GENERAL RUSSELL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 198, 16 May 1919, Page 7

GENERAL RUSSELL

WELCOMED AT CHRISTCHURCH TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALANDERS' WORK By TolecraoU— Press Aisociation. Christchurch, May 11 Vhe Aiwa■ borthed this morning,' General Itussell being otticinlly welcomed by tlie Mayor of Christchnrch. The General arrived at the city at 11 o'clock, and was most enthusiastically greeted. The streets vrere decorated with bunting, and a procession started for .tho King JMward Barracks, the General's motor-ear being drawn by a squad of 'returned soldiers. At the entrance to (ho barracks the pro. cession stopped for the General to receive a. welcome from the Maoris from Can. tejebury pas, under Mr. Uru, M.P. Ninety soldiers' wives and thirty-two children came out by the vessel. Splen. did weather was experienced until about ten days before arrival.. The health of all on board was excellent, the hospital being practically empty throughout the* voyage. The barracks was packed, and the Mayor (Dr. Timelier) welcomed General Russell to the .city. Sir Francis Bell said that General liussoll' bad earned the esteem of the soldiers, who had nothing but honour for the man whoso discipline had made a name for New Zealand .Among the warring nations of the world. General Eussell paid a high tribute to the work of the New Zealanders, and quoted a letter sent him on the subject, dealing with the part played by the troops in the war. Ho said he believed the Canterbury troops fired the first shot among the New Zealanders, and were certainly among the last in the firiug line with the Otago men. In that connection lie ha<l had to say to Otago and Canterbury men what he ha<l never expected to say at nny time, and that wa9 that they had gone far enough. The whole division had been actuated by a corporate spirit which New Zealand must foster in the future; with one common aim, united for one object, there was practically nowhere New Zealand could not go. He paid a touching tribute to the men who had fallen. That day's reception was whnt could have been expected after the way in whioh the people of New Zealand .had looked after their men at tho front. MAYORAUMHEON PRESENTATION FROM RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION. By Telegraph-Prese Association, , Christchurch, May 15. General Russell was entertained by the Mayor at luncheon at tho City Council Chambers. Responding to the toast of his health, General Russell spoke of Sir A. J. Godley and the extremely high standard of discipline and duty that ho had established, and the qualities of justice and detailed cafe for his soldiers. These had not received the recognition that they undoubtedly deserved. Ho owed much to Goneral Godley, to whom the great success of the Army Corps on GallipoTi had been largely due, and he ■ would like to feel that those ■ present realised wha.t he said l to be true. At the conclusion of the luncheon, Mr. N. B. M'Callum. president of the Canterbury branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, , asked General 'Russell's acceptance of a gold badge of membership in the association. 'Mr. M'Callum said words failed him to express how much returned soldiers appreciated the General's leadership in far-away lends. They' had the utmost respect for him. General Russell, who was obviously pleased with the presentation, said as a returned soldier lie was proud to be inducted into the : association in such a manner and with such expressions ,of good will. Ho hoped that what 'Mr. M'Callum had said was truo and that he and" returned soldiers had the utmost confidence in one another. GUEST OF GARRISON OFFICERS' GLUB ~ By Telegraph—Press Asiociation. Christchurch, May 15. General Russell was the guest of the Garrison Officers' Club at an "at home" in the Art Galiery this afternoon. Colonel G. J. Smith, president of the club, said the officers of the . district wished their leader, General Russell, their heartiest greetings. There were present Ih'at afternoon a number of officers who had had the great honour and privilege of fighting in the greatest war in history, under the greatest General New Zealand ever had. General Russell had won the admiration and respect of all these men. Colonel W. Whyte, in welcoming General Russell on behalf of the returned men. said that General Russeli was the highest cavalry leader the country had ever had. . General Russell, in responding, said two of the speakers that afternoon had spoken of the men who for some reason or other had not seen service with the Division. To them he would say, "Do not think we do not recognise what you have been doing in New Zealand." Without their work out here the Division would never have had tho steady stream of magnificent reinforcements that kept the ranks, together. New Zealand was the only country that kept up the reinforcements programme, and' that wae something that those who had remained at home and occupied themselves with the training of those splendid soldiers should be.proud of. Many times in France he had seen other divisional commanders looking enviously' at the reinforcements that came for the New Zealand DjHsiVm, and looking as tfiougl" they would like to grab them. WELLINGTON RECEPTION POSTPONED. Owing to the fact that the ferrv steamer Maori did not go south on Wednesday night it was made impossible for General Sir Andrew Russell to come up from Christclinrch as he had intended by that steamer this morning. The Govominent tried yesterday to have arrangements made for the Arawa lo come up to Wellington with the North Island men of the draft, and to bring General Russell also, but some defect was discovered in the machinery of the ship, and it could not sail yesterday. This evening either the Arawa will come up or the Mnraroa will sail as usual in the ferry run. so that there are two chances of the General getting to Wellington. The Government has postponed all the reception arrangements until to-morrow, but no times will be fixed until more information is available about time of arrival in Wellington. ■