ONE CROWDED HOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 10

ONE CROWDED HOUR.

ROYALTY AT HAMILTON. DENSE MASS AT STEELE PARK PEOPLE CHARMED BY DUCHESS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, Saturday. The streets of Hamilton were jiay with bunting, banners of welcome and decorative arches, while the town was crowded with visitors for the Royal visit, which was of merely one hour's duration. Unfortunately the proceedings were somewhat marred by rain. During the night there was a steady heavy downpour, which eased off somewhat just before the visitors arrived. Many thousands of children had journeyed in by special trains from all parts of the district, while the town was crowded with adult visitors. Naturally there was great disappointment at the inclemency of tlio weather, for the towii, with its wide streets, its beautiful river and its ample rich verdure embellished by bunting and all signs of gaiety, would have formed a glorious picture. While the rain dampened the clothing, the spirits of the crowd remained bright.

The scene at Steele Park, where the official reception was held, was one of extraordinary animation. The sight which met the Royal gaze upon entering to the thunder of cheering was one to leave a vivid impression on Their Highnesses minds. The whole park, with the exception of the fenced drive, was a dense surging mass of humanity. The general public covered every inch of the outer enclosure, the inner area having been reserved for school children. The guard of honour was composed of girl guides and members of the Returned Soldiers' Association.

Thousands of Children. Children numbering 7500 in all came from all parts of the district, from as far as Whangamarino in the north, Tiumarunui in the south and Thames, Waihi and Putaruru in the east. They formed an impressive spectacle as they stood drawn upon 40 long lines, two deep and with an avenue between the double rows. Immediately in the front of the dais, which was decorated lavishly with bunting, veterans of the late war had pride of position, while immediately to their left, the girl guides were allotted a place.

The approAch of the procession was made known to the vast assembly in the park by the increasing volume of cheering, and as the Royal visitors entered the enclosure the band played the National Anthem. Immediately the swaying, babbling mass was hushed, and ceased to sway as thousands of masculine heads were bared and ex-service men sprang to attention. His Royal Highness descended and, attended by his aides, inspected the guard of returned soldiers, while the Duchess inspected the Girl Guides. Then they ascended the dais amidst vociferous outbursts of cheering from the 12,000 adult and juvenile throats. This burst of enthusiasm the Duke and Duchess smilingly acknowledged. Duke Replies to Address. When the plaudits had somewhat diminished, the Mayor (Mr. J. R. Fow) presented the Royal visitors with an address of welcome.

The Duke in reply said: The Duchcss and I sincerely thank yon and the citizens of Hamilton for the address which you have presented to us, and we assure you we are deeply sensible of the sentiments of attachment to the Royal Family and your good wishes to us, which we reciprocate. We are glad to be here today and to have this opportunity of seeing something of your city. Its importance as a centre in the dairying district is well known and we regret tljat our stay must unavoidably bo brief, so that we cannot see for ourselves something of your timber milling and other industries. But we shall take away with us very happy memories of your welcome and we ask, in return, that Che children may be given a whole holiday on some suitable day to celebrate this occasion. The Duchess was presented with a beautiful bouquet by Joan Thomas, aged four, granddaughter of the Mayor, which she gratefully acknowledged. The departure of the Royal visitors on their journey to Claudelands station was a signal for renewed enthusiasm. The route to the station was along tjie River Road which bounds the Soldiers' Memorial Park. It is here that a tree is planted to every Waikato soldier who tell in the late war, and here stands the cenotaph commemorating their glory. ■ Bouquet Becomes a Wreath. On noticing the cenotaph Their Royal Highnesses halted the car and, entering the grounds, stood with bowed heads at the foot of the monument while the Duchess advanced up the steps and, amid a touching silence, followed immediately by a burst of cheering, she laid the bouquet which had been presented to her by Joan Thomas, at the foot of , the plinth. This thougl'iful act, so unpremeditated and spontaneous, greatly touched the crowd who swarmed into the park. At the Claudelands station the Duke and Duchess, contrary to their lixed custom, inscribed their names j amongst those ol' other celebrities in the album of a local autograph collector. The last glimpse of the Royal couple by the crowds who swarmed 011 to the station was as they looked from their carriage window, through which, as the train drew out the Duke bowed his recognition and the Duchess smiled brightly. With that fascinating, slightupraising of her hand which is so characteristic and has endeared her to the people the waved them a sweet farewell.