BUSY AFTERNOON.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 911, 4 November 1933, Page 15

BUSY AFTERNOON.

Their Excellencies Visit Christchurch. ROUND OF VISITS. On a visit that will extend until the end of next week their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe, arrived -in Christchurch yesterday morning from Wellington, accompanied by Captain J. Tweedie, A.D.C. The members of the vice-regal party are the guests of the Hon Sir R. Heaton Rhodes at “Otahuna,” Tai Tapu. Lord and Lady Bledisloe had no public engagements in the morning but in the afternoon they had a busy time with four engagements. At 3 p.m. they called at the Community House of the Sisters of the Sacred Name in Barbadoes Street, and half an hour later were at the Te Waipounamu Maori Girls’ School in Ferry Road. Four o’clock saw the arrival of their Excellencies at Bishopscourt to meet the Anglican clergy of Christchurch and their wives. Afternoon tea was partaken of at Bishopscourt and then sharp on five o’clock their Excellencies reached the St Saviour’s Girls’ Home at Shirley, where they inspected the building. At the Community House their Excellencies were met by Bishop WestWatson, the Rev Mother Eleanor, the Rev C. E. Perry (warden) and the Rev F. R. Rawle (chaplain). They inspected the house, where Lady Bledisloe found especial interest in a room where there were exhibited the various articles made by the sisters for various churches in the diocese. After a visit to the chapel a short inspection was made of St Ethelred’s House conducted by Sister May, who until about twfelve months ago was in charge of St Saviour’s Home. Here old girls of St Saviour's can make their home while out of work or on holiday. Before leaving his Excellency briefly addressed the sisters of the Community. Among the Maori Girls. At the Maori School their Excellencies were welcomed by the Rev J. T. M’William (chairman) on behalf of the Te Waipounamu, and by Sister Kate, C.S.N. (principal). The girls were lined up to receive their Excellencies, in honour of whom they sang Maori songs, gave a poi dance and entered heartily into a haka. To mark the occasion Lady Bledisloe was presented With a bouquet from one of the girls, whom she shook by the hand and kissed. After Mr M’William had made a short speech of welcome Lord Bledisloe gave a short address to the girls in which he thanked them for their welcome and the bouquet thev had given her Excellency. He concluded with a suggestion that the authorities might grant the girls a holiday. Before leaving her Excellency bought two pieces of Maori carving done by the The visit was brought to an end with an inspection of the school chapel. As the vice-regal party drove away the girls cheered lustily, their Excellencies smilingly acknowledging the farewell. Bishop West-Watson and Mrs WestWatson received their Excellencies at Bishopscourt and introduced them to the assembled clergy and their wives. Among those present was Archbishop Julius with whom their Excellencies chatted for a short time. A photograph \fras taken with Lord and Lady Bledisloe in the midst of the clergy and afternoon tea Vas served prior to their (departure for St Saviour’s'. Their Excellencies were met at the orphanage by Mr J. G. L. Vernon, of the Shirley Home committee, Miss E. M. Edwards, the matron, and Mr A. G. S. Gibbs, secretarv to St Saviour’s Guild. Lady Bledisloe was presented with a bouquet by the smallest child and then the Girl Guide company and the younger girls were inspected as they stood lined up facing the drive. Their Excellencies were introduced to members of the St Saviour’s Council present and then went over the building, taking much interest in the bright and airy dormitories and remarking on the beauty of the little chapel Girl Guides Commended. The children assembled in the diningroom where they were addressed by Lord Bledisloe after Bishop West-Wat. son had spoken of the pleasure they w< T e given by the vice-regal visit. On behalf of Lady Bledisloe and himself his Excellency returned thanks for the welcome. He congratulated those who administered the home and the nurses and the matron on the efficient manner in which they carried out a great work, and expressed the hope that the inscription on one of the walls, “Where each lives for the other and all for God,” was a correct description of the home. He added that he was pleased to see a large number of the girls belonging to the Girl Guides because the Guides formed the greatest girl movement the world had ever seen. By it girls were able to learn all sorte of useful work and learn to be self-reliant. Girls should make the most of the movement. They lived in a ha ppy and healthy atmosphere in the home but not only were they made comfortable and were looked after, but above all they were taught to fear and love God under the shelter of the great old Anglican Church. He concluded with an appeal to the girls to use their influence which, as women, would be considerable, along the right lines. . Again their Excellencies were the recipients of hearty cheers and they were accorded a noisy and friendly farewell as they left after a visit of about three-quarters of an hour To-da3’- their Excellencies will attend the opening day of the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton. To-morrow morning they will be present at divine service in the Anglican Cathedral and on Monday they will visit Akaroa for an official reception. The visit is expected to last from three to five o’clock m the afternoon.