TO ARRIVE THIS AFTERNOON

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21133, 7 April 1934, Page 14

TO ARRIVE THIS AFTERNOON

♦ Mr Bernard Shaw's Visit WEEK-END IN THE CITY Although he announced at the beginning of his tour of New Zealand that he would not visit the South Island, Mr George Bernard Shaw so far relented as to come to Nelson. Once arrived there he evidently found the South Island so attractive that, at a moment's notice, he decided to leave Picton and pay a flying visit to Christchurch. He spent last night in Kaikoura on his way south and will arrive in Christchurch this afternoon.

A reporter of "The Press" telephoned to Kaikoura last evening in the hope that Mr Shaw might consent to speak to him and to give details of his plans for his short stay in Christchurch. He was told by a member of the hotel staff, however, that Mr Shaw had left instructions that he would speak to nobody on the telephone. Indeed, their famous guest seemed to have infected the staff with a good deal of awe. since it was only after much persuasion that the voice at the other end of the line agreed to call the official appointed by the Tourist Department to aceoiripany Mr Shaw on his tour of the Dominion. "Mr Shaw is very fired after a long day's travelling and cannot speak to anyone," said the official. "He cannot possibly conic to the telephone." "When will he arrive in Christchurch?" he was asked. "To-morrow afternoon. He will leave Kaikoura in the morning and will reach Christchurch to-morrow atternoon. If you come along in the afternoon with a list of written < .estions he will answer them for you. He does not mind what the questions are about, or ho\. perso- .1 the\ are." Thus was explained the form which most of the interviews with Mr Shaw since his arrival in New Zealand have taken. Apparently it : was not merely an idiosyncraey of 'the interviewers which caused Ihem 'all to be in question-and-answer form, but Mr Shaw's own desire. Last-minute Decision Mr Shaw's decision to visit Christchurch is decidedly a last-minute do cision. He had at first intended to stav at Picton until to-nmrrow evening and leave by the Sundayboat for Wellington. However, when the party reached Picton it was found that the Sunday boat had been taken off the run and that it would only be possible to cross the strait on Saturday or Monday. Since it would have made his slay in Picton too brief to leave on Saturday, and since it was not desired to stay Where until Monday, it was decided to spend the intervening time in a visit to Christchurch, and it is I understood that Mr Shaw expressed 'great pleasure in being able to .'change his plans in this way to cnlable him to visit Canterbury. i Mr Shaw will stay at the United ' Service Hotel, nod will leave for ! Wellington on Monday. As far as is i known he will fulfil no pub he enIgagemenls, but will visit all the (recognised places of interest m and about Christchurch, including a ImoS drive, over the Port Hills and ! ;i visit to the Public Gardens and i the Canterbury Museum, as well as i a drive into the country to see something of the Canterbury Plains. \ Mi; SHAW'S T.KOAIX AST ! (rnr.-., iss'AiitHK Tr.i.ionvu.i WELLINGTON. April G. Mr Bernard Shaw will broadcast from all the New Zealand national YA stations next Thursday, commencing at 10 P.m., for about 20 minutes It is probable that arrangements will be made for an Australian relay.