CIVIL WELCOME AT TOWN HALL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 2, 28 September 1920, Page 6

CIVIL WELCOME AT TOWN HALL

The fourteenth Dominion Day will rank es onij of the most memorable in New Zealand's history. By a singularly fortuitous set'of circumstances the date of the arrival of Admiral of the Fleet Viscount' Jellicoe to take up his duties as 'Governor-General coincided exactly with' that on which Dominion Day was being observed. The big White Star liner Corinfhici phowedup round Point H'alswell at a few minutes past 8 o'clock yesterday morning, • and on the ' glad news being heralded IJy streamers of bunting flown ftt the Mount Vintor'd signal station, tho vessels' in port promptly commenced to "dress ship." At about 9.30 a.m. a heavy bank of clouds appeared from the back of the Johnsonville hills, and rain threatened for some fifteen minutes. • A few drops.actually did fall, but there was no heart in the business, and by the time the Janie Seddon left the Ferry Wharf with tho Ministerial party on board, the beams of an unclouded sun ■bathed harbour and hills in golden lig-ht. All: the _ Ministers, 6ave the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, were in attendance, their embarkation at the wharf "being a signal for some merry remarks on the part of a number of watersiders who were sunning themselves'luxuriously on an adjacent • pier. Major-General Sir Edward Chaytor, K.C.M.6.; and Commander Williams, R.N. (Naval Adviser), wero. also of: the'party. ■ A CHECK.

Tbe Ministerial party had been preceded by Dr. Paris, District Health Officer, and Dr. Findlay, Port Health 0 • - cer, who were still busy at their work on the liner when the small steamer w , el jt out, but as the yellow flag was still at the Gonnthio's peak, the Janie Seddon was not permitted to go alongside the'i gangway steps. After a waif of about a quarter of an hour the Janie Seddon was signalled for, and went alongside the steps. Viscount Jellicoe then came down the .gangway, and in extending his hand to the Prime Minister (Eight Hon. W. i: Massey) smilingly said: "As you are not allowed on here yourself, I'd better come-on board," and with that he stepped on to the Janie Seddon, and was at once introduced to the members of the Ministry and the officers mentioned. In the meantime Dr. Paris informed the Prime Minister that one slightly suspicious oase of skin-peeling had been discovered (a lady passenger), and for that reason: it would not- be advisable for-the whole of the party to go on board.- .It was, however, necessary for reasons of State for the Prime Minister, to- havo an interview with His Excellency, so he and his secretary (Mr. P. Thomson) went on hoard,' whilst the Janie Seddon left for the wharf again with the rest of'the party, and Dr. Paris. As he' gripped the Corinthic's gangway, Mr. Massey turned and 6aid: "If I'm quarantined, you carry on!" And there was a cheerful "Aye, aye, sir," from the Ministers. As Mr. Massey ascended the steps there was.a call from the top deck, "Three..cheers for Mr. Massey.'* Passengers and crew; who lined the bulwarks,, at once; responded, according the Prime Minister a hearty welcome to. the Corinthic.

Tr. Fans came ashore to ask for instructions regarding: the suspicious case on board. Ho could not say what it was; it looked like the after effects.of scarlet fever, but he would not say that it.had been such, for' the woman had never even reported sick. It might be only the effect of new diet or coming through the tropics. After consulting the headquarters of the Health Department, it was decided to remove the womau fo.the Fever Hospital, keep the contacts', under surveillance, and-clear the ship,, which was done.

VISCOUNT JELLJCOE INTERVIEWED On the return of the Janie Seddon to th'e Corintkic, the Presa representatives were'permitted to go on board, and were accorded a brief interview with the new Governor-General in the saloon. "I am very glad indeed to return to New Zealand," said Viscount Jellicoe,' '•and it .is' a great pleasure to come out again in this capacity (that of GovernorGeneral).' I can never forget the kind welcome you gave me here only a year a£d,' : and I am looking forward eagerly to my 6tay." You "came by way of the Panama Canal? , "Yea," said Lord Jellicoe. "It was the first time I had been .through. You may remember that when H.M.S. New Zealand went through the Canal I was in Canada. It is a wonderful piece of enginjjering work; not only that, but the organisation of the through traffic is really very admirable." Viscount Jellicoe was reminded of the jocular references made a year to his returning to New Zealand as Gov-ernor-General and was' asked if there was anything arranged then. "No,'* he replied, "it had then never crossed my mind, and I confess now that it was rather embarrassing." ' Lord Jellicoe said that he was accompanied- by Viscountess Jellicoe and the members of their family, and all of them had enjoyed the voyage very much.. GOOD-BYE TO THE CORINTHIC. , Thim Captain Curtis (His Excellency's private -secretary) broke in with the announcement that the tug was,leaving in three minutes, in order to ki>.ep to the scheduled time. Lord Jellicoe, now in full uniform as Admiral of the Meet, donned his cocked hat, and walked slowly throu"h the lines of ship's officers, courteously bidding'them all good-bye. Lady Jellicoe with the Hon. Prudence Jellicoe (about six years pf age) Jo owed. The latter little lady was full of lively chatter. „,.,„, ,„ "Good-bye, Mister Chief Steward, gtio =aid. "Good-bye, Mister I-don t-know-what-your-naine-is!" to the smil-ing-second steward, and so on. J.no other young ladies, the Hons. Luov, Myrtle, and Norah Jellicoe, are a little older, and consequently more reserved. The baby of the family is the Hon. George Jellicoe (in his fourth year), a curly-headed handsome boy, who appeared to bo wondering what nil the fuss was about. Viscount Jellicoe found Captain Hart, of the Connthic, In attendance at the bend of the'gangway, and in saying good-bye to him pressed him to call at Government Houss before he left for Home again. As the Governor-General descended the gangway, the gold of his uniform gleamed brilliantly in the morning sunshine. "Threo cheers for Lord Jellicoe!" come from the promenade deck. These were

given, and were followed by the chorus, "For He's a Jolly Good Mow." Lady Jellicoe, tho children, Mis A. Gillett (secretary to Lady Jellicoe). Captains P. B Mundv and B. G. Sou they, \.D.C.'s, and the household staff followed down to the deck of tho Duchess, on whicli they «rs swifth' carried to the outer fceo of the Queen's Wharf. On tho trip in to the wharf an enterprising .'cinema t Xpert managed to secure some excellent views of tho ifamilv group as its various members took In the sun-bathed environments of their new home. THE LANDING AT THE WHARF .'■ ; A PICTURESQUE INTERLUDE. There was a brilliant assemblage on the outer tee of the Queen's Wharf as './* Duchess drew nlongsido with the Vice-Regal party. In tho foreground were, stationed the guard of honour from the Sffi Regiment, uncfer/ Captain Armstrong, the regimental band, a detachment of Amokura boys, under Comman-

der Barnsdale, a small party of Imperial veterans,'"under Captain Henry, and a number of officers of high command in the New Zealand Forces. Among the latter were General Richardson, Colonel Melville, Colonel White, Colonel Bifere, the Naval Adviser (Commander G. A. Williams) the Commissioner of Police (Mr. J. O'Donovan), and the Superintendent (.Mr. S. Norwood). The berthing of thu Duchess was ■ a signal for an outburst of and Lord Jellicoe stepped ashore to the strains of the National Anthem from the band, while the guard of the sth Regiment presented arms. At the same time tho salute of nineteen guns was fired from the battery at Alexandra' Barracks, but this was' inaudible on accvunt of the northerly wind. ; The guard of honour inspected. His Excellency reviewed the boys of the Amokura, with' o nod and a smile for all, and then hinted to the veterans, Lord Jellicoe shook hands with each veteran and had a few cheery words o'f kindly interff,t for each old soldier.. The school children set up another enthusiastic round of ch'rering, which was taken up by the crowds lining the enclosure, and various distinguished officers having • bow first presented to him, His Excellency was reoined by.Lady Jellicoe.. hand-in-hand with the' Hon. Gfeorge Jellicoe. as yet a tiny toddler. The Vice-Regal party were then received by the chairman and members of the Harbour Board.