Lady Ranfurly’s Departure.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue I, 4 July 1903, Page 59

Lady Ranfurly’s Departure.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF.

PRESENTATION BY THE VETERANS.

The Countess of Ranfurly accompanied by Lady Constance Knox and Major Alexander (the Governor’s private secretary) left Auckland on June 25 for New Plymouth. The party, including His Excellency the Governor, drove down from Government House in time to catch a special train which left the station shortly after three o’clock. A crowd numbering some hundreds waited about the main entrance to the station and as the Vice-Regal party drew up there the people cheered Her Ladyship, throwing their hats in the air and rousing the echoes of the place with their clamour. The cheering continued as Lady Ranfurly passed on to the platform, shaking hands with all. Among those present at the station were His Worship the Mayor (the Hon. E. Mitchelson), Bishop Lenihan, and the Revs. Canon Nelson and W. E. Gillam. The train then moved along for a hundred yards to wherei the Empire Veterans’ Association, 235 strong, were massed under the command of Captain Daveney, forming a guard of honour. Others assisting in the details of the parade were Commander Archer, Majors M. and R. B. Morrow and Pirie, Captain Broun, Lieut. Hesketh, Colour-Sergeants Rylance and Over, and. Sergeants Shep herd and Sage. The Vice-Regal party was received with the salute, and Captain Daveney then presented the appended address: — Auckland, N.Z., June 24, 1903. To the Countess of Ranfurly, Auckland. May it please Your Ladyship: On behalf of the members of the Empire .'eterans’ Association of this district, and also in the name of all veterans and returned troopers, we respectfully approach you with the hepe that you may be pleased to accept the accompanying memento as indicating the profound respect and esteem you have inspired in our hearts by the unfaltering interest you have ever taken in the veterans during your sojourn amongst us. And in wishing Your Ladyship a pleasant voyage back to your ancestral home, we desire to assure you that the recollection of your kindly

courtesy towards every one of those who have had the honour and pleasure of meeting Your will never fade from our memories.—B. J. Daveney H. G. Archer, Th os. Broun, C. B. King, Jas. Stichbury, Delegates of the Empire Veterans’ Association.

Captain Daveney added that the sum of £35 had been subscribed by the veterans without any solicitation and purely as a means of showing their appreciation of Lady Ranfurly’s kindness to them. The money was given to Her Ladyship to do as she pleased with. Amid more cheering Lady Ranfurly began to speak. She thanked the veterans for their further proof of personal friendliness and she expressed the hope that the money would be used for one special purpose in the Veterans’ Home (Applause.) She suggested that it should be devoted to the purchase of a chiming clock, to be placed in the din-ing-room. This suggestion was received with more applause, and Her Ladyship thereupon handed the cheque to Major Alexander, to be delivered to Viscount Northland, as secretary to the fund. Shq turned once more to the veterans, and thanked them again for their kindness. She wished the home every success, and while she regretted that she would not be able to see it flourishingly established, she hoped that Auckland citizens would not allow it to languish for want of support. With a final “Good-bye” Lady Ranfurly embarked on the train, which steamed out in a chorus of cheers for the Countess and the Governor. Lady Ranfurly and Lady Constance were very deeply affected by the scene, and as they left the station called out and waved numerous “good-byes.” It is the intention of the Veterans’ Association to have a plaque prepared commemorating the gift of Lady Ranfurly, and it will be placed under the clock -when it is placed in the diningroom.