GENERAL RUSSELL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10281, 16 May 1919, Page 5

GENERAL RUSSELL

A WARM WELCOME ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERINGS IN CHRISTCHURCH. 2'ress Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 15. The Arawa berthed this morning, General Russell being officially welcomed by tho Mayor of Christchurch. The General arrived at the city at 11 o'clock, and was most enthusiastically greeted. The streets were decorated with bunting, and a procession started for the King Edward Barracks, the General's motor-car being drawn by a squad of returned soldiers. At the entrance to the barracks the procession stopped for the General to receive a welcome from the Maoris from Canterbury, pas, under Mr Uru, M.P. Ninety soldiers' "wives and thirtytwo children came out by the vessel. Splendid weather was experienced until about ten days before arrival. Tho health of all on board was excellent, the hospital being practically empty throughout the voyage. The barracks was packed, and the Mayor (Dr Thacker) welcomed General Russell to the city. Sir Francis Bell said that General Russell had earned the esteem of the soldiers, who had nothing but honour for the man whose discipline had made a. name for New Zealand among the warring nations of the world.

General Russell paid a high tribute to the work of the.' New Zeal:in<lers, and quoted a letter sent him on the subject, dealing with the part played by the troops in the war. He said he believed' the Canterbury troops fired the first shot among the New Zealanders, and" were certainly among the last in the firing-line with the Otago men. In that connection he had to say to Otago and Canterbury men what he had never expected to say at any time, and that was that they had gone for enough. The whole division had been actuated by a corporate spirit which New Zealand must foster in the future ; with one common aim, united for one object, there was practically nowhere New Zealand could not go. He paid a touching tribute to the men who had fallen. That day's reception was what could have been expected after the way in which the people of New Zealand had looked after their men at the front. A CIVIC LUNCHEON.

General Russell was entertained by the Mayor at luncheon in the City Council Chambers. Responding to the toast of ' his health, General Russell spoke of Sir A. J. Godley and the extremely high standard of discipline and duty that he had established, and the qualities of justice ho displayed. He detailed General Godley's care for his soldiers. These qualities had not received the recognition that they undoubtedly deserved. ■ He owed much to General Godley, to whom the great success of the Army Corps on Gallipoli had been largely due,;.;Bnd he would like to feel that those present realised what he said to be true. At the conclusion of the luncheon, Mr N. B. McCallum, president of the Canterbury branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, asked General Russell's acceptance of a gold badgn of membership in the association. He said that words failed him to express how much returned soldiers appreciated the General's leadership in faraway lands. They had-the utmost respect for him. ~> General Russell, who was obviously pleased with the presentation, said that as a returned soldier ho wa» proud to be inducted into the association in such a maimer, and with such expressions of goodwill.' He. hoped that what Mr McCallum had said was true, and that he and the returned soldiers had the utmost confidence in one another. ENTERTAINED AT OFFICERS' CLUB.

General Russell was the guest of the Garrison Officers*' Club at an "at home" in the Art Gallery this afternoon. Colonel G. J. Smith, president of the club, said that the officers of the district wished their leader, General Russell, their heartiest greetings. There was present that afternoon a number of officers who had had the great honour and privilege of fighting in the greatest war in history under the greatest general New Zealand had ever had. General Russell had won the admiration and respect of all these men.

Colonel W. Whyte, in welcoming General Russell on behalf of the returned men, said that General Russell was the highest cavalry leader the country had ever had. General Russell, in responding, said that two of- tho speakers that afternoon 'had spoken of the men who, for some reason or other, had not eeen service with the division. Without their work out here the division would never have had the steady stream or magnificent that kept the ranks together. New Zealand was the only country that kept up the reinforcements programme, and that was something that those who had remained at home and occupied themselves with the training of those splendid soldiers should be proud of. Many times in France he had seen other divisional commanders looking enviously at the reinforcements that came for the New Zealand Division, and looking as though they would like to grab them. Sir Andrew Russell has been with the New Zealanders since the Main Body, and has not had oven a furlough in New Zealand. Interviewed, he expressed himself anxious to return to civil life. On the subject of "repatriation, the General declined an opinion. "I have been a farmer all my life, and there is no use my going into another man's paddock to teach him farming," he said.

WELLINGTON RECEPTION POSTPONED

Sir James Allen announces that, owing to tho dislocation of the LytteltonWellington ferry service, the Government much regrets that it is necessary to postpone the reception in the Town Hall to Major-General Sir A, H. Bussell. It is hoped that the function will be carried out to-morrow, and that citizens will be able to The luncheon at Parliament,House in also postponed. A further intimation as to tho times fixed for bcjth functions will be published later.'