ARRIVAL AT ROTORUA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9291, 28 April 1920, Page 4

ARRIVAL AT ROTORUA.

ROTORUA, April 27. When the Royal party rejoined the train at Claudelands, some delay occurred, due "to unexpected trouble in watering the engines. This delay resulted in the people. getting rather outof control, and a singing crowd thronged round about the limce. The rest of the journey to Kotorua passed without incident, except for cheering welcomes of little knots gathered "at various way stations.

All the world and his wife in Rotorua seemed to have shut up house and gone, into the streets to* welcome, his Royal Highness. Outside the station, which was decorated with ferns, foliage and flags, were seated a group of wounded soldiers in blue uniforms, with nurses in attendance.* Two ranks of veterans paraded, many being Maoris, wearing mats of great value from the Maori point of view, and' in front of these again 150 pakeha and Maori returned soldiers awaited the Prince's appearance, while a guard of honour was formed by a hundred members of the Maori Pioneer Battalion. After a brief inspection of these, the Prince entored his car and drove to the Grand Hotel, which is the Royal residence during .his stay here. His appearance at every point evoked a wonderful outburst of enthusiastic cheering.^ Maori and pakeha vicing with each other in an expression of hearty welcome to the wonderland of New Zealand. His Royal Highness's face was suffused with a flush of pleasure. as he kept constantly acknowledging $he plaudits of the people. To-morrow's 'programme will comprise an. ] official. Maori welcome arid the presentation of gifts to *the Prince. -