THE VICE-REGAL VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1921, Page 5

THE VICE-REGAL VISIT.

HAPPENINGS OF THE TOUR.

THE MOUNTAIN TRIP. INCIDENTS AND SIDELIGHTS. Lord Jellicoe takes a keen interest in everything !he seea. There’s nothing perfunctory about his inspections. At the mountain house on Saturday he had a look at the various rooms, and with the thoroughness of the sailor, even inspected the beds in the unoccupied rooms. “Pretty hard,” he said of one. Then he felt another. “Oh, that’s better,” he remarked.

The Governor-General and Lady Jellicoe were delighted with t’he mountain scenery, and the appointments of the hostel. His Excellency sought informa tion as to how the latter was run, and on being told that the citizens of New Plymouth, were responsible for its establishment, and conducted it as an adjunct of the town, and not as a source of profit, expressed his gratification at this evidence of public spirit. “It’s splendid, indeed.” he said. “You could really have nothing better or finer or more useful to those in need of rest and recuperation.”

Both Their Excellencies are extremely indulgent and accommodating to amateur photographers. At the mountain <.tKe inevitable camera was in evidence, and several good snapshots were taken. One was of Her Excellency as she was coming out of what was described to her by a veracious member of the party as a “cow bail” near the old house. ’lt was a typically Taranaki scene. Alongside the monument to th a noble Arthur Ambury the whole party were snapped, as were the distinguished visitors by themselves. AN HISTORIC HOUSE. Near the old house an enterprising young lady was manoeuvring to obtain a good view of His Excellency, who “spotted” her, and smilingly posed forher special benefit. Then a tiny tot came along with an autograph book. “Please, sir, will you put your name in?” she asked, plaintively. Lord Jellicoe answered. “Certainly,” and he wrote the word “Jellicoe,” which no doubt will be highly prized by the infant owner throughout her life.

The party were interested in the old house, which served as a military barracks on Maryland Hill in the stirring days of the war. The history of the building was briefly related by the historian of the party (Mr. W. H. Skinner), and attention was drawn to the thickness of the corrugated iron behind and on the sides of the big fireplace. “Don’t see it like that nowadays,” said His Excellency, whose staff remarked that the fireplace was about the biggest they had ever seen. Lord Jellicoe inspected the public sleeping rooms on either side, and expressed himself approvingly of the spic and span appearance of them and of the place generally. Lord Jellicoe was keen on climbing as much of the mountain as he could in the time at his disposal, and immediately on arrival set off at a brisk rate up the track, which was pretty heavy as the result of recent heavy rains. He reached a point some short distance below Humphrey’s Castle, and got an excellent view of the forest-garbed mountain slopes, the gently undulating and grass clad plains below, with the sea in the distance. The visibility was fair, Paritutu and Moturoa being clearly seen, as too was the coast line towards the Mokau. Unfortunately clouds hung about the top of the peak, and did not dissipate until later in the afternoon. It was an excellent view that was obviously greatly appreciated.

LADY JELLICOE’S CLIMB. Lady Jellicoe was determined not to be beaten by the Governor-General, and, accompanied by some ladies of the party, endeavored to catch up to her energetic husband. At one difficult place she slipped and fell, but this untoward incident only served to make her more determined to carry on. She must have climbed fully 900 feet when she met Lord Jellicoe and those with him on the return. Both were obviously disappointed that their timetable would not permit of their continuing the climb.

The journey was rendered the more interesting to Lord Jellicoe by having as companions Mr. Maxwell, who is a botanist of colonial repute, and Mr. W. H. Skinner, the Taranaki historian, who was able to relate the part the mountain played in the life and legends of the Maoris. In both subjects Lord Jellicoe manifested great interest.

After the luncheon, which was a very fine one (arranged and put on by Mrs. Cameron in her best style, and done hearty justice to by the vice-regal party), both Lord and Lady Jellicoe were loth to leave the mountain and its beautiful surroundings. The whole proceedings were delightfully informal in keeping with the surroundings and atmosphere of the mountain. Both are keen upon renewing acquaintance with Taranaki’s sentinal. and it is certain that when they do it will not be their fault if they do not conquer the mountain. which’His Excellency regards as a challenge to every virile man who/comes under its influence. HER EXCELLENCY AS MOTORIST.

Lady Jellicoe is a keen and capable motorist, and enjoyed the good roads of Taranaki. She sent her car by train to Wanganui, and thence drove to Patea and around to New Plymouth. She was anxious to drivje the car to the mountain house, but eventually she was dissuaded from doing so, on' the ground that she would be unable to enjoy the scenery on the track. The mountain journey is a fairly severe test of skill in driving and handling a motor, especially a big one, as.her’s is, but Her Excellency has more than once driven over the Paekakariki hill, which is a very difficult and dangerous undertaking. The mountain track certainly is not dangerons. It was as well that she did not drive herself, as both going and returning both she and Lord Jellicoe took In fully and greatly enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the track, which was described by Sir Rider Haggard “as the finest walk in the world.” It is safe to say that the mountain trip was not the least enjoyable part of their full and extensive programme in Taranaki. It ought to be mentioned that the entrance to the hostelry >vas specially decorated for the occasion with ferns and Union Jacks, whilst the interior of the dining-rooms was also decorated, the table decorations being very fine indeed. Her Excellency spoke appreciatively of the taste shown and of the excellent cruisine. It came as a sur--42 and Lo r 4 Jellicoe to

find that such excellent accommodation, appointments and food were to be found on the mountain slopes. When apprised of the tariff, Lord Jellicoe did not hide his amazement that such a service could be given for such modest charges.

In his brief address of welcome, the chairman of the committee expressed regret that the stay was so short and the hope that Their Excellencies would later on return. He also mentioned the value of the mountain to those whose nervous systems had been affected by the stress of work and worry. His Excellency, in his reply, said he hoped that his nerves would never be in a condition requiring such remedial attention, but to renew an already vigorous health. He was sure it was a valuable attraction and asset to the district, and no one could view it without being impressed by its beauty and grandeur. On their way to the mountain the children manifested their loyalty to and interest in the Governor-General by flying flags and cheering as the vice-regal party sped along. At some places adults also joined in the demonstrations, particularly at Egmont Village, where a bouquet was handed to Lady Jellicoe. The spontaneity and sincerity of these demonstrations were greatly appreciated by Lord and Lady Jellicoe.

THE JUVENILE SPIRIT. The party were held up along the Avenue Road. Some juveniles had a line of flags and stretched it across the road, intimating to the Governor that they wanted him to stop, which he duly did. Then they came, up to the car, calmly pushed autograph liooks forward, and asked in most polite language Lord and Lady Jellicoe for their signatures’. CQhe distinguished 'visitors readily acquiesced, and were tnen allowed to proceed. The self-possession and resource of your colonial youngster! Who but New Zealand children would ever- think of bailing up a GovernorGeneral?

Was Mt. Egmont “tapu” to the Maoris ? It is generally believed that it was. But in the early days of last century the tribes in the neighborhood of Te Namu and Parihaka, hearing that the bloodthirsty Waikatos were making a descent upon Taranaki, repaired to the mountain, climbing to a place called “Muru,” under the shade of a gigantic bluff, about 4000 feet up from the western side of the mountain, and thought themselves perfectly safe, for they had ample supplies of kumara, ika (fish), taro and other foodstuff, and water was near by. But they reckoned without the resource of their enemies. Amongst their party was one who knew of this secret hiding-place—-for was it not mentioned in their traditions? —and so the taura (war party) was quietly piloted to the scene. There was a secret route from the northern side, via. the Pouakai ranges, and so well was the manoeuvre carried out that the exits from the hiding-place were closed, and then commenced the wholesale slaughter of the unfortunate inhabitants. Not one escaped. It is recorded that other tribes living in the shadows of the mountain were not surprised that such a disaster had overtaken those who had. sought an asylum on the mountain. They had broken the tapu and suffered but due punishment for their heinous action.

THE “TAPU” CONTINUES. In 1839, Dr. Dieffenbach, the great botanist, had difficulty in prevailing upon the Maoris to accompany him from Moturoa to the mountain, which he was anxious to explore and ascend. They tried to dissuade him from the undertaking. They said the mountain was tapu, that there were ngarara (a species of crocodiles) upon it that would undoubtedly eat him, whilst the hungry moa was also there anxious to assimilate the flesh of a pakeha. After a great deal of talk the natives consented to let an old tohunga go as guide, and off they started for the mountain. The name of the guide was Tanguhu, and on the fourth day out the, party struck rain and on the tenth, hungry and sore, they resolved to abandon the trip and return to the coast. Tanguhu proved a very unreliable guide. Later on Dr. Dieffenbach made a fresh attempt in the company of Ekake, another chief, and a half-caste named Heberley, from the Wellington district, and after a trudge lasting six days reached the summit of the mountain, where they found a perfect/ skeleton of a rat, carried there no doubt by a hawk. The Maoris, however, refused to go beyond the snow line. The “tapu” was observed by them, and still is to this day, no native having the slightest inclination to climb the mountain. This story was related to His Excellency, who finds the early history of the Dominion very fascinating. The mountain authorities had arranged to keep the track closed whilst the vice-rega] party were going and returning. A youth was put on the gate to see that the order was carried out. A motor party from the south arrived and were chagrined to find they could not proceed immediately. Coincidentally the driver was the uncle of the lad on guard, but this mattered not. “No use being an uncle these days,” he said. The lad was not to be moved to depart from his duty even for an uncle. A MAORI WELCOME. f During the whole of the Gov-ernor-General’s stay in Taranaki the services of the police have not been invoked. It is understood that His Excellency specially asked the police not to put themselves out in any way; he preferred to be treated just as an ordinary visitor without any semblance of a special police guard or protection'.

On the arrival of the GovernorGeneral at Bell Block yesterday a number of Maori wahines who were present set up their plaintive wail of welcome. The Regimental Band then commenced to play the National Anthem, and the natives’ greeting passed almost unheard and unnoticed.

The monument at Bell Block, erected to the men of that and neighboring districts who fell in the Great War, is a very fine one, and would not disgrace a town of the size and importance of New Plymouth. It is fully described elsewhere in this issue. The arrangements ,-in connection with the unveiling ceremony were carried out efficiently and successfully, the service being both expressive and impressive. Afternoon tea was dispensed afterwards at the hall, which proved all too small for the big numbers present, but the committee managed very well, being attentive to all, and are to be complimented upon the way everything passed off. Special ci edit is due to Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Connett, who did the honors with fine taste and appreciation of all that was required of such an important and epoch-marking occasion. While Lord Jellicoe was at the golf links on Friday afternoon Her Excellency played tennis at the Girls’ High

School. In mixed doubles Lady Jellicoe had Mr. C. Webster as her partner, and their opponents were Miss Greatbach and Mr. J. C. Nicholson. Two sets were played, and the honors were divided. With Miss Brewster as her partner, Her Excellency won a game against Misses L. Thomson and Rundle.

Lord Jellicoe, as president of the board, attended a meeting of the New Plymouth Savings Bank on Friday afternoon and presided as chairman. His Excellency was accompanied by his A.D.C. and the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) and the borough manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer). The minutes of the previous meeting were signed by the Governor-General, who said that he was pleased to bo able to attend the meeting in the bank’s new home. Before leaving Lord Jellicoe inspected the bank’s office, and. also that of the company in whose building it is situated. On Friday afternoon Lord Jellicoe, accompanied by Captains Curtis and Mundy drove out to Waiwakaiho and played a round on the course. Three four-ball matches were arranged. In the first His Excellency, partnered, by Dr. Walker, played T. P. Anderson and R. W. D. Robertson, and after a close game His Excellency’s side won on the last green. Tn the second match Captain Curtis, who is a 4 handicap player, and F. S. Johns played W. C. Weston and A. Smith. This was also a hard game, Captain Curtis winning the match on the last green with a well-played 5. Captain Mundy played, with Dr. Wade against J. Austin and T. G. Thompson. This was another close game, the match ending all square. His Excellency, in game, said how pleased he was with t’he thanking the president for the enjoyable course and its very pretty surroundings, and hoped that he would have many other opportunities of playing on the links.