AT RICHMOND.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12724, 21 February 1910, Page 2

AT RICHMOND.

RECEPTION AND PRESENTATION

Ui«' AJV ADJJitJBJbS.

The formal reception of His Excellency by the , Borough of Richmond took place at the recreation ground Oil the arrival ot the vice-regal paaty, irom \Vaiceiield. Upon a dais specially erected for the occasion were assembled the Mayor (iVir A. Sheat) and Borough Councillors, Mr S. i! ittalJ Clerk), leading citizens, and three old pioneers, Mrs James Bell (mother of Cr Thomas Bell), Mrs Haycock, and Airs C. fcsay well, all of whom have lived beyond the allotted span o'i "three score years and ten," and arc still halo and hearty. Drawn up in front of the dais were the Richmond Brass Band, the Richmond school cadets, and the girls from the Richmond school, each of whom carried a flag, the whole forming Nelson's famous signal, "England expects that ovary man will do his duty J' The idea was a happy one, and the effect most striking. There were also present a number of veterans, including Messrs Ben Fairhall, Waiter Newport, Wiesenhaven, and W. Green. His Excellency was .received at the gates by the Mayor and Councillors, and as tho party proceeded to tho dais the band played a few bars of the Nation-' al Anthem, tho school cadets under Captain Cowles presenting arms, and the buglers ble wthe Royal Salute. The Mayor then extended to His Excellency a very cordial welcome to liichmoad, and called upon the Borough Clerk to read the address, which was las follows ; —

"May it please Your Excellency, "In viow of the fact that the time is approaching for Your Excellency's departure from these shores, we, the Mayor, Councillors, and burgesses of the Borough of Richmond, would have regretted exceedingly had wo not been afforded the opportunity of conveying to Your Excellency, however briefly and imperfectly, an assurance that we warmly and heartily welcome you to our town and district.

"We recognise, with gratitude, the good work fostered and helped forward in many directions, both social and otherwise, by yourse'.f and Lady Plunkct, so that Your Excellency's residence amongst us has been rendered memorable, not alone for the Jajge measure of material prosperity _ and progress by which, it has beenmarked, but still more for the beneficent efforts put forth by Your Excellency and Lady Plunket for the moral and social advancement and well-being of the people.

"We also desire to assure Your Excellency that the people of this town and district yield to none in love and loyalty to the person of the great King, whom your Excellency has so worthily represented, and they fully recognise that their interests and destiny are bound up with those of the great Empire, of which this Dominion forms but a small part. ""We, in common with all others, deeply regret Your Excellency's approaching departure, and we earnestly desire and pray that the highest degree of happiness and prosperity may ever attend Your Excellency in the future. , "Signed on behalf of the Councillors and burgesses, A. Sheat, Mayor." In replying His Excellency regretted that he had not got a formal reply to their exceedingly charming address. He assured them that he had listened to it with very great pleasure, and felt much satisfaction .at tho assurances of loyalty to his Majesty, whose representative he was. He thanked them for the kindly words used in connection with the small efforts made by Lady Plunket and himself. He deeply regretted that his time in the Dominion was so short. Addressing the children His Excellency's expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present, and asked them to rememtter what the Old -Country meant to them. If it had not been for England they would not have been living the happy life they were in this country, nor would they have been enjoying the advantages they did. Owing to t l <- :

sp.emlid light made by those at Home, viiobe blood in many cases liowed m Liicii- veins, breiiD iiritain had obtained command ot the seas, and it beluiiio poßsioio ior j.Scw Zealand to bo t;/ioiii.?eu. iuey ought to ou always pi uua 01 belonging to the liritisli Jiimi>ue iiiici ciie iincisfi race. 1 ney inignt also lit- prouu or Hie oiu p. outers ji.-iue liii.s coui.cij- imu leiiicmoer the itviL'/iuiu deeds tnoy mm uoiie. Jtus -u,xwneney coiiciuued . by remarking that the children would have a holiday on Monday jh honour of his visit, which he said, humourously, would no douot be the most satisfactory rcnianc he could make to them.

'me national Anthem was then sun" and on/the call of Mr H. Buttle cheers were given ior the King and His Excellency and .Lady Plunket

Aiternoon tea, provided by the Borough Council, and dispensed by the members' wives, and assistants, was handed round, duriiig which the band played sections. ' As riis Excellency left the grounds there was further cheering, and ha was accorded a hearty send-otf h the Mayor; then paid a visit to Richmond Park, and His Excellency ascended to the top of the grand stand from which was obtained a splendid view of the jsurroiuidin K country, winch he- greatly admired. Iho party then motored to town by way of the Rocks Road, the Masonic Hotel being reached at six o'clock. The performed without the slightest hitch °rn ar fl le P^ure of the outing Hie Mayor and Councillors of Nelson, with the Town Clerk and City Engineer, proceeded to Richmond by the 4.30 tram to take part in the function to His Excellency, butarrived at tiio conclusion of the proceedings.