HIS EXCELLENCY'S RECEPTION AT MOTUEKA.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12738, 9 March 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

HIS EXCELLENCY'S RECEPTION AT MOTUEKA.

(From Our Special Reporter.) Motueka, Feb. 18. Th© vice-regal party arrived lrom TaKaka at b.ou t'nis evening, having had a pleasant drive over me hills. They were met at tho borough boundary by the Motueka Mounted Rines, and were escorted to the Post Oince, where His Excellency was presented with an address of welcome by the Mayor (Mr Thorp) on behalf or the Motueka Borough Council and the Waimca County Council, lhe address, which was read by Mr lilomheld, the County Clerk, in conjunction with Mr W. Boycc, Town Clerk, was as follows: "We, the undersigned councillors of the Motueka Borough •and County of Wairnca, 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 more loyal citizens in New Zealand than those in this borough and county, and further, that none could more highly appreciate the manner. iv which, your Excellency has discharged the onerous duti 'which have deevolved upon you as His Majesty's representative in -New Zcalaud. In particular, we would allude to the fact that your Excellency has considered it your duty to visit -while Governor places in the Dominion both great and small. As we are one of the smaller boroughs, we particularly wish to express our pleasure at your visit on this occasion, for we arc aware your Excellency has many calls upon your time In common with the rest ot tho Dominion, we all feel a debt ot gratitude to your Excellency and Lady Plunket for your great interest and enthusiasm in the social work ot the Dominion, and we would particularly emphasise the establishment ot the sisterhood of the Plunket nurses. We greatly regret your approaching departure from Now Zealand, and trust that your Excellency, Lady Plunket and family may be long spared, and that among your many reminiscences of the Dominion, you will not be entirely forgetful of your visit to the Borough of Motueka and County of Waimea. Iv conclusion, it is our deep regret that this our hrst address to your Excellency must also be the last, and that almost in the same breath with our words of welcome, we must say those familiar words, 'God speed.'" The address bore the signatures ot the Mayor and Councillors of Motu- , eka, 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 ir. A the Empire. It was not lets gratifying to him to be assured that such efforts as Lady Plvmket and. : himself had been able to make for the benefit of tho' people of the. Dominion had met with their appreciation. He would not fail to let Her Excellency j know of the kind words they had used* concerning her elforts in connection with tlie establishment of the Plunket nurses. He returned coiduu thanks' lor the -. cry kind wishes expressed ior their future happiness, and regretted tnat it would be the last opportunity of visiting this beautiful, and progressive district. The rapid progress of the iiuit growing industry was of great importance to the Dominion. h.e was convinced as regards the fruit industry, they were but at the beginning of one of the most proiuabic - industries in the country, and he would follow its extension with confidence and deep interest. Continuing, tho Governor returned his most hearty thanks for \ the arrangements made for his.comj fort afc Motueka, and for their de- ' claration of loyalty to the King. He referred in terms 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 things done in modern times in j any part or the British Empire. Cheers were then given for the. 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 the Borough Council and County Council at the Post Office Hotel. To-morrow (Saturday) accompanied by members of tho County Council, the party will leave- in motor cars for Nelson via Pangatotara, Woodstock,' and Stanely Brook to Tapa-" w-era, where the party will be entertained, at lunch by Councillor Macmahon, thence proceeding to Wakefield by way of Spooner's range, and from Wakefield to Richmond, reaching Nelson in the evening.