VISIT TO MOTUEKA.

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

VISIT TO MOTUEKA.

CORDIAL RECEPTION OF HIS EXCELLENCY, A party of some thirty, including several ladies, accepted the invitation given by his Excellency at the luncheon on Thursday, and proceeded to Motueka in the Hinemoa yesterday. The Harbor Board's tug Gordon conveyed the guests to the Hinemoa at the anchorage, and his Excellency and party followed shortly after in the steamer's launch. The Hon. Colonel Pitt, as Minister in attendance upon the Governor, was, of course, present, and Mr R. McKenzie, M.H.R. for Motueka, the Hons. R. Reeves and F. Trask, Mr Croucher (Mayor of Richmond), CouncilorsSFairey, Lightband, Harrison, and Tatton, Mr John Tinline, Lieut. -Colonel Wolfe, and Adjutant Trask were also of the party. The Hinemoa made good time across the Bay, and the company had to be landed at Motueka by two of the steamer's boats in tow of the launch, on which were the Governor and party. Landing was effected shortly after one o'clock, temporary 'staging having been provided that enabled this to be easily accomplished, though the tide was very low. Mr J. Stuart Wratt (Mayor) and the members of the Borough Council and Reception Committee were at hand to receive his Excellency, and the Motueka Mounted Rifles provided a -strong escort. Carnages were in waiting, and a procession of quite re-spectable dimensions was

quickly heading townwards, where bunting was flying, and a considerable assemblage had congregated, the 1 numbers being very large in view of the fact that this is the very busiest time of the year, and hop-picking claims attention that cannot be divided. However, there was no mistake about, the cordiality of the reception accorded~the ' Kings-repres-entative on his first visit to the distict, and at short notice the Committee had been indefatigable in their endeavors to see that the receptionfwas fitting to the occasion. I A platform was erected in the Church of England grounds, and here, after a few words of welcome by the Mayor, Lord Ranfurly was presented with the following address, signed by the Mayor and Borough Councilors, and read by the Town Clerk (Mr E. F. Johansen) :— "To His Excellency the Earl of Sanfurly, K.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand. "Your Excellency,— We, the undersigned, Mayor and Councilors of the Borough of Motueka, desire, on behalf of the inhabitants of this Borough and the surrounding districts, to welcome your Excellency on the occasion of your visit to us. As your Excellency has not previously visited our district, we take this opportunity of assuring you that there are no more loyal citizens in New Zealand than those of this Borough and district; and, further, that none could more highly appreciate the manner in which, your Excellency has discharged the onerous duties which have devolved npon you in virtue of your high position as his Majesty's representative in New Zealand. In particular, we would allude to the fact that your Excellency has considered it your duty to visit, while Governor, all places in the Colony, whether great or small. As one of the smaller districts, we wish to express our pleasure at your visit on this occasion, especially as we are aware that your Excellecny has many other calls upon your time. During your Excellency's term of office in this Colony, external events have greatly contributed to the unification of the Empire. At the same time, within the bounds of the Colony, your Excellency has contributed in no small degree to arousing the active sentiment of loyalty to the Empire, by visiting all parts of it, and coming personally into contact with many of its citizens. In common with the rest of the Colony, we feel a deep debt of 'gratitude to your Excellency for your great interest and enthusiasm in establishing the Veterans' Home at Auckland. We greatly regret your approaching departure from New Zealand, and- trust that you and your Countess and family may be long spared, and that aong your many reminiscences of our Colony you will not be entirely forgetful of your visit to Motueka. Thfs district is now one of the largest fruitgrowing areas in the Colony, and the industry is one which gives promise of much greater development in the near future. As we understand that your Excellency is a practical fruitgrower, we feel that, did time permit,you would find much to interest you in our orchards and gardens. In conclusion, it is our deep regret that this, our first address to your Excellency, must also be the last, and that almost in the same breath with our words of welcome, we must say those other familiar words, "Good-bye— God speed."— We have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most obedient servants, "(Signed) J. S. Wratt (Mayor;, W. Kyder, junr., R. W. H. Rankin, Jas. Satherley, Michael Simpson, F. W. Thorp (Councilors)." Before making his reply^ his Excellency presented South African war medals to the following: Captain Deck; Assistant Quartermaster Wallace ; Troopers L. A. Boyes, F. Hudson, Atkins, Hursthouse, Bate, and ! Martin. 1 His Excellency, having expressed his pleasure at being able to pay a | visit to Motueka, said that he always felt particluar pleasure in visiting the country districts, and he noted that Motueka was making a name for itself in the fruitgrowing industry, an industry in which he had taken much interest, and put a good deal of money, with possibly not too satisfactory a result on more than one occasion. In Motueka he understood that attention was particularly directed to the cultivation of small fruit, and one thing in connection with that that should be extremely beneficial was the employment given to the young. He sincerely hoped that the industry would flourish, and prove remunerative to all those engaged in it. Personally, he was not one who favored industries that only paid the worker, and did not also pay a fair return to the capitalist also. (Hear, hear.) The time had come for him to leave^the Colony, and he did so with the deepest regret, and would have many reminiscences of the happy years he had spent here. Of the loyalty mentioned in the address just presented there was evidence in the fact that he had just presented some of the medals won by sons of the district, that fact spoke for itself, and he would say that it was the country districts that were to be looked to for the best soldiers. In this connection he was glad to see so fine a mounted corps as that on parade, and he would urge the men, though there was no war fever on to maintain their interest, to keep ap their efficiency, and so continue to be really useful and ready at any time for what they might be called upon for. He did not think there was any real fear at any time for New Zealand to look to defending herself on her own shores; what was required was a powerful nayy — it was by a powerful navy alone that our nation could keep her present high position and her supremacy. The Motherland had been anxioas to guard and foster the colonies. She had not looked upon, the colonies as districts to provide her with more funds, but for a hundred years had, year by year, been spending money to protect and foster the colonies of which she was so proud. (Applause. ) The times during his stay in New Zealand had been prosperous, might they continue such, and in any case he felt sure tbat New Zealand could be relied upon to do her share in what the Empire called for. In entertaining their Royal Highnesses and in the South African war the colonists of New Zealand had not been behind, and why should they be? Were they not of England, Ireland, and Scotland? And was it not English energy, Scotch prudence, and Irish impetuosity that had made the nation what it was? (Applause). Long might the English, Irish, and Scotch stand side by side taking hands in fellowship to carry on their great work in the world with honor and prosperity. (Applause.) His Excellency expressed his thanks for the reception given him, and resumed his seat amidst applause. Three cheers were then given for the Governor, another for Countess Ranfurly, and -further cheers for Lord Northland. A luncheon on a sumptuous scale was provided in the church school near at hand, and almost immediately a company of some sixty was seated, and had there been space the number would have been greater. The Mayor presided, and after necessary attention to the splendid repast furnished the Mayor proposed the health of the King, which was received with musical honors.

The toast of his Excellency Lord Ranfurly also came from the chair Mr Wratfc speaking appreciatively of the personal good qualities of his Excellency, and the toast was received with great enthusiasm and musical honors. In his reply Lord Ranfurly spoke of his duty as representative of the -King requiring him to inform himself regarding the Colony and its people, so that he could on his return give that information to his Majesty that would be demanded of him. The people of the Colony were prosperous, and they were energetic, 1 but they had a ; -fault, and that was expecting tke' "Government .t0..- do., everything for them. (Applause.) The original settlers had not a government to go to for every road and path they wanted ; they had to do much of this themselves, and it was the want of this self reliance that led one to say that the new generation could not be expected to develop into just such fine sturdy settlers as those who originally came to the Colony. . (Loud applause.) He thanked the company for the very cordial manner in which his health had been received, and regarding the kind remarks that more than once had been made regarding Lady Ranfurly, he would say that she left the Colony with deep regret, as she was attached to many things ' and interests in New Zealand, and had done her utmost to identify herself with the interests of those she lived amongst. (Applause.) Naturally many social questions came before her, and though he said it himself, he did not think anyone could go to a person more sympathetic and anxious to do her best than was Lady Ranfurly. (Loud applause.) In conclusion, his Excellency said that the loyalty of the people and the kindnesses to his Countess and himself would never be forgotten _by him. He resumed his seat amidst loud applause. Or. Thorp (Vice-Chairman) proposed the healtfa of the Ministry, coupled with the name of the Hon. Colonel Pitt, Attorney-General, and in doing so complimented the Ministry upon its prompt action with regard to the South African war and preferential trade, thus keeping in the van, and he also referred to the great pleasure that the appointment of Colonel Pitt had given locally. The toast was heartily honored, and Colonel Pitt in his reply reminded his Excellency that >;in appealing to the Government the people were asking only for that which came from their own revenues, and he could say that up to ten years ago thac district, if any in the Colony, had been self reliant, and forced to rely upon the strong right arm of its own settlers. (Applause.) Since then the present member (Mr McKenzie) had bean impuituned, and importuned successfully, for assistance from the Government. (Appause.)" Colonel Pitt then referred to tne important place the fruit trade of the district now occupied, and went on to speak of the potentialities of the Parapara iron deposits and West Coast coalfields, and referring to his Excellency, said that the Veterans' Home would, splendid institution that it waa, be a monument long after he was gone of a Governor than whom the Colony had never had a better, or one more highly respected. (Loud applause.) The mention by Colonel Pitt that 400 tons of raspberry pulp had gone from Motueka last season caused astonishment to some of the visitors. We may add that last month, January, twenty-one thousand cases of fruit went over the Motueka wharf. Lord Ranfurly in a few words wished continued prosperity to the district, and intimated that he wished to see as much as possible of the district as the time at his dis-; posal would allow. The health of the Mayor was then honored, and the function concluded. His Excellency was then driven to Riwaka, where he visited Mr Rowlings' hop garden. Returning to Motueka, a visit was made to the Whakarewa Orphanage, with which his Excellency was much pleased, thence way being made direct to the wharf, where a considerable crowd assembled to witness the embarkation. The launch, with the boats m tow, left about half-past five o'clock, the spectators cheeing heartily. Shortly after seven o'clock the Hinemoa was off the Lighthouse, and the Nelson party were transferred to the tug Gor don, the Hinemoa sailing for Wellington direct, Colonel Pitt still remaining with his Excellency. As the Gordon left the side of the vessel hearty cheers were given by th ose on board for the Governor, and o ne for Captain Bolland