THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1557, 15 May 1903, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO TE AWAMUTU.

His Excellency the Governor and party arrived in T« Awamu'.u shortly alter midday on Tuesday last and were enthusiastically welcomed. Complete arrangements were made by the Town Board, in conjunction with Mr J. P. Vause, for a fitting reception. The township was gaily decorated with Hies, etc , and there was a large aftendance of settlers anil others present Unfortunately, wntcheil weather prevailed, and the projected drive to Kihikihi and Ransiaohia was abandoned. A large crowd assembled at the railway station at half-past one, and His Excellency and party were driven into the township The No. 2 Company of the Waikato Mounted Rifles, iu command of Captain Oeorce Berry, provided the guard of honour. On arriving at the township the party were greeted with hearty cheers from the old veterans and settlers, and were escorted to the Town Hdl, where they were met by Mr F. W. Lang, M H.R The Governor and party were seated on the stage, and after introducing His Excellency, the chairman of the Town Board (Mr J. B Teasdale) read the following address from the people :

To the Rieht Honorable the Earl of Ranfurly, Governor of New Zealand, and to Her Ladyship the County's of Ranfurly,-May it please Your Excellencies. It is with great pleasure that the residents of Te Awamutu and neighbouring settlements assemble to wish you a hearty welcome to their district. This is the tirst occasion on which you have visited this neighbourhood, and knowing the esteem and regard in which you and 5 our family are held iu all parts of the colony, we are especially gratified at this opportunity of meeting you personally. It is now something like twenty-years since the districts has been favoured by a viceißoyal visit, but in point of loyalty to the Throne and devotion to the Kins, we concede nothing to any part of the colony. This is one of the oldest-settled districts of the colooy. The Missionary Society had stations here mauy years pr or to the war, Te Awamutu was the head-quarters for the Imperial troops under Ceneral Cameron, and several hard-fought <>n casements took place in this vicinity. Paterangi, Hairini, Hangiaohia and Orakau, each within a few miles of Te Awamutu, where scenes of stubborn fights, and it is our purpose to driveyou to these places. The church at TeAwamutu was built by the Missionary -Soeiely many years before the war. In the church was erected tab'ets to the memory of the Imperial and Colonial troops and native sides who fell on the occasions referred to, and in the cemetery, wore many of our brave soldiers are buried, a monument has been erected. Times in our colony are peaceful, and colonists are applying themselves to the commercial and agricultural progress of the country, which has made great strides during even theeomparativelyshorttime you have been amongst us. It is with greil pleasure the residents ot this locality note the very practical and active interest which Your Excellency has taken in regard to the welfare of old veterans. It is a matter which affects us specially as we are daily brought face to face with the fact of what we owe to those who maiutaiu their country's cause in battle. Another matter we would refer to with great pleasure i 3 the interest which you have taken in educational matters in the colony, and especially the manifold services of Her Ladyship the Countess in assisting in the establishment of the school for Maori girls at Auckland. We sincerely trust that your visit to these parts has been pleasant and interesting, and you may he assured that when leaving us after your brief visit you will be accompanied by our hearty goodwill and sincere regard.— Signed 00 behalf ot the Te Awamutu fowu Board—J. B Teasdalk, Chairman ; C. BowDEN, Town C.erk. Lord Ranfurly, on rising to reply, was greeted with much applause. He thanked the people tor their kind reception, aud gave a brief address ou the various matters referred to in the address. He particularly mentioned the old veterans and the establishment of the home for old soldiers. At the close of the reply Miss Teasdale presented Lady Ranfurly with a bouquet of flowers. Mr Vause next called for three cheers for Lord and Lady Kanfurly, which, needles* to say, was responded to with much vigour. His '.Excellency and party visited the public school and gave a short patriotic address to the children, after which he distributed a numDer of prizes aud attendance certificates. The singing of the school children was much admired by the Countess, who specially congratulated the teachers, Mr H. E. Eorde aud Miss Mitchell on the quality of the singing. hits Excel.eucy announced to the children that they would have a whole holN day on Friday. The assistant teacher, Miss Mitchell next preseuted the Couu--teas with a lovely bouquet. The party afterwards visited the Public Library and reading'room, aud were delighted to rind such an up-to-date and well-uiauaged institution iu Te Awamutu. The next place visited was St. John'.Anglican Church aud cemetery, one of the most historical land marks of the colony. The party were met at the Church by -Mr James Mandcnoaud shown around. The Governor was deeply interested with the suiroundicgs inside the old building, while be also inspected the soldier's graves and monument erected in the cemetery. In the evening His Excellency and party attended a patriotic concert, and as the party entered the hall the audience sang the National Anthem. At the close of the concert, the Chairman, Mr Teasdale, presented au address from the Rangiaobia school childien, which was intended to have been presented at the school that day. His Excellency intimated to the Chaiiman that he would rep yto the children by letter. On behalf of the same school children the Chairman presented Lady Ranfuily with a bouquet. It may be mentioned that the Governor ind party were greatly interested in all they saw, but were somewhat disappointed in not being able to see the old battle fields at Rangiaohia and Orakau. Lord Ranfurly was somewhat surprised to learn that the township was free of borrowed money. ' Well,' was His Excellency's remark, ' you cannot be a borough.'