CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18539, 9 April 1930, Page 9

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) IN AND ABOUT THE CITY. CHRISTCHURCH, April 8. The Reform Party. The reorganisation of the Canterbury division of the New Zealand Political Reform League is proceeding satisfactorily, and from a large number of applicants Mr C. L. Hardie has been appointed organiser for the district. He will control the organisation work of the nine electorates in the Canterbury province. He is a son of Mr C. D. Hardie, librarian at Canterbury College, and late inspector of schools. Mr Hardie will take up his duties on April 22. Rape Crops Perish. Rain is very much needed in the Oxford district. Except near the foothills, feed has gone off at an alarming extent. Grass is parched, turnips are retarded. and rape ik a failure. It is not unusual to secure good rape for late feeding by sowing towards the end of February or the beginning of March. The practice was continued this year, and the immediate prospects of good crops were excellent, and, notwithstanding the low price of lambs, there was hope of a recovery. By the failure of the rape crop the prospects are almost dismal, and unless rain falls soon the consequences will be disastrous. An Obliging Governor. Catching sight of an amateur photographer. who was endeavouring to snap the group on the railway station this morning. Lord Bledisloe said: “You have not a good light here. We will go over there, where the light is good, if you like." They did so. to the satisfaction of the photographer. Welcome to Governor-General. His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady Bledisloe, arrived in Christchurch to-day on their first official visit and were accorded a civic welcome in the Municipal Council Chamber. With their Excellencies were Sir John Hanham and Lieut. J. C. Elworthy. R.N.. aides-de-camp. The Mayor (Rev. J. K. Archer), said that their Excellencies were received to Canterbury with pleasure and enthusinasm. The relationships between the public and Governor-Generals was more than official, it was friendly. Lord Bledisloe was an Englishman, but her Excellency was Welsh. It was the first time in New Zealand that a Welsh lady had held such a high position in the land. It was a mixed community, and everyone welcomed their Excellencies. Christchurch claimed to be a very fine city, and the province was a •very fine one. Lord Bledisloe was interested in agriculture and education and the hundred and one other things of vital interest to the public. Lieut. Elworthy, a member of his Excellency’s staff, was a grandson of Archbishop Julius.

The Mayor then presented Lord Bledisloe with an album containing an address.

His Excellency expressed his personal thanks to Archbishop Julius for attending. The name of the Archbishop was known throughout the Empire. Sir George Julius, a son of the Archbishop, led the delegation of Australians to the Imperial Research Conference in London. and of all the scientists who attended not one gave more valuable contributions nor was more popular than Sir George Julius. His Excellency said that there was no more deservedly popular monarch than King George, and all were grateful that he had been restored to health The warmth of the welcome was gathered from the affectiqn with which their worthy predecessors had been held by the people. Notably there was that fine old sailor Earl Jellicoe, and Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson, who had raised the prestige of a high office. The people had every reason to be proud of their city. The pioneers had been wise and prescient. The boast that Christchurch was the most English city outside of England was flattering to England. There were very few towns in England with such wide streets, and stately buildings. Then there were the beautiful parks and gardens, the fine water supply and the other social amenities, which counted ever so much in the promotion of an up-to-date urban community. One feature of the Dominion life was the spirit of co-operation, not only in the production and marketing, but in the other affairs of life.

His Excellency said that a period of depression hung like a cloud over the world, and it was a very dark cloud so far as England and other countries were concerned. It hung over New Zealand, but it was a cloud with a silver lining. Ere long it would pass across the horizon ar.d give place to the sunshine and happiness of prosperity. With the courage and enterprise that had distinguished New' Zealand in the past the Dominion would pass through its temporary difficulties with greater ease than other countries not so happily placed. “You have a remarkably clean Press." said his Excellency. “It is clean and very fair, and if I may say so. of great literary ability. “Finally you have a very low death rate, particularly among the young people. No one could embark on the shores of New Zealand without being Impressed by the children. “As deteriorating influences are in the world today you will endeavour to maintain your countrvyide a.s free from vandalism as possible. His Excellency said that it. was not only the duty of ministers of religion to guard the children. It developed on everyone. “We like you," he said, “and we want you to like us."

Last evening Lord and Lady Bledisloe attended a meeting promoted by the Obstetrical Society in support of its appeal, and both spoke in commendation of the objects of the appeal.