NOTED VISI

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 9, 11 March 1938, Page 2

NOTED VISI

SIR STENSON COC^E. GENmAL-SEiCßTpriil-Y Bmlu ” • V Sir StensouAC’opkt’ g-' general seefe-** bile jAssot'inpH/-' arrived aV Opotiki :tig'a' yesterday. A ecu inm were Alessrs. F. G. isident of the Automobile 'Association (Auckland), G. AV. Hutchison, secretary of the Association (Auckland), It, E. ■ Champtaloup, touring manager (Auckland) and *3. Ringer, of tlie touring, staff (Auckland).. The party was met and welcomed by the local agent of the. Association, Air. C. Pipe, who- introduced: local members cif the Association, who were also, present" Messrs. F. J . Short, ju. Horne, A. I’. Stuart, H. A. Smith and H. Rowland. These members accompanied the visiting party at luncheon at tlie Masonic? Hotel. During luncheon, Air. Farrell spoke of Sir Stenson Cooke’s presence as a privilege and honour. As head of an organisation of 700,000 members, ami having control of £1,000,000 each, year, Sir Stenson Choice had found it a great effort to leave for New Zea- . land, and bis visit showed the interest lie had in the Association to trav- , el as far afield as New Zealand. His. visit was at the express invitation of the Auckland: Automobile Association. Air. Hutchison would drive Six Stenson Cooke over the entire North and: South Islands of - New Zealand, during which tour they would he entertained by tlie various representatives of the Auto-mobile Associations. In reply, Sir Stenson Cooke spoke of the* pleasure he was already deriving from his visit to) New Zealand. The climate in the Bay of Plenty, lie 1 assured those* present, was quite the best he had ever experienced. It was encouraging to note the wonderful "progress of the Automobile Association throughout the districts through which he had travelled. He considered the sign-posting was excellent and that no sign which he had seen erected had: been .unnecessary. Jn his opinion the motorists of New Zealand were a very happy family, ever willing to assist one another. Me expressed his pleasure at being afforded the opportunity of meeting the representatives of the Association m Opotiki and assured those present that when, lie left New Zealand he would not forget Opotiki. He was greatly impressed with the hospitality ana goou lriendsliip which luid been extended, to him throughout the tour and iie

appreciated tne tree and easy manner or the people lie had met m Cootiki. He continually met people from the Chi Country and it- was with great pleasure t|iat he met Air.. L. Herne who came from the same town as that in which his mother was born.

Alter a convivial chat, the party left for Gisborne. accompanied to Oponae by the local agent, Air. CPipe. Ln passing the dairy factory, , Sir Stenson Cooke expressed suiprise at tlie ainounti. of; butter made there and was also! astonished at the number of dairy herds in tlie district. Naturally, he said, he knew all ahout- New Zealand butter ancl it was pleasing to view the fertile country from which it was produced. Groatinterest was also taken by the visitor in the Waioeka Pah and some <’t the Maori customs which were ex- , plained to him. He regretted that, owing to the limited time, he was not able to visit the Pah. A tribute was paid to those responsible for the engineering feats in the,.Waioeka Gorge and complimentary remarks were paid to the Public Works Department for the splendid upkeep of such a difficult road. He had been informed that when s'.ipsoccurred they, were quickly cleared and the road soc.il re-opened for traffic;

Several photographs were taken while motoring through the gorge, and the visitor expressed pleasure at the delightful trip. On arrival at Oponae the party was lnety^r?Patrol V. Wilson, who welcomed’ them wfth a smart salute, characteristic of the officers of the Association. Patrol Wilson accompanied the local agent. Air. C Pipe, on in's return to Opetiki.