Vice-Regal Visit to Gisborne

Sir Denis and Lady Blundell and their daughter Sally paid their first official visit to Gisborne on March 1 and 2. Their busy two days in the city included a visit to Cook Hospital, a trip to the new Cook Memorial, a Maori welcome at Poho-o-rawiri, a semi-formal reception, an inspection of the J. Wattie Canneries plant, a luncheon with members of the Law Society, two school gatherings and a visit to the R.S.A. Clubrooms.

Pictured together for "Photo News" are, from left, Mayor Harry Barker, Lady Blundell, Mrs Barker and Sir Denis Blundell.

The viceregal party arriving at Gisborne Airport.

The party stayed the night at the Sandown Park Hotel where they are seen here being greeted by the manager, Mr Bill Cross, his wife Jillian and assistant manager Pat Dunne.

The hospital visit began at 3 p.m. on the first day. His Excellency passes through the guard of honour formed by some of the nurses.

A broken leg brings consolation from Sir Denis.

Sir Denis greets another small patient in the children's ward as Sister Nilon looks on

This little girl gets a helping hand with her puzzle.

A very young patient is as much interested in Lady Blundell, Sister Nilon and Sally Blundell as they are in her

Capt G. L. Crowley, Sally and Lady Blundell and Mrs Barker taking in the magnificent views from the Cook Memorial Plaza.

Mr Barker and Sir Denis admiring the statue of Captain Cook.

After visiting the plaza the party attended the Maori welcome at Poho-o-rawiri.

The party was welcomed on to the marae in the traditional manner, where His Excellency was escorted by Mr Ivan Kerekere.

Members of the Waihirere Maori Club pictured during the welcoming haka.

Mr Tom Dennis carried out the traditional welcome inside the meeting-house

Mr Dennis presented His Excellency with a beautifully carved and mounted Taiaha.

Their Excellencies pictured with Jean Ward. Jean presented Lady Blundell with flowers.

Lady Blundell received an extremely attractive Maori kit

Lady Blundell talking to members of the club after the welcome

A semi-formal Mayoral reception was held in the Archery Hall where representatives of various organisations were presented to Their Excellencies.

Mayor Harry Barker welcomes the guests.

Lady Blundell signs the visitors'book

Lady Blundell greets Mr and Mrs W. H. Eraser.

Gisborne Police Chief Inspector J. W. McGuire, and Mrs McGuire, being greeted by Sir Denis.

Sir Denis chatting to Mr and Mrs B. Wehi

Mrs F. Gregory shaking hands with Sir Denis. At back is deputy Mayor Martin Lynch and Mrs Lynch

Lady Blundell pictured with, from left, Mrs Hardcastle, Rev. R. M. Murphy and Mr R. Hardcastle

Other guests at the reception included, Mr R. D. Hillyard and Mr and Mrs J. C. Pattie.

Mr and Mrs K. Maynard.

Mr and Mrs S. Clare and Mr and Mrs W. Sutherland.

Mr and Mrs M. J. H. Dods and Mr S. H. Burdett.

Mr and Mrs R. Kearney.

Mr and Mrs B. Crawshaw.

Mr and Mrs I. R. Mitchell.

The tour of the J. Wattie Canneries' complex proved very interesting for the vice-regal party.

Mr Gordon Wattie explains the sweet corn processing procedure to Sir Denis.

At the corn belt Sir Denis has a word with Helen Glover

Foreman Bill Brown-Bavliss explains to Sir Denis how to make tomato soup in a big way.

Mr Arthur Leeves explains to Lady Blundell, Sally Blundell and lady's maid Anna Trusnach the workings in the labelling and packaging plant. At right is Mrs Wattie.

Foreman Alf Wooton shows Sir Denis a bin of tuna about to be processed.

Two opportunities for schools to meet the vice-regal party were staged. The first was a morning visit to the Gisborne Intermediate School to meet all district primary and intermediate school children. Part of the crowd of 1500 pupils is shown here, before the official dais

A hand-shake for Desley Anderson, of Kaiti.

Sally Blundell chatting with Te Hapara pupils.

Lady Blundell talks to, from left, Janice Williams, Robyn Smith, Suzanne Clough and Suzanne Newcomb

Sir Denis makes friends with some of the boys from the Gisborne Intermediate School

A vice-regal autograph for Azure Hyde, Mary Gretton and Margaret Brownlie, of Makaraka

Rebecca Holden, Paul Mullooly, Dianne Louie and Mark Brown were four members of the guard of honour to greet and farewell the party

An unscheduled stop enabled pupils of St Mary's, School to have a word with the vice-regal party. Here, Sir Denis says hello to Gregory Kirkham.

The second opportunity for young people to meet Their Excellencies was at the high schools' gathering. This is half of the number gathered together.

Lady Blundell chats to Heather Andrews and Anne Matenga, of Waikohu.

Lady Blundell also has a word to Terence Butler and Gwynne Dunn.

Desmond Crisp, Garth Mitchell and Dale Shrubb talking to Sir Denis

The last call made by the visitors was to the U.S.A. clubrooms where an informal half-hour enabled Sir Denis to meet old friends and war-time buddies.

Sir Denis pictured with, from left, Messrs Claude Taylor, R.S.A. president Gordan Harris and Jack Hough.

Dick Quinn, Eric Brown and Cecil Brown chatting to Sir Denis.

Ned Kelly, Charlie Fergusson, Sir Denis and Bill Bull talk over old times.

Keith Tarry, Gordan Harris and Bob Sloane share a joke with Sir Denis.

Four old "diggers" at the gathering were, from left, Jack Fraser, Jim Couper, Harry Nield and Bob Dunlop.

Fred Phillips, Sir Denis, Gordan Harris and the R.S.A.'s first president, Reg Gambrill, talk over old times.

Others at the gathering included Len Malcolmson, Bert Mullins, Dan O'Connell and Ernie Lamont.

O there were Phil Baty, Rangi Logan, Wally MacLennon, Hira Hutane and Peter Burns.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 225 : March 28, 1973

Vice-Regal Visit to Gisborne