GENERAL BIRDWOOD

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1920, Page 1

GENERAL BIRD WOOD

ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 2. General Sir William Birdwood arrived from Sydney this afternoon with Lady Birdwood and their second daughter, who'is ten years old. His married daughter remained in Australia. The General, who is the guest of the Government, took up his quarters at the Midland Hotel. He is looking remarkably fit, and is just the same bright, alert, and altogether delightful man that the New Zealanders knew in Egypt, at Anzac, and on the “Western front, during times of great stress. General Birdwood seems to have had a really wonderful welcome in Australia, even in tlie more remote villages that he visited, and lie laughingly asserts that he has gone through a more strenuous campaign in Australia than he went through on Gallipoli. He is looking forward with keen interest to his New Zealand tour, and to meeting many comrades in arms. His activities in tiie. immediate future have not yet been decided upon. He lias been offered the Northern India command, but lias not yet settled whether he will accept it. Meantime all Australia would welcome him as Governor-General, but that is a 'position that is only likely to ho accepted by a much wealthier man. One thing is certain: that in whatever sphere his lot is east, he will he able to do good work, for he retains all his old energy and quickness of brain.

General Birdwood purposes returning to England in one of the New Zealand boats, via Panama. Meantime he will have a busy time in the Dominion. Tomorrow ho" is to be photographed with the New Zealanders, who fought in the war, the “Diggers” having . made a special request that he should submit to this ordeal. Later he will lunch with the Governor-General, and in the evening he is to "be accorded a public reception in the Town Hall. There he will make a brief speech. He is to he entertained by tlie Government at an official luncheon, also by the New Zealand Club, and by the Savage Club, At each and all of these functions he is assured of a very hearty reception. After a few days he will leave foi the South Island, and go as far as Invercargill and the Cold Lakes. He also hones to make tlie trip across the Southern Alp. to the West Co. B in the North Island lie will, of course ho taken over the thermal region. In Hawke’s Bay he is to stay a day or two with General Sir Andrew Russell.

A GREAT RECEPTION. WELLINGTON, This Day. _ General Birdwood had a most enthusiastic reception from the citizens and the returned soldiers at the Town Hall. At the conclusion of the proceedings, which wore very cordial, General Birdwood shook hands with every returned soldiei in the hall.