ROYAL VISIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 226, 24 September 1934, Page 8

ROYAL VISIT.

AUCKLAND WELCOME.

SCHOOLCHILDREN WANTED. CITY AND PROVINCIAL. | Although the school holidays will have begun when the Duke of Gloucester 1 arrives in Auckland, efforts are being made to have strong school representation to welcome the Royal party. The Mayor. Mr. G. W. Hutchison. ]ia« received a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Young, who says: "His Royal Highness will arrive in Auckland by rail from Rotorua 011 Monday, December 24, at 10 a.m.. and will depart for Hamilton on Friday, December 28, at 2 p.m. "The gathering of the local and district school children has always been featured in previous visits, and is especially desired on this occasion. The Government is at the present time giving consideration to the payment of fares of at least some children, probably from Standard ]IT. upwards, and you will be communicated with further as early as is possible regarding this matter. "In the meantime it has been decided that the costs of transport of children who are unable to return to their homes on the same day will not be entertained. "The Government feels sure that it is the desire of your council to tender a fitting welcome to our Royal guest, and in this connection you are invited to submit as early as possible a draft programme of your proposals for his reception. Maximum Subsidy of £500. "The Government will subsidise and arrange for the validation of any reasonable expenditure in connection with the visit, the maximum subsidy in the case of your city being £500. The Government has decided that local authorities will not be asked to provide illuminations." j A programme is now being drawn up by the Mayor and councillors, and when completed will be forwarded to the Minister. A city councillor said this morning that there would be some difficulty in arranging a representative gathering of school children, as so many would be away spending their holidays at seaside resorts and other places, and a greater difficulty still would be to obtain the services of teachers to control the parades. At the same time, he ventured the opinion that 110 doubt arrangements would be made which would prove satisfactory, even if the gatherings of children were not as representative as they would bo had the visit taken place while schools were in session. I

I DUKE'S CAR. RAILWAY ARRANGEMENTS. ECONOMY ORDER ISSUED. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The chairman of the Railways Board, Mr. H. H. Sterling, to-day denied a report that the Railway Department. is embarking on an expensive car-building programme for the train to be used by the Duke of Gloucester in New Zealand. Mr. Sterling said only one new car was being built, and after the Duke's visit it would become the Vice-Regal car. Express instructions had been received from the Government that undus? expense for the Duke's visit was to be avoided. This instruction was being carried out.