LORD KITCHENER.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12725, 22 February 1910, Page 4

LORD KITCHENER.

ARRIVAL AT CHRISTOHUROH. i- United Pbess Amooiation.J Christchurch, Feb 21. Lord Kitchener arrived in Christchurch to-night from the South, and ho was accoided a civic reception ait the railway station. An address of wdlcome was presented by the Mayor.. Aii cuwrinous crowd assembled at the railway station, and along the line of route from the station to the Christchurch Club, where Lord Kitchener is staying. The welcome was of tho most hearty character. After the address of welcome was read by the Mayor, Lord Kitchener (whose voice carried over a remarkably large area) made the following repjy: "I thank all the citizens of Christcburch for the very kind and cordial welcome they have afforded me. You, Mir Mayor, have alluded to thei possibility of>my advice being of some use to the Government of this country. 1 can assure you that if such is the case, and my experience in military matters can be of auy assistance to them', it will be most willingly placed at their disposal. (Loud applause.) It will be a source of the utmost gratification to mo in after years if by this means I can be associated with measures that will enable the splendid young manhood that I have seen in all parts of New Zealand to ■render thorn selves thoroughly efficient for the defence of their country, and able to take their share in the mainenance and solidarity of the grand old ■Empire, to which we all belong. (Loud applause.) Three Tinging cheers were given for Lord Kitchener, at the close of his reply, and the little function of welcome came te an. e|t«L Lord Kitchener, accompanied by the Prime Minister,the Mayior,and Colonel Fitzpatrick (his aide-de-camp), then drove away, their carriage being followed by others containing membars of the Defence Council, Colonel Hawkins, the officer commaiiding the district, and other military onlcers and councillors. To-morrow morning Lord Kitchener will inspect the Lyttelton forts, and in the afternoon will review the cadets and St John Ambulance Brigade. i ' ~