THE GOVERNORGENERAL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18408, 15 June 1925, Page 10

THE GOVERNORGENERAL.

■ ♦ — HIS EXCELLENCY INDISPOSED. SATURDAY'S PROGRAMME. An attack of lumbago prevented his Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, from carrying out his official programme on Saturday, but her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson and Miss Fergusson made the Visits which had been arranged. An inspection of the Public Hospital was mado in the morning. Her Excellency, who was accompanied by the Mayor, Mr J. K. Archer, was met at the entrance by Dr. W. Fox, medical superintendent, Miss Muir, lady superintendent of nurßes, Messrs W. P. Spencer (deputy-chairman) and H. 11. Holland, W. S. WTiarton (.secretary) of the Hospital Board, and Dr. P. S. Foster. For two hours Lady Alice and Miss Fergusson inspected the various depart-1 ments and spoke to many of the patients. At noon the party motored to the Military Sanatorium, * Cashmere j Hills. Here her Excellency was wel- j corned by Mr H. Paterson, chairman of the Public Health Committee of tho Hospital Board, Dr. W. Aitken, medical and Miss McLeod, matron. After speaking to all the men who were confined to their cubicles, her Excellency addressed the other patients in the music-room. She apologised for the absence of the Governor-General, and said that his Excellency had been unable to walk across his room that morning, owing to a severe attack of lumbago. He was an old soldier himseif, and would have enjoyed speaking to tho men. ,Her Excellency said she had been presented with a basket, made at the Sanatorium, and she would always treasure it. The men gave three cheers for Lady Alice, who then went to the Children's j Fresh-Air Home. Lady Alice and Miss Fergusson visited the Eannerdale Home for disabled soldiers, Papanui road, after they had inspected the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. They were welcomed by Mr Maxwell, secretary of the Eannerdale Committee, who also expressed his sj r mpathy with the Governor-General. Other members of the committee present were Mesdames Smith and Holland and Messrs J. A. Fleshcr, J. C. Prudhoe, and W. E. Wobb. Her Excellency had a cheerful word for each of the patients. Afternoon tea was served before her Excellency left. BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL GUIDES. INSPECTION BY HER EXCELLENCY. , Very wisely, the Boy Scouts' and Girl Guides' authorities, in arranging for parades for inspection by the Gov-ernor-General, decided to hold them, in the Caledonian Hall. An outdoor, parado on Saturday afternoon would have proved rather trying, especially to the Brownies and the Wolf Cubs, the junior sections of each movement. The regretted indisposition of his Excellency, the Dominion Chief Scout, prevented him attending and making the inspection of the Boy Scouts, but her Excellency, £<ady Alice Jb'ergusson, the Chief Guide, very kindly auued to her ■duties by inspecting tiie Boy Scouts and Wolf Cuos as well as the Girl Guides and Brownies. The Girl Guides' parade was under the command of the lion. Mrs 'i'auu Khoctes, Provincial Commissioner, and that of the Boy Scouts and Wolf Cubs was under Major It. ]?;' W. Ashworth, District Commissioner, who, on her Excellency's arrival, took over charge of the general* parade. A number of parents and members of troop committees were present, and watched the proceedings from the gallery. Others present wero the Mayor and Mayoress • (Mr and Mrs J. K. Archer), the. Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) and Mrs Neville, Captain Tahu Rhodes, Brigadier-General Andrew, Chief Commissioner of Boy Scouts. Lieut.-Colonel F. B. Creswell, and Lieut.-Colonel P. C. Fenwick (members of the Dominion Executive of the Boy Scouts' Association, New Zealand section), District Rover Master W. K. Tooth, and Miss Foster, secretary of the Girl Guides. The tro&ps of Boy Scouts and companies of Girl Guides started to arrive from 2.30 p.m. onwards, and by 3 o'clock the hall presented a very animated appearance, the effective blue uniform of the Girl Guides contrasting with the khaki of the Boy Scouts. The Girl Guides, consisting of twelve companies, were drawn up in line on the western side of the hall; the Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts, on the eastern side, the Brownies wero accommodated on the stage, and the Wolf Cubs at the northern end of the hall. The band of the New Brighton Troop of Boy Scouts' was stationed at the southern end, and during the inspection, gave a number of popular selections. Her Excellency arrived at 3 o'clock and was received by Major Ashworth I and the Hon. Mrs Tahu Rhodes, and the Chief Commissioner. The parades were called to attention as her Excellency entered the hall, and tho first verso of ! the National Anthem was sung. The Dominion Rally, led by District Scoutmaster Olds, was then given bv the Boy Scouts; then tho Wolf Cubs, led by Cubmastor Carter, gave their Grand Howl; and the Brownies gave the Grand Salute. Her Excellency then inspected the Girl Guides, the Brownies, the Boy Scouts, and the Wolf Cubs. At the conclusion of the inspection, her Excellency, on behalf of tho Dominion Chief Scout, presented District. Rovermaster W. R. Tooth with the medal for long service, and pinned it on the recipient's breast. Cheers were given for the recipient, the Scouts and Wolf Cubs giving cheers for her Excellency. Brigadier-General Andrew, Chief Commissioner, then addressed tho combined parade. He said that it was a matter of "very great regret to tho Guides and to the Scouts that his Excellency the Governor-General, who was Dominion Chief Scout, was unable to be present; but his Excellency assured them of his deep sympathy with the Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements. " He could assure- them first there was no keener Boy Scout in New Zealand than their distinguished Goveruor-General: he was a good Boy

Scout because wherever he went he tried to do a good turn and to help those around him. That was the Guide and Scout spirit. Ho could assure them, from whnt he knew of his Excellency, that nothing but tho most imperative medical orders would have kept him away. His Excellency had asked him to remind them, that the* basis of tho Boy Scouts' and Girl Guides' movements was scrvico: that was the fundamental basis upon which they had started, upon which they had grown, and upon which they would combine to grow, provided they all cooperated and worked together in tho true Scout and Guide spirit. Her Excellency had shown that she was a good Girl Guide: she had come forward and had done a good turn by taking her husband's place. Her Excellency had asked him to express to them her tremendous admiration for their turn-out, for their smart appearance, and for the good spirit pervading the ranks of both movements. Her Excellency hoped that each movement would continue to grow and commend itself to the community at largo. Her Excellency also desired to express her sincere thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who wero present to show their desire to associate themselves with tho Girl Guides' and Boy Scout movements. Those movements were inspired by one object—to endeavour, in a practical way, to instil into tho hearts and minds of tho rising generation, those sentiments and loyalty to the Throne, loyalty to themselves, honesty, and self-sacrifice, which were the pillars of both movements. Her Excellency wished them all "good-bye" and trusted that on the next occasion his Excellency was in Christchurch, he would have an opportunity to meet ' them. Her Excellency said that though she was no public speaker, she would like, to say a few words. "I should like to thank you," the said, "for the opportunity "of seeing you all here to-day. I appreciate that opportunity and I have enjoyed it very much. I trust that when his Excellency is next in Christchurch he will also have an opportunitv to meet you all.' - (Applause.) Cheers were then given by the combined parades for her Excellency, and the function ended. . Tho twelve . companies of the Girl Guides on parade numbered 230; there were three packs of Brownies. In addition to the Commissioner for the Brownies (Hon. Mrs Tahu Rhodes) and the officers in charge of the different companies, ihe Provincial Captain, Miss Bennett, was present. The following troops of Boy Scouts were present: Boys' High School Hostel, New Brighton (and band), St. Michael's, St. Mark's, Opawa, St. Matthew's (Lady Livorpool's Own), St. John's, Woolston, Addington, East Belt: the Lyttelton Sea Scouts, and the Yaldhurst Lone Patrol. Wolf Cub packs present were: Lmwood,. Woolston, Opawa, and Lyttelton. In addition to the scoutmasters and cubmasters, there were also present District Scoutmaster F. Olds, and District Scoutmaster G. W. Bishop. Approximately 130 Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts, and about tho same number of Wolf Cubs were on parade. TO-DAY'S FIXTURES CANCELLED. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergusson, has been confined to bed during the weekend on account of an attack of lum'bago. In compliance with the order of his medical adviser, he had to cancel his public engagements on Saturday and yesterday. His itinerary for tho week-end included visits to the Christchurch Hospital and tho Sanatorium oil Saturday, and. attendance at services in tho Cathedral and at St. Andrew's Church yesterday. It was announced last evening that his Excellency was somewhat better in tho afternoon, and although obliged to cancel to-day's engagements, he hoped to carry out a portion of his arranged itinerary to-morn>w< I Her; Excellency will visit the Girls' High School at 10.45 a.m. to-day. Her Excellency,, Lady Fergusson will meet representatives of the Girl Guides i at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow at the Canteiv bury Jockey Club's i rooms —not on Wednesday as announced in Saturday's issue. Representatives of the Canterbury Justices' Association were to have waited upon his Excellency to-day, but owing to his indisposition, the appointment has been postponed till Sir Charles's next visit to Christchurch. ,