Untitled

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9919, 6 August 1910, Page 6

Parsons and A.. Williams, Messrs A. D. Dobson (City Engineer), H. Pearce (chairman of the Christchurch Tram- ?^ ar (chairman of the Christ church Drainage Board), and H. J. Marrmer. (president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce). clerk, Mr H. R. Smith, read the following address "to his celieiicy;—

lo Ids .Excellency the Right. Honorable John Poynder, Baron Islington, ■ Governor and_ Commander-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's dominion of New Zealand aud its. dependencies. ; ■

We, the Mayor, Councillors and citizens of the city of Christchurch, desire to assure your Excellency of our devoted loyalty to his Majesty the King,*of whom you arc the distinguished representative. We •also tender your Excellency a very hearty welcome on this your first visit to the city of Cliristchurcli, and have no-doubt that, ■when you have an opportunity of seeing the great development of the natural resources of the province, you will appreciate the energy displayed by the Canterbury settlers. FroiiS our knowledge of the distinguished public 'services already, rendered by your Excellency, we feel that under your wise government- the welfare of the dominion of New Zealand will be assured. '

Wo hope at nc> distant date to have the pleasure .of seeing Lady Islington in Christchurch. and we trust that your Excellency's and Lady Islington's experience of New Zealand will be such as to cause both of you to look back upon your sojourn amongst us as one of the happiest periods of your live*. : '

Signed on .behalf l of ; the Mayor, Councillors and citizens of the citv of Christchurch this, Oth dav of August, 1910.

CHARLES ALLISON, 'Mayor.'' H. R. SMITH, Town - Clerk. The address was presented by the Mayor to Lord Islington,., who replied Mr Mayor, Councillors and citizens of Christchurch: I thank you sincerely for_ the cordial address of welcome which you Have presented to mo today, oil 'tho occasion of my first visit to your city. • As the representative >of his Majesty King George, I am pleased to acknowledge your , assurances. of loyalty to the throne 'and person of'liia Majesty. It is exceedingly gratifying to mo to receive t ( hese/continued expressions of loyalty and, devotion \to the British C'rpwn in this the farthest removed from the United Kingdom, vet one of the most loyal.' Such expressions are evidence ,of : tho ties that bind you to tlio Mother Cotih- • try and show that, notwithstanding your self-reliance and independence, you are -proud< and oven ready to recognise those duties that fall on all', members of our great Empire." (Applause.) - His Excellency went on to say that lie had been told, that ipprsons from the Old Country when visiting Christchurch' were struck with the similarity of the city to towns in England. • -The truth of that observation had been borne in upon him .while approaching the city and since sotting foot in it. ->Beneath the spire of one of the cathedrals? a stranger might-be excused for imagining himself back .in the Old Land. Another pleasing feature that had impressed him was the sight of English ' trees in the streets and grounds. These and the spacious plan of the city tended to give it a most distinctive characteristic appearance. A citv set'in such favourable eurrouiiding& could not fail, ■to have a splendid future. . Cliristchurcli was one more instauco of the great development that had taken place in this young country during the last half-centUry, and the citv that had been built up by its presen't inhabitants and their fathers spoke vol macs for the natural resources -of the xwovince and the remarkable energy displayed.by .the settlers of. Canterbury. Tho great pastoral and agricultural industry that had been developed in the province had made tlie name of Canterbury famous ' in the Home markets, aud must, with proper care and attention,, ever be the main source, of" the prosperity of ita people. He trusted, therefore, tliat "it would always have their best attention, and chat agriculture ■ would be placed on so sound a footing that thev might derive increasing benefits and* results 1 from it. , , \ '' While I have been fortunate enough to have travelled in many parts of the Empire, and to study their meat." said his.Excellency, in conclusion, '' I am satisfied that - no portion of his Majesty's dominions has a fairer re-/ cord of- steady and continued expansion, or a brighter outlook than the domion ol New Zealand. I am anxiously awaiting tho arrival of Lady Islington, and I can assure you that her Excellency and myself anticipate spending a very pleasant sojourn in this interesting and beautiful country. We shall at all times regard it as a pleasure to visit Christchurch'and the province of Canterbury." (Applause.) The Mayor, in addressing his Excellency, said that the people of Christchurch had recognised from the fact that Lord Islington had been appointed to the' position which he now occupied by the British Government that he must be extremely worthy to hold it, even if they had not been apprised of his fitness to represent the King by reading of his career in other parts of the Empire. His Excellency's record, political, civil, municipal and military, showed that he was eminently fitted for the position, and formed an rfnquestiouable guarantee that, he would safeguard the Svelfare of the dominion and protect its destinies. He was the visible link between the dominion and the Mother Country, between which thereexisted a strong bond of sympathy and warm affection. On the' part, of the dominion that, spirit had been engendered by the sonso that it had been afforded protection and assistance from its foundation by the country from which its settlers had come, and they had also to thank the Mother Country for her endowment of a most liberal constitution and the enjoyment of freedom. In conclusion the Mayor expressed a hope that when in course of time Lord aud Lady Islington left New Zealand, they would carry away with them nothing but the most pleasurable recollections of their sojourn in the dominion. (Applause.) In reply, Lord Islington said: "I desire very briefly to acknowledge your very gracious and kindly remarks on this my first entry into the city of Christchurch, remarks which I gather represent the kindly feelings not only of your representative Council, but of the citizens of Christchurch as well. '(Hear,hear.) It is a matter of great gratification to me to go, as I am going, into the different parts of the dominion and to find that wherever I go I am met with extreme- cordiality, courtesy aud graciousuess on the part of all the inhabitants with whom I am brought into contact when , I am brought among them. It is a most eloquent indication on the part of Neiv Zoalandcrs that they,desire to main- , tain in thq warmest and closest manner their connection with the Mother Country and their connection with tho Empire, and their desire to indicate this feeling to me." (Applause.) Lord Islington went on to say that it would afford very great pleasure to him and to Lady Islington in days to come to reside for some portion of the yefctr in Christchurch or its. immediate vicinity. (Applause.) He would look forward to, visiting the different districts of the South Island and to coming into closer contact with the community residing in the island. Lord Islington again" expressed his appreciation of the warmth of the welcome that had been extended to him. and expressed a hope that he would bo brought into the closest intimacy with the people of New Zealand, and that tho kindly regard that had been expressed might be maintained and strengthened during his term of office among them. (Applause.) Hearty cheers were, given for Hs Excellency and for Lady Islington. I he Governor was introduced by the Mayor to those on , tJie platform ana then inspected • the cadets. The

cheering was renewed as he drove away from the Square.

ENTERTAINED BY THE MAYOR

LUNCHEON IN THE CITY COUNCIL

CHAMBERS

! At one o'clock, his Excellency was ientertained at luncheon by the Mavor in the Cit.y_ Council Chambers. The .Mayor presided, and about eighty 'gentlemen sat down at the table. 'Amongst them were Bishop Julius, tho Rev T. Tflit, tho Rev C. H. Laws, tho Rev I. Bernstein, the Hon H. E. iWigram, M.L.C., Lieutenant-Colonel G. J. Smith, M.L.C. (Acting-Officer Commanding the District), Mr H. J. '.Marriner, acting-president of the Cham:ber of Commerce, foreign consuls and tmembers of the City Council. Apolo■gies wore received for the absence of VBishop Grimes, Sir Robert Stout (Chief- ' Justice). Sir Charles Bowen, the Hon J. (Barr, M.L.C., the Hon C. Louisson, Colonel Robin, Mr H. W. Bishop, \ g.M., Mr Justice Sim and Messrs H. G. Ell, T. H. Davey, T. E. Taylor and |G. Laurenson, members of the House 'of Representatives. i In proposing " His Excellency the Governor," th© Mayor said that tliore 'had been many Governors in New Zea-' ( land, and all "had been a credit to the ( country and were worthy of the trust [imposed upon them. They had largely 'assisted in guiding the affairs when a •strong mind was necessary. % The Governors had shown much common-sense and tact, qualities which had proved to ihe very invaluable in dealing with tho 'Native question in the early days of colonisation. In Lord Islington the ; dominion had a Governor who would !t>e in no way behind thoso who had preceded him. (Hoar, hear.) The duties he had already discharged as a Soldier and a politician were a guarantee that he would be an able Governor. He would endear himself by *iis genial manner to the people. (Hear, hear.)

The toast was drunk enthusiasticfol.lv, aiid those present sang " For He's V Jolly Good Fellow." ■ '

i HIS EXCELLENCY'S ADDRESS

THE IMPERIALISTIC SPIRIT

In reply, his Excellency said that ho jtaost gratefully acknowledged, the generous "hospitality extended to him by the Mayor and the citizens 011 that his first visit to Christchurch. He also wished- to express —very inadequately, perhaps—the 'feeling of intense satisfaction .and gratification he experienced at the cordiality of the citizens' reception. In 'coming to Christchurch be felt that he .Was retracing his steps homeward, as 'die found himself once more in a delightful 'English city. (Applause.) He congratulated New Zealand on its action/"in .-spending contingents to the South African war, and urged strongly that steps should be taken to encourage the Imperial spirit which was manifested, in this' dominion. It would be not only his duty, t but also his pleajsure. to do what'lie could, in his own province, to bring closer the bonds of Empire. (Applause.) i ' Bishoo Julias proposed the toast of The. Parliament of New Zealand." He said that he believed that Parliament did try to take a statesmanlike ■ view of national affairs, and to look 'forward to tho time when the country •was much larger than at present, and also tried to do what was advantageous to the peoplo. ' " Mr Wigram responded. He said that (lie had' listened to his -Excellency's retmarks with deep interest, and felt- that jKew Zealand was to be congratulated '»n having Lord Islington as Governor. I His Excellency proposed the toast of "The Chairman," 'which was enthusiastically honoured.

THE LEVEE

A LARGE GATHERING,

, At 4 p.m. his Excellency-held a levee fin the Provincial Council Chambers, at (which there was a large attendance of !citizens, who were presented to Lord 'lslington. The Governor was escorted to the building by the Mounted Rifles, and a guard of honour was provided by , the Highland Rifles. The Garrison Band was in attendance and played _a ,verse of the National Anthem as his (Excellency left the building. A large Jcrowd watched, the Governor arrive (and depart.