GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17975, 21 March 1930, Page 7

GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

QUITE AT HOME

WELLINGTON DELIGHTED. WITH LORD AND LADA” BLEDISLOE. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Lord and Lady Bledisloc received yesterday a very cordial welcome from the people of Wellington, who it may be permissible to say, were delighted to find Their Excellencies so much more homely and attractive than the photographs displayed in the newspapers had represented them to be. Lady Bledisloe at once brought the crowds to her feet by her delightful smile and her obvious enjoyment of the proceedings, and Lord Blcdisloe was equally successful in at once adapting himself to the needs of the occasion. His Lordship evidently had gathered a great deal of information concerning the Dominion before ho left Home —much -of it, no doubt, from the new High Commissioner —and at the ‘swearing-in ceremony he talked of local unemployment, land settlement, sympathetic co-operation, and trade within the Empire, as fluently as might Mr T. M. Wilford himself. Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson will not be forgotten by a grateful people, but Lord and Lady Bledisloe will he welcomed very warmly as their successors. CIVIC WELCOME IN WELLINGTON. A BRILLIANT SCENE. PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. There was a brilliant scene at the Town Hall this evening when the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady Bledisloe were accorded a civic welcome by the city of ‘Wellington and local public bodies and presented with an illuminated address. The distinguished guests received an enthusiastic reception from the gathering, which filled all available accommodation long before the commencement of -the programme. The Hon. G. W. Forbes was the speaker on behalf of the Government, and said the* people wished His Excellency to enjoy himself. They would be pleased to see him on the field of sport. As Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Forbes said the farmers were very glad at having in the Governor-General a man who knew the problems facing them. The Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, also spoke. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, read a formal address on behalf of the local bodies, prefacing it with a short speech. After returning thanks for the welcome, Lord Bledisloe said he and L-ady Bledisloe intended, as far as their duties permitted, lo take a full part in the social and recreational side of life in New Zealand. Regarding farming he wanted to make it perfectly clear that he did not come to the country with the idea that he was to teach the people on the land anything. He came to learn. Conditions here differed very much from those of the Old Country. His Excellency praised the value and stressed the-importance of agriculture to all. He was prepared to foster in any way he could the industrial activities of the country. Interested in Sport. Lord Bledisloe, who is a golfer, hopes to find time to play, and is anxious to fish in some of the wellknown streams of the country. He is a keen follower of football and cricket.