TEMUKA CIVIC WELCOME

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22489, 26 January 1943, Page 4

TEMUKA CIVIC WELCOME

Vice-Regal Visit Domain Forms Beautiful Setting Temuka was en fete for the first official visit of their Excellencies, the Governor-General and Ladv Newall yesterday. Fine weather favoured the occasion, the town was beflagged, and the Domain formed a beautiful setting for the civic function. A feature exclusive to Temuka was representation of the Arowhenua Runanga, the largest Maori settlement in the South Island, and a display of items by a Maori party.

Sir Cyril and Lady Newall arrived in Temuka at 12.45 p.m. and were received by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs W. H. McMillan) and the Town Clerk (Mr F. W. McDonald). Guests at the civic luncheon at the Crown Hotel were the Mayor and Mayoress, councillors and their wives, the Town Clerk, the Borough banker (Mr R. I. McGregor), the Borough solicitor (Mr F. A. Joynt) and their wives. Mr J. Acland, M.P., and Mrs Acland, the chairman of the Geraldine County Council (Mr K. Mackenzie) and his daughter, Mrs R. McKeown, were also present. Drawn up to greet their Excellencies were units comprising the Temuka Returned Services’ Association, Emergency Precautions Scheme, VoluntarAid Detachment, Girl Guides, Boys’ Brigade and boys of the Salvation Army Boys’ Home. The Temuka Municipal Band and the Temuka Pipe Band were in attendance. After his Excellency had inspected the guard of honour formed by members of the Temuka R.S.A., under the command of Captain J. L. Menzies, Sir Cyril and Lady Newall were escorted to the Band Rotunda by the Mayor. The Mayor read a formal address of welcome and Sir Cyril acknowledged the expression of loyalty. Record of District “In extending a welcome to your Excellencies on behalf of the people of Temuka and district.” said the Mayor, “we are mindful, first of all, that you are the representative of his Majesty the King. As such, we respectfully assure you of our loyalty to the throne. The best traits of British character are made manifest in the lives of their Majesties, who are making such sacrifices at the present time to comfort bereaved ones and help, in a practical way, those who have been deprived of their homes by enemy action.”

“In common with other districts in New Zealand,” continued the Mayor, "the call to the colours was no sooner sounded in the Temuka district than both Maori and pakeha responded. The Temuka Football Club has no fewer than 67 men serving overseas, and this is typical of most of the sport bodies in the district. Awards for gallantry have been made to several of our soldiers and airmen. The women of the district are well represented in the Services and those at home are playing a wonderful part in various organisations such as the Voluntary Aids, Home Nursing, Patriotic Committees and in knitting comforts for the men of all Services. The Maoris of Arowhenua have the distinction of having offered every available man for service, and I would like to take this opportunity of placing on record Temuka’s appreciation of their loyalty.” “I bring you a most hearty welcome from the County residents of the Temuka district,” said Mr K. Mackenzie. “Temuka has taken its full share in the war effort and men from this district are amongst those New Zealanders who are chasing Rommel in North Africa and bringing nearer the time when he will have to get out altogether. We are proud of the men from this district and, to those who lost loved ones we extend our deep sympathy. I am very pleased to be on the platform today with a representative of the Maori race. They are residents of the County and we are proud of what they have accomplished. The Maoris have proved themselves warriors of the first order, and their names will ever be associated with the deeds of valour of New Zealanders and inscribed on the same roll of honour.” Tribute to Lady Newall “We are proud that your Excellencies are here as representatives'of their Majesties," said Mr Acland. “We are proud of this opportunity of meeting her Excellency, Lady Newall, for herself, as well as being a representative of our great ally, America. Since her Excellency has come to New Zealand, she has lost no opportunity of making the acquaintance of as many of the people of this country as possiole. She is interested in our children, in our homes and. in our town and country life and she never spares herself in ascertaining our problems and helping to overcome them. She is setting our womenfolk a very high example and I am quite certain we could have no finer representative of her Majesty the Queen than we have in her Excellency. To win the peace that is coming, we must have tolerance between ourselves, tolerance between countries, tolerance between nations. Her Excellency is giving us a wonderful lead with her friendship, tolerance and understanding of our way of life.” Maori Welcome “I extend to your Excellencies our warmest greetings and a sincere welcome on behalf of the Maoris of Arowhenua, whom I represent,” said Corporal R. C. Taipana. “I would like to assure you. sir, of the deep loyalty of the Arowhenua Runanga to his Majesty, the King, whom you represent. You will observe the smallness of our numbers, chiefly brought about by the enlistment of our voung men, now serving overseas in the cause of freedom and for the British Empire, of which we are proud to be a part. We are proud too in the knowledge that our young men, fighting side by side with their pakeha brothers, are nobly upholding the ancient traditions and the 'Mana Rangatira of our Tupuna's.’ This is borne out by the heroic deeds of our Maori Battalion, in the Middle East, many of whom have made the supreme sacrifice. We mourn their loss, but we are consoled by the knowledge that their sacrifice has not been in vain. The remnants of my people, sir, are striving to do their utmost lor the common cause and are helping, in every possible way to further all patriotic organisations.” “The profound interest in the Maori people taken by yourself and your predecessors in office,” continued Corporal Taipana, "and the way in which their welfare has been upheld by the long line of governors of New Zealand has been greatly appreciated by my people. It goes to show that, not only in New Zealand, but also in Britain, are the close links recognised that bind Maori and pakeha together. The unity of our races is acknowledged and applauded. It typifies the intricate union of the many races that make up our glorious Empire. Kia Ora.” After acknowledging the welcome an Inspection o£ the various units parading was made by their Excellencies and a display of items by a Maori concert party was much appreciated. The afternoon concluded with a party in the Bowling Club ground, where afternoon tea was served by a ladies' committee, assisted by members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, and their Excellencies were presented to the invited guests. HOWLING The final of the A grade singles was played on Saturday afternoon, when J. B. Davis defeated A. S. Mclnnes. During the first half of the game Mclnnes was leading. Davis caught up on the 15th head and, on the 20th, was 4up with one head to go. Mclnnes burnt the two next heads trying to catcli up his four, but failed to burn the 23rd, leaving Davis five up at tile conclusion of the game.