ENTHUSIASTIC UECEPTION AT DUNEDIN.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12722, 18 February 1910, Page 4

ENTHUSIASTIC UECEPTION AT DUNEDIN.

MEETS HIS SISTER THERE. [United Press Association.] / Dunedin, Feb 17. Lord Kitchener arrived here this evening accompanied by his aide de camp, tiie Chief of the Staff, the members of -the Defence Council, and the Prime Minister. He was accorded a hearty welcome by very largo crowds, which thronged tho streets as lie drove to the I'c.rnliill Clu/j .Throughout the train journey Lord Kitchener was accorded a most enthusiastic welcome at every station, and was presented with several addresses. The Dunedin station was closed to the general public for the reception of the distinguished visitor, and on his stepping . out from the train, he was welcomed .by the Mayor (Mr J. H. Walker), in a low formal words, to which Lord Kitchener replied ' very . briefly. He mentioned the fact that his father had owned property in the neighbourhaad, and his brother had also been for some years in the district. His sister (Mrs Parker, of Kurow, North Otago) metrhim on the station . After the is-, ception Lord Kitchener entered an. open carriage, and with a military escort of a dctachment-.or' Otago llrssars, Dunedin Engineers, and v... rrison Band, drove sioiyly to head quarters. . Great interest is being taken in the military manoeuvres. At present there are camped at the Head© tho Dunedin Navals and Port Chalmers Navals, and such of the permanent artillery as are located here. Upon these, at any time between midnight of Thursday and midnight of Vri.-.y .T.oid Kitchener may work his wik in the way of surprise orders. At any time further, between midnight of Friday and midnight of Saturday, 2000 volunteers from all over Otago, who will be camped at Burnside, will be subjected to test orders. To-morrow afternoon there will bo a big review of the whole of the cadets of the district. ~ . i. To the great astonishment of the crowds of people who thronged tne streets to welcome Lord Kitchener to Dunedin, the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), who had arrived with the great soldier from the South, was not givL'ii a. seat in imy of the carnages which passed' in the procession through the town. It was subsequently learned that apparently, no provision had been made for Sir Joseph Ward taking a part in the procession, and after the carnages loft the railway station, ho proceeded to the Grand Hotel by motor car. lucre is little doubt that such a slight on the Prime Minister was quite _ unintentional, mid was due to. bungling on the part of someone responsible, for the arrangements mado at the railway station.