LORD JELLICOE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1920, Page 5

LORD JELLICOE.

VISIT TO TARANAKI. WARM WELCOME AT HAWERA. A CIVIC RECEPTION. (By Wire.—Special Reporter.) Hawera, Last Night. The Governor-General arrived here tonight, accompanied by Lady Jellicoe and Captain A. R. Curtis (private secretary), and Captain Sraithey (A.D.C.). The station and precincts were thronged with people, and the welcome was characterised by a spontaneous and loyal cordiality. Their Excellencies were met by the Mayor (Mr. E. Dixon) and Mrs. Dixon, and Councillors Osborne and Hayton, and a guard of honor composed of No. 15 Company Hawera Cadets gave the Royal salute as his Excellency alighted, the band playing the National Anthem. Cheers for the Governor-General followed this ceremony, and his Excellency then inspected the guard. i\ Their Excellencies expressed a desire to view the country, from the watertower, and a visit was made before dinner. As their (Excellencies moved along the platform to the station exit they were surrounded by people eager to greet the visitors, and there hand-shaking, and the camera enthusiasts were also busy. The children crowded round the. vice-Regal motor, Lord Jellicoe conversing with them for a few minutes. Aa the party drove oft', further cheers were given by the crowd. At the tower their Excellencies were delighted with the view obtained, and remarked on the well-kept appearance of the gardens in the residential area and the good roads in the district. The party then returned to the train. THE CIVIC TRIBUTE. The Opera House was crowded at tonight's civic function, and the welcome accorded their Excellencies was most hearty Prior to the commencement of the proceedings, LoTd Jellicoe expressed the deep appreciation felt by Lady Jellicoe and himself at the action of the citizens of Hawera in turning out in such large numbers. He thanked them for the welcome given. The Mayor then read the civic address as follows: To His Excellency the Right Honorable John Rushworth, Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, Admiral of the Fleet, etc., and to- Her Excellency Lady Jellicoe. ■May it please your Excellencies, by reason of your being the distinguished representative in this, the Dominion of New Zealand, of our Sovereign Lord the King, by reason of the sterling and invaluable services rendered by your Excellencies to the British Empire and its people, and by reason of the high esteem and affectionate regard wherein we prize your Excellencies, we, on behalf of the burgesses of Hawera, count if a privilege and a pleasure to welcome your Excellencies on this your first visit, We would convey to your Excellencies the assurance of our loyalty to His Majesty , the King. Regretting your present visit is necessarily so brief, we sincerely hope you will accord to us the privilege of. again welcoming you, and that time will then permit of your visiting the town and neighboring district." Lady Jellicoe was then banded a beautiful bouquet by Miss Nixon. LORD JELLICOE'S REPLY. In his reply Lord Jellicoe gaul: Your Worship, Councillors, ami people of Hawera: As the King's representative in New Zealand, I thank you very sincerely for the expressions of loyalty to His ■Majesty and the Empire to which you give utterance, and although this is my first visit to Hawera 1 am well aware of the conspicuous jJatriotism always shown by its population. Her Excellency and I are very grateful indeed for the cordial nature of your welcome to us. and we, too, regret that our visit is necessarily so brief, but you will realise our anxiety to make early acquaintance with the municipal towns in the Dominion, and we look forward to a longer stay in this beautiful district, and to seeing morn of the people and the neighborhood with its thriving industries. 1 greatly appreciate your flattering references to my services during the late war. Victory was achieved by the combined efforts of the whole Empire, and to those efforts New Zealand contributed a magnificent share. In conclusion, I wish you all continued happiness antt prosperity." His Excellency also added to these formal words of thanks: "I would like to add, on behalf of her Excellency and myself, our whole-hearted gratitude for the great warmth of the reception with which yon have honored us to-day. Last year, when I came to this prosperous Dominion, it fell to my lot, as the representative of the Royal Navy, to receive very warm welcomes from the people of New Zealand, but 1 do not think that on any occasion /vas I honored by so warm a welcome as the town of Hawera and its people have given us this evening, and we are exceedingly grateful to you. I am here on this occasion as Hife Majesty's representative, and perhaps it is on account of the fact that I am representing the King, to whom J know yon in this Dominion are devoted, that you have honored us to such an extent this evening." Cheers for the King were heartily given, and the call of the Mayor for three cheers for Lady Jellicoe and family met with a splendid response. Their Excellencies were then conducted to seats in the dress circle, and an enjoyable musical programme by local artists was given. At the 'conclusion the Vice-Regal party, the Mayor and councillors, and a few guests were entertained at supper in the Aotea rooms, and a number of prominent citizens were here presented to their Excellencies. TO-DAY'S ARRANGEMENTS. At 9.1") a.m. to-morrow their Excellencies will be met at the station and escorted to King Edward Park, where the school children of Hawera will be assembled. The party depart at 10.30 a.m. for Eltham, arriving there at 10.55 a.m. At Eltham there will be a (civic reception. Their Excellencies leave for Stratford at 11.50 a.m. At Stratford the party will be met at the station by the Mayor, and after lunch a civic welcome will be held on the show grounds.

The Vice-Regal party leave Stratford at 4.35 p.m. for Wanganui, where they • *»» «nend the niobt.