FIRST CIVIC WELCOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 927, 21 March 1930, Page 6

FIRST CIVIC WELCOME

WELLINGTON ENTERTAINS GOVERNOR-GENERAL RECEPTION IN TOWN HALL Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. j There was a brilliant scene at the ; Town Hall last evening when the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady Bledisloe were accorded a civic welcome by the city of Wellington and local public bodies and presented with an illuminated address. The distinguished guests received an enthusiastic reception from the gathering, which filled all available accommodation long before the opening of the programme. The proceedings were only partly formal, speeches being interspersed with musical items. The Hon. G. W. Forbes was the speaker on behalf of the Government, and said the people wished his Excel- i lency to enjoy himself. They would ; be pleased to see him on the field of j sport. As Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Forbes said the farmers were very glad at having in the Governor-Gen-eral a man who knew the problems facing them. The Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, also spoke. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, read a formal address on behalf of the local bodies, prefacing it with a short speech. After returning thanks for the welcome, Lord Bledisloe said he and Lady Bledisloe intended, as far as their duties permitted, to take a full part in the social and recreational side of life in New Zealand. Regarding farming he wanted to make it perfectly clear that he did not come to the country with the idea that he was going to teach the people on the land anything. He came to learn. Conditions Mere differed very much from those of the Old Country. His Excellency praised the value and stressed the importance of agriculture to all. He was prepared to fosfcer in any way he could the industrial activities of the country.