PROPOSED WELCOME HOME.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 12 May 1913, Page 5

PROPOSED WELCOME HOME.

TO SIR WALTER BUCHANAN, M.P.

A large, representative and enthusiastic meeeting of settlers of both ends of the Wairarapa was h:>ld in the A. and P. rooms in Masterton on Saturday afternoon, to consider a proposal to extend a combined wel-come-home to Sir Waltor Buchanan, M.P., on his return from England. Mr Hugh Morrison, who was votad to the chair, referred to the honour conferred upon Sir Walter Buchanan since Jiis departure for England. That honour, said Mr Morrison, was deaarved by no settler more than the member for the Wairarapa., Sir Walter Buchanan had rendered greater, public service v than. possibly any oth>?r man in the Wairarapa, and his privaite benefactoins n«e innum* erabe. It was thought that it was oniy proper that a nearly -welcome should be extended Sir Walter on his return to the Dominion.

Mr W. H. Booth mentioned that, at an informal, meeting held in Greytown, certain suggestions had beean made for a fitting reception to the member for Wairarapa on his return from England. Nothing definite had been done, amd it had been decided to consult the electors in both ends of the district. It was proposed to hold a joint meeting, in Greytown on Thursday next, to make definite arrangements. Mr Duncan McGregor thought that one gigamtic gathering should be held, in a suitable part of the Wairarapa. He moved accordingly. He considered that people would be prepared to travel a long distanoe to do honour to Sir Walter. Mr J. O. McKillop seconded the absolution that there should be one gathering for .the whole district. ,He considered that, tlie gathering should be of friends, and not of isuppoi-ters only. Mr W. H. Booth said it was proposed that tin function should be entirely non-political, though, of course, the services of Sir Walter Buchanan in the political world would necessai'rily be referred to. Messrs G. R. Sykis, M.P.. and W. HI ißeetham agreed that there flhould be only one gathering in the district'. Mr J. B. McKenzie, President of the .Wairairapa. Caledonian ! Society, stated that his .Society was willing to act at any public fuirK-tion that might be aiTanged. The Society intended giving an ingbside at Gladstone in honour of Sir Walter.

The resolution of Mr McGregor was then put and' carried unanimously. . Some-discussion took place concenn> etraing the plaw a - u hiob the function should be held, and the nature of the gathering. Various suggestions were made, and it was eventually d?ci(lod to recommend :h;it an afternoon -and evening function be in a town or townships to be decided on by a conference in Carter.on on Thursday. The following delegate'.- were appointed to attend the Groytown conference : Messrs 6. R. M.P., J. B. McKenzie, W. D. Watson, A. J. Percy, C. F. Vallanca, A. G. Pilmier, H. >Morrison, H. Toogood, J. B• Tatiham, H. Ryder, A. J. Speedy, D. Speedy, H. Nevir.s, D. W. Foreman, W. H. BuicK, R. Barton, W. Karvey, G. H. Pc-wy, J. T. Dagg, J. C. McKil'lop, H- i' 1 . Beetham", J. Strang, G. Forcnuan, J. Yates, C. E. Cockburn-iiood and Oaawvell.

It was decided that the conference of' delegates, together with ilelegates from the Lower Valley., ho held at Carterton at 2.30 on Tlni>sUa.y aternoon next.