SWEARING-IN CEREMONY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1920, Page 5

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY.

FUNCTION AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE BRIEF SPEECHES MADE. - Wellington, Last Night. Lord Jellicoe took the oath of office at the main entrance to the Parliamentary Buildings at three o'clock this afternoon. Thousands of the public attended. The King's commission having been read, Lord Jellicoe took the oath of allegiance, and then the special oath of office, in the following terms: "I, John Rush worth, Viscount Jellicoe, Admiral of the Fleet, do solemnly swear that I will duly execute the office of Gov-ernor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand and its dependencies, and that I will duly and impartially administer justice therein. So help me God." The oaths were administered by *the Chief Justice, who, witty Mr. Massey, signed the offioial documents as witnesses.

Mr, Massey spoke, welcoming Lord and Lady Jellicoe. He hoped their Stay here would be long and pleasant. Lord Jellicoe, in reply, said he took (ip his duties with a very deep sense of the honor conferred on him. He assured his hearers that he and Lady Jellicoe would do their very best to discharge their duties, and he hoped, with Divine assistance, that they would be able to do all that -lay in their power to further the Dominion's interests during their stay here. At Mr. Massey's call hearty cheers were given for Lord and Lady Jellicoe, who then left for Government House. A Gazette extraordinary, containing a proclamation that Lord Jellicoe has assumed office, was issued to-night.

A CIVIC RECEPTION. TRIBUTE FROM MANY SOURCES. DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY WELCOME. Wellington, Last Night. A civic reception was accorded Lord Jellicoe to-night in the Town Hall, which was crowded. The Mayor (Mr. Luke) 'presided. Among those present were members of Cabinet, both Houses of Parliament, and the City Council. A section of the audience consisted of members of the Early Settlers' Association. Mr. Luke presented an address ion behalf of the City Council, and speeches were delivered by Mr. Massey, the Chief Justice, Mr. Wili'ord (Leader of the Opposition), and Mr. W. Perry (on behalf of the Returned Soldiers' Association). All expressed high admiration of Lord Jellicoe's war record, and said, in effect, that they believed his appointment was one of the best things that could have happened to this country. Lord Jellicoe made a formal reply, which he read. Then he observed that no formal words could convey an idjea of the deep impression that the reception had made upon him. Both lie and Lady Jellicoe looked forward to a Very happy time in New Zealand. He intended to take an interest in not only what made for the material prosperity of the country, but also in the sports of the people.