PRINCE'S DEPARTURE

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 1956, 22 May 1920, Page 9

PRINCE'S DEPARTURE

LAST DAY IN PROVINCE SPENT IN CHRISTCHURCH. FOLLOWING THE HOUNDS. Christchurch yesterday was privileged to entertain, for one more day, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, on his return from his southern tour. Proceedings throughout the day were strictly informal. After his warm welcome at the railway station in the morning, the Prince motored to "Te Koraha" for breakfast. Subsequently he was the guest of the Christchurch Hunt Club at Charing Cross, where the first meet of the 1920 season was held. His Royal Highness was tendered a civic reception at Lyttelton in the evening, and later gave a farewell dinner party and dance on the Renown. The battle-cruiser left Lyttelton at 6.45 o'clock this morning.

AT THE^HUNT. PRINCE ENJOYS GOOD SPORT. The Prince of Wales was yesleriay the guest of the Christchurch ihint Club at the club's initial meet of the season-at Charing Cross. The Prince motored to the scene of the hunt, and was welcomed by the master, Mr I). W. Westenra, and members of the club. * After luncheon, the hunt commenced. About 100 members followed the pack, and a large following of enthusiasts in motor cars followed the run from the roadways. The course lay over flat country, intersected with low gorse fences. Mr J. H. Selby was the huntsman. The first run—a short one—ended in a kill on the roadway in view of the spectators, about a quarter of an hour after the commencement. The Prince, who was mounted on Miss Nan Rich's brown cob Clinker, was present at the kill. He secured t 1 e head, which he placed in his-pocket. Several other hares were put up, and some good sport, but no further kill, was enjoyed. The Prince had a fall at one of the fences. He had cleared a gorse fence of the type which provided the greater part of the jumping, but approaching a second jump, close up, his mount baulked. The Prince slipped off. but was not hurt in any •way. Mounting his horse he joined In the hunt once again. At 4 p.m., the hounds were whipped off, and his Royal Highness returned to "Te Koraha" to change before catching his train to Lyttelton. He enjoyed his day's outing thoroughlv, and frequently expressed his pleasure at the sport provided. DEPARTURE FROM CITY. SCENE AT STATION. The/ Prince of Wales* left Christchurch yesterday by special train at 5.56 p.m. A fair-steed crowd had assembled at the station and, as the train pulled out towards Lyttelton, his Royal Highness, standing on the platform of his carriage, waved his acknowledgments to the cheering people. Before leaving, the Prince shook hands with an invalid woman, who had been wheeled to the station on a bed-chair, and an elderly woman also came in for a farewell handshake.

RETURN TO LYTTELTON, ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. Punctually at C.5 p.m. yesterday, the Royal train emerged from the tunnel at Lytteltoi*. and was raucously welcomed with a siren-blast from the steamers in the port. Descending from his carriage, the Prince was driven to the Seamen's Institute. The streets leading to the institute were well decorated, and enthusiasm characterised the whole of the proceedings. At the entrance to the institute, a guard of honour was drawn up, comprising sea scouts and senior cadets. The Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr W. T. Lester) was presented to the Prince, and extended him a hearty welcome to Lyttelton. Mrs Lester, the horough councillors and their wives, and Mr F. W. Anderson, president of the Seamen's Institute, were also presented to the Prince. An inspection of the premises was then made by his Royal Highness, who conversed with many of the seamen in the reading-room. Mr S. Booth. Superintendent of the Institute, acted as guide. The officers' quarters were next visited and the visitors' hook was signed by the Royal party. A very old lady, Mrs J. Whitmore, ■who was standing in the vestibule, was greeted by the Prince. Mrs "Whitmore arrived in Lvttelton in 1850 in the ship Charlotte Jane. The Prince asked as to the length of her residence in New Zealand, and wished her a continuance of good health. The Prince's progress down Norwich Quay and to the wharf was a triumphal one, hampered necessarily' by the enormous crowd which thronged the streets. At the gangway of 11.M.5. Renown, the Prince paused to inspect a guard of honour, composed of 10(1 members of the Christchurch and Lvttelton Cadets, under Captain S. A. Clark. The Cadet Rand plaved the Royal Salute, and "Men of Harlech." A ROYAL GIFT. PORTRAIT FOR MR MASSEY. Before they parted last evening. the Prime Minister (lit. Hon. \V. F. Massey) received from H.R.H. the Prince of Wales an autographed photograph of himself, in the uniform of a naval captain. The portrait, which bears the date 1920 Bfter the Prince's signature, is enclosed in a handsome silver frame upon which the Prince of Wales's Arms are inscribed. It was handed to Mr Massey as a personal souvenir. The Prime Minister has also in his possession the original of the Prince's farewell message to the Dominion. It is typewritten with signature, "Edward P."