CHILDREN’S RECEPTION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18759, 16 July 1935, Page 6

CHILDREN’S RECEPTION

VICEREGAL ADDRESS ESSAY PRIZES PRESENTED TIES OP THE EMPIRE Children of the town and district accorded Their Excellencies the (iovernorOneral and Lad>, Galway a rousing reception in the Majestic Theatre to-day, and Her Ex la dlency presented Victoria League essav prizes. j Tuc Mayor. .Mr. D. W. Coleman. pn sided, and was supported hv -Mr. -I. 1 1 ul(on. rector of the High School, and Miss A. 1,. 1 tecs, representing the Victoria League. “\\'e have met to-day to extend a loval and hearty welcome on liehalf of tli'e hoys and girls of this district.'' the .Mavor said. “The hoys and girls were una’ho to attend the civic reception earlier in the morning, out they fell that they should have the right to extend their welcome, and they are here now with that purpost in view. (Applause). “They welcome you. ’ His Worship proceeded, “not only to this district hut also to .New Zealand, and hope your stayin the Dominion as His Majesty's representative will he it very pleasant one for both you and vottr family. The children, especially the girls, would have been very pleased 'indeed to have extended your; family a welcome, too. (Applause). And they wish me on their behalf to ask ton to convey to them a very hearty welcome to New ‘Zealand from tile hoys and girls of this district,' hoping that they will carry away with them very pleasant and happy memories of their stay in this; country. They also wish me to extend to you a 'very cordial and loving welcome. LOYALTY UN DIMINISHED .Mr. Hutton reduced his remarks to a verv few words. T should like very much." ho said, “on behalf of the school children, particularly those of the Gisborne High School, to extend a very cordial welcome to onr district. We have had on previous occasions the honor of welcoming representatives of His Majesty to tiiis district, and the school |,nvs and girls have joined in those welcomes. Their loyally remains undirnmished and their welcome is as hearty as ever. Wi welcome you most cordially." “W'e all feel most deeply gratified,” Miss Rees said, “for the trouble ’lour Excellencies have taken of Gisborne so early on their stay in New Zealand, and the hoys and girls of the district are very grateful to have the Victoria League prizes presented by Her Excellency. ' Their Excellencies might wonder why 25 schools were circularised and why only live competed. They might also wonder why most of tho prize-win-ners are girls. Their Excellencies listened to so many words. Miss Rees added, that words sometimes must seem cheap and empty, } ut it was hoped that the visit to-day would instil a greater interest m Empire matters and that next year every schoo which was circularised would enter and that the boys, if they did not quite equal the girls, would come very close. Their Excellencies would be pleased to learn that next year their visit on this occasion had been responsible for an increase of interest. "Now what about it?" concluded Miss Rees. (Applause.) DELIGHTFUL IMPRESSION “It is with great pleasure,” His Excellency said, “for Lady tialway and myself to come here quite early in our slay .in New Zealand to make your acquaintance and get to know about one of the historic parts of vour country. We have already had the opportunity iof visiting many'centres and many districts, and we are enjoying a most delightful impression of this most delightful Dominion. “You are separated by 10,000 miles or more of sea from the Mother country, His Excellency continued, “but we are linked with the Homeland with wireless messages and broadcasts, and no speeches have been listened to with greater interest than those of tho King himself during the recent Jubilee celebrations, particularly in New Zealand. There is no more loyal part of the British Empire than New Zealand. We lire glad and proud to think that Providence lias spared the life of His Majesty so that he could reign for 25 years. Their Majesties are the first occupants of the Throne who have visited all the Dominions of the Empire, and they remember with pride, gratitude and pleasure the welcome given them in New Zealand some 35 years ago. They bold the most remarkable tradition of any two individuals in the world. THE BRITISH EMPIRE “The British. Empire is not like any other Empire,” he added. “It is an association of dominions all over the world, till moving forward with one object in view. Their own development. is enjoyed with as little, interference from Hie Motherland as possible, hut they have the one symbol in conv--1,101- —tho Crown —which binds them all together. The British Empire is not held together by force but by sympathy and lies which bind us with the Mother country, by good government, by peace, by liberty and by utmost toleration in every way possible in thought and action, and that is why it is different from other countries and is superior in colonising lo any other country. The most remarkable* testimony was during the war years when other Empires broke to pieces, hut the British Empire temained because of the ties which hind it together. ‘ In a few years time,” lie said, “you children here' will be taking your places among the citizens of New Zealand, and you will help to build up the great future 'this country has and it will be your duty to devote vour energies, your courage and your zeal lo the great work of the future. “I thank you all,” he concluded, “for your very kindly messages about our children. We hope to pay other visits to your district in the future to get lo know more of its work and beauty ami of the people who live here. I hope that, as you work on in your school life you will remember this Jubilee year ami this day when we came among you here, and l" have asked the authorities, and they have agreed, to give you a holiday for the rest of tho day.” Tumuli nous applause greeted this announcement, and after it had died down Mr I’. I. Rowley announced the prize-winners of the Victoria League essays, and Her Excellency handed them to the winners, whose names were puhj lished in the Herald earlier in the week. J The singing of the National Anthem and three cheers for Their Excellencies I concluded the'gathering.