THE KING'S OWN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11338, 30 April 1912, Page 5

THE KING'S OWN.

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR,

Iv announcing the honour conferred by His Majesty tho King on certain New Zealand regiments, his Excellency the Govornor, in Auckland yesterday said: ''I have invited you to assem'blo this morning at Government House to afford me the agreeable opportunity of making a public announcement wnioh 1 know will bo regarded by the regiments conferred and, indeed, by tho whole of tho Territorial Army of New Zealand, as an honour and a compliment of high and lasting significance. Through the usual official medium 1 havo been instructed by tho Secretary of Stato for the (Joiouies to make public the decision that his Majesty has graciously consented to identify himself wich the Territorial Army of New Zealand by assuming the position, of Colonel-in-Chief of the Urd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles and Ist (Cantorbury) Regiment of Infantry. ■'1 would have liked to have been able to convey this important information to each regiment respectively on parade, but as that for various reasons was impracticable, I have been obliged to confine myself to iho present occasion as being the best available for the purpose of enabling all ranks of the two regiments to become in duo course informed of tho distinction conferred upon them. It will be observed tnat in this selection by his Majesty high honour has been conferred on both branches of the,service—mounted and infantry—as also on each island of the Dominion—both North and South. L i would also like, to take tins favourable occasion of making tho further gratifying announcement that his Majesty has signified his approval of the -md (Welliugon West Coast) Mounted Rifles enjoying the designation of 'Queen Alexandra's 2nd Mounted Rifles,' the senior squadron of that regiment having originally been called after the Queen Dowager when she was Princess of Wales. "1 feel assured that the foregoing announcement, which 1 have the privilege of making to-day as representative of tne Crown, will be received throughout New Zealand with acclamation by all ranks of the army and with uniform loyal sentiment of appreciation by the citizens of tho Dominion. As it has fallen to my lot to be the first to make this communication, I should now like to lie .the first to offer my congratulations to the regiments referred to—of which yours, Colonel Bloomlield, is the only one represented here to-day—on' this signal mark of honour conferred by his Majesty the King. Such an honour will, I know, be prized by all ranks in these regiments, and will encourage and stimulate them now and hereafter to live up to the high military standard such a distinction entails, whilst this personal connection of the Crown with the New Zealand forces will still further strengthen those ties which already hold so closely the hearts and interests of the people of this country wifhm the circle of the British Empire."