THE ANZAC SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 109, 1 February 1935, Page 12

THE ANZAC SPIRIT

Among Returned Soldiers

SIR A. GODLEY’S VISIT Afters touring in the South Island, where he met many returned soldiers’ associations and other friends. General Sir Alexander Godley arrived at Wellington from Pieton by the Tamahine last evening. Sir Alexander, who is accompanied by Lady Godley, will be in the North Island until March 15, when he expects to leave by the Rangitiki for England. He will make a comprehensive tour of -the North Island, visiting returned soldiers’ associations and seeing old friends at all possible places. In an interview with a representa- , tive of “The Dominion” last night Sir Alexander said his South Island visit had been a very pleasant one. He had attended meetings of returned soldiers’ associations at practically all towns and important places in the South Island. They had motored 2500 miles and visited the lakes district in Southland, most of the Canterbury province, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Westland, and finished up with visits to Nelson and Marlborough. They went up the Bgllnton Valley Bond, over the divide, and under the shadow of Mount Christina looked down the Holyford Valley to where the tunnel is to be made which will provide a motor road to Milford Sound. “I found all the returned soldiers’ 'associations very flourishing and the Anzac spirit very strong,” said Sir Alexander. “It was a very great pleasure to see so many old comrades, and Lady Godley met many who had been in her convalescent, homes. We were both pleased to see again so many old friends and places we knew when we were here before the Great War.” Asked if he had seen any changes since here previously. Sir Alexander said that in the vicinity of the towns lie noticed a great deal of expansion in the way of suburbs, and he was very struck with the architecture of the houses and their gardens.