VICE-REGAL VISIT

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20714, 26 January 1939, Page 10

VICE-REGAL VISIT

TE AROHA HONOURED GARDEN PARTY IN DOMAIN TOWN’S ATTRACTIONS INSPECTED (Times Special Reporter) TE AROHA. Wednesday In response to invitations from the Te Aroha Borough Council and the Piako County Council to view the attractions of the town, a visit was paid to Te Aroha this afternoon by Thetr Excellencies, Lord and Lady Galway. Ideal weather favoured the function, which was attended by a large crowd of people, and the town presented a bright scene with flags and bunting. On arrival at the Hot 'Springs Hotel, Their Excellencies were met by the Mayor, Mr R. Coulter, and the chairman of the Piako County Council, Mr W. C. Kennedy. Following the welcome at the hotel Their Excellencies attended a garden party in the Government Tourist Domain. 'On arrival at the Domain the viceregal party was met by a guard-of-honour formed by No. 3 Troop, A Squadron of the New Zealand Legion of Frontiersmen, the Te Aroha Returned Soldiers’ Association and the hoy scouts. The Te Aroha Caledonian Pipe Band and the Te Aroha Municipal Band were in attendance, and included in the large crowd present were a number of school children.

Associated with the official party on the platform were Mr W. S. Goosman, M.P. for Waikato, and Mrs Goosman, Mr J. M. Allen, M.P. for Hauraki, and Mrs Allen and Mr J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, and Mrs Thorn. A number of borough councillors and county councillors and their wives were also present. Weloome By Mayor “The people of Te Aroha are very glad to have this opportunity of extending a welcome to you,’’ said the Mayor. “We appreciate the fact that, in spite of your many duties, you have found time to visit us. Among the gathering to-day are members and descendants of the early pioneers, the Legion of Frontiersmen, members of the Maori race and the school children, all of whom join in extending a hearty welcome to Your Excellencies.’’ Illuminated Address Presented The text of the illuminated address presented by the Mayor was as follows:“To His Excellency, the Right Honourable Viscount Galway, P.G., G.G.M.G., D. 5.0., 0.8. E., GovernorGeneral and Gommander-in-Chlef of the Dominion of New Zealand. “May it please Your Excellency, "We, the Mayor and burgesses of the borough of Te Aroha, as representing the people of Te Aroha, and we, the chairman, councillors and Inhabitants of the county of Piako, as representing the farmers and other residents of the surrounding district, desire to express to you, as the representative of His Most Gracious Majesty the King, our loyalty to the Throne and Empire. Most respectfully on your visit here we give to you and to Her Excellency, 'Lady Galway, a very cordial welcome. We express the hope that you will both be pleasurably interested in our town and adjacent district, sixty years ago unused country, then a seat of gold-mining, always, owing to its hot springs and baths, i a tourist and health resort, and now also part of a valuable and important dairying district. 'We have to thank ygu for your very zealous support of the primary and secondary industries of this Dominion, and for your interest in its varied questions of health and education, social security and welfare. Approaching its Centennial celebrations, the country is fortunate indeed in that it will have the helpful support and assistance of yourself and Her Excellency, Lady Galway. We realise at the present time in world affairs the importance of your cares of office, and in view thereof we would again assure you of our continued loyalty and support. “Dated at Te Aroha this 25th day of January, 1939." County Chairman’s Remarks The Mayor’s remarks were endorsed by Mr Kennedy who stated that the Dominion had always been fortunate with regard to the representatives of the Crown sent to it. Throughout New Zealand's history the Governor-Gen-erals had been a fine type, and it was pleasing to know that the people responsible for the choice of the King’s representatives understood the colonial outlook, which was that “Jack is as good as his master." Any Governor-General who attempted to introduce autocratic ideas into the Dominion would receive a “bad spin," continued the speaker, and he was sure that Lord and Lady GaLway appreciated the colonial viewpoint. In conclusion. Mr Kennedy expressed the hope that Their Excellencies’ stay in Te Aroha would be pleasant and that the coming year would also be happy. ♦ Lord Qalway’s Address “It is a matter of satisfaction to Lady Galway and myself to be able to visit the Te Aroha district, of which we had heard so much, and to see for ourselves the marked progress made in such a comparatively short space of time," said His Excellency, after expressing thanks for the warm welcome. "We had hoped to have been able to visit the district in 1937 and again in 1938, but on each occasion unforeseen circumstances prevented our acceptance of your kind invitation.

“To the foresight and enterprise of the early pioneers of the district you owe much, and I hope it will be your endeavour to repay the debt to some extent by doing all in your power to ensure that Te Aroha and the Te Aroha district retain their reputation as one of the most prosperous parts of the Dominion.

"Your generous reference to the small part I have played in connection with matters of national interest is warmly appreciated. As the King’s representative in New Zealand. I wish to express my warm appreciation of your expressions of loyalty to His Majesty personally and to the Throne. I can assure you that that loyalty is fully appreciated and treasured bv His Majesty.”

After expressing his pleasure at being able to visit the district. His Excellency stated that, he was pleased to see such a large gathering of children, especially in view of the school hob-

days. He had asked the education authorities to allow the children a day’s holiday in the new school year in memory of his visit. Living in Troubled Times “We are living in troubled times, especially with regard to Europe,” continued the speaker, who also referred to the part played by Mr Neville Chamberlain in the recent international crisis. “We hope that in time international relations will become more stablised and that the troubles being experienced in most -countries will soon be a thing of the past. It is only by the exercise of sane reasoning that we can hope for prosperity in commerce. Although we have passed through a very anxious time we hope that as the months go by the position will be improved and that matters will be much better by the end of the year. “Lady Galway and I are entering on the last year of our stay in New Zealand and we wish to thank you for the very cordial manner In which we have always been treated since we have been here,” concluded His Excellency. Following the addresses Their Excellencies were served with afternoon tea in the official marquee, while selections were played by the bands. Later the Vice-Regal party was introduced to leading citizens, old Identities and others by the Mayor, after which an inspection of the Domain, the tepid baths, the hot springs and the artificial geyser was carried out.

BCOTTIBH ENTERTAINMENT GUESTS AT “BURNS’ NIGHT" (Times Special Reporter) TE AROHA, Wednesday In the evening Lord and Lady Galway were the guests of the Te Aroha Caledonian Society at the society’s annual “'Burns’ Night" Ingleside in the Catholic Hall. The Chief of the society, Mr N. G. McLeod, presided over the function, which attracted a large crowd, and associated with him were Messrs W. Farquhar and W. Williams (chieftains). Mr W. S. Goosman, M.P. for Waikato, and Mrs Goosman, Mr J. M. Allen, M.P. for Hauraki, and Mrs Allen, Mr J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, and Mrs Thorn were also present. Other Caledonian societies represented were Hamilton, Hastings, Cambridge, Paeroa, Rotorua, Morrinsville, Otahuhu and Matamata. In traditional fashion the Vice-Regal guests were piped to the official table by Pipe-Major R. J. Robinson. A welcome was extended by Mr McLeod, and Her Excellency was presented with a posy by Miss Margot McLeod. In reply, His Excellency expressed pleasure at having the opportunity to attend the function. The speaker mentioned the inspiring poems of Robert Burns, and stated that on his vigits to Scotland he had been greatly attracted by the beauties of the country and by the people. During the evening appreciation of Pipe-Major Robinson's services to the band was expressed when, on behalf of the bandsmen, His Excellency made the presentation of a Scottish dirk. The Burn's address was delivered by Mr A. W. Grant, and following the piping-in ceremony the address to the haggis was pronounced by Mr G. Kingslev-Smith. Dancing and items comprised the evening's programme. The items were: National dancing, members of the Te Aroha Caledonian Society; violin solos, Mr E. M. Richardson (Cambridge); vocal solos. Messrs W. Dearlove, J. L. Otter, W. H. Birch and Messrs L. E. Rosenfeldt and L. Richards; selections, the Te Aroha Pipe Band; exhibition Irish Jigs, Roddy Sheehy. Mr A. E. Hinton was M.G. WELCOME AT MORRINSVILLE CHILDREN GIVEN HOLIDAY (Special to Times) MORRINSVILLE, Wednesday About 500 people assembled in front of the Municipal Chambers to greet the Governor-General and Lady Galway when they paid a brief visit to Morrinsville to-day while on their way from Hamilton to Te Aroha. The viceregal party arrived by car at 2.45 p.m., and were received by the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs W. Hetherington. In an address of welcome the Mayor expressed the regret of citizens that Their Excellencies could not make a longer stay j n the district, as the people would have liked them to have inspected the farms for which the district is noted. Within seven miles of Morrinsville were dairy factories producing 16,000 tons of butter and cheese. His Excellency expressed the personal pleasure of Lady Galway and himself at meeting so many people of the town and district. He asked that the children of the district be given a holiday when the schools reassembled, as a reminder of the visit. This was greeted with cheers from the children present. Lord Galway inspected a guard of honour of Boy Scout-, and Lady Galway chatted with the Girl Guides. Their Excellencies were introduced to representatives of the local bodies and their wives, and members of social organisations. Afternoon tea was served in the Borough Council Chambers. Their Excellencies leaving at 3.15 j for Te Aroha