VISIT TO THE COUNTRY.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10974, 14 March 1904, Page 1 (Supplement)

VISIT TO THE COUNTRY.

RECEPTION AT RICHMOND. His Excellency and party, with his Worship the Mayor, members of the Legislature, City Councilors, and members of Committee, proceeded into the country by special train about half-past three. As the tram pulled up at Richmond the school children marched along the platform, the school cadets in • military array, armed with rifles, and the girls bearing their school banner, and the National Anthem was sung as hia Excellency stepped from the railway carriage. His Worship the Mayor of Richmond (Mr Croucher) expressed cheir gratification at receiving a visit from the King's Representative, and said that though they were citizens of a small borough, they yielded to none in loyalty. They had but very short notice of the Governor's coming, but the children and others had attended to testify their loyal feelings. . His Excellency who inspected the cadets, said he was very pleased to see them, and to observe evidence of their loyalty, and, referring to schools, said that nearly half the population of the Colony was under 21 years of age. This meant that in a few years the young people of today would have the repsonsibihty of managing affairs, and the advancement of the Colony would depend on them. He impressed upon those present that however good their system of education, they really depended on the up-bringing of the children— upon the home influence. He was glad to have received their welcome, and he asked his Worship to convey to the school authorities his request that the children might be given a whole holiday to mark his visit. . The train then proceeded, and his Excellency bowed his acknowledgments, those assembled cheering. The party proceeded as far as Wakefield, where a number of residents were presented to hia Excellency, and, after a short stay, the train returned to town. Last evening there were effective illuminations in honor of the Governor In front of the Cathedral, on the Church Hill, the words "God Save the King," in larga letters of gas gets, surmounted by a Crown, were conspicuous, while the illuminations over the Post Office, where there were transparency portraits of the King and Queen, &c, were decidedly effective. There were also iluminations in front of the Government Buildings, and in Trafalgar and Hardy streets.