THE GOVERNOR AT ROSS.

West Coast Times, 17 March 1910, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR AT ROSS.

AN INTERESTING PROGRAMME

His Excellency the Governor and party journeyed to Ross yesterday, arriving by train in the southern township about 11 a.m.. They were met at the Ross Railway Station by the Mayor and members of the Borough' Council, and a large number of the general pub-" lie and school children being also present. An immediate adjournment was made to the Ross State School, where His Excellency and the Hon Mr Fowlds (the Minister for Education) addressed the children, who sang a number of songs, including the National Anthem. The Vice-Regal party then proceeded to the Coronation Hall, where the Mayor (T. AY. Bruce ,Esq.) on behalf of the Borough of Ross, extended to His Excellency and party a cordial welcome expressing regret that Lord Plunket ivould be leaving the Dominion so soon.

His Excellency briefly replied, thanking the Mayor and the residents of Ross for the cordiality of their nelcorae and the good wishes extended himself and Lady Plunket. A move Mas then made for the Ross Goldfields, Mine, M'here the A 7 ice-Rogal party inspected the machinery, Lord Plunket evincing much interest in the M'orking of same. His Excellency then expressed his intention of descending the shaft, and donning oilskins and souVester placed himself in the Mine Manager’s hands and M - as loMered to the sixth level. In the same cage Mas Captain Shannon, A.D.C., and Captain Richards, of the Minos Department. Mr Seddon , M.P., also accompanied the party. His Excellency enjoyed tins journey into the interior of the earth immensely, and Mas much impressed at the complete nature of the modus qperandi for extracting the golden harvest from the different- gold bearing stratas. After spending some time belqiv, party were hauled to daylight again, none the M'orse for their temporary absence. They next visited the Mont D’Or sluicing claim, when they Mci-p pxpjainei] jlip method of M-orking by the Mine Manager, Mr McKay.

The party thou returned to the township, when they were entertained at a banquet at the Totara Hall, Mr and Mrs C. Fellowos having excelled themselves in providing a sumptuous repast. During the function the following toasts were duly honoured; “The King,” proposed by the Mayor; “Our Guest,” proposed by the Mayor, responded to by His Excellency; “The Parliament qf Now Zealand,” proposed by Mr John Murdoch, responded to by Hon. Mr Fowlds and Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P.. His Excellency then presented Mr H. Hende with the Royal Humane Society’s certificate for the conspicuous bravery ho (Mr Hendf?) displayed in saving the life of Mr Saraty af tt>e Wanganui River. The function terminated with the toast of “The Mayor,” proposed by Lord Plunket.

Having intimated his desire to pay a visit to the Ross Hospital His Excellency was accordingly escorted to that institution, where he chatted with the patients, cordially greeting a number of the aged inmates, who were much charmed with the Governor’s free and pleasant manner.

T1)0 Vifo-Rpga) party left by the 4 p.m. train for Hokitika, all expressing themselves highly pleased with the day’s programme.