AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

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

AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

" (From Our Correspondent.) Takaka, Feb. 18. The Governor's reception to-day was a great success. The weather was lemarkably fine, and there was a great attendance of the public. The chairman and County Councillors met His Excellency and party at the county boundary, and a mounted escort of the Takaka Rifles accompanied the party to the township. The streets were lined "with school children with banners, and there were strings of flags across the streets, and nikau palms aiid flags on all the business premises. The Governor and his party arrived at 11 a.m. The band played the National Anthem as the Governor ascended the platform which had been erected in the main streets at the junction, and- , the County Clerk read an address of welcome.

Lord PJunket replied in a happily chosen speech that at once made him popular with the crowd

The children sang the National Anthem, and the Governor went through the ranks of the children with kindly remarks here and there.

I Aji adjourument was then made to iT;he Junction Hotel for luncheon. The room was filled with representative citizens and settlers from all parts of the district, Grace was said by

the Rev. Mr Pepper (Church of England;. -After luncheon the chairman proposed tho toast of the King, ana tho National Anthem was sung. Tho vice-chairman, Mr Thomas J. Baigent, proposed the Governor, and tho Key. \\\ A. Kyd (Presbyterian) proposed "Imperial Unity." Lord Plunkct briefly replied, and then proposed the chairman's health. -

After an all round introduction to tho leading citizens, and short conrcrsatioHs with some of our oldest pioneers and ex-army men, His Excellency left by coach for Motueka amidst deafening cheers. The whole function was a great success, and was marked by spontaneous loyalty. A general holiday and gala day is being observed all through the district.