GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1920, Page 5

GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

i LORD MELLICOE ARRIVES,! f JPUSOME AT WELUKGTOK,. . 1 CHEERED BY LARGE GEQWDS, 61 Telegraph.—Press Association Wellington, Last Night. Dominion Day, 1920, will be remembered long in- Wellington for at least two Seasons. The holiday was favored with beautiful weather, bright sunshine prevailing all day, with just a sufficient fresh northerly breeze to temper the sun's rays, and under such favorable auspices people were early astir en route to the harbor frontage to witness the landing of the Governor-General, Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa. The liner Corinthic, bringing his Excellency with, his family and staff, arrived shortly after eight o'clock, and anchored in the stream. After the medical inspection was carried out a slight delay occurred until arrangements were made by the health authorities to deal with a suspected case of scarlet fever in the steerage. It is not certain that the case possessed any serious feature, but the authorities took no risks, and did not declare the ship clean until satisfactory arrangements were made. In the meantime, Sir Robert Stout (Administrator) went on board the Corinthic to tender the first greetings to Lord Jellicoe, and later the Prime Minister and members of Cabinet went out in the Government steamer Janie Seddon, but, as at this time the health officers had not reached decisions regarding the fever case, no one was allowed on the liner.

. A HAPPY INCIDENT. Lord Jellicoe was an interested, observer, and presently, accompanied by his private secretary (Mr. Day), his military secretary (Captain Curtis), and two A.D.C.'s (Captain Mundy and Captain Southey), he came down the companion way and boarded thfe Janie Seddon. As he shook hands with Mr. Massey, Lord Jellicoe remarked: "There seemed to be a hitch to prevent you coming aboard, so-I thought I would come down to you." His ready seizure of a way out of what seemed likely to be an awkward delay evoked warm greetings from the group on the little Government steamer. 'His Excellency was then introduced to members of theMinistry and General Chaytor (Commandant of the Forces), and after a few minutes' conversation he returned on board the Corinthic, accompanied by Mr. Massey. , A little later the health officers had decided iti their course of action, transferring the suspect to Somes Island and declaring the Corinthic clear. The ferry steamer Duchess then came alongside, and the Vice-P.egal party transhipped to her. A. large crowd of passengers, immigrants for the most part, lined the rail and cheered their distinguished fellow voyagers. The manner in which.Lord and Lady Jellicoe entered into the social doings on board ship had. endeared them to nil, and this was evidenced in the heartiness of the cheering and the sustained fluttering of handkerchiefs and the waving of hats as the Duchess steamed towards the city.

CHILDREN'S WELCOME. Ships were dressed with bunting, and public buildings were beflagged, while the wharves could bo seen thronged with people as the tender approached. Prominent among those on the wharves were massed bodies of school children, who gave the Governor-General and Lady Jellicoe a right royal welcome. The Duchess quickly berthed at Queen's wharf, and Lord Jellicoe stepped ashore, the guard of honor saluting and the band playing the National Anthem. A salute of nineteen guns was also fired from Alexandra Barracks battery. Then the guard of honor, composed of territorials, cadets, and Amokura boys, was inspected, the Admiral evincing particular interest in the last-named. Various officers were presented, and also a number of veterans, whose appearance seemed to give fenuine pleasure to his Excellency, who then turned and, with evident delight, acknowledged the greetings of the children. The address of welcome from the Harbor Board Was then read by the chairman (Mr. Harkness). Lord Jellicoe, replying, said: "I thank you most sincerely for your welcome to me on my landing here to occupy the position of his Majesty's GovernorGeneral of New Zealand. It is a source of great satisfaction to me to be received so kindly by the representatives of the maritime commerce of this port, and I hope that during my term of office the trading activities with which you are connected will recover entirely from the effects of the late war, and that the port, with its fine harbor, will become more flourishing than ever. I would ad<f this, that it is with the greatest pleasure I renew my acquaintance with the Dominion in which I spent so many happy.weeks only a short year ago, and I look forward with the keenest anticipation to the time which lies before me. (Cheers.) PEOPLE'S GREETING-. His Excellency and Lady Jellicoe, the latter leading by hand her little son, accompanied by the Premier and his Excellency's oister, walked from, the head of the wharf through lines of cheerihg people to the city gates, where they were met by the Mayor (Mr. Luke) and councillors and officials. The Mayor extended a formal welcome to their Excellencies, who then motored to Government House, being cheered by crowds along the route.