HIS EXCELLENCY'S RECEPTION AT MOTUEKA.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12723, 19 February 1910, Page 2

HIS EXCELLENCY'S RECEPTION AT MOTUEKA.

(From Our Special Reporter.)

Motueka, Feb. 18

The vice-regal party arrived from Takaka at 6.30 this evening, having had a pleasant drive over the hills. They were met at tho borough boundary by the Motueka Mounted Rifles, and were escorted to the Post Office,, where His Excellency was presented with an address of welcome by the Mayor (Mr Thorp) on behalf of the Motueka Borough Council and the Waiinea County Council. The adclress, which was read by Mr BlomJldCl, the Gounty Clerk, in conjunction with Mr \v. Boycc, 'I'owji Olerk, was as loilows: "We, tm> undersigned councillors of the Motueka Borough and County of Waimea, on the behalf of the inhabitants of the borough and county; welcome your Excellency on the occasion of your visit to us. As your .Excellency has not previously visited our borough and county, we take the opportunity or assuring you that there are no moro loyal citizens in New Zealand than those in this borough and county, and further, that none could more highly appreciate the manner in which your .uxcellenoy has discharged the onerous duti 'which have deevolved upon you as His Majesty's representative in New Zealand. In particular, we would allude to the fact that your Excellency lias considered it your duty to visit while Governor places in the Dominion both great and small. As ny are one of the smaller boroughs, we particularly wish to express our pleasure at your visit on this occasion, for we are aware your Excellency has many calls upon your time. In common with the rest of tjio Dominion, we all feel a debt of gratitude to your Excellency and Lady Plunkct for your great interest and enthusiasm in the social work of the Dominion, and we would particulaily emphasise tho establishment of the sisterhood of the Plunket nurses. We greatly regret your approaching departure ii-om i>cw Zealand, antl trust that your Excellency, Lady Plunkct and family may be long spared, and that among your many reminiscences of the Dominion, you will not be entirely forgetful ot your visit to the Borough of Motueka and County or' Waiinea. In conclusion, it is our deep regret that tlvis our urst address to your Excellency must also be the last, and that almost in tho same breath with our words of welcome, we must say those familiar words, 'God speed."' The address bore the signatures of the Mayor and Councillors of Motueka, and the chairman and members of the County Council. The Governor, in reply, accepted the address with pleasure, and expressed satisfaction at their hearty assurances of loyalty,. to the throne t i.r^l the Empire, it was not leps gratifying to him to be assured that such efforts as Lady Plunket and himself had been ablo to make for tlio be-nelit of the people of tho Dominion had met with their appreciation. He would not fail to let tier Excellency know of the kind words they had used vuncerning her efforts in connection \vith the establishment of the Plunket nurses. He returned cordial thanks for the very kind wishes expressed for their future happiness, and regretted that it would t>e the last opportunity of visiting this beautiful and progressive district. The lapid progress of the fruit growing industry was of- great importance to tiie Dominion, lie was convinced as regards .tho fruit industry, they were but at the beginning of one of the most profitable industries in the country, and lie would follow its extension with confidence and deep interest.. Continuing, the Governor returned his most hearty thanks lor the arrangements made for his comfort at Motueka, and for their declaration of loyalty to the King. Ho relerred in term;, of appreciation to the presentation to Great Britain of a Dreadnought, which was an object lesson to the Empire. He also referred to the action of Parliament in regard to compulsory military service, which was, he said, one of the finest tilings done in modern times in any part of the British Empire. Cheers were then given for tho. King and His Excellency. Later on the Governor inspected the Motueka Rifles, commanded by Captain Deck, and a large crowd were present at the ceremony. The township was gaily decorated with bunting for the occasion. To-night Lord Plunket is being entertained at dinner by the Borough Council and County Council at the Post Office Hotel.

To-morrow (Saturday) accompanied by members of the County Council, the party will leave in motor cars for Nelson via Pangatotara, Woodstock, and Stanely Brook to Tapa-> tvora, where the party will be entertained at lunch by Councillor Macmahon, thence proceeding to Wakefield by. way of Spooner's range, and from Wakofield to Richmond, reaching Nelson in the evening. • RECEPTION AT TAKAKA.