THE GOVERNORGENERAL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1921, Page 4

THE GOVERNORGENERAL

OFFICIAL VISIT TO WESTLAND

the luncheon

A VERY SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION

Following tlie public reception at the Princess Theatre at noon, a luncheon was tendered to Lord Jellicoe at the Supreme Hall, at one o’clock. The large hall had been very tastefully arranged, the ladies of the Overseas Club having excelled themselves in the very complete arrangements made foi the gathering. The tables were well tilled and a capable bevy of willing workers supplied the guests witli an excellent luncheon, that was most apreciably recognised. The Mayor (Mr CL A. Perry) presided, Lord jellicoe being on his right and Lady Jellicoe on his left, the County Chairman Air ,J. A. Murdoch) occupying the vice chair, the gathering being a Targe and fully representative one, that included a good number of ladies. The Royal Orchestra supplied excellent music during the proceedings. THE TOAST LIST.

After luncheon had been partaken nf, four toasts were honored and the proceedings passed oft most enjoyably and successfully, the best of good feeling prevailing, the speeches were of a happy'nature and the gathering was carried to a very successful conclusion, the reception given to the several speakers being very hearty, while that given to His Excellency, was of a most hearty nature, and should have left no doubt whatever as to the warmth and cordialty of the welcome, being only excelled when Lady Jellicoe rose to respond to the toast of “The Ladies,’’ the gathering rising and receiving her with musical honors and a furthei round of cheers. The Chairman proposed the toast or • •The King.” which was honored, the National Anthem being sung. Mr J.. A. Murdoch (County Chairman) then proposed the toast of “His Excellency the Coventor-General of New Zealand.” In doing so Mr Murdoch said it was wonderful how we of the British race have the characteristic „f assimilating ideas, instancing how alter a visit to America one was inclined to catch the American twang. Personally he had been all his life in New Zealand, and to-day had spent about two hours in the company of their visitors from the British Navy, and in proposing the toast had almost said “the sun was over the yard arm, and asked them to splice the mainbiace. (Laughter). There was a great deal to he gained because ot that chaiacteibtic of assimilating ideas, as they would all have gathered after they has listened to His Excellency’s speech in tlm Theatre a short time before. He lelt confident that the oiling people would assimilate the speech oi His Excellency, and that the young people would go home with the determination to grow up and in their alter Hie work lor the common good. New Zealand "as to he congratulated in the wise, choice made bv the King and bis advisers, of I Ms Excellency as Administrator in this Dominion of New Zealand, noticed that Mis Excellency bad visisted Vestport, Greymouth, and other West Coast centres and had received tjie same warm welcome as he had received heio. He had also noticed that Greymouth and Westport were still squabbling as to which was the second town on the West toast. It had not been decided yet and it did not care which way it wont, as it did not concern Hokitika j which was Imppy in the. knowledge' that it was the capita! of Westland. (Laughter). They all regretted the short delay that they were making ami stated that in reaching Hokitika they had only seen one half of Westland and that south ot Hokitika was the better half. He hoped that at an early date His Excellency would he able to make a longer and more extended trip and then would lie able to go into South Westland and see some of the finest scenery in the world, which if they make the visit would give them the greatest ot pleasure. His Excellency would have perceived by the reception received in other parts, of the loyalty of the people of New Zealand. He must have felt that deep down in their hearts there was a feeling of true loyalty. It was with feelings of gratitude that they had their visitor present in his own person. They hardly dreamed ol the good fortune to meet face to face and to he able to express t.lieir feelings. Tn the troublous war years, responsibility and burdens wore thrown on many men, hut on none were they as heavy as on the shoulders of the Admiral of the Eleet. In the Navy we had a great shield. The knowledge and power that he possessed made the power of that shield. Behind that shield the British Army was mobilised in safety and \te wore allowed to prepare for war in safety, because you held hack the only power that would have endangered the country. To show our gratitude wo desired to thank your Excellency today for your personal service to King and country, when in charge of a fleet, the equal of which the world had never seen. Those services bad. made the name of Jelfieoe, a name loved by the people of the Empire, and feared by her enemies. To-day they were proud of the honor of meeting face to face, and to thank you from the bottom of their hearts for your service to King and country. (Applause),

There were'still clouds on the horizon, and so it was the duty of New Zealand to he interested in the subject of naval preparedness. It must be ever present in our minds, the necessity of naval supremacy. We must not only work, hut if necessary must make sacrifices with that object. Tlie best way to keep the necessity before us was in speeches such as made by His Excellency in tlie Princess Theatre. It would teach us to value the glorious heritage, and to light that it may not pass from us. Tie thanked him for the speech. His words were listened to by all, and everyone. The visit to Westland, if only for the speed), was work well done. They did not know the actual situation. That key was in His Excellency’s possession, but lie could assure him that ho had the supreme confidence of the thinking men and women of tin's counry, and need not look to right or left in doing what he considered was the best for the Empire. (Applause). He asked them to rise and drink the toast. The toast was honored with much enthusiasm.

Lord Jellicoe on rising to respond, was heartily applauded, the assemblage rising and according him musical honors with cheers. His Excellency said there were some persons present who had heard some dozen speeches by him in the last week, and it made it difficult for .him to reply as lie might desire, hut the speech of Mr Murdoch had opened the 1 ties that held his tongue. Never had lie listened to so flattering a speech as had been addressed to him personally by Air Murdoch. He did not deserve one .hundredth part of what he had said either as His Majesty's representative or as a naval officer. It had been a privilege beyond words that he had come to New Zealand and since he had come here his privilege had increased a thousand fold, because hero he had found loyalty second to none, and nowhere had their deeds been excelled in any part of the British Empire. He was prftud of being selected for the position of Governor-General, and he assured those present that every bit of power in him will he given to forward the happiness and prosperity of the people. He would nevei spare himself, and neither would Her Excellency, in doing their duty. (Applause). His Majesty had set an example to every person in the British Empire. With Her Majesty, he had boon at the bec k and call of the people from 191-1 to tiie present time m the one thought of duty to the country. That sense of duty has been also ably recognised and carried out by the Prince of Wales during his recent world tour and his success was clue first to his sense of dutv and secondly to his personal cliar-

| aeteristies. 1 As a naval officer, continued Lord ! Jellicoe. he merely represented a great service, the Royal Navy, and the offi- ’’ ~: rs and men c;f the Mercantile Marine, j lie assured them that Mr Murdoch s words though not justified by what he '' had clone, were fully justified hv the 1 deeds of the officers and men -.1 the two . great services. (Applause). H was the officers and men of those two ser- ' vices who deserved the prnis? and to whom the thanks of the Em are were ' due. It had been the Navy u. the days ' of old that had saved the Empire and in the days to come the Navy wcmlu save the Empire again when the lrnect came. (Applause). All the thanks due the r leaders were for the fact that we suc- ' reeded in keeping up the spirits of the men and that was not a difficult job. That was their duty, and time their '' men would do anything. Thm was the spirit that took men over tin* mp, facing Hell in Flanders and ol'owiiove. '! [|e hoped they would bring up th- ' children with that feeling m their , minds of lovalfv to the Crown. He toll quite sure that the future of the Do minion was in sale hands as 1 ng as Brilisli common sense remains as it is ‘ There were a few in the homeland who have lost that rommonson.se of the Bn lisli, ami whose action is undermining ' their loyally, Imt they wen* only a few ' am) there was not any danger ot that spirit spreading. He wished to again 1 thank them for the very hearty rocep- ’ tion they had given him and lor the ' proposer’s far too generous tribute. He thanked them again for the kind reception of Lady Jellicoe, his daughter and himself and expressed his great pleasure in being able to visit the district. (Applause). The Hon H. L. Michel, M.L.C., proL [msec! the toast of “The Ladies,” stating the women of the Empire should he ' honored not for their sex Imt for their ' merit as citizens of the Empire. Mr f Michel referred at some length to the tens of thousands of women who had i rushed out to help the Empire in its j dire* struggle, and who had helped so much to win the* war. Reference was also made to the women who had come to the West Coast in the early days who assisted in carving out the luture of this district. Mr Michel coupled Lady . Jellicoe, Captain Curtis and Capt T. K. Y. Keddon with the toast which was duly honored. Lady Jellicoe who was rapturously received and was accorded a great ovation, said she* very much appieciatcd the kind welcome given by the people of Hokitika, and thanked the assemblage sincerely for the manner in which they honored the toast. Lady Jellicoe here sat down, stating Mr Seddon was pulling her coat. (Laughter and applause). Captain Curtis, A.D.C. to His Excellency, said he, had great pleasure in responding to the toast, but lie wished to point out that lie had only just arrived in Hokitika and when lie came another time he would he more qualified to pass an opinion on their qualities. He thanked them sincerely for honoring the toast. Then with an aside to Mr Murdoch, “pull my coat,” the speaker sat down amid much laughter and applause. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon followed, acknowledging that his love for the ladies | had followed from his schoolboy days Reference was made to the work done by the Lady Liverpool Committee in knitting socks for tlie soldiers, which had proved so welcome to the soldiers in France ns a welcome from Homo ; to the work of the nurses in the hospitals in England and in the munitions factories. He regretted the weather was not favourable on this occasion, but trusted on the next occasion it would be bettor, and he was quite sure this would not he the Inst visit to the West Const, They were also indebted to the ladies of the Overseas Club, who so unselfishly worked on behalf of ourselves and the townspeople,- and the work of the ladies who had made such a success of the functions during the visit of the Prince of Wales. Mr Seddon concluded by expressing the hope that he would not be called on many more times to respond to the toast of the ladies. (Laughter and applause). Mr Seddon then proposed the health of the Chairman and in doing so, paid a very flattering tribute to the services rendered the town by Mr Perry while occupying the civic chair. The toast was duly honored and Mr Perry in replying, said he thanked Mr Seddon for his flattering remarks, but he did not believe him. Air Perry con- I tinning, expressed the pleasure he felt • at being able, to welcome His Excel- < leticy, Lady Jellicoe and ,Hon ..Lucy < Jellicoe to Hokitika. He trusted that their visit would prove an enjoyable one i in spite of the unfavourable nature of I Hu* weather that day. (Applause). | £ The singing of tlie National Anthem || with cheers for,the guests, brought a 1' .highly scucessful function to a eon- t elusion: 1 v

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ BALE,. The social , dance tendered to the Vice-Regal party in tho Drill Shed cm Saturday night was another very successful gathering. The Hall had been lavishly decorated with ferns, and flags, and bore a most attractive appearance, a dais having been erected, at the end of the hail for the guests oi the evening. The floor was in capital order, in charge of Air J. J. Breeze, while a capital orchestra (Messrs Lawn, Gibbons, Llewellyn and Ross) assisted by several others, supplied capital music. The supper was in the capable hands of Alesdaines Morgan and Bntland, and left nothing to be desired. There was a large attendance present and dancing was kept going busily till j mid-night. Mr 0. J. P., Sellers (President of the E(’turned Soldiers Association) took the occasion prior to the supper adjournment of thanking His Excellency, Lady Jellicoe and Hon. Lucy Jellicoe for honoring the Association with their attendance tha tevening and (voiced the great pleasure it had given members to have the opportunity of meeting them. His Excellency in a very happy address said it had been a great ideasun* indeed to have had the opportunity of being present ,and he thanked tlie Association for their very kind invitation. He expressed his great appreciation of the handsome decoration of the hall and congratulated , those responsible on the success of their labours. He assured them of the pleasure it had given Lady Jellicoe, himself and his daughter to have been pre- . sent that evening to partake of their hospitality. A long round of applause with cheers ami musical honors followed, the large attendance standing and joining in the singing of the Red White and Blue, and the orchestra playing the National Anthem as the Vice-Regal party left the hall, supper being then served to them in tlie Town Hall. During the evening Miss Perry and Mr W. Slinnd sang solos, and Aliss E. Mclntosh danced the Highland Fling. A most enjoyable gathering was brought to a conclusion at mid-night, in' spite of the most inclement weather that prevailed. ' YESTERDAY’S ENG AG PATENTS, i , Their Excellencies and suite attended divine service at All Saints C hurch yesterday forenoon. The Senior Cadets and officers held a church parade, and headed by the town band marched to All Saints’ Church. There was a very large congregation present. The vicar | Ricvd. Dr. Holloway, received their , Excellencies at the entrance to the I church, and conducted them to tin* front pew. The service was a china: | one. The Revd. Purchas assisted with j the service. Dr Holloway reading the* j lessons and preaching the -ermoti, the I subject being “meekness.'’ The choir led in the hymns which were sung with j gi'cat heartiness, including the Well j known ’'(lid Hundredth . and 1 Eternal Father strong to save.” At the close of the service the National Anthem was sung. Miss Davies presided at Hu*

organ. In the afternoon a small party accompanied their Excellencies oil a motor drive to Lake Kanieri. Although the afternoon was showery, the sun broke through before the party reached the lakeside, and a good view of the placid waters and the surrounding Hills was obtainable. Their Excellencies went for a long walk to Milltown and round to Hans Bay, and in the passing showers took shelter under friendly bushes. Afternoon tea was served at the hostelry for the visitors and town was reached again shortly after 5..50 o’clock. Their Excellencies spoke most appreciatively of the hush scenery they passed through, and the view they had of Lake Kanieri quite charmed them. THE DEPARTURE. Tlie Vice-Regal party departed for Christchurch at 9.30 o’clock this morning. The Heads of various local bodies and many of the public assembled for the departure. Lord and Lady Jellicoe and Hon Lucy Jellicoe shook hands with many of those present. To Mr Sellers, President of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, their Excellencies returned very cordial thanks for the very pleasant, gathering arranged for their entertainment on Saturday night, and which they enjoyed so much. The Mayor and County Chairman were thanked also for their kind attentions, and both their Excellencies referred to their intention to revisit the district on a subsequent occasion. As the Vice-Regal party drove off hearty cheers were given for their Excellencies. Tlie party motor to Otira, where they take coach and drive over Otira Gorge, taking train at Arthur’s Pass for Christchurch, and then proceeding to Wellington on route to Auckland. Prior to the departure of the ViceRegal party to-day, Air S. P. Evans, Alayor of Ross, who had arrived in town, was presented to their Excellencies, both of whom expressed regret that time had not permitted to visit Ross, but expressing their intention to go south on the next tour of the Coast. Recently the Westland Acclimatisation Society received an advance copy of the Prince of Wales souvenir edition of “Beautiful Westland” which will he on sale here a few months hence. Tn addition to the scenic pictures of Westland, the booklet contains a fine series nf views of the visit of the Prince' ot Wales to Hokitika, as also a leproduction of the tableaux at the time of the Peaco celebrations —the whole forming i very interesting record. Viscount Jellicoe was pleased to accept the souvenir, and expressed his appreciation [ to Air J. King for the gift. 1 During his sojourn in Hokitika, discount Jellicoe was afforded the op- j xirtunity of inspecting tlie fine series >f mountaineering and scenic* photographs of Westland views in the pos-! icssion of Dr Teichelmann. Tlie views : ixcited the interest of their Excelled- i | ies who expressed the hope that in he future they would he able to mpeet much of the scenery depicted on 1 he occasion of a personal visit to outh Westland. j 4 Prior to leaving to-day their Excel- 1 nicies expressed to Mr Seddon, ALP., :ieir personal thanks for making the isit to tiie district so very pleasant and ijoyable. Of Greymouth, Kumnm anil 1 lokilika they had very pleasant recol- 1 • ctiohs of their visit, and their 1

stay in the various centres had been made most pleasant and enjoyable.

AT KUMARA

In anticipation of their Excellencies visit on Saturday morning, a banner of welcome was placed across the main street, and the business people had festooned their places with ferns. At the Old Peoples;Home a banner of welcome to the “Hero of the Seas” was displayed and an elegant arcli of flowers was placed before the main entrance. All the children of both State and Convent schools wore gathered together with a numerous assemblage of adults and two representatives of the Hospital Board from Hokitika. Their Excellencies arrived at 10 a.m. accompanied by Mr Seddon, who introduced them to Mr Seeheek; the school teacher present, the members ot ; the local bodies present and many of the Indies. In the absence ,of .Mayor Ale— Glone, Cr. Benyon made a speech of welcome) to which his. Excellency made reply. Little Aliss Spiers presented bouquets to Lady Jellicoe and the Hon Lucy, His Excellency breaking down the stiffness of the proceedings by lifting the little dot and kissing her. Air Batson, the Master of the Home,; with a vigorous speech, handed His Excellency an address frmo the inmates ot the Home, whose ages averaged 83) years, which Lord Jellicoe received sympathetically and warmly replied to.

After a few words with each of the old pioneers and a conversation with the Crimean, Kandahar and otiier

veterans present, morning tea was serve 1 in the .Master’s, room and a departure made-few Hokitika at 10.45 a.m.