THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 98, 29 April 1904, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

NEW PLYMOUTH EN FETE. Glorious jweathcr prevailed on Thursday for tlw various functions arranged in connection with the visit of his Excellency Lord Ranfnrly, and from an early hour It was noticeable that this was to be a gala day. Country settlers flocked into town by road and rail, the places of business were gay with bunting, holiday crowds were in too streets, and amongst the people were .our own citizen soldiers in uniforms from the modest khaki to brilliant scarlet, the "handy men" from It.M.S. Psyche, and the veterans, warriors of long ago displaying their war medals and feeling sprightly as of old as the martial feeling became more and more evident. The proceedings, from the public point of view, did not contain much of interest until the afternoon, though lite whole of the day was taken up with official functions. The 11.10 train brought in detachments of volunteers from Stratford, Inglewood and Waitara, and the Inglewood school cadets. The various companies mustered well. About this time, too, the Psyche contingent of bluejackets and marines arrived in town and marched to the Drill Hall, where, as with other visiting companies, they piled arms and were dismissed for a time. The arrival of so much military caused quite a stir amongst the early sightseers, and the natives, who dad gathered in force, took the keenest interest in the lads in navy blue, one of the Maori ladies greeting them with a weird song of welcome to the following effect : "Welcome here, welcome, Come to the homo of our grandmother. Come to the home of us dark-skinned people." Pohe Makuari Poharnma, better known as Mrs Jack Lowry, was the author of the cry,

HIS EXCELLENCY'S MOVEMENTS.

During the morning his Excellency the Governor, Captain Scott, of the Antarctic ship Discovery ; Captain Foolo, commanding 11.M.5. I'syclio ; .Major Alexander, and Mr. Skelton, K.N'., engineer on the Discovery, accompaaied by his Worship the Mayor unci the Town Clerk, were driven to the hospital ami the Old Peopled Home, At the former institution the party was shown through the various wards, and his Excellency congratulated Dr. Leatham, the house surgeon, and Miss Brown, the matron, on the cleanliness and orderliness and evident goad management of the hospital. Passing on to the Old People's Home, the visitors were met by a guard of honour comprised of eight veterans wearing their service medals, and other inmates who had also seen service hut were unadorned by any record of such. The whole of the buildings and grounds were inspected, and Lord Hanfurly gave expression to feelings of the greatest -gratification at the results of the work of the custodian and his wife (Mr and Mrs 0. E. Furrar), who wore, he considered, maintaining the institution in a manner that ivns perhaps not equalled and at any rate not excelled in any of the several homes of the kind he had visited. Then addressing the inmates, he congratulated them on having secured such excellent quarters in which to spend their declining years, and expressed the opinion that they should be happy and comfortable. On the call of Mr Farrar, three hearty cheers were given for his Excellency and his party. At the instigation of the Governor his Worship tin; Mayor then announced to the inmates that they would be enabled to drink the -health of Lord Hanfurly during their midday meal, an announcement that evidently met with keen appreciation. THE LUNCHEON. At 12.J50 p.m, his Excellency the Governor was entertained at "luncheon in the Criterion .Hotel by the Turnnaki liattalion and Veteran Officers. Amongst the other guests were Captain Scott and Mr Skelton, chief engineer of the Discovery ; Captain Footc, Lieutenant Rov, anil other ollicers of 11.M.5. Psyche ; Major Alexander, and Ids Worship' the Mayoi. The remainder of the gathering comprised the officers of the Taiunaki liattalion, including the visitors from Waitara, Ingiewood, and Stratford, mid officers of the Tarannkj Itifles and Guards ; Taranaki veterans ; Archdeacon' Walsh and others. Lieat.-Colonel Ellis presided, and apologised for the nhsvneo of Captain Stan-dish, through illness, Hi s i 10 p x,i igul) , (lm , deacon Cole.

A splendid lunch was served by Mill. O'ltrien, who catered in a style that -did great credit to the hotel, the attendance being everything that could bo wished, When this portion of the proceedings came to a close, Lieut.-Colonel Ellis proposed the loyal toast -'The King," which was drunk to the strains of the National Anthem.

The principal toast, that of " His Excellency the Governor," was proposed by his Worship the Mayor, who expressed his deep regret at his Excellency's approaching departure, and thanked him for the very great interest he had always displayed in tho well-being of tho old soldiersthe veteran warriors of this colony (applause). There were many of those gallant soldiers who were now afar off, but they still had with them, and he was pleased to see them present that day, manv of thv soldiers who had fought In the Maori wars in this part of the colony. Ho referred briefly to tho .Veterans' Home of which Lord Hanfurly had been the founder, and hoped that it would always bo kopt going by the Government of the colony as a lasting monument to Lord Raiifurlv who was, in his opinion, the best Governor that. Now Zealand had ever had. In concluding Mr Cock stated that lately he must have been almost a source of annoyanse to the Governor from Ms freciuent, applications by letter and telegraph for him to send a warship to New Plymouth in connection with the ceremonies of that day, but he was pleased to sisy that the vessel had arrived.

The tonst was enthusiastically honnircd, the musical honours, on the suggestion of the chairman, being 'taken as read."

His Excellency the Governor, who on rising was greeted with hearty applause, said in reply that he could assure those present that he did not mind in the least the importunity of his Worship the Mayor in regard to the securing of a warship to be present at New Plymouth on this auspicious occasion. Ho had been approached months ago on this subject, and had then promised to send 'a vessel of war here if tho exigencies of the service would permit. He was glad that he bad been enabled to fulfil that promise. The Mayor had suggested (hat the Government should take in hand the maintenance of the Veterans- Home. There was nothing that he (Lord Ranfurlv) should hate more. It was not the Government but the people of the colony who should provide for the upkeep of the Home, which was a memorial to those who had given their lives for King and country and to provide for those who had' served in the New Zealand and South African wars, offering themselves for service for the sake of those who followed. The people in this colony are too fond of going to the Government, for everything, and they were bringing ~,, their children to this vi ew , teaching them to depend too much on the Government instead or being self-reliant and fitted to undertake the responsibilities of colonial life. Would such a feeling of dependence have produced those grand pioneers who had fought and conquered in this colony and had •in-mounted all the great hardships '

inseparable from opening up a new country 7 He would grunt, of course that tliere were people in iho backblocks who should be assisted, nnd lie considered it the duly of the Government to give these people every assistance, as their pioneer work wus of tire greasiest value. Ills Excellency tlien referred to the mineral wealth of the colony. He considered our minerals had only been scratched so far, and no one hud any idea of what there was yet to be found. He spoke of the local enterprise, the petroleum-boring operations, and wished the promoters good luck. He had heard, too, a good deai about iron ores, which reminded him, by the way, that the member for Taranaki was an enthusiast in this matter. He looked forward to the day when, instead of having to import iron rails for tramways and' railways, New Zealand would supply the Australasian colonies. Turning aguin to the Veteran's Homo, that institution was filling his most sanguine expectations and the inmates wore taking a pride in it. He (Lord liunfuiiy) was a great believer in memorials, but considered I hut these should be of benefit to the living as well us commemoration of the dead. In expressing his thanks for the manner in which he had been entertained, his Excellency said lie was proud of the representatives of the army and the navy, and was pleased indeed that on his last visit to New -Plymouth, in the district where so much fighting had taken place in the Maori wars, he should have had the pleasure of meeting so many who had taken an active and honourable part in the defence of their country. Mr .lames i'aul proposed "The Antarctic Explorers," and expressed the conviction that a large amount of the success of the Discovery expedition was due to the appointment of Captain Scott to the command. He could not enter into the benefits derived, but could admire the dauntless pluck of those Britishers who had faced the vicissitudes of the Polar regions.

Cuptain Scott replied, opening with the remark that future explorers should tuke into consideration the fact that whatever their hardships in the Antarctic regions, they were amply- compensated for these by tho kindness displayed by New Zenlanders on their return.' Ho recommended anyone in search of a good timo to join an Antarctic exploring expedition.

Rev.P. U, Evans, chaplain of the Turannkl Uattalion, proposed the health of Archdeacon Walsh, without whom, the speaker remarked, there would have been no hatchments, no visit from his Excellency and other distinguished personages, and no function of this kind.

The toast was greeted with musi cal honours.

Archdeacon Walsh replied, remarking that of all the hatchments the one that had given him the greatest pleasure to prepare was that which commemorated the doings of the sailors from the Niger, who had arrived in the nick of time to save the local volnnteers at Waireka, when these, had almost fired away their ammunition. Captain Cracroft and ins bluejackets had turned the tide of battle, ami instead of being de'feated the little force of soldiers returned victorious to New Plymouth with the men from the Niger. Lord Hanfurly proposed the health of Colonel Elljs, \vlrich was duly honoured, and responded to. The proceedings then terminated.

THE AFTERNOON CEREMONIES, MILITAHY PROCESSION. At 2 p.m. the streets were lined with spectators as a start was made for St. Mary's Church. A procession of the military was formed at the Drill Hall. Headed by the Garrison Hand, they marched up Devon, street to the Government Buildings, thence along Robe-street and Vlvlnnstreet to the church. Following the band came the navuls from the Vsycbe, the marines from the warship, veterans and returned contingenters, Taranaki Rifles, Tarannkl Guards, Ingiewood Rifles, Stratford Rifles, Waitara Kllles, Central School and Ingiewood school cadets. 'The troopswere lined up outside the church until his Excellency the Governor and party had entered the building. The church was filled long before the commencement of the service, and hundreds were unable to gain admission to the building. The Tnrannki Hides' colours were carried into the chancel, and guarded by the ColourSergeant and u stpiad of volunteers. Amongst the vast assemblage were several natives in Maori costumes, and a large gathering of veterans. The Mayor and Borough Councillors were also present. On the arrival of his Excellency the Governor and the members of the official party, the service commenced by the singing of the processional hymn --The God of Abrahum Praise," Rev. F. A. Dennett acting as the Bishop's chaplain. Prayers were conducted by the. vicar, Rev. F. 0. Evans, and scriptural lessons were read by Archdeacon Cole un-d Archdeacon Walsh, the passages of scripture being Psalms i)G and VSi, and St Paul's Epistle to St. Peter, ii, 11— 17. The "Magnificat" and "Munc Dimiltis" were sung. Collects were saul and the creed repeated, after "Inch the congregation joined in singing "All hail the power of Josu s name."

His Lordship the Bishop of Auckaud delivered a powerful appeal from Isaiah, 32, 2, 'And a man shall be as an hiding-place from tltt , u . im , and a cover from the tempest ; as nvers oi water in a dry place ; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." His Lordship dealt Principally with the latter clause of the verso "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." I„ this passago, said the preacher, the prophet had allowed his imagination full away and had dreamed of what should happen in the future, when a righteous king and a righteous government would permit of a righteous character in a State becoming possible. This was Isaiah's dream, that a king should reign in righteousness and princes rulo in judgment, lie saw a desert land, and the drift of sand which choked and killed vegetation for miles upon miles, with tho exception of that spot in the shelter of a great rock which arrested tho onward drift, of the sand, and sheltered the vegetation so that it flourished there. This was the ideal of a patriot and the passage had been made applicable to Christ. It could also be applied to any great man who had done service to the Slate. Christ had at rested the drift to' wards contempt of woman by being born of the Virgin Mary ; hud arrested the drift of despising the poor, evidenced by his lowly birth, and living with poor parents"; arrested the drift of disregarding little children by his expressed' interest in the little ones, saying "Suffer little children to come unto me" ; arrested the exaltation of selfishness, as His whole life showed ; arrested the drift of tho limitation of the love of God to sect or party, "the love of God is broader than the measure of man's mind" ; arrested tho drift of tho despair of human life, when from a region of doubt and uncertainty he had translated if to the Gospel of the resurrection of the dead. History, philosophy and civilisation were advancing under the shelter of tho rock Jesus Christ, the Hock of Ages. All hope of the individual or the nation depended on him, and because of that Hock justice, good government, honour, purity of character and social reform possible What was true of the Lord might be said of man generally, f or Christ was the Soli of Man, and what appertained to hi in applied to man Judges, statesmen, administrators of affairs, loving and strong social relorniers, and a convinced godly clergy had arrested, and were still arresting the drift of man in our own age and generation—each of them a shadow of a rock in a dreary land His Lordship then quoted tile lines of Emerson, showing that weak lives were benefited by the protection of the strong characters, and that as our life was possible only owing to the life of Christ so some .weak char-

actors might be strengthened by those of greater force. A strong personality helped and encouraged others to be strong-, growing under the sheltering protection of the latter. Were, they helping others to live rightly, to bo strong ? Oh, the responsibility of each single life,, tnat could arrest the drift of that of a fellow-man. The principle might be applied to tho purpose of tho gathering that day. What did these hatchments mean ? Did they represent an abstract idea or a concrete fact ? These were the records of the deeds of '-'rock men" who had performed deeds in the past and would remind their sons and their sons' sons of those trials and victories each time they saw the hatchments. These were the "rock men," and under them the friendly natives had been able to remain at peace and preserve the lives of the people who hud settled on these shores. Those were "rock men" in the Queen's Own and Durham Light Infantry who had distinguished themselves in the Crimean war and the iloer war besides having performed those deeds of valour and during in the troublous times in New Zealand. Those were "rock men" of 11.M.5. Niger, who went out that night under Captain Cracroft and succoured' the citizen army, and who enshrined this principle by adopting their captain's crest so long as the ship Niger remained in commission. It was not the idea but tho man—a "rock mun" who made it easier for the men to be true, loyal and brave. In the army and navy a drill book was necessary in order that evolutionsshould be correctly executed, but no drill-book ever inspired soldiers or sailors in the way that the cry of the strong man inspired the men of the Empire when ho called "Come on, my lads ; follow me." Thus he provided the shelter. Then again no statute ever passed by Legislature provoked n social reform, but merely sot out in words tho result of the work of a man who had believed in himself an he believed in tlod. Though ecclesiastical organisations were necessary no organisation, no system, no scientific demonstration could have made it easier for Christianity than the Hock of Ages. Under his shelter men and women learned how to take in the Catholic faith about the Catholic man, who though rich for our sukes became moor. In concluding the Bishop appealed to those present to try and cultivate that strong character that would make a rock under the shadow of which weaker churnctert) might duvelop and grow. Hymn, "Fight the good fight.'' The unveiling ceremony then took place. Tho first hatchment to tho memory of the men from the warship Niger was unveiled by Captain Foots, of H.M.S. Psyche. Hon. J. Carroll, Nativo Minister, unveiled the hatchment in memory of the nativo allies, who stood by in peace, law and order. Next came that commemorating tho deeds of tho 50th Keghnont, tho Queen's Own, unveiled by Major Alexander ; and tho fourth hatchment, in memory of the 08th (Durham Light Infantry) Regiment, unveiled by his Excellency the Governor.

The hatchments, which were beautifully painted by Venerable Archdeacon Walsh on a. practically imperishable composition -hoard, are erected on the soutli si-do of the church, and depict the colours and honours of tho different regiments. This ceremony over, the National Anthem was sung, and the service ended.

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS, Outside tho church gates, in the presence of some hundreds of spectators and the massed troops, his Excellency presented medals to the following who served in tho South African war '—

Sergeant L. Ford, New Zealand Contingent. Sergeant Donald, N«w Zealand Contingent. Private Irving, New Zealand Contingent.

Trooper Cnssldy (Distinguished Service Medal), New Zealand Contingent,

Private F. 0. Hume, West Australian Imperial Bushmen.

THE CITIZENS' ADDRESS. Ills Worship the Mayor then presented his Excellency the Governor with a handsomely illuminated address. In making the presentation, lie said that the people of New Plymouth wished to express their great appreciation of the services rendered to the people of the colony by Lord (in* Lady Hanfurly, they having been connected with many movements for the benefit of the race. He instanced the Maori Girls' College, founded bv the Countess of Hanfurly, and mentioned the deep interest shown bv her in womankind and tho raco in general. His Worship then called on Mr F. T. Bellringer, the Town Clerk, who read the address as follows :- To His Excellency, tho Right Honourable the Earl of Hanfurly,

Knight Grand Cross of the Most HiHlingiuished Order of St.. Michael and St. George ; Governor and Com-mander-in-Chief in mid over His Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies,—

1 May it plense Your Excellency, on behalf of tho inhaljtitaiits of the borough of New Plymouth, we extend to Your Excellency a most hearty welcome to our town, and we take tins opportunity of expressing our unswerving loyalty to you as the Representative of our Gracious Sovereign His Majesty the King. By your many acts of kindness and your deep interest in everything i ertn,inir(g. to their wohVvro you have endeared yourself to the peoplo of this colony, aavd we. desire to convey to you our most sincere regret at your approaching departure from New Zealand. In bidding you forewell we wish Your Excellency a pleasant passage to the Old Country, niifl trust that you, the Countess of Hanfurly, and the members of your family may long bo spared to one another and to your friends in the full enjoyment of' health and happiness.—Wo have the honour to bo Your Excellency's most obedient servants,

R. COCK, Mayor, F. T. BELLRINGER, Town Clerk. For and on behalf of the inhabitants of the Borough of New Plymouth.

His Excellency, In thanking tho Mayor for the address, said lie much regretted his approaching departure, 110 was pleased that this address had been presented at that time and

dace, where they had just unveiled hatchments in memory of the men who had fallen in the .New Zealand

war, and presented medals to some of those who had volunteered to light for King and country in South Africa. He felt that these medal lists should be honoured, not because

if the amount of their fighting ex-

perienco but from Lho fact that they had been ready to volunteer for active service. He was sorry that lie bad not been informed Unit a medal for distinguished bravery was to be presented, as he would have liked to have the details of the brave deed, which was performed at Kronstadt' I-lo thanked the Mayor for his kindlv reference to Lady linnfurly, without whom he could not have succeeded in his ofliee. Sho had been to him a true helpmate. His Excellency then spoke of Lady l!anfurly\s continuous work m founding the Maori Girls' College, and stated he was convinced good work was being carried „,, here Jlunng his, term of office there had been some memorable occasions He had been honoured by boinir „,.,.. >ft«l to hois, the Ih-ilish flagon tli« islands lately annexed to Now Zealand, and besides this there was •■lie Hoyal visit and the despatch of contingents for South Africa. In this connection he remarked that «l on to do her duty. Then again seven years of his term had bcens£ von years of unexampled profit, which meant a good deal,»"3E& I , a °*f™°' was much moro p)ra ! *">t n times of prosperity than , Poverty. In concluding Ms ExSlo cy congratulated the people of New Plymouth on tho continued progress ,°L ? t ?'?' nnd a * a!n «*P«»s«l his i ejfret at (oavjng New Zealand..

"AT HOME." His Excellency then visited tho Theatre Royal, where ho opened tho "At Homo" and sale of goods in aid Of tho Maori Girls' College. After partaking o( afternoon tea, and upending a lew minutes In conversation with those present, his Excellency peesented the Royal Humane Society's certiiicate to Mr E. Kelchart, complimenting the recipient on his pluck and the recognition of It. There was a large attendance of the public, ami an enjoyable time was spent, the enjoyment being greatly enhanced by some pretty music supplied by Cornwall's Hanjo, Mandolin, and Guitar Club,

His Excellency became the purchaser ut auction of a largo "bride" doll, and on Major Alexander stepping forward to receive it, he was greeted with a shower of violets, The Incident cume us «n enjoyable relaxation, utter tho formal ceremonies of n.e day.

HIS EXCELLENCY'S DEPARTURE His Excellency the Governor, Cap. tain Scott, Major Alexander and Air Skelton left for Onehungu by the Takupuna last night, lion. J as. Carroll remains In town till Saturday, when ho returns to Wellington.

The vice-regul party were enrnp- • tured with the beautiful Recreation Grounds yesterday. The non-commissioned officers and men of the visiting corps, and the men from the Psyche, were entertained at lunch yesterday, The Psyche will be open for inspection to the public to-d-ay. The Ngunguru runs trips at intervals, connecting witli the speciul train service. A number of the men of the Psyche had extended leave last night, and livened up Die town n little. The bluejackets ami marines were marched round the graves of the Niger's men who fell at Walrekn, but many of them were not even acquainted with the object of the walk and were not given time to inquire, Bishop Neligun's address in St. Mury's Church was a real treat, tho preacher being earnest, eloquent, oriel, and to the point. The searchlight from tho cruiser In in the stream played on the town for some time Inst night, to the wonderment and enjoyment of many, especially the young fry. There ' were 'couples" about, and tho searchlight picked them out. When playing on Marsland Hill a lady was heard to !?'!'" rk ,. " ,at il Put her in mind of slill lightning.'i The Inglewood and Central School Cadets visit H.M.S. Psyche to-day We understand the vessel will L .cose m Bhol . tf iOI , the „ ■