKE AND DUCHESS DEPART TOUR A GREAT SUCCESS tP«r Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, last night. The Duke of I'ork's tour went without , a hitch from beginning to end and finished in a rain storm at Bluff. The journey from Queenstown was uneventful. The citizens of Gore and the surrounding 6 country turned out in thousands and gave the Duke a hearty reception, and Invercargill's cheery welcome was not dampened by the rain that was falling. A kewpie doll and perambulator were presented to the Duke for his little daughter by the boys and girls of Southland. Among those who met the Duke here were the Premier and Mrs. Coates, Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. K. S. Williams and Mrs. Williams. The Duke inspected the returned soldiers, cadets and Girl Guides. Seven thousand children marched past over the muddy track, while rain was falling. The departure from Bluff took place in a bitter rain storm. The Duke shook. hands with the officials, journalists and others who had been engaged on the Royal tour. This he did under the shelter of the roofed railway platform. He then walked in the rain across the railway line and along the wharf to H.M.S. Diomede. Then the Roval Standard was transferred to the Harbor Board tag, on which the Royal party steamed out to the Renown, which had come in from Stewart Island and appeared like a wraith ship in the murk and the mist of the storm which was driving outside the harbor. The tour was at an end. It had been a great success. No untoward incident had occurred and the weather did not* matter. HOB ART'S APPLE ARCH HOB ART, March 14. To typify one of Tasmania's "principal industries it is suggested that t an apple arch be erected in a prominent position in Hobart, for the" visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. A similar arch was erected- when the present. King and Queen, then Duke and Duchess of York and Cofii : wall, visited Hobart. -■■ -"

"HAD A WONDBRPUL TIME" '" THE WELCOME MOVED US." DUKE'S FAREWELL MESSAGE. (Per Press Association.) INVEROARGILL, last night, The following is the Duke's farewell message to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergusson, on the eve of His Royal Highness' departure from Bluff r—--22nd March, 1927. My dear Governor-General — .The time has come when, to the very great regret of the Duchess and myself, wo'must say " Good-bye " to New Zealand. We have liad a, wonderful time, and it is difficult to find words in which adequately to express our thanks to all thosj'e who have.contributed to the comforts and enjoyment of ourselves and staff. To yourself personally and to Her Excellency, we are greatly indebted for your kindness and hospitality. Our deep gratitude is also duo to the Prime Minister axifi to the Dominion GovernI rnent for their most generous hospitality arid for the-great care and consideration with which they pianned and arranged .the. whole of our tour. When all the Government services have done so much for his, it is difficult to single out any for special mention, but I should like to place oh record my keen appreciation of the services rendered by the railway, Post, Office, transport, and. police departments. We are deeply sensible- of tiio trouble taken and preparations made by tli.e mayors and other local authorities in connection with our reception at every place where wo have stopped. The wonderful enthusiasm and warmhearted welcome with which wo have everywhere been greeted by the members of both races have greatly moved us. .It was made plain on every occasion that the enthusiasm sprang from tlio spirit of intense loyalty which characterises the people of New* Zealand. It was the sitine spirit allien animated those'men aiid women who served in tlie Great War, so many of whom we have had the good fortune to meet during our tour.

j J desire also to take this opportunity to thank the representatives of the New Zealand press for the consideration and courtesy which tlioy have displayed at all time's. It was a most bitter disappointment tp the Duchess and myself that, she was unable to accompany me on the South Island tour. I trust that, on some future occasion, she may be able to visit with me tliose districts which she was, unfortunately, prevented from visiting this time. So long as we live we shall always carry with us the happiest memories of our visit lo v New Zenland, of the deep-rooted loyalty of its peoole to Kin...- and Empire, of the striking likeness of the country to Homein its natural characteristics and devotion to the same ideal"; of the natural resources of the Dominion and the great Dolentialities of its agricultural and commercial industries, some of which I was so glad to visit; of the beauty and variety of its scenery and the magnificent opportunities for sport of all kinds, of the interesting Maori life and customs, and of the harmonious relations existing between the two races, and one of the most vivid memories of all—tlie smiling faces and sturdiness of the children? ,wlio, iGveVywhere, .greeted m in itiQii' thousands. Oriee more, wo thank you all from the bottom of our hearts amil-gend Now Zealand, its Government,'

\ and its people, our best wishes for their continued welfare and prosperity. I am yours very sincerely—- * ALBERT. GOYERNpR-GENERAL'S reply. To. this the Governor-General replied as follows : : His Royal Highness the Duke of York— I have the honor, with my humble doty, to acknowledge and to thank your Royal Highness for your most gracious letter, which will go to the hearts of all who read it. No greater pleasure can be given to the people of. New Zealand I than the assurance that your Royal • Highnesses have enjoyed the tour ! through the Dominion, and have realised ' the depth and sincerity of the loyalty of its people, <• and I would add personal affection which Your Royal Highnesses have inspired. On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand I wish Your Royal Highnesses all health and success during the remainder , of the tour, and all happiness on your return home at its conclusion. (Signed) CHARLES, FERGUSSON, Governor-General. PREMIER'S STATEMENT. Interviewed this evening by the Press Association representative, the Prime Minister said: — " The visit to the Dominion of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York has been a great honor and pleasure to tho people of New Zealand. It has been, I know, a. tremendous disappointment to those iii the. South Island that indisposition prevented Her Royal Hign*e.*i fiom taking part in the southern portion of the tour, but I feel sure we all recognise how impossible this would have been in the circumstances. We are most thankful that she has sufficiently recovered to proceed to Australia- We all fully appreciate how exacting the duties of Their Royal Highnesses must have been, more particularly on. account of the strenuous and continuous travelling that had to be undertaken. "The tour, though trying from this point of view, has, however, been' remarkably successful in every way. This has been fully shown by the spontaneous enthusiasm' iwitili which Their Royal Highnesses have everywhere' been received throughout tlie country. The civic and local authorities are deserving of tlio highest praise for the assistance they gave in receiving and entertaining our Royal guests, whilst the officials connected' with the arrangements of tjifc tour are to bo complimented upon tlio efficiency of their work. It remains only to be said that the memory of this Royal visit will be treasured by all, and more particularly by the rising generation, in whom Their Royal Highnesses, on all occasions, have taken the keenest interest." MAORIS' FAREWELL. The Hon. Sir Maui Pomare yesterday forwarded to the secretary to His Royal. Highness the Duke of York tlio following message: "Will you kindly convey to ' their Royal Highnesses the following message from the Maori people : ' Haer'e m, e to Kotnjcu! Rcrenga Tain' me to kahurangi lea melianieha Kia. Ota." The translation is: "Farewell to you the snow white crane, which flies but oijco iu a lifetime, and to your priceless garment of heaven. Good luck." •SYDNEY PREPARES. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United" Press AssiL) SYDNEY, March 22. The railways and tramways anticipate handling record crowds during the Royal visit. They arc requisitioning all the available rolliug stock, and holiday leave amoiig the employees has i been stopped.