The Governor’s Visit to Howick.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXI, 24 May 1902, Page 1020

The Governor’s Visit to Howick.

His Excellency Lord Ranfurly visited Howick iast Saturday, spending tlie greater portion of the afternoon with tlie veterans at the resilience of the Rev. R. G. Holer. He was escorted to and from the schoolhouse by the Franklin Mounted Rifles, under Captain Wallace, Lieutenants Martin and S’liaw. About 50 of the troops were present, some of the men having’ ridden as far as 27 miles to do honour to His Excellency. Upon arrival at the school grounds His Excellency was received by. the Rev. Mr Boler and introduced. Mr F. Hirst, Chairman of the Howick Town Board, read an address to Lord Ranfurly. His Excellency then duly unfurled the flag for the Public School in the

presence of a large crowd. Addressing the assemblage Lord Kanfurly said first he thanked the representatives for the loyal address of the people of Howick. It had given him great pleasure, he said, to visit the district, which was one of the few places in the colony he had not before been to. Howick was of especial interest to him as being the first inland fortress at the time ot the Maori war. He knew how the district was first settled by old soldiers, and had always heard that the Government had granted them land in places that would not grow anything. (Laughter.) After looking at the fine pasture as he drove along he had come to the opinion there had been a little libel in that matter. He was especially glad to have taken part iu hoisting the flag that day. It was a great thing that children at-

tending the schools should be taught to value the hag they proudly enjoyed as their own. It was well for them to be taught how their nation had been built up by people who took an interest in the Empire, and that the unity of the colonies with the Motherland would make their great Empire strong enough to withstand the rest of the world. (Applause.) In tlie South African war the colonies had shown how strong was their allegiance to the Mother Country, even more than before. They had acknowledged that “'hen England had difficulties to contend with, it was the duty of the colonies to do their share in assisting. He trusted this war was nearly over, as everything tended to show that it could not last much longer. (Applause.) When the war was over the colonies must still continue to think of the

Motherland, and how to assist in keeping up the greatness of the Empire, for so long as the name of Britain was great, so long also would the colonies be part of the great Empire, for they must rise or fall together. (Applause.) He had experienced great pleasure that day in hoisting the emblem of their nationality at Howick. (Applause.) His Excellency then returned to the escort, where he was introduced to Captain Wallace, Lieutenants Martin and Shaw. “God Save the King” was sung by the scholars, and Lord Ranfurly left the school-ground amidst loud cheering from the assemblage- Amongst those present at the ceremony were, Messrs J. Crawford, L. Mclnnes, T. Grainger, H. Bushell, members of the Town Board,

also Mr John Gilliug, a veteran wearing’ Crimean, Turkish, Chinese, and New Zealand medals. After the unfurling of the flag, Lord Ranfurly, Capt. Boscawen, and Captain Alexander lunched at the residence of the Rev. Mr. Boler

with a unniber of veterans assembled to meet him. The dininghall was most tastefully decorated with bunting, and Mrs. Boler with some lady frieds were most attentive to the guests. Amongst those present were Mr. F. Boler, -Major Newcombe, and Mr. V. E. Rice (sec. to the Board of Education). The following veterans were also present : Captain R. Hattaway New Zealand Militia, and formerly Colour-Sergeant of the 58th Regiment), who occupied the vice-chair : Lieut. R. Summerville (N.Z. Militia), Sergeant-Major W. Clifford (wearing medals far the Punjab, Chilianwallah and Goojerat, 1849), R. Clifford (Crimea, 1845), J. Hillman, W. Murphy, Thomas Speer, Samuel Lord, T. Melnnes (all N.Z. war medals), and Trooper V. Hattaway (South African medal, N.Z. Fourth Contingent, Rough Riders).

At the conclusion of the repast the health of the King was honoured, after which Mr Boler proposed the toast of His Excellency Lord Ranfurly. He said tha honour the Governor had done them by visiting Howick would always be 'remembered with pleasure. Lord Ranfurly had been aptly described as

“one of those Governors whom one likes, and whom the more one knows him, the more one likes him.” (Applause.) That best expressed t heirfeelings with regard to their Governor. They all knew of the many kindly acts His Excellency and the Countess of Ranfurly had done ever'since they had come to the colony. The toast having been drunk with enthusiasm, Captain Hattaway, in proposing the Army and Navy, added a few remarks, testifying to the esteem felt for the Governor. He mentioned that he had done 14 years’ service in the Army, and was the first soldier who received his discharge from the regiment after the Crimean War. He had not yet got the. N.Z. medal, through neglect in applying for it, but his son, the youngest e* a family of 1(5, was sitting beside him wearing a “oath African medal. (Applause.) His Excellency, when he came to Howick, was in the middle of Imperialism, as every second man was descended from a veteran. (Applause.) Lord Ranfurly then proposed the health of the Rev. Mr Boler, and thanked that gentleman fox- so kindly entertaining them. He legrettexl very much that Lady Ranfurly had been prevented from being present, owing to the threatening aspect of the weather. Just before he left Auckland it was raining, and he must admit, having had considerable experience of New Zealand roads , he had not given Howick credit for possessing such a good one as he was pleased to find it had. The health of Mi- Boler having been duly honoured, that gentleman expressed his pleasure at the little gathering that day,' as he thought such assemblings together tended to do good.

Mr V. E. Rice being called upon, explained that owing to the chairman being out of town, Mi- Bagnall was not aware of the gathering that day, otherwise he would have been present. MiRice said a visit to Howick revived past memories, fox- nearly 40 years ago he also was doing Sentry-go somewhere about the hill on which the schoolhouse now stood.

This concluded the forma] part of th> proceedings, but Lord Ranfurly spent about an houx- going from seat to seat chatting with the veterans in that free and easy manner which is so characteristic of His Excellency, and has contributed so much to his popularity wit h the people of this colony. After shaking hands with all present His Excellency aeeompaniexl the Rev. Mr Boler to visit the church, and then drove away amidst renewed cheering from the crowd that had again assembled to bid him farewell.

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