VICE-REGAL VISIT

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 25 November 1930, Page 11

VICE-REGAL VISIT

GOVERNOR-GENERAL AT LYTTELTON.

BUSY DAY AT PORT. Bright sunshine and gaily beflagged streets greeted the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady Bledisloo on their first official visit to Lyttelton yesterday morning. So pleasant were the weather conditions that their Excellencies discarded the use of their car on arrival, preferring to walk to the various places visited, and their appearance in the streets, especially in the residential area, caused no little excitement among the residents.

On their arrival, Lord and Lady Bledisloe were formally welcomed in the Council Chambers by the Mayor (Mr W. T. Foster), and introduced to the councillors and their wives. Lady Bledisloe was presented with a beautiful bouquet by Miss Freda Foster, daughter of the Mayor. Accompanied by the Mayor and councillors, their Excellencies then visited the Lyttelton District High School, where they were welcomed by the Rev. C. Blair, chairman of the School Committee. In the largo playground were assembled the pupils of the District High School, the West Lyttelton School, St. Joseph's School, the Convent High School, and a large number of citizens. The Sea Scouts, Scouts, Wolf Cubs, Girl Guides, and Brownies formed a guard of honour. On the platform, in addition to the councillors and members of the School Committee of the two State schools, there were present Mr J. MeCombs, M.P., and the Rev. Father I J . Cooney, Mr J. R. Wilson, headmaster of the Lyttelton District High School, and Mr J. T. O. Stephens, headmaster of the West Lyttelton School. The Mayor's Welcome. The Mayor said they were assembled to extend a hearty welcome to Lord and Lady Bledisloe. New Zealand wa3 fortunate in having them as the representatives of his Majesty the King. In the two previous Governors-General they h.id had a representative of the Navy in Lord Jellicoe and a representative of the Army in Sir Charles Fergusson. In Lord Bledisloe they had a representative of the important industry of agriculture. In fact, they might call him a farmer. He was exceedingly we'.l versed in agriculture, and would no doubt give of his best while in New Zealand. When the time came for their Excellencies <to leave New Zealand he hoped that they and the people of this country would be the better for their visit. An Invitation. Lyttelton was at first the chief town in Canterbury, said the Mayor, and was now the chief port. If at any time t*or Excellencies required a rest and quiet change from their strenuous duties, he hoped they would come to Lyttelton, where he assured them they would find all the rest they needed on the sunny slopes of Lyttelton's suburb of Diamond Harbour. In reply, Lord Bledisloe said the last j words the Mayor had uttered were peculiarly attractive to both Lady Bledisloe and himself, for the life of a Governor-General in this part of the Empire was no idle one. Nothing would give them greater pleasure than a holiday on the beautiful Diamond Harbour estate, especially on sueh a perfect, morning as they were then enjoying. However, they must return to a more strenuous life. He thanked the Mayor, councillors, citizens, and children for their very hearty welcome. He also wished to thank the Mayor for bis welcome on the ferry wharf one winter's, morning on the occasion of the first visit of Lady Bledisloe and himself to Canterbury. On that occasion, notwithstanding the early hour, the Mayor met them, and delivered a most eloquent address of welcome. So unprepared wsere they for sueh a welcome that they could only tell the Mayor that they _ would take the first opportunity of visiting Lyttelton, "and," said his Excellency, "here wo are." Continuing, he said they greatly appreciated the attendance of the people of Lytteljon in such large numbers, especially the children, who, after all, werer the greatest asset of tlie country. A Rhyme. Speaking to the children Lord Bledisloe said: "When I was about the age of some of you I was taught a little rhyme. It was this: Doctor Foster Went to Gloucester, In a shower of rain. He got in a puddle And stuck in the middle, And never got out again.

On this occasion Gloucester has come to Mr Foster (indicating the Mayor). Eighty years ago on the sixteenth of I next month, continued his-Excellency, j there arrived in Lyttelton a little band of pilgrims, who, with courage and determination on one hand, and the spirit of enterprise on the other, formed the first settlement of this most attractive outpost of the Empire. To those who hailed from the West of England the settlement was of particular interest because the settlement was first planned by three men sitting on a hillside one summer morning, on the border of Worcestershire and Gloucestershire. The men were Edward Gibbon Wakefield, to whom a fitting memorial had yet to be erected in this country, John Kobert Godley, and Lord Lyttelton, a great Englishman and a great Anglican Churchman after whom their town was named. These men decided that Canterbury should be settled and that Lyttelton should be the first place at which the first settlers should land.

Addressing the children again his Excellency impressed upon them the necessity of developing character, and never to do or say anything unworthy of the Empire. He urged upon them to learn to say "No" when they should not say "Yes." A former pupil of the school had carved out for himself a position at the head of their country. He referred to the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes. (Applause.) Mr Forbes had had no privileged position at the school or subsequently, but had worked strenuously to attain his present high position. His Excellency then asked that, to mark the occasion of their visit, the children should be given a holiday for the remainder of the day. (Applause.)

Other Visits. Their Excellencies then went to Holy Trinity Church, where tuey admired the splendid mural paintings and decorations by Canon Coates, and St. Joseph's Catholic Church. They also paid a surprise visit to the Lyttelton Convent School, where they were received by thj Rev. ""Mother Aloysius. They expressed admiration for the beautiful chapel in the Convent, with its magnificent altar. A call at the Seamen's Institute followed, where their Excellencies were welcomed by Mr J. T. Norton, chairman of the Board. Luncheon ■with Harbour Board.

At the conclusion of their visit to the town of Lyttelton, Lord and Lady Bledisloe were entertained at luncheon on board the tug Lyttelton. The large after-deck of the tug was covered with