Old news from Armidale and New England

Tuesday 3 May 1938, The Sydney Morning Herald

LORD WAKEHURST.

First Visit to Walcha.

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

WALCHA, Monday

The Governor, Lord Wakehurst, accompanied by the Minister tor Education, Mr. Drummond, and Captain Harding, aide-de-camp, visited Walcha this morning. The day was beautifully fine and warm.

The Vice-regal party was met on the outskirts of the town by a troop of Light Horse under Lieutenant E. Lisle, and escorted into Walcha, where morning tea was served.

A welcome was extended by the Mayor Alderman T. C. Bath, and the shire president. Councillor R. C. Noakes. Both speakers expressed the pleasure that the people felt at the visit of Lord Wakehurst, who is the first Governor to visit Walcha.

Lord Wakehurst, who was received with cheers, expressed the delight it gave him to visit this part of the State. He thanked the mayor and shire president, for their kind words of welcome and professions of loyalty to the King. He apologised for the absence of Lady Wakehurst, who, he said, had had 10 strenuous days in connection with 150th Anniversary celebrations. He pictured the difficulties of the pioneers in crossing the mountains and the wonderful achievements since accomplished. He spoke of the advantages of freedom and the unity of the people of the British Empire now woven into a fabric which he believed to be indestructible. (Cheers).

Mr. Drummond, who moved a vote of thanks, said that Walcha was noted for its loyalty, but the present gathering gave further proof of its intense loyalty to the Governor.

The party visited the hospital and inspected returned soldiers under Sergeant Harrison, nurses, Junior Red Cross, school children under Mr. Foley, and Scouts under Mr. Cecil Macdonald. The Scouts gave a display of first-aid and ambulance work. A picnic arranged by the Shire Council took place at Apsley Falls. The Governor granted the school children a holiday and sports were held in the park.

VISIT TO URALLA.

URALLA, Monday.

Lord Wakehurst made his first, official visit to Uralla to-day. He was given a reception at Hampden Park beside the Memorial Gates by a large number of citizens, including 530 children representing the various schools. The Governor was welcomed by the Mayor, Alderman Ferris, and the shire president, Councillor Shanahan.