GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17973, 19 March 1930, Page 5

GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

ARRIVAL AT WELLINGTON. AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. GREAT OUTBURST OF CHEERING. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. After spending a night in the harbour aboard the Rangitiki, the new Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, disembarked on the ferry steamer Muritai at. 9.45, landing at the Pipitea Wharf, where a large crowd had assembled to take part in the welcome by Hie chairman, members and officials of the Harbour Board. Replying to Mr McEwan after the welcome, Lord Bledisloe said the hearty welcome encouraged them to approach with confidence the responsible duties which lay ahead of them. Ilis Excellency paid a tribute to the Wellington harbour and the splendid manner in which the board had provided shipping facilities. Prior to the welcome Lord Bledisloe inspected the guard of honour provided by the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. After the function there was a great outburst of cheering and waving of handkerchiefs as the official party proceeded on its way to the Town Hall, through streets lined until people, to be welcomed by the Mayor and City Councillors. Prior to the Governor-General landing, Major Bathurst (Military and Private Secretary), Mr Day (Official Secretary), Sir John Hanham (A.D.C.), the Administrator of New Zealand (Sir M. Myers), the ActingPrime Minister (Hon. G. W. Forbes), Ministers of the Grown, the G.O.C. commanding the New Zealand Forces, the Chief of the General Staff, and the Senior Naval Officer went aboard the liner. A noteworthy feature in the general welcome was the presence of a couple of ’planes flying over the liner earlier in the morning. City’s Informal Welcome. The arrangements for the informal welcome of the Governor-General at the Town Hall steps were very simple, the function occupying only a few minutes. The crowd rushed across to the cars, and the Mayor and Mrs Troup were presented to Lord and Lady Bledisloe. Mr Troup expressed the council's and the city's welcome, and hoped that the stay of Lord and Lady Bledisloe in New Zealand would be enjoyable. The Mayor then introduced the councillors and their wives. Lord and Lady Bledisloe afterwards drove off to Government House along a route well thronged with people. A noisy reception was given at the gates by college boys and children from St. Mark’s School. Swearing-In Ceremony. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Parliament Buildings at three o’clock. MESSAGE FROM PREMIER. CORDIAL WELCOME TO DOMINION. HOPE FOR HAPPY TERM. (®t/ Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The following message was received by Lord and Lady Bledisloe from Sir Joseph Ward, at Rotorua: —

On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand I desire to extend to Your Excellencies a most cordial welcome to this Dominion. I am greatly disappointed that my indisposition prevents my attendance at your induction ceremony, but look forward to having the pleasure of meeting you both in the near future. I sincerely trust that your term of office will be pleasant, and that Your Excellencies will thoroughly enjoy your sojourn among us. Kindesl wishes and personal regards.

His Excellency sent the following reply:—

Please accept the warmest thanks of Lady Bledisloe and myself for the very kind message you have sent to welcome us on landing in the Dominion. We both greatly regret that indisposition prevents your being present at my formal assumption of office to-day, but we sincerely hope that you may soon be restored to health and strength. Wc are looking fonvard very much to an early opportunity of meeting you. TEXT OF ADDRESS. FROM LOCAL BODIES. The illuminated address of welcome presented to Lord and Lady Bedisloe on behalf of the people of Wellington and the surrounding districts is enclosed in a handsome cover of blue and green morocco leather with Lord Blcdisloe’s crest and the motto, “Tiens Ta For,” in the centre. The fastener is silver gilt. The text of the address, which has been artistically engraved, is as follows :

“May it please Your Excellency, We, the Mayors, Chairmen and Councillors, for and on behalf of the people of Wellington and surrounding district, dutiful subjects of His Most Gracious Majesty King George the Fifth, desire to offer to Your Excellency and Lady Bledisloe a most cordial welcome on your arrival in New Zealand to take up the duties of your high and honourable office. We hasten to assure Your Excellency of the unswerving loyalty of the people of Wellington to His Majesty and to yourself as his representative, and of the ready support and co-oper-ation of all classes of the community in the carrying out of the social and official duties which will be attached to your high office. In view of the fact that Your Excellency will necessarily reside in our midst for a large portion of your term of office wo shall regard you ns belonging parlicnlarly io this, the Capital City, which wo arc proud to represent. We trust, therefore, that, your stay amongst us will he an entirely happy and pleasant one, and that Lady Bledisloe also will find much to interest her in the activities of the women of this district. We regard it as a particularly happy circumstance that His Majesty's choice (Continued re, uext column.;

should fall on one of your wide experience in primary industries to preside for a term over the destinies of this country, which is, above all things, dependent for its prosperity upon the products of the land. We have read with great interest the record of your efforts in the Old Land towards modernising the methods of production, and improving the lot of the producers, so that we feel sure that your keen insight and progressiveideas will lie of value to farmers and others in this country with whom you may come in contact as opportunity and freedom from your official duties will allow. Scientific, industrial, and other secondary interests will doubtless receive full attention at your hands as well. We arc convinced also that we will not look in vain lo Your Excellency for encouragement in the great work of preserving the peace and unity, maintaining the honour, safeguarding the spiritual and intellectual progress, developing tho natural resources, and promoting the commerce of this Dominion of which wo form a pari." The address is signed by the Mayors of Wellington.' Lower Tin Li, Pelone, Eastbourne, and Upper Hull, and the chairmen of the Hull and Makara Counties and the JohneonviUe Town District.