FAREWELL AT THE FORT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 14

FAREWELL AT THE FORT

GOOD WISHES FROM LYTJELTON NAVAL RESERVISTS PROVIDE GUARD OF HONOUR A large crowd of Lyttelton and city people lined along the wharf gave their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe a Anal cheer as they embarked on the inter-island steamer for Wellington. It was their Excellencies' last glimpse of the South Island and they were not allowed to leave this part of New Zealand without a final expression of the regret which is felt universally at their impending departure for England. Before the steamer sailed there was a short farewell ceremony on the wharf.

Their Excellencies, who were accompanied by Captain J. A. Tweedie, A.D.C.. and the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. M.L.C., were met on the arrival of the train at the wharf by Mr W. T. Lester (Mayor of Lyttelton). Mr E. J. Howard, chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, and Mr C. H. Clibborn, secretary of the board. The National Anthem was played by the Caledonian Pipe Band and their Excellencies inspected a guard of honour from the Canterbury Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, under Commander C. H. Kersley and Lieutenant P. D. Hall. The farewell ceremony was held on a dais on the wharf, where her Excellency was presented with bouquets by Mrs Lester and by Nonie Lamont, the granddaughter of Mr Howard. Because of the short time available and the cold easterly blowing, the ceremony was not a long one. Mr Lester briefly thanked their Excellencies for all they had done to assist the Dominion during their stay. His Excellency's wide knowledge had enabled him to give the people of New Zealand much valuable advice, and although the country would soon lose both their Excellencies, the results of their work would remain as a monument to them. They were leaving after having gained the love and esteem of the whole Dominion, Mr Lester said, and their departure would be sincerely regretted.

Services for Dominion Mr Howard mentioned that it had fallen to him to be the last member of a local body to say farewell to their Excellencies in the South Island. His ExcelJency had come to New Zealand with a reputation for knowledge and service that was nothing less than extraordinary, said Mr Howard. All that had been placed at the service of the Dominion. His Excellency had never spared himself, and he had earned th:; warm thank:; of all New Zealanders. The Lyttcllon Harbour Board represented the people living in an extensive area in Canterbury, and on behalf of those people he could convey to their Excellencies love and loyalty. Mr Howard mentioned that the ceremony was being held near the site of the landing of the Canterbury pioneers. There was loud applause when Mr Howard said that the present generation would always have the warmest thoughts of their Excellencies. F'ioneers' Example Lord Bledisloe was greeted with more cheers when he rose to reply. It gave him profound satisfaction and gratification to have the opportunity of saying good-bye on such an historic spot, he said. He wa,s glad that some of ihc pioneers of the country were still living. They had laid a line foundation and he hoped that their sturdy characteristics would continue to be shown by their descendants and by those who came after them. His Excellency also mentioned the example set by the men of Canterbury who sailed from Lyttclton for the front during the war. He was pleased to see that the people of Lyttclton had set up a worthy monument to their own sons who went

away, and ho hoped that they would make sure that the returned men and their dependents never suffered from lack of anything which might make their lives more comfortable. His Excellency spoke of another historic page in the story of Lytic!ton—the departure of the Antarctic explorers, Scott and Shacklcton, who in their work in the south had left behind them a great reputation for British explorers to follow who sailed into the south seas. "You have a line inheritance and a fine people worthy of it, particularly in your young people," said his Excellency, "and I hope tin! you see thai, those young people grow up with all the line traditions and ideals which made the British Empire great, and which, coupled with the sturdy rharaclerjrUcs of your pioneers, will make you great in the days to come." Their Excellencies then shook hands with guests on the platform, including members of the Lyltelton Borough Council and their wives, members of the Harbour Beard and their wives, and of the board's sfafl. There was enthusiastic cheering as Lord a,nri Lady Blcdisloc walked up the gangway into the steamer, and many of the Lyttelton people waited to cheer their Excellencies as the vessel moved out into the harbour.