STRENUOUS ROUND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1943, Page 3

STRENUOUS ROUND

MRS ROOSEVELT’S VISIT TO AUCKLAND FRIENDLY WELCOME GIVEN AT CIVIC RECEPTION. INSPECTION OF HOSPITALS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 1. After days that had been crowded with engagements, Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt returned to Auckland today and continued her tour of friendship and goodwill seemingly untired and unaffected by the strenuousness of her itinerary. From early morning till her appearance at a dance of the American Red Cross in the evening, she was almost constantly on the move, her only relaxation being for a short period in the afternoon. She met hundreds of American and New Zealand service personnel, talked to them and cheered them, leaving everywhere the impression of her interest in their wellbeing. Not once did her enthusiasm leave her, nor did she ever appear fatigued, and in view of her busy programme it seemed reasonable to wonder whether she ever allowed herself any sleep. Mrs Roosevelt travelled overnight by special train from Rotorua, reaching Remuera at 4 a.m., and later continuing to reach the Auckland station at 8 a.m.' Just before leaving Remuera she asked that the train crew be presented to her, this being done by the General Manager of Railways, Mr E. Casey, who was accompanying the train. Soon after her arrival in the city, Mrs Roosevelt travelled by car to a large United States naval hospital in the suburbs, and she visited a number of other hospitals and establishments during the day. A friendlier welcome could hardly have been given to Mrs Roosevelt than the one she received from 3000 Aucklanders, mostly women, who attended a civic reception in the Town Hall at midday, and from the thousands more who gathered outside to see her arrive and depart. A platoon of soldiers helped the police and traffic officers to control the crowds which lined the street after the last available seat in the hall had been occupied, and no more people were admitted.