HASTINGS WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 300, 19 December 1934, Page 8

HASTINGS WELCOME.

SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

"AT HOME AMONG YOU." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, this day. The Hastings welcome was one of and unrestrained enthusiasm, an i unforgettable sight being a sea of waving flags, each conveying its loyal acclamation. At the racecourse, as a memento of the occasion, the Duke was asked to accept a basket of this season's peaches from fruitgrowers of the district.

. In reply-'to'ithe-i welcome, His Highness said: "I know that as a soldier and a lover of sport I shall find myself .at home among you,. and it give? me great' pleasure to meet ex-servicemen >who bore ,so conspicuous a part in the .Great War. I offer my sincere sympathy to all who suffered bereavement 'or loss in the terrible disaster over ethree years ago, and I am thankful to yee that you have been able to remove 'all traces of the damage caused. I hope that in the future the -people of this district will be rewarded >yith years of plenty and prosperity."

6 Speaking extempore- to- the children, "the Duke thanked them for attending, juid announced that he had secured an extra day's holiday for them.

A wreath was laid on the Cenotaph, and after a short motor tour His Highness visited the hospital, speaking °to several patients in the wards. He then rejoined the train in time for its departure for Napier.