Farewell Message by the Duke of York,

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 169, 29 June 1901, Page 2

Farewell Message by the Duke of York,

Chrlstchubch, June 27. /the following was the farewell message by the Duka of York to the people of New Zealand : Dunedin, Junto 27th, Ipoi.

Dear Lord Ranfurly,—On the eve of our departure I am anxious to tell the people ot lSew Zealand how happy we have been in their heutniful laud* . with what regrets we leave it, and what lasting feelings of gratitude'we Carry away* for the loyal enthusiasm* ; cordiality hiid kind heartedness sd universally adtorded to he throughout our stay. I would ask you tO Convey ’ O the Government our warmest thanks for their thoughtful and ad- 1 mirably Carried out plans for the aci commodation, Comfort and entertainment of ourselfes and our staff, in i addition to the Government Houses at 'Auckland and Wellington, Where you j so kindly entertained us. Doth there 1 and in other cities arid towns! hotels 1 were engaged for our use,, private I individuals aud member* of blubs • most generously placed Iheir bouses at our dbpoeal. &nd We koow that similar | hospitality awaited us at those places i which, unfortunately* from want of I time, it w4a not possible to visits i Railway arrangements have been im $ variably excellent, and everything > possible was done to ensure safety and comfort on our journeys, though I fear this must have entailed much ® extra; .work upon the officials and i employees) as well as ineonvenieree l to the travelling public. Every,little J attention as ahoWn by the.Postf had % Telegraph Departments, and j or \ u wotkLwas promptly and «ffioi*J 8 fhepoliceservioe througV I j •• u JyAWj- i J r * x Jk < > ' t h r r -i jf 99

? w v.l judgment. The reviews at’ ekisi'd tmd Christchurch, at branches of the New Zealand fotces r 0 represented, enabled me to form n 0 idea of the colony’s splendid jting material, and brought homo m e more than ever the enormous ession of strength which the Empire i count upon if need should arise. 0 cheerfulness with which the unteers came together, -in many tances travelling bng 'distances, ■j, by land and sea, was worthy of | highest praise. I was proud pond measure to witness the enthujtic reception which was everywhere orded to the contingents who have urned from South Africa, I was ■ticularly interested in the cadet ps, some of which showed marked adi’ness on parade, and when lining 1 streets. The appearance and the rch past at Christchurch were ecially creditable. I venture to nk that this movement is deserving, every encouragement, particularly regards the provision of properly iaed instructors, as apart from its ysical benefits, it infuses into the f n „ generation a spirit of discipline d esprit de corps which must tend make them better citizens as well as ,d soldiers. I learn with much asure that among the contingents lt to South Africa were many repreitatives of school cadet corps, and it in one instance no fewer than lff een 60 and 70 froth a single corps aed the force. I was specially glad meet face to - face the Maori people, have witnessed their vast and inter-, ing gathering at Rotorua, and to ?e had personal friendly intercourse h their leading chiefs and repre-t tatives. It was gratifying to hear ir assurance of loyalty to the King, expressions of sorrow for their ir ly beloved Queen? and to experi:e their enthusiasm and warmness ieart towards ourselves. lam glad ihiuk that this ancient and-chival-is race is living in peace and pros■ity, and sharing with their pakeha ther the duties and responsibilities good citizenship. To your Premier 0 has accompanied us on all oceans we would ask you to convey onr nuest thanks for hit 'courtesy 1 attention and untiring energy, ich have in no small degree con,nted to making our stay in New iland so enjoyable. The Duchess 1 I are sincerely grateful to you i to Lady Ranfurly for your kind pitality, and for your unceasing 8 and trouble, and for the foreught which you have displayed on hr half. We shall look back with pleasantest recollections to those' ipy days which we spent as your sts. My thanks are also due to it stall for the cheerful and assidamanner with which they have ed with the vast increase of work own upon them in consequence of visit. Though, unfortunately, our f has from the force of circumices been a short cue, I earnestly st that the experience and knowge of the country which I gamed, 1 my personal intercourse with its pie, may in some measure tend to tain and enhance the existing feel 1 of sympathy and interest between Mother Country and New Zealand, 1 draw still closer those tios_ of ictioii and brotherhood by which are so happily united. Heartily king that the steady growth and spority of the country may ever, tinue, believe me, d •ar Lord Ranly, very sincerely yours, GEORGE.