FAREWELL!

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11125, 7 February 1930, Page 5

FAREWELL!

FINE TRIBUTES TO SIR CHAS AND LADY FERGUSSON

WON THE HEA RTS OF THE PEOPLE

(Press Association.l WELLINGTON Feb. 6. The farewell tour of Tlieir Excellencies the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson, which lias extended over fully three months, m the course of .which they have travelled thousands ol miles, came to a conclusion tonight, with a. wonderfully enthusiastic gathering of tho citizens of Wellington and adjacent districts ami the Wellington Harbor Board.

An album was presented by tbo Mayor to His Excellency, and a great bouquet of New Zealand berries and foliage, from nearly all the great national parks, was presented to Her Excellency, emblematic of tlie greatinterest she lias always shown in our native flora aud fauna.

Fully 2000 people wore present and cheered Their Excellencies to tho echo.

Ills Excellency replied with great feeling, touching on various subjects, which bad been near to bis heart, and made a special appeal to the people to support New Zealand industry and buy New-Zealand made goods. Apologies for absence were received from the Prime Minister (Sir T. Ward), the Right Hon. J. G. Coates Hon. W. B. Taverner (Minister of Railways, lion. A. de la Perrelle (Minister of Internal Affairs), and Sir Apirana Ngata (Min istcr of Native Affairs), and others. The Hon’ G. AV. Forbes, acting Prime Minister, expressed regret that tho Prime Minister was not able to be present but said that they would be glad to 7 bear" that he was well on the way to complete recovery. Their Excellencies had won the heart of the people in a. remarkable degree. Not only bad they visited the towns and tho cities, but they had been Into the backbloc-ks. talking to the pioneers who had helped to build up the country. They had taken part in their sorrows, and in their joys. Hie relations of New Zealand with the Governor-General and his knowledge and experience made his advice of great value to the Government. They felt that they were losing a true friend.

Tlio-Chief .Justice (Sir Michael Myers) referred to the high office of the Governor-General. The visit of Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson to New Zealand had been a tour of inspiration, and there was no one who understood New Zealand and its people as had Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson. He believed they had found the hearts of the. people loyal and sound to tho Empire, in addressing gatherigus of all kinds ail over the country, he had always shown that liq was a muster oi ins subject.

Addressing Their Excellencies, the Mayor (Mr Troup) aid that they had feelings of thankfulness that they had had Sir Charles Eergusson as Governor-General during the past five years, and in Lady Alice Eergusson they had an example of all that was noble and good in a woman. No section of the community had been neglected by them. Ho could not pass without referring to the organisation of tlio League of Mothers in New Zealand by Lady Alice Fergussam, which would always be a monument to Her Excellency, and her interest in the women and children of New Zealand.

As His Excellency rose to respond, ho was received with a hurst of applause which must have hoeii hoard some distance from the Town Hall. To all those concerned in that expression of farewell, on the term illation of his term of office', he expressed his sincerest appreciation. Their expressions were beyond words, and touched them very deeply. “It has been a happiness and a privilege”, continued Sir Charles, “to have enter ed in those fivo years into your daily life, and to have had soiuo part in promoting with you the interests of the first city of the Dominion, and so lived up with you to the Empire to which New Zealand nas always been proud to show her loyalty and give of her best. The renewed assurances oi that loyalty'to the King’s throne and person which is expressed in your address I shall he happy to convey to His Majesty. (Applause). As you say. wo have gained your confidence and your aifection. W hen you say that you say something which wo greatly prize, because wo do value your good opinion and we make no secret of it. (Applause). Wo are now, much to our regret, leaving. I look hack to, that day, oti years ago, when t let 1; Queen s Wharf, as its was then, in a. sailing ship—a big ship in its day-—of something like 700 tons: (Laughter). Wo Avert) on hoard nearly lour month's.' The day alter to-morrow wo will sail on a motor vessel of 17,000 tons on a voyage 'which will take little more than as many weeks as it took months before.”