GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10024, 21 April 1910, Page 5

GOVERNOR'S VISIT.

LORD PLUNKET IN MASTERTON, PUBLIu RECEPTION, ADDRESS, , AND SPEECHES. Lord Plunket, who is retiring from the Governorship of New Zealand, after a term of office of some six years, paid a flying visit to Masterion yesterday afternoon to say g«odbyo to the people of the town and dis'.rict. RECEPTION AT TOE RAILWAY STATION. The train with the Vice-Regal carriage attached steamed into the Masterton station shortly before noon, and the Governor, who was accompanied from Wellington by the Hon. T. Mackenize, was formally received and welcomed by the Mayor, Mr P. L, Boilings. His Excellency iilso shook hands with Messrs A. W. Hogg, M.P., W. H. Beetham and W. J. Welch, County Chairman. PROCESSION THROUGH THE STREETS. Lord Plunket, who had with him as Aide-de-camp Captain Shannon, then entered a carriage with the Minister, and was driven in procession to the Town Hall, to the strains of inspiriting music by the Ruahine Battalion Band, under Bandmaster Hutchinson. The guard of honour was formel by the Masterton Mounted Rifles under Captain McKillop and Lieutenant Whittaker, and in addition to carriages, a large number of townspeople, who had been waiting at the railway station, walked in the procession,. AT THE TOWN HALL. Upon arrival at the Town Hall the Vice-Regal party was conducted to the platform, which was also occupied by the Borough Councillors and prominent citizens. The hall itself was comfortably filled, and the arrangements for the reception had apparently been left in capable hands. THE MAJOR'S SPEECH. The Mayor, who presided (with the Governor on his right), said they had gathered in the Town Hall that day to say farewell to his Excellency as their esteemed Governor. Those who had followed his career during the time he had resided in the Dominion had been impressed with the very great interest the Governor had taken in all conditions of mankind. There had been no social or other distinction in his Excellency's mind—every subject from the highest to tfce lowest had had his Excellency's consideration, and his keen interest in the moral and general welfare of the poorer people had been the subject of universal remark. (Hear, hear.) This he might point out was the third occasion upon which" Lord Plunket had visited Masterton, and he (the Mayor) did not think there had been another instance in the histolty of the Dominion where a Governor had thought it worth his while to visit Masterton on so many occasions. (Hear, hear.) The people of the district were glad to meet and say good-bye to him because they appreciated his wide generosity and his keen interest in their affairs. A REAL GOVERNOR.

They had, in fact, looked upon him as a real Governor of the Dominion in every sense. His previous visit had been of a philanthropic character, because he came to assist St. Johns' Ambulance Brigade ti) raise sufficient funds to obtain the services of a nurse to minister to the poor people who could not afford to secure help themselves. A SUCCESSFUL SCHEME. His Excellency had started that scheme only a few months 2go, and now he (the Mayor) was assured that the Brigade was in a position to procure the services of a district nurse with guaranteed, and who would always be available for the poor people of the district. lady plunket's services. . If his Excellency would pardon him he would like to refer to Lady Plunket. Her Excellency's keen interest in the women and children of the Dominion had earned for her the name of the "Women and Children's Friend." (Applause). She had manifested a keen desire to uplift the status of womankind in the Dominion, and he thought she had succeeded, and had also earned the love and respect of every woman and child in New Zealand. It would in his opinion, be many, many years before her name would be forgotten here, (Cheers). Hlb LAST PUBLIC FUNCTION. He was proud and pleased, and he furthermore considered it a great honour, that he should have been called upon to preside over what was perhaps his last public function—because he was not again seeking office —and to discharge his last public duty in the presence of his Excellency. That duty was to present to his Excellency on behalf of the district, an illuminated address. ARE ADDRESSES GETTING MONOTONOUS?

He hoped His Excellency would not begin to look uponthe receiving of addresses from the people of the country as getting a trifle monotonous Probably Lord Plunket had received so many that he would have to get a room specially built in his own land to hold them, and it might be that he would have to charter a ship specially

fitted up to take them Home. (Laughter and applause). PRESENTATION OF ILLUMINATED ADDRESS. The Towi! Clerk, Mr W. T. Mansfield, then read the address, which was as follows: — To, his Excellency Lord Plunket, Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand. M?y it Please Your Excellency. We view with regret your departure from the Dominion as your tenure of office has been one of prosperity to the people. We need hardly say that Lady Plunket and yourself have rendered yourselves populaf in the highest degreelwith all classes of the people in the Dominion. We recognise that while your social duties must at all times have taxed your attention you have cheerfully and willingly lent; your time ard services to public functions and always encouraged and assisted every deserving object whether of a public or private nature. We quite recognise that your ofiice as His Majesty's Viceroy in the Dominion is no sinecure, and if we may be permitted to say so, your administration of that office has caused universal satisfaction. We trust that yon have enjoyed your residence in "the Britain of the South," and that you will kav« it with none but pleasant memories of the country and its pepole and of the Cabinet who have been your confidential advisers during your term of office. We hope that you will carry away With you an apprecia:ion tf thj. people of this young Dominion, and we can only wish you and yours lot glife, health, and the brilliant,carter that in our humble opinion jou so amply merit. The address was beautifully illuminated by Mr W. Sellars. The framing was inlaid New 'Zealand woods, and was the work of Messrs G. Hyde and Co. THE GOVERNOR'S REPLY. Ill's Excellency, who upon rising' to reply was greeted with prolonged cheers, said*. "Mr Mayor and Gentlemen, —Allow me to convey to you my hearty thanks for your farewell address, ana for the appreciative terms in which you have referred to my term cf office. . A PERIOD OP PROSPERITY." "I have indeed been fortunate in serving this country during a period of such great prosperity, and it is a deep satisfaction to me to think that all indications point to a,steady continuance of the material wellbeing upon which you have touched in your address. EVERY SUBJECT ENTITLED TO ATTENTION.,

"I am particularly pleased with your references to the efforts Lady Plunket and I have made, to merit the goodwill of all classes in this country. It has been my endeavour to keep in constant remembrance that every New Zealand subject of his Majesty is entitled to the consideration and attention ot his representative, and the friendly response I have received amongst all sections and classes of the people will ever live in my remembrance. GREETINGS TO MASTERTON.

"On behalf of her Excellency and myself, I thank you again for your hearty greetings. I highly appreciate the loyal sentiments which inspire them, and I wish Masterton and its neighbourhood a full share in the rapid progress of this beautiful and fortunate land." HIS EXCELLENCY WAXES HUMOROUS. His Excellency then referred to other remarks of the Mayor, and thanked him for the kind words spoken about his Excellency's efforts to discharge his duties in New Zealand satisfactorily. It was kind of the Mayor to say so much in praise, especially regarding his Excellency's not having forgotten Masterton. The Mayor had referred to tha difficulties which he ''the Governor) might have in dealing with all the addresses he had received in New Zealand. Well, he had a large, rambling house in Ireland, the back passages of which were badly lighted, and the front passages of which had exceedingly bad wall paper. But he fancied that, when all his addresses had been hung up there the house would look exceedingly new. (Cheers and laughter). ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE. His Excellency also congratulated St. John Ambulance Brigade upon the successful result of their efforts. He thought it would be an incalculable benefit to the people of the district to have a district nurse. NURSES AND THE POOR. Ee did not believe it should be considered that the duties of a district nurse began and ended among the poor. She was able to help many people who were not poor by her influence and her example; she could also alleviate suffering and give a good deal ofjinformation. Indeed, he had himself learned many wrinkles from the district nurse, it might be only matter of fact, but it might probably be something of which they were not aware before, or if so they had forgotten. At any rate he was of opinion that there was nothing better for the well-being of a tcwn than tbe district nurse, and he congratulated Masterton upon having been able to engage one.

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HIS approaching departure. Regarding the Mayor's rererence to his approaching departure, he Lid S .y that WW Plunket and would sßy Dominion "Cman a fo°d reeret. They to apTnt the happ.est and .nost inbad sp~n thdr IWea , n teresung jear New and himself) effoits (he was speaking f« ,ad Len appreciated he « .1* and he also in turn appreciated to ti c fall thee.ceedißglyn.ee way ,n the people of the Dominion had accepted "the will for the

(Applause). promise TP advance domjn. lON'S INTERESTS. They would leave New Zealand sorry to go away, but he would be glad when he got Home to ma e his aim to advance the interests f the Dominion, explain its »^ ntlo " S ' and be as useful as he possibly could to the land that Lady Plonket and himself regretted leaving so much. (Applause). speech by the —| rfo

The Bon. T. Macker.zio said he did iot expect to have been ca e upon for a speech. But it was a pleasure to him to be . present to add his tribute to what had already been so well said by the Mayor. As had been ably pointed out t.. the . i^id and .Lady Plunket had so closely identified themselves with the affairs of the people that it was impossible to help feeling regret that his Excel lency's term of officers now closed. (Chpers). A WELCOME ASSURANCE. They had, however, his Excellency s welcome assurance that the retiring Governor would not forget them. Lord PlunKet would no doubt prove a great and valuable emissary in promoting the interests of the Dominion, of which they were all so proud. (Cheers). UOVERNOR CHEERED IN THE STREETS. , This concluded the ceremony at the Town Hall, and the Vice-Regal party returned to the carriage in waiting. Upon leaving the building Lorn Plunketw was loudly cheered a by the crowdßiliasaembled in the streets. PROCESSION TO QUEEN STREET. The procession was re-formed, and headed by the Kuahine Battalion Band, proceeded thtough the main streets. The Vice-Regal party and the officials concerned were ronveyed to the Club Hotel, where an excellent luncheon served under the personal supervision of the proprietor. A SHORT INTERVAL. The Mayor occupied the chair, having his Excellency on his right and the Hon. 3 T. Mackenzie on his left. Among thosß;also present were Miss Mackenzie (daughter of the Minister), Captain Shannon, A.D.C., Messrs W. C. Buchanan M.P., A. W. Hogg, M.P., and W. H. Beetham. Mr W. J. Welch (County Chairman) Mr W. T. Mansfield (Town Clerk of Masterton), Captain McKillop and Lieutenant Whittaker, and Crs Morris, Prentice, Pragnell, Rigg, Hoar and Temple. The only toast honoured was that of "The King," which was proposed by the Major. The luncheon was a short and pleasant interval in the tour. AFTERNOONS' PROCEEDINGS. His Excellency and party, accompanied by the Mayor and Town Clerk and Captain McKillop and Lieutenant Whittaker, left at 2 p.m. on a formal visit to the Public School, the Hospital and the Convent, lyAT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL. At the Masterton Public School the Cadets, under Major Haslam, formed a guard of honour, and Hia Excellency, after an inspection of the building and an informal chat with the Headmaster, iVlr W. H. Jackson, granted the pupils a half-holiday. The "Governor also;, addressed the Cadets and complimented them on their smart appearance. VISIT TO ST. PATRICK'S. At St. Patrick's School the visitors were received by the Very Rev. Dean McKenna and Father Saunderson. The pupils of St. Patrick's Convent and St. Patrick's School were pre sent and the party wa* entertained with a short programme of vocal and instrumental items. In the course of a short address, the Rev. Dean McKenna referred to the great pleasure the visit of the Governor had given him, as well as the Sisters and the pupils, and wished him and Lady Plunket God speed and farewell.

His Exrellency said it was a pleasing opportunity that enabled him to see a number of children who, like himself, had sprung irom the Emerald Isle. The Governor, in honour ol his visit, then declared a half-holiday for the pupils. The party were afterwards entertained by the Sisters at afternoon tea at the Convent. Subsequently the party visited the pretty little chapel and the beautifully laid out grounds, and left very much charged with their visit. FINAL DEPARTURE.

A return was then made to the railway station, the Masterton Mounted Rifles, again providing the escort. The Governor, in the course of a chat with the Mayor, said the arrangements had been so perfect that he could not help referring to them, inasmuch as the circumstance alone had contributed greatly to the enjoyment of his visit. His Excellency requested the Mayor to convey his personal thanks in this respect t5 the Town Clerk (Mr Mansfield). whn had charge of and was responsible for the carrying out of the entire day's programme, which, as the Minister for Agriculture remarked, went off from start to finish without a single hitch. His Excellency, before leaving, also shook hands with Captain McKillop and Lieut. Whittaker, and com plimented them upon the fine appear* ance of the troopers of the Masterton Mounted. Rifle?, who had turned I out as a guard in his honour.

The Vicc-Regal party afterwards lci't by special train for Eketahuna, where preparations had been made to tender has Excellency a reception and public dinner during the evening in t£e local Town Hall.