THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17170, 30 March 1927, Page 7

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

A ROUND OF • CALLS. PRIMAKx SCHOOLS VISITED. 1 His Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Sir Charles Fergusson) : was early astir yesterday morning : preparatory to a round of calls which included visits to severai primary schools and the convent in 1 Reed street. An inspection of the white stone quarry at Windsor was . also made. Sir Charles was accom- j panied by the Mayor and Mayoress [ (Mr and Mrs J. McDiarmid), " the town clerk (Mr C. W. Kent) and severai members of the Borough Council. Reception at Weston0 The tour was commenced at 9.30 a.m. and the cavalcade of cars paused for a few minutes at the war memorial in front of the Post Office, his Excellency expressing himself highly pleased with this remembranfce of the men who took part in the Great War. An impromptu and pleasing surprise was provided at Weston, the .headmastter of the school (Mr Colquhoun) having the pupils, to the number of about 100, formed on the road to greet the Governor-General. The children having been assembled in the main schoolroom his Excellency gave them a sliort address, for which he was heartily applauded and cheered, the little ceremony ending with a verse of the National I A n them.^ Afc the Quarry. | On the arrival of the party at the, j quarry his Excellency was met by i the directors, and he was- afforded | an opportunity of seeing the stone j being carved out of the hillside, J dressed and prepared for market, i the whole of the machinery being in | motion. Sir Charles Fergusson man- ; ifested keen interest in the whole ! work, and special interest in the ! geological aspect of the country. 1 South School's Welcome. j On the return to town the Oam- ! aru South School was visited, the ! whole of the as'sembled pupils, un- | der the headmaster (Mr W. Rodger) i greeting the Governor-General with j "God Save the King." Mr. A. Barsi'dell, chairman of the school briefly j introduced his Excellency, who delivered a short address to the children, speaking of the beautiful J country in which they lived, and {, the duty they owed to it. Cheers ■ for his Excellency and a verse of j the National Anthem, were followi ed by the whole teaching staff being | presented. Visit to North School. 5 The party then proceeded to the i North School 'where there was a j full parade of pupils to the number I of over 400 on the square under Mr j A. G. Robertson, the headmaster. ! The National Anthem having been ! sung, his Excellency was introduced j to the pupils as the diretct represenl tative of the King by Mr J. -Mitche.il ! the chairman of the committee. Sir | Charles spoke to the children on I the same lines as at th: South ; School. Cheers, th& -National Anth- ! em, - and the presentation *of the j staff closed the visit. Call at the Convent. The' Governor-General "crpssed Reed street, and paid a visit to the Convent - School, where the, pupils were massed under the Mother Supe.rior. Another short, interesting, and instructive address wa£ givpn by his Excellency followed by hearty cheers. The whole of the Nuns were introduced,. the pupils sang "God Save the Kingj" and the Vice-Regal party took its departure, thfe pupils lustily cheering his Excellency. Among the Old People. The Victoria Home was the next and last of a round of visits. Here his Excellenicy was met by Mr A. Fraser, the chairman, and members of the Hospital Board. He-was con. ducted through the building by Miss Dormer, the matron, expressing himself pleased with the institution and pausing as he went to speak cheering and hopeful words to the old people who are occupants of the Home. Pleased with Visit. ■ This concluded a busy morning and his Excellency returned to the Queen's t'otel where the Mayor and Mrvoresr lunched. with himl Sir Charles left for the north by ihe seicond express, and was seen off by h fair number of people to whom he waved a cheery farewell. Prior to departing his Excellency spoke of the fine' appearance of the town ahd district. He had, he 1 said, heartily enjoyed his visit. The weather had been delightful and he was highly pleased with all he had seen. His only regret was that Lady Fergusson had been unable to accompany him and share in the pleasure.