HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 37, 24 May 1910, Page 8

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

FAUEUELL VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH. GREAT GATHERING AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. His Excellency the Governor, Lord Plunket, paid his farewell visit to New Plymouth yesterday. The more elaborate arrangements made for the entertainment of His Excellency on the date originally fixed for the visit had of necessity to be considerably curtailed, but there was a spontaneity about the whole affair that made it ring true. Lord Plunket arrived by the 5.30 p.m. train. He was accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Buddo, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Captain Shannon, aide-de-camp. His Excellency's special carriage came to a standstill opposite a railed-in portion of the platform, where were gathered His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. Tiseh), the Hon. O. Samuel, M.L.C., Mr. H. Okey, M.P., members of the Borough Council, Colonel Ellis (as vice-president of the Veterans' Association), and members of the municipal staff. His (Excellency was welcomed by the Mayor, and by him introduced to the representative men present. He then inspected the company of Central School Cadets who had been d'rawn up as a guard of honor. Arrangements had been made for His Excellency to make the White Hart Hotel his* headquarters during his stay, and landaus and a mounted escort had I been provided. But he preferred tp remain in his carriage. I the public tribute.

Lord Plunket took his leave of tfew Plymouth and her ■people during the evening. There was an overflowing gathering at the Theatre Royal, where the Mayor had invited the .people to attend. His Excellency advanced to the platform between files of the Central School Boy Scouts, and commented favorably upon their hearing. As he passed up the aisle the New Plyanouth Liedertafel sang the National Anthem. His Excellency took his seat on the right of His Worship the Mayor. There were also on the platform Captain Shannon, A.D.C., the Hon. Mr. D. Buddo (Minister of Internal Affairs), the Hon. Thos, Kelly, M.L.C., the Hon. 0. Samuel, M.L.C., and Mr. H. Okey, M.P. The New Plymouth Liedertafel was grouped on the stage behind the platform occupied by the speakers, and Mr C. H. Anderson conducted the musical programme, and the splendidly balanced choir rendered some capital selections during the evening. ' u^ THE MAYOR'S WELCOME.

In extending a warm welcome to His Excellency, Mr. Tisch expressed the great pleasure that all felt in having Lord Plunket with them that evening, and their gladness in seeing him restored to health. Mr. Tisch remarked that the Governor had made arrangements to pay his farewell visit to New Plymouth earlier, but the dark cloud that was cast over the Empire owing to the death of his late Majesty the King made it necessary to cancel those arrangements. They were grateful for the kindness which led His Excellency to include New Plymouth in the list of towns honored by a farewell visit, and giving the citizens an opportunity of saying good-bye. HON. T. KELLY, M.L.C. The next speaker was the Hon. T. Kelly, M.L.C. After remarking his pleasure at being present at this gathering, the hon. gentleman referred to the fact that for the last six years His Excellency had occupied the position as Governor of in©w Zealand, filling the office with distinguished ability and to the satisfaction of all classes. The position of Governor of one of His Majesty's outlying dominions was an important position. The Governor was the representative and delegate of the King within the Dominion, and exercised, under Royal instructions, the powers which the King held under constitutional and statute law. He was the channel of communication between his ministers and the Imperial authorities, and the personal link which bound the Dominion to the Empire. Lord Plunket had performed all his duties with sound judgment, whether in the political sphere or in relation to the numerous social functions which he as Governor had been called upon to perforin. He had been ever ready, often at great personal inconvenience, to attend the many and various social functions in all jjarts of the Dominion, and in this sphere he had been actively and ably assisted by Lady Plunket. In conclusion, lie wished the Governor and Lady Plunket health and prosperity in the years to come. HON. 0. SAMUEL, M.L.C.

The Hon. 0. Samuel, M.L.C., followed. After a few introductory remarks ne said the British Empire numbered over four hundred millions of inhabitants, including territory covering one-fifth of the whole habitable globe, and one tone of thought, one expression of feeling, governed the whole. One of the strongest ties which bound the Empire was that which centred upon the connection between the Governor, representing the Sovereign of the Empire, and the centre of the Empire. They had here one of those chosen to perform a great and important, a vital office in linking together of the different parts of this great Empire. (Applause.) Constitutions had been granted in various parts of the Empire, in order that the people might reap the fullest fruits of the liberty established in the Old Country, and spread from there to the uttermost parts' of the dominions. But it had been wisely determined that there should be a connecting link—that there should be one sent from the centre to the utmost boundaries of the Empire, one in whom great discretion would be vested, one fitted by his early training and his mental powers to occupy the position, one who should, even in the face of popular feeling see that the government of those different parts of the Empire was in accordance with the dictates of humanity and wisdom. It was a proud thing to think, as we looked down the long list of those whom England had sent to perform that function here, that there was not one of whom they could not •be well proud. (Applause.) It was by j no means pleasant to say good-bye to! one who had discharged his high duties as'had His Excellency the Governor, to whom they now said good-bye. They! had said farewell to bis predecessor with feelings of sorrow and regret that we were to be deprived of his services.! and now again fhi>y expressed that same fcclhi'jr toward- one who had discharged his duties with so much ability, and showed such a thoroupgh sense of his responsibilities in fillini; the requirements of his office. They appreciated his kindness in coming' to sav ';ood-bve. and Would 'a-k h.im. wDien She went! hence to the heart of the Empire, to I feel that he has met here one other assurance from the uttermost bounds of t'lie .Empire, and bear back a mes-, sage from the people 'here in this far distant country that their hearts beat responsively with the hearts of their people in the Old Land whence their ■forefathers came in years agone, and, notwithstanding the years that had

passed, the trials and difficulties sustained by the people who had settled' this country and whose sons and grandsons were represented here, there was yet an undiminished loyalty, love and affection for the British Crown and all : that it represents. (Applause.) < MR. H. OKEY, M.P. ] Mr. H. Okey, M.P., welcomed His Ex- ! cellency on behalf of the settlers of the ' district. It was hard to say farewell, ' but they hoped that Lord Plunket's stay in the Dominion and his knowledge thus j gained of its people would be used to our advantage when he returned Homc.j He impressed on His Excellency that I' he had just passed through the finest |; district in the Dominion, producing more per acre than any other part of New Zealand. It was a producing district, ' and the Old Country was their market. He believed Lord Plunket would be able to do much good by advertising our products for us in a quiet way. At the' present time we in New Zealand were ' endeavoring to persuade the English people to show a preference for our ' products, not a preference gained by a party vote, but a preference given because of the realisation that they werei 1 using the produce marketed by Britain's, own sons. (Applause.) They were cer-! tainly entitled to preference over the] people whom they were ready to fight |' in the Empire's cause. Mr. Okey warm-1 ly eulogised Lady Plunket's efforts in, the interests of infant life. He then wished Lord Plunket a pleasant voyage and a complete return to health, \ \ A FAREWELL ADDRESS. ' | His Worship the Mayor then fare-. Welled His Excellency on behalf of thei citizens. Addressing him, he said:— "It hoay falls to mv lot to say a few I words of faro-roll We regret that YourJ Excellency's -tfty is so short, but we are aware that ytM liflVc it very big' programme before you In endeavoring to visit every part of New e-1 fore you lrave the Dominion. Your Ex.- ( cellency has always taken a great in-' terest in all matters relative to the Do-! minion, and you have always been to the fore to 'help in performing any fun?-: tion when called upon; and we regret! that your residence in the Dominion is' so soon to come to and end. | "We feel sure that the knowledge Your Excellency has acquired of the] resources of New Zealand ,anrl the con-1 ditions of the. inhabitants, will enaolej vou to be of assistance to the Dominion, and help to strengthen those good old; bonds which unite us to the Old try, - --,?•. ■ -ir—:-!••'■>' _ "I can assure you that we are a' ■loyal and patriotic people, and if ever the time comes for need to take up: arms to defend the Empire we shall be ready and willing to do so, as we have done in the past. • "We wish you to convey to Her Exjeelleiicy Lady Plunket our sincere ap-' j preciation of the kindly and effective atI tention that she has given to the nurs-, I ir.g of the children. The work done by Lady Plunket will long live in the mem-' ory'of the people in New Zealand,, and| I feel sure that the Plunket Nurse will be a, permanent institution. We wish Lady Plunket and yourself long life and prosperity, and trust that you will carry with you many happy and pleasant recollections of your stay in New Zealand." Mr. Tisch then briefly introduced the Hon. D. Buddo. LORD PLUNKET REPLIES. j Lord Plunket was greeted with a pro- 1 longed outburst of cheering and applause. I When the audience had quietened down I His Excellency in the first place thanKed j the Mayor and those associated with! ■ him for the arrangements ma.'le for nfI fording .him an opportunity of saying | farewell. He appreciated the splendid j gathering before him that evening, and ( more particularly so because the visit was in a measure an impromptu one. Thinking of the delav in his visit 1 brought to one's mind the sad reason' of it—one which he knew had brought the deepest sorrow to the heart of every | man and woman in the Dominion. The death of the late King Edward could only be called a, calamity for the people | both at Home and abroad. He would not' refer further to the occurrence, be-; cause they were now trying to think 1 of the young King who .had taken on his shoulders so heavy a burden, and they were hoping that he would be able to stand up under it and follow in the footsteps of his father. There had never ■ been a British monarch who knew his I people at Home and abroad a* did the j present King. The overseas dominions i were known to him better than to any I king who had previously occupied the Throne. He was well versed in their ' government, and, having an exceptional memory, had an exceedingly good knowledge of the leading men in every part of ■ his dominions. Many kind things had been said that evening by the various speakers. He wished Lady Plunket had been present to have heard them, for then she might I have had a better opinion of him than; she now tad. (Laughter.) But they I had also praised Lady Plunket in a way! that he personally and certainly aip-| proved, but in a way which he thought it better that she should not hear her-j self. (Renewed laughter.) j The duties of a Governor had perhaps j never been more aptly described thani by the Marquis of Dufferin (Lady Plunket's father), who had likened a Governor to a man who walks up and down in a room where there is a steam engine at work, and who from time to time drops a little oil her and there as required; and doing nothing else. If a Governor could drop that little oil whenever it was needed, then he did some good. The duties of a Governor, though, very aptly described that evening by the Hon. T. Kellly, were not fully understood until one was put in that position. The requests he had received during his term Avere varied. One man in the backblocks had Avritten to him for a wife, another had asked to be relieved of twins, and since Lady Plunket had taken up her Avork amongst the babies she had been Avritten to upon every complaint under the sun. (Laughter.) On behalf of Lady Plunket and himself lie returned thanks to the people of the Dominion for their kindness. He had knoAvn he Avas being greatly honored Avhen appointed by the King as Governor of NeAV Zealand. He had known he would have an interesting time, but he had had no idea that he Avould spend such a happv time. It had been six vears of unalloved happiness, and he thanked the people "a thousand times for all their kindness. CoiHmlmsr. ho thanked the admirable choir which had assisted in making the eveninjr so Vacant. He had been fortunate in listening to it. and congratulated the iieonle upon lmvin<» the°ohoir here permanently. He again thanked His W orsh.;i the Mayor for the arrangements pmde for him to'bid farewell "to this dplijrlitful a„d most interesting part of Noav Zealand. "God Save the King," aiwl rin!ri cheers for Lord Plunket. then * special snlvo 'for Lady Plunket, brought the function to a close at about ten minutes to nine o'clock. A MASONIC FUNCTION. His Excellency the Governor was aferwards entertained at « Masonic func-l tion in the lodge-voom. i