OUR NEW GOVERNOR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10531, 19 December 1912, Page 5

OUR NEW GOVERNOR.

Per Press Association,

Auckland, December IS.

Lord Liverpoool was entertained at luncheon this afternoon by the Mayor and members of the City Council at the Town Hall. Those present included the Prime Minister, Minister for Marine, Justice Cooper, Bishop Crossley,, Capt. Shawe (assistant military secretary), Colonel Boscawen (Hon. A.D.0.), Sir Maurice O’Eorke, Colonel Logan, Hons. J. A. Tole, Major Harris, G. Fowlds, W. Beehan, T. Thompson, S. T. George, Messrs A. M. Myers, J. H. N Bradney, J. S. Dickson, M-.P.’s. Consuls, Mayors of suburban boroughs, and Chairmen of local bodies.

The Mayor, in proposing the toast of the Governor-designate, said it was a happy augury that his Lordship had first placed his foot m Auckland. While Lord Liverpool had in the old laud attained some reputation in affairs of State, lie had, as a Britisher, not overlooked good British sport, and Aucklanders looked forward to pleasant times in the future when they offered him the best that they had in yachting, cricket, football, golf, tennis, and other sports which Auckland loved so well. The Mayor apologised for the absence of the Administrator of the Government, Sir Robert Stout, who was unavoidably absent. The Prime Minister congratulated His Lordship and the peoples of Auckland on the favourable auspices under which the new Governor was gaining his first introduction to the Dominion. Since leaving Auckland a fortnight ago he (Mr Massey) had travelled right through to Southern Otago, New Zealand never looked better. In fact, the country was looking its very best, and he believed that Lord Liverpool could not be anything else but. favourably impressed. While the people were genuinely sorry to lose Lord and Lady Islington, they would heartily join with the people of Auckland in extending a very warm welcome to Lord and Lady Liverpool. They were now within a few days of the Christmas holidays, and he knew it must be difficult for anyone from the Old Land to appreciate Christmas under blue skies and warm, bright weather conditions, but he believed that Lord Liverpool would find that he could enioy himself just as much under these altered conditions as he would have done in England. It was regrettable that they would en route to Wellington pass through some of the most interesting country in the dark, but later His Excellency would have ample opportunity of seeing all that this wonderful country would have to offer. Mr Massey concluded by extending on behalf of the people of New Zealand the heartiest of welcomes to Lord and Lady Liverpool. Lord Liverpool upon rising was greeted with cheers. He has a resonant voice and deliberate style well adapted to public speaking. He said he had come into the room feeling a great nervousness. In fact, the feeling was somewhat similar to that which he experienced when lie had moved an address in reply to the gracious speech from the Throne in the House of Lords. On that ; occasion there had been hundreds’of upturned faces watching to see how he would come through the ordeal. To-day he felt that those present were more kindly and ' less critical. Their kindly words of welcome filled him with Jess trepidation and less fear. He felt that in coming amongst the people of New Zealand he was not coming amongst strangers. What he was saying was quite spontaneous. It was not an occasion for a set speech, and he wanted to say how deeply he appreciated the warm welcome that had been extended to him by the people of Auckland. In the old days he had heard his father speak of the great pleasure he had derived from a visit to this country. Before leaving London some of his old brother officers had entertained him to dinner. The sentiments then expressed had appealed to him most forcibly, and he agreed with the speakers at that gathering that the highest honour that any citizen of the Empire could earn was to be called upon to serve his King in some capacity, no matter how great or how small that service might be. (Applause.) Speaking for Lady Liverpool and himself, he could say that they would do their best to carry out successfully their duties. Ideals were not easy to live up to, but to do something for the Empire, no matter how small, was something worth while achieving. That would be bis watchword, and to have accomplished something of the kind would indeed be an epitaph worth having when one had passed away. The gathering concluded with cheers for Lord and Lady Liverpool. Wellington, December It). Lord and Lady Liverpool were given a cordial welcome on their arrival in Wellington this afternoon. The weather was fine and there was a large attendance at the Railway Station. The Mayor, Mr McLaren, in his address, said many people at Home took pride in the fact that their country was “lapt by the sound of the sea. ” His Excellency would early discover that the people of Wellington were lulled into restfulness'by the sound of wind and wave. The Maori people called this land Aotea Roa, which, translated, ment “The Long White Cloud,” and His Worship expressed a hope that this cloud would be white and peaceful to His Excellency at all times. On behalf of Wellington he gave Lord and Lady Liverpool a hearty welcome to the city. Lord Liverpool said he could not adequately expxess his appreciation of the spontaneous expression of goodwill and kiudliuesss contained in the ’.words of welcome. Both Lady Liverpool and himself would strive hard to merit the people’s esteem. His Excellency is being sworn in ! this afternoon.