Lord Kitchener's Visit.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4322, 10 February 1910, Page 2

Lord Kitchener's Visit.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Mayor and Town Clerk are at present in communication with Sir Joseph Ward regarding what manner of reception shall be accorded to Lord Kitchener on his arrival in Auckland on March 2nd by the overland express from Wellington. The Prime Ministerj suggests that the Mayor and Councillors should meet the Field Marshal on arrival at the railway station, and that a civic welcome should immediately after be accorded the distinguished visitor at the Municipal Chambers. Seven o’clock in the morning, however, is regarded as rather an impossible hour for a civic reception, and the proposal more generally agreed upon is that Lord Kitchener should be met at the station on the arrival of the Main Trunk express, and then officially welcomed at the Council Chambers at 10 o’clock. Dis unlikely that any arrangements in the nature of a banquet or similar social functions will be made, as the Field Marshal seems strongly averse to anything of the kind.

The arrangements in connection with the Kitchener camp in the Domain, and the concentration of forces from all parts of the Auckland district are proceeding apace. Some idea is now being gained of the number of men who will assemble for inspection, and it is considered that fully 3000 troops, including nearly 1000 mounted men, will go into camp. The district orders for the field forces were issued some time ago, but those for the garrsion artillery have only just been issued by Lieutenant Colonel G. C. B. Wolfe, O.C. Auckland military district. They state that “The officers commanding detachment R.N.Z.A. and Auckland division N.Z.G.A. volunteers will arrange to assemble their commands in camp or barracks at such a time as to be ready to man the defences at any hour after seven a.m. on March 1.”

Members of the South African contingents will hold a meeting this week, to see what steps shall be taken in connection with Lord Kitchener’s visit. From the surplus in hand from the money subscribed for the Seddon memorial it is proposed to purchase an organ for the Veterans’ Home, and to ask Lord Kitchener to make the presentation. RECEPTION AT DUNEDIN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. A meeting of citizens was held tonight to consider the form of the reception to be given to Lord Kitchener on his arrival here on the evening of the 17th inst. It was decided that he be welcomed at the railway station by the Mayor and Councillors on behalf of the citizens and driven to the Fernhill Club.