WAIMATE’S WELCOME.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 12 October 1926, Page 11

WAIMATE’S WELCOME.

iWET DAY BUT WARM HEARTS. GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S VISIT. On his visit to AVaimato_ the Governor-General yesterday experienced a wet day, necessitating the welcome being given in the Olympia Hall. However, the main street- was gaily bedecked with bunting. After lunching at the Royal, their Excellencies repaired to the Olympia. On entering the hall His Excellency was greeted by' a salute from the Territorials, while tho Band played. Those on the platform in addition to the Vicc-ltega! party and Mrs G. Dash, Mr and Airs 11. B. S. Johnstone, Air and Airs AV. G. Paul, Air and Airs Nash, Air and Airs J. B. Robinson, Air and All's AV. A. Nelson, Air and Airs Lewis, Air and Airs Smith, Air and Airs Tweedy, Air and ■ Airs Grut, Mr and Airs Bailey, Air J. Bitchonor, M.P., and All's Bitchener, Mi- and Airs AV. A. Leo, Mr and Airs E. C. Studholme, Ah' and Airs AV. Hayman, Mr and Airs Hurst, Lieutenant Barclay, Alessrs J. Atwill, L. J. Collins, AV. Lindsay, H. M. AVhatman, and SI. Fitch.

After Sir Charles Fergusson had inspected tho regiment and thanked them for coming out' to honour him, the Boy Scouts performed a liaka. His Excellency then addressed the Scouts, saying that he had seen a good many in Now Zealand, and the troop before him would compare favourably with most. He knew, what good a Scout troop did. The Governor-General then mounted to the stage, and when all were seated the town clerk (Mr AA r . A. Lee) read the borough address, as follows : “Tho Alayor, Councillors, and'burgesses of tho Borough of AVaimato desire to assure you, as the representative of . His, Alost Gracious , Alajosty the Kind, of our continued loyalty to the throne. To our hill-sheltered town overlooking tho blue Pacific, we tender you a welcomo as warm as the sunshine of this favoured isle, and in that welcomo wohnost heartily include Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson, whose earlier visits to ‘To A\ r aimate’ have, we trust, left her hajipy memories. It is our proud aim to strengthen the ties that bind us to an Empire whoso watchwords are ‘Liberty and Justice,’ and whoso sons leap to render distinguished service such as won for your Excellency the honours bestowed upon you by our King. Our loyalty to the throno, our steadfast support of the Empire, and our high regard for the distinguished representative of the King, who to-dnv honours us by his presence, are golden threads in tho warm texture of our welcomo.”

Tho Alayor, in presenting the address, referred to it as containing feeble words ’of welcome. It would need a warm welcome to make up for the clerk' of the weather. Since he had been in tho town he had known it worse only once. They had had snow that morning, but it in no way represented tho warmth from AVaimate. He would have much liked to have .shown,-jHis.,,Excellency the beautiful gorge and wheat country, and also tho hill country, and the bush, with ferns and moss, tho beauties of which were indescribable. He would have liked to have shown His Excellency Alt. Studholme, from where one could see Christchurch and Dunedin. Tho speaker would have liked to have shown the Memorial Arch in memory of the fallen soldiers, and would have wished to have His Excellency stay long enough to have mad© the acquaintance of the district. Tho speaker tendered the Governor-General a very hearty welcome. Tho following address was then read on behalf of County residents: — “Alay it please Your Excellency, upon this, your first visit to AVaimate, tl)e chief town of tho AVaimato county, we, the chairman and Councillors of AVaimato County, desire to extend to you and to Her Excellency Lady Alie© Fergusson, on behalf of the inhabitants of tho County, a most cordial and respectful welcome to our district. Your Excellency’s distinguished position as representative of . His Alost Gracious Alajosty tho King, allows us the privilego of assuring you of our steadfast loyalty to the Crown. AA r o are not unconscious of tho interest you havo shown in our welfare, and we desire to express tho pleasure and honour wo feel at your presence among us to-day. AVo hope that the visit of your Excellencies on this occasion may bo as gratifying to you as it is to us in giving you welcomo.”

Air H. B. S. Johnstone, chairman of tho AVaimate County Council, spoil© on behalf of tho Council and referred to tho largo area of first-rate agricultural and pastoral land in the County, which was the fairest in New Zealand. On behalf of the residents of th© county, lie presented His Excellency with an illuminated address as a memento of loyalty and appreciation.

Tho member for tho district, Air J. Bitchener, ALP., expressed his gladness at being able to speak on an occasion liko tho present. Ho felt gratified to think that their Excellencies had oome to visit AVaimate. Tbe speaker referred to the interest Her Excellency took in tho well-being of children, saying that she had shown a great interest in the young people of tho Empire. Referring to the Great AVar, Air Bitchener said that when the bugle called no other young men responded moro cheerfully than those of this district. The Empire, peopled with such a class of people, need have no-fear. Our hoys had cemented a firm friendship with tho pcop’o of the Old Country, which would go on to tho end of time. Tho speaker wished their Excellencies a hearty welcome, and hoped that after their sojourn in New Zealand they would go away with tho idea that there were no finer people than here. Ho was quite certain that the people thought no less of tho present Gov-ernor-General than, they did of the others. In his travels round New Zealand. His Excellency was blazing a trail which would be hard to follow by others. Tho, speaker felt sure that ho would bo vvoicing : tho feelings of tho district when ho said that ho wished then- Excellencies would como again to AVaimate.

Tho Mayor then read a telegram from Councillor Twomey, expressing regret that lie was unablo to attend the function, but owing to pressure of work, on Jus farm it was impossible. He wished his'best wishes conveyed to their Excellencies. In responding to the. address and snocehes of ( welcome, His. Excellency thanked tho Mayor'..- heartj.lv for the address in which was embodied views of AVaimate, which lie described ns very beautiful. He expressed his gladness at having an opportunity of visiting lYaimate, but was.KpiTy he could not stay longer. Sneaking to the assemblage, J-Tis Exeo'lenry said it was his first visit to Waimate, but it was not Her Excellency's first. " It was hero as n girl that, she learned to crack a stockwhip, which she still, practised on the lawn of Government House. When one startod to travel round Hew Zealand. said His Excellency, one found nut what a big country it was. He had been travelling round for two and a half veers, and had not seen it all yet. His Exeelleney, addressing the guard of honour, expressed pleasure at meeting vmmg soldiers who would take J l -- nlae" of the gallant men who had d'el "t the front. Ho was n ] sn leased to meet the returned snld'ors, who were the r«eiwseet->.!ives of those who had gone tn the war. His Excellency made seaw enii"ratul.atorv remarks poueerning tho Boy Scouts and Girl Guidos. ,

Ho referred "to the competition of Canadian butter oh the London market, which, he said, fetched nearly tho same price as New Zealand butter. Canada was going in seriously for butter, and if New Zealand would compete she must leave no stone unturned to maintain a high quality. Referring to immigration, Sir Charles said that a good immigrant, was not necessarily a good farmer. Some of tho best immigrants had no knowledge of agriculture at all, but as long as they were of good character the peonlo of Now Zealand should welcome them. There was plenty of room. New Zealand people wero proud of their Jovalty, and had every right to ho. It did not mean simply singing “God Save tho King,” but meant service. The people should also buy British-goads. After tho Governor-General had shaken hands with tho roturned soldiers present, and expressed • his thank's for their attendance, tho gathering gave three hearty cheers.

Their Excellencies then adjourned to tho County Council Chambers, where afternoon tea was served. Afterwards they left for the south.