LORD BLEDISLOE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20107, 14 May 1935, Page 12

LORD BLEDISLOE

ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND LONDON, April 19. Yesterday morning Lord and Lady Bledisloe arrived in London. It was a typical spring day of sunshine and showers, and the Easter invasion and exodus had begun. It was the busiest day of the year at Tilbury docks when the Rangitiki berthed, as over a thousand people were leaving by various boats to spend the Easter holidays cruising, mostly in search of sunshine. Promptly at 11 o'clock the boat train arrived at St. Pancras, and about a hundred New Zealanders had gathered to support Sir James Parr in welcoming Lord and Lady Bledisloe. Lord Bledisloe, who had not been well during part of the voyage, was looking very fit, and Lady Bledisloe, in a Squirrel coat and tiny hat of pale blue, was smiling very happily as she recognised her relatives and friends. Bunches of roses, of tulips, of carnations were thrust into her arms. There were greetings all round, and three lusty cheers by the New Zealanders. Sir James Parr, in a felicitous speech which was drowned by shunting engines and rushing trains, expressed New Zealand's gratitude for his Excellency’s unstinting service to the Dominion, and Lord Bledisloe’s reply had gusty overtones of panting engines as they rushed in and out of the station with holiday crowds. Sir James Parr’s daughter. Miss Christine Parr, who had arrived by the same boat, had come direct to London by car, and was awaiting her father at his flat.

Among the New Zealanders who had come to meet the ex-Govemor-General and Lady Bledisloe were Mr Forsyth, Mr Hal Williams, Dr. and Mrs Christie, Miss Orbell, Dr. Harrap, Mr H. T. B. Drew, Mr and Mrs Cecil Wray, and Mrs T. C. Williamson. Representatives from the Dominion Office were also there, as well as relatives and personal friends. There were also a group which, I presume, represented Lord Bledisloe’s estate; country men, with ruddy faces, whom Lord Bledisloe greeted most cordially. After the official greeting was over, Lord and Lady Bledisloe left for their home in Sloan Square. The New Zealand Women's Association Is arranging a joint reception for Lody Bledisloe and Mrs Forbes, but the date of this has not yet been fixed.