CHEESE FOR THE KING

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1690, 24 November 1925, Page 3

CHEESE FOR THE KING

A TRIBUTE FROM THE SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Some time ago the happy idea was conceived of making a cheese specially for a present to 'His Majesty the King from the Tiratu factory, as a token of the appreciation felt by the returned soldier settlers on the Tiratu Block, Hawke’s Bay. Accordingly the cheese was made and should be of the best, for Mr J. Delahunty, the manager of the factory, has scored many successes in big competition and it is certain he put his best work into this presentation SOlb. cheese. The gift, which is to be accompanied by the following letter, should prove an effective advertisement for New Zealand cheese in the highest circles of English society, besides an evidence of the loyalty and affection of His Majesty’s soldiers from overseas. By permission a block of the Royal Arms was made and the cheese thus emblazoned has now been sent forward on its loyal errand. The letter is as follows: —

“May it please Your Majesty, “Appreciating the keen and kindly interest Your Majesty has always evinced in the activities and welfare of discharged soldiers, especially since the close of the late war, I am directed on behalf of the discharged soldier settlers on the Tiratu (Block, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, to ask your acceptance of an SOlb. cheese.

“We ask your acceptance of the gift for two reasons: Firstly, as a token of our appreciation of the close attention Your Majesty has always given to the many problems associated with the re-settlement of discharged soldiers; secondly, as a tangible expression of our continued loyalty. The gift, too, will afford Your Majesty some idea of the progress soldier settlers are making in New Zealand under the Government oT the Dominion.

“As Your Majesty is doubtless aware at the close of the late war, in response to the pressing need for re-settlement, the Government purchased large blocks of land in various parts of the Dominion. One of these was the Tiratu Block of about 400 acres, in the Hawke’s Bay district, on which the 34 discharged soldiers, on whose behalf this letter is written, were placed. Ably assisted by the Government, success attended their labours, and as a result of the excellent iprogress made, a cheese factory became a necessity.

Further generous 'financial assistance was forthcoming from the Repatriation Board, and an up-to-date factory was erected. In this factory the cheese we now ask you to accept was made. In conclusion, may I assure Your Majesty of the pleasure the making of the cheese gave us, and, further, may I remark that if you derive the same pleasure from the gift when some portion of it appears on your table, we shall indeed be honoured. —I remain, your loyal and obedient subject,

“For and on behalf of the Tiratu soldier settlers, ‘ID. PAVIOUR-,SMITH, “Secretary.”