N.Z. Bids Farewell to Governor-General

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 891, 7 February 1930, Page 1

N.Z. Bids Farewell to Governor-General

WELLINGTON OVATION

DEPARTURE REGRETTED Press Association WELLINGTON, Thursday. The farewell tour of New Zealand of the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, and Lady Alice Fergusson. in the course of which they have travelled thousands of miles, came to an end tonight with an enthusiastic gathering in the Town Hall of 2,U00 people of Wellington and surrounding districts. An album was presented by the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, to his Ex cellency, and a great bouquet of New Zealand berries and foliage, gathered from all parts of New Zealand, was presented to Lady Alice Fergusson. The Hon. G. W. Forbes expressed regret that the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, was not able to be present. Their Excellencies, he said, had won the hearts of the people in a remarkable degree. Not only had they visited the towns and cities, but had been in the back blocks talking to the pioneers who had helped to build up the country. They had taken part in their sorrows and in their joys. The relations of Sir Charles with the Government and his knowledge and experience made his advice of great value. They felt they were losing a true friend. The Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, said their Excellencies’ term in New Zealand had been a source of inspiration. There was no one who understood New Zealand and its people as did Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson. He believed they had found the hearts of the people loyal and sound to the Empire. In addressing gatherings of all kinds all over the country, Sir Charles had aiyvays shown that he was master of his subject. FEELINGS OF THANKFULNESS

The Mayor said they had feelings of thankfulness that they had had Sir Charles Fergusson as Governor-Gen-eral during the past five years, and in Lady Alice Fergusson they had an example of all that was noble and good in woman. No section of the community had been neglected by them. He could not pass without referring to the organisation of the League of Mothers in New Zealand by Lady Alice. It would always be a monument to her Excellency and to her interest in the women and children of New Zealand. As Sir Charles rose to respond he was received with a burst of applause that must have been heard some distance from the Town Hall. To all those concerned in the expression of farewell on the termination of his period of office, he expressed his siucerest appreciation. Tljeir expressions, he said, were beyond words and touched them very deeply. “It has been a happiness and privilege,” said Sir Charles, “to have entered in those five years into your daily life, and to have had some part in promoting with you the interests of this city and of the Dominion, and 30 building up with you the Empire to which New Zealand has always been proud to show her loyalty and give of her best. The renewed assurance cf that loyalty to the King’s Throne and person which is expressed in your address I shall be happy to convey to his Majesty. “If, as you say, we have gained your confidence and vour affection, then you say something which we greatly prize, because we do value your good opinion, and we make no secret of it. (Applause.) We are now, much to our regret, leaving. I look back to that day, 56 years ago, when I left Queen’s Wharf as it was then in a sailing ship —a big ship in its day—of something like 150 tons. (Laughter.) We were on board nearly four months.

“The day after tomorrow we sail on a motor vessel of 17,000 tons, on a voyage which will take little more than as many weeks as it took months before.”