WELCOME.

Waipa Post, Volume 43, Issue 3354, 29 September 1931, Page 5

WELCOME.

TO LORD AND LADY BLEDISLOE.

LARGE CROWD IN TE AWAMUTU.

FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT OF GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Te Awamutu and district is honoured to-day by the first official visit here of their Excellencies the GovernjS:s:.General and Lady Bledisloe former took up office as His Majesty's representative in the Dominion in March last year. The town is decorated with bunting and some greenery, and there is a. very large assembly of town and country residents. The weather is fine but breezy, following the persistent rain of yesterday and last evening. The official party comprises:— His Excellency the Right Honourable Lord Bledisloe, D.Sc, P.C., G.C.M.G., K.B.E. Her Excellency Lady Bledisloe. Lady Norah Jellicoe, daughter of Viscount and Lady Jellicoe. Sir John Hanham, Bart., Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-General. Mr A. Cecil Day, C.M.G., C.8.E.,

Official Secretary. The party, which has been staying since Sunday at Waitomo Caves Hostel, arrived by car soon after 11 a.m., and were met at'the Borough Boundary by his Worship the Mayor (Mr C. G. Downes) and the Mayoress, and Mr J. T. Johrison, representing the Waipa County Council. After the introductions had been

effected, the visitors were escorted to St. John's Church, in Arawata Street, where, at his Excellency's special request, he was afforded opportunity to view the historic edifice and the tablets within to the memory of those

who participated in both the Maori War of 1864-65 and the Great War of 1914-18. The vicenßegal party was received at the Church by the vicar of Te Awamutu, Rev. Stephen R. Waring, 8.A., and the churchwardens, Messrs H. A. Swarbrick and G. O. Jourdain. Then Lord Bledisloe was shown the site of the old Mission station erected in the first instance by the Rev. John Morgan, who aboured among the Maoris of this district very nearly a century ago. Then the party proceeded to the District High School, where well over five hundred children from Te Awa-

mutu and neighbouring schools were assembled with, over two thousand adults. The Municipial Band was in attendance, and rendered appropriate music, and as the Vice-Regal-party entered the grounds they passed between a Guard of Honour comprising the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, with their Cubs and Brownies. Lord Bledisloe's first action on arrival was to inspect the Guard of Honour, and he conversed with very many of the members. Then he walked across to the assembled files of returned soldiers, and after inquiring he expressed surprise that the local R.S.A. has such a large membership. When the official party had reach- .. ed the platform, the National Anthem was sung, and Guide Annie Cox presented Lady Bledisloe with a beautiful boquet. His Worship the Mayor briefly but very heartily welcomed their Excellencies, speaking very appropriately on behalf of the residents, the School Committee and the children. He said the warmth of the welcome was an appreciation of the honour accorded the town and district. The large assembage was testimony of the cordiality of the welcome to "the Garden of the Waikato," so beautifully situated topographically. The Dominion had been particularly fortunate in having as the King's representative men of such high standard and attainments as the present representative, Lord Bledisloe. Nobody could fail to be impressed with that gentleman's optimistic outlook pn world affairs —a very definite encouragement to the whole population of the Dominion who were so vitally concerned in the prosperity of the Mothertend- , ji. Mr Downes concluded by expressing the hope that Lord Bledisloe would re-visit the district and spend more time among the people, and seeing the district. . > Mr Downes went on to especially welcome Lady Norah Jellicoe, whose illustrious father had been the last previous Gbvelrnor-General to Visit Te Awamutu. On that occasion he unveiled the local war memorial, and with him was Lady Norah, so that • this was not her first visit of the Mr J:T. Johnson, who deputised the Waipa County chairman (Mr S. C. Macky) followed with hearty greet- • ings and welcome from the settlers o± the neighbourhood. He mentioned • that the district had a most stirring history, but even prior to the Maori War the district had earned the title of " the Garden of the Waikato," due to the splendid tuition in agricultural arts and the encouragement given by the late Rev. John Morgan. Many hundreds of acres of the countryside were in those days laid down in wheat and other crops. In recent years many of the Maoris had renewed their diligence and interest in farming pursuits; in fact, they are competing and co-operating Q ulte ■ successfully with their white fellow settlers. Waipa is one of the largest counties in the Dominion, with a large population on highly improved farms. There are electric light and power, and other amenities all over the territory of which Te Awamutu is one of the principal centres. The speaker concluded with a more infect reference to the Governor* General's splendid, service to, and interest in, the primary industries. His advice was sound, and therefore invaluable. As'the representative of the Crown, Lord Bledisloe was accorded the most loyal welcome possible. "In this the town and district stands undivided, with no barriers such as local body boundaries," said Mr Johnson. (Applause.) Lord Bledisloe was accorded a hearty welcome of ra he rose to acknowledge the remarks of the previous speakers. He saia both he and Lady Bledisloe had for a long time been extremely to pay a visit to Te Awamutu and dis- - /trict. They had now achieved their objective, and much appreciated the -welcome. The arch of welcome on

the borough boundaries was an appropriate welcome in itself, and incidentally he felt special appreciation for those who had laboured so well in the previous day's rain erecting the arch. Speaking more particularly to the children, Lord Bledisloe said he was especially impressed with the splendid assembly of neat and smartly attired children, well-developed, healthy looking young New Zealanders. He paid a glowing tribute to the Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements, commending them as worthy of every encouragement. (Applause.) (Proceeding.)