THE VICE-REGAL VISIT.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12738, 9 March 1910, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE VICE-REGAL VISIT.

(From "The Colonist," Feb. 22.) His Excellency the Governor is seeing Nelson under the most favourable circumstances. The v;eather during the whole time he has been, making himself acquainted with tho resources of the province has been of the pleasant sort for which Nelson is famed and Lord Plunket's tour has been made at a time' when the country is looking at its best. In tho course of his drive through the lakaka district, the orchard lands of Motueka, and the hop gardens and splendid sheep country in the Waimeas Lord Plunket must have been impressed by the rapid stirides this province is now making, and the evidences of prosperity and comfort on all sides, of the people on the land. Indeed, His Excellency's interesting speech at yesterday's function at the City Council Chamber showed that his impressions of the district are entirely favourable. There is, as Lord Plunket remarked, a great iuture opening before Nelson, and the district is showing itself alive to the necessity for laying hold of the golden opportunities at present presenting themselves. There is reason to hope too that His Excellency's tour }ias been a pleasant as well as busy one. Perfect wea•ther, country which opens up some fresh beauty at every tirm, and last but- not by no means least in importance, the hearty and spontaneous welcome and expressions of loyalty to tho Crown which His Excellency lias everywhere received, must have mado Ins excursions into the recesses of the district agreeable and interesting for the reasons first mentioned, and for the latter, as His Majesty's representative, . extremely gratifying to him. And Lord Plunket has found the capital city of the province not less demonstrative than, the country districts. Sustained journeyings and junketings are apt to become monotonous, but they are a necessary concomitant of the lives of those whom destiny calls to occupy high places, and they serve an ..important purpose in knitting the threads of Empire; but when the demonstrations obviously proceed from the hearts of the people, even tho monotony must disappear. The one regret felt by the 'district is that the first opportunity 'it has had of welcoming Lord Plunket must also bo the occasion of bidding him farewell, in view of the early termination of his period of office. His Excellency will, we trust, bear 'away with him pleasant recollections of his brief acquaintance with the province, and he may be assured that the impression left by his visit will be cordial and enduring.