GISBORNE’S WELCOME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18759, 16 July 1935, Page 4

GISBORNE’S WELCOME

AFFECTION AND LOYALTY VICEREGAL PARTY ARRIVES FIRST VISIT TO POVERTY BAY Demonstrations oi’ loyalty and cordial interest in the personalities of the Gov-ernor-General and Viscountess Galway were furnished to-day on a. scale unsurpassed on any previous occasion of the kind, when Their Excellencies were tendered a civic welcome on their first visit to Gisborne, and an address of loyalty was presented to Viscount Galway as the representatives in New Zealand of His Majesty the Kin". Large crowds filled the streets during the early part of the day, bent on catching tin' first- glimpse 'of • the vViceRegal visitors, who arrived in Gisborne last- evening after dusk. The journey to Gisborne" from Rotorua yesterday had been almost without incident, though there were possibilities of trouble in one episode on the Waioeka road, and Their Excellencies bad enjoyed a quiet evening after the journey. . They were much interested in, the day's programme in connection with (heir visit to (his district, anti were looking forward/to seeing and meeting as many as possible of the people oi Gisborne and Loverly Ilay. The variety of functions’ were especially selected for (his purpose, and furnished opportunities of meeting with a large number of dif ferent groups of district residents. This morning’s bright sunshine, after the overnight rain, promised to make the. day a delightful one for the \ iceRegal visit. ARRIVAL IN GISBORNE. Oil their arrival in Gisborne, lastevening, Their Excellencies were met- by the Mayor, Mr 1). W. Coleman, M.P., Mrs George Robertson, daughter of the Mayoress, Colonel 1L F. Gambrill, and the town clerk, Mr W. ,M. Jenkins. The Mayoress, Mrs Coleman, was unable through ill health to ta"kc part in the informal welcome, and her duties were delegated to Mrs Robertson, with whom Viscountess Galway chatted for some minutes concerning the journey from Rotorua. The Mayor and Colonel Gambrill discussed with His Excellency details of (his morning’s functions, Lord Galway -signifying his satisfaction with the arrangements and his desire that, once the functions relating to his capacity as the King’s representative had been completed, the further proceedings should lie as informal as possible. Their Excellencies were accompanied to Gisborne by Sir Standish O’Grady Roche, aide-de-camp to the GovernorGeneral. The other members of His Excellency's stall' and household did not make the journey, on which Viscount and Viscountess Galway are travelling with the minimum of formality. MATAWAI GATHERING VICEREGAL PARTY GREETED (Horald Correspondent.) Despite the inclement weather on Monday afternoon, a small but representative gathering assembled to greet the Governor-General at the Matawai Hotel. Owing to the heavy showers, the children irom Rakauroa, Motu and Matawai schools assembled at the .invitation of Mr. R. S. Caulton on the hotel verandah. Major Riddick and returned soldiers in mufti greeted Lord Galway, while Mister Pritchard greeted Lady Galway. Two tiny pupils of the Matawai School, Dot. Taylor and Willie Kerikevi, cm behalf of the two races represented, presented bouquets, the former a bouquet of violets and autumn leaves, and the other a sheaf of native shrubs. Lady Galway smilingly thanked the children. After speaking a few words of greeting to the children, the visitors, attended by Major Riddick, Sister Pritchard and Mr. N. G. Harding, president of the local R.S.A., partook of afternoon tea in the hotel lounge. Later the children sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows” -and (lie National Anthem, and the Viceregal car drew away to tlie echo of resounding cheers. Lord and Lady Galway were the guests of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and it is interesting to note that Mrs. Caulton has entertained all the visiting Governors who have come through this district for the past 25 years, and was very gratified that time allowed of Their Excellencies accepting her hospitality. THE GUARD OF HONOR SMART CADET COMPANY To the High School cadet company was accorded the privilege of furnishing the guard of honor for the Governor-General at- to-dav’s public reception to Their Excellencies, the company turning out in full strength and presenting an exceptionally smart- appearance. Headed by the W.E.C.M.R. Band, the school company marched into position a few minutes before 10 a.m., under Major W. Dunphy and Captain R. Burns. On llie stroke of the hour His Excellency, accompanied by Viscountess Galway and Mrs. George Robertson, the Mayor, Mr. 1). W. Coleman, M.R., and Sir Standish O’Grady Roche, aide-de-camp to the Governor, and Mr. W. M. Jenkins, town clerk, approached on foot from Lowe street, and the guard of honor was called to attention and put. through the brief ceremonial drill associated with the salute, presenting arms to the Viceregal party. His Excellency then inspected the guard, while Viscountess Galway and Mrs. Robertson, the latter deputising for the Mayoress, entered the Majestic Theatre. The inspection completed, His Excellency also entered to he greeted by a large gathering there. Many of those who had followed with the closest interest the incidents in the street, also swelled the crowd inside the theatre, while others watched with unabated interest the completion of the ceremony of dismounting the guard. In this connection, men of considerable experience in the manual of arms expressed keen admiration for the work of the cadets. The most, exacting feature of the ceremony was that of unfixing the bayonets from their rifles, alter the inspection, and in this movement the cadets showed an unusual degree of machinelike precision. In everv detail of t.lieir work they showed the effects of excellent training and discipline, and even rivalled the, work of the experienced members of the W.E.C.M.R. Band, who in their sphere gave a faultless exhibit ion, under the command of Lieut. A- Wood.