THE ROYAL TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 114, 13 May 1920, Page 8

THE ROYAL TOUR.

toxcetihts kuug towms. amidst the greatest enthusiasm. (By Telegraph.—PriM AMOdatlon.) HOKTTIKA, Wednesday. His Royal Higbnese set out from Keefton at 9.30 o'clock this morning. Wfeatport was reached at midday, and the townspeople gave the Prince a cordial !welcome, the streets being gaily decorated. After half an boar's stay a (tart was made on the return journey to Inangahua Junction, bis Royal Highness taking the wheel and driving the car all the way , through the gorge. On arrival at Inangahua the party found luncheon awaiting them in the train, and did justice to it. Passing Reefton into Greymouth and Hokitika the Prince held a brief reception of school children, who made a pretty picture outside the station, and sang patriotic songs with greet fervour. Something of novelty was introduced, the address to thp Prince being read by a little girl. Ivy Kearns.

As the train passed through Greymouth after dark considerable crowds gathered in the vicinity of the station and heartily cheered his Royal Highness. At Hokitika the people lived up to their old-timo reputation for loyalty, and . the whole town and district seemed to have pourt I its population into the streets ot Wtstlaml's capital. More enthusiastic crowds could not be found anywhere, The motors drove to Keller's Hotel, which i 3 the Prince's headquarters. His appcarancp on the balcony with Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, member for the district, and the Mayor (Mr. Perry) and the county chairman (Mr. Bruce) wan the signal for fresh prolonged efceering.

Addresses of welcome from local bodies were presented, and the Prince in a happily-worded reply referred to the warmness of the reception accorded him at each place visited on the coast.

Later in the evening his Royal Hijrhness attended a public reception and citizen's ball in the.drill hall. Tho function was a brilliant success. A COAL NUGGET. WESTPORT, Wednesday. The visit of the Prince of Wales io Westport was marked by irre.it «mthusiasm. The .children were much in evidence, having been brought from all parts of the district. In addition to an address from the citizens ■ the Prince was presented with a heart made of coal from Coalbrookdale.' which provided bunkers that "saved the Calliope in the historic storm at Samoa." The coal was. a nugget ''found on the golden West Coast of Xew Zealand."

Hone Mahuika, chief o? the natives, presented his Royal' Highness with a , walking-stick on-which the donor's name was inscribed; also a set of greenstone. Admiral Halsey* was asked to arrange for the Renown, when making for Australia, to steam as close as possible to Westport. the nearest port to Australia. The Admiral stated that if possible this would be arranged. * .