GOVERNOR ON PLAINS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5062, 8 December 1926, Page 3

GOVERNOR ON PLAINS.

VISIT TO THE DISTRICT.

SCHOOL CHILDREN ADDRESSED.

Part Of the Hauraki Plains was visited yesterday by the GovernorGeneral (Sir Charles Fergusson). His Excellency was accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson, their fijon (Mr James Fergusson), and their niece (Miss, Jean Fergusson). The party arrived on the Plains by the 2.30' p.ml. ferry from Kopu, after visiting Thames. At the Turua Road corner the children of .the Orongo school were assembled, and His Excellency addressed a few words to them and promised a holiday in honour cf his visit. The children then sang the National Anthem and gave three cheers for the Governor-Gen-eral. After His Excellency had spoken to a few returned soldiers; present the party moved on .to Turua. The Turua school was gaily decorated in honour of the visit. Bunting and red roses were used to make an effective display. A large crowd of people assembled in the school grounds, and the Turua Band was playing when the party arrived. An Address of .welcome was; read by Mr J. W. Chapman, chairman of the School Committee. His Excellency spoke at length to the children. He tjold them that he had been in New Zealand over 50 years ago, .when his father was Governor, and that Her Excellency had been here over 30 years ago, when her father was Governor. He spoke of his recent visit to Sarrica;, and explained that in that island every child wore a small five-pointed star on its coat. On being asked why they did this the children had explained that the firs ( t point of the star stood for loyalty to God, the second point for loyalty to the King, the third point for loyalty to their country, the fourth point for loyalty to one’s neighbour, and the fifth point for loyalty t|o oneself. Thus t all the native children understood the star to stand for duty to God the King, their country, their neighbours, and themselves. The native children also sang what appeared to be a song. When he asked what it meant he was told that the translation was, “To-day Samba is; a good country. lam going. to make it a better country.” Tins, said His Excellency, would make -a splendid motto for Nev/ Zealand children. New Zealand was a splendid country largely on account o'f the good work Of .the forefathers of thq present inhabitants. What, he asked, were the present children going ,to do to make New Zealand a better country ? They had ■ a duty, and should remember the motto of the Samoan children —“I am going to make the country, better” —and try to the best of their ability to work towards that end.

Cheers were then given by the children, and little Miss Dorothy Mules presejited ,Lady Alice Fergusson with a bouquet.

His Excellency then proceeded to plant an eucalyptus tree in the school grounds, and after thq Nati|oin'al Anthem had been playe-d .the party proceeded to Ngatea.

Addressing the children of the Ngatea school, ; His Excellency spoke o'f the spirit df the early pioneers; of New Zealand and urged that their example be followed. It was for .the Empire under the Union Jack that our fore'fathers lived and died. The. Union Jack>stood for that which was rigkL for justice, and for the. Empire, and no one should be ashamed to take off his' hajt to the flag, or to sing the National Anthem.

Cheers were given by the children for the Governor-General, and a bouquet .was presented to Lady Alice Fergusson by little Miss Betty RbKvling. The National Anthem was then sung. The Governor-General and party were introduced to the members of the. County Council present, and after a. short chat with several Ngatea; people a. move was made Montgomery’s tea-rooms for afternoon tea.

The Pipiroa and Kopuarahi schools were then visited, and Sir Charles Fergusson spoke fie the children on similar lines to his addresses at Ngatea and Turua. He stated that prior to leaving England he had been instructed by the King to meet as mafiy schoolchildren as possible and to report on his visits. In his fetters tpi His Majesty he always mentioned the names of the schools visited, and the King always expressed his pleasure that the visits were made when he replied.