SIR IAN HAMILTON'S TOUR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2151, 18 May 1914, Page 5

SIR IAN HAMILTON'S TOUR

"WELCOME AT HASTINGS. < CBy Tclezraph —Pross Association.) Hastings, May 16. ' General Hamilton received a very ' hearty public welcome on arrival hero "' this afternoon. A large concourso of citizens assomblcd outside the Council Chambors 'where tho Mayor (Mr. W; Hart)' presented tho Genpral with an illuminated address expressive of admiration of his valuable forvicos to tho Empiro in actual warfare, in administration, and in literature. The address concluded: "That your visit will be beneficial and instructive we have no fear._ There may be minor differences of opinion on the far-reaching question of i defence, 1 but nevertheless we hope you will appreciate and believe that we. in Maoriland, have tho spirit of our fathers and, though far removed, from our base, will live for, and fight'for. this antipodean outpost and the upholding of our best historical traditions." General Hamilton briefly replied. Rain commenced, and with a soldier's concern for his troops, ho cut tho. ceremonial short in order not to keep the cadets standing in the wet. Thanking the Mayor for tho welcome ho sai.d he looked forward to seeing the Hawke's Bay Cadets. Ho marked the difference in tho purpose of tho scheme of training in Now Zealand to that of foreign countries. In Japan, ho said, cadets were trained in snow to teach them the conditions of war in an attack on Msocow, but in New Zealand the cadets were to ho trained to defend their own country. ■ Cheers for the distinguished soldier and his staff concluded the nro- . ceodings and the General hastened to tho .Ridge football ground where the cadets awaited his advent. Unfortunately tho review was spoiled by heavy rain. Cadets were present from Dannovirke. Tak.ipau. Wnipuknrnu, IVaipawa, Hastings, Napier, Wairoa, 'and Gisborno, the total rank and file on parado being 1300. General Hamilton also inspected some fifty' votorans and South contingentors. Subsequently addressing the officers in charge of the cadets, the - Jnspector T General said he was glad'the rulers of this Dominion were recognising that tho country's greatest asset was the coming manhood of tho people and that ono of the most important ouestinns of the day'was tho training 'of tho rising generation. a lho General is the guest of Colonel AH. Russell He loav»s Hastings 'for l Palmerston North by. the express on .Monday morning.