PRINCE OF WALES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9247, 5 March 1920, Page 5

PRINCE OF WALES

COUNTY COUNCILLORS' DEBATE.

At the County Council meeting today, Cr W.T. Lill stated that no doubt some people would think' that the County Council should entertain the Prince of Wales at Rakaia.

Cr Harrison: "And give him a full bottle of whisky." (Laughter.) Cr. Lill replied that the Prince waß a prohibitionist, and the whisky would be an insult, and they did not want to insult Royalty in this County: <___-.. Lill then explained what took'place when Captain Rhodes conferred regarding the visit. Personally he was unaware of the public meeting last week, arid did not attend. The idea of appointing local schoolmasters to carry out the .arrangements for the children oi the County did not meet with his approval, lie considered on this unique occasion every child in the County should be brought to Ashburton to see the Prince,, and that for this purpose County schoolmasters should be on the. committee. He was certain that there were thousands of children in the County who had never been in the Ashburton Domain and hundreds of fathers and mothers also. They should arrange for special trains from Methven, Rangitata, and Mt. Somers. The chairman stated that he agreed that the Council should join with the Borough to^ welcome the Prince. Cr. .-_id° said he agreed with Cr. Lill that every child in the County should be brought to see the Prince, and where they could not be brought by train, motor transit should be provided and the Council contribute if necessary. Cr. Lill explained that when Captain Rhodes visited Ashburton he (Cr. Lill) suggested that special trains should also be provided for the children to go to Lyttelton to see the Renown. The Captain promised to make representations regarding the trains.

Cr. Goodwin said he would do his best to get the.Methven people to come li.) Ashburton.

Cr. Harrison said the half-hour allocated for the visit was fai- too sljort. For a wealthy County the visit should have been at least two hours, so that they could have properly entertained the Prince and given him a drop of champagne or whisky. Cr. Lill: "No, no." Cr. Reid said the Prince carried it with him, as it was part of his lug— gagq. (Laughter.) Cr Harrison said at any rate the King had a lovely cellar in England. (Laughter.) It was then decided that Crs. Lill, Reid and the chairman be a committee to act with the Borough Council . and other committees to make arrangements for the visit.