VISIT OF DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 12

VISIT OF DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S GATHERING SUPPORT FROM HEADMASTERS The headmasters of eight city and suburban primary schools who attended by invitation a meeting of the children's demonstration subcommittee yesterday promised their co-operation in organising an informal gathering of children on the occasion of the Duke of Gloucester' 3 visit to Christchurch. They also signified their willingness to act as members of the general committee. There were present Messrs F. T. Evans (chairman), J. H. E. Schroder and C. S. Thompson (members of the sub-committee), L. E. Rowley (assistant secretary of the Canterbury Education Board), and J. F. Eames (assistant town clerk). Mr Evans said that a gathering of an informal nature would be held, but the committee, doubting whether it could be managed without assistance, desired the co-opera-tion of the headmasters. Proper organisation and management were required The Canterbury Education Board had undertaken to look after the children from the country. In reply to a question Mr Evans said that the school children's function would be a separate one, lasting perhaps half an hour. Figures quoted by Mr Thompson shewed that 3068 children, of whom 800 were from the country, had signified their wish to attend, and except in the case of six schools would be accompanied by one or more teachers. Mr Thompson suggested that inc. function should be advertised extensively, the children being requested to assemble at Lancaster Park, not blocked in schools, and airangements for their control would be made there. Mr Eames suggested that standards with the names of the schools printed on them might be used as rallying points. The need for proper control war, stressed by Mr L. F. de Berry and others, and various methods were discussed. The merits of Lancaster Park, Cranmer scn">re and Hagley Park as A '-~ w>ation of the gathering were also discussed. Mr Schroder favoured Cranmer square, as lending itself to delimitation ani as offering accommodation for the public, but distance from the railway station was advanced as a reason against this location. Decision on this and on the other points raised was postponed until a meeting of the general committee on Friday.

GUARD OF HONOUR REHEARSAL LAST NIGHT At the civic reception of the Duke of Gloucester Headquarters Wing A and B Companies of the Ist Canterbury Regiment will supply the guard of honour. Last night in the King Edward Barracks the guard paraded. Long before the hour of parade men arrived at the barracks to correct faults before the officers' inspection. A remarkable keenness was shown by all ranks. In one part of the building the Regimental band was practising again and again a few short phrases of a slow march.

Markers took their positions, orders were rapped out, and the individual units paraded. Followed a keen inspection by the officers, and then the men were graded according to size, and the guard of honour formed—three officers and 100 other ranks.

The guard was in line in open order, the guard commander three paces in front on the right, the second in command in a corresponding position on the left, with the non-commissioned officers two paces behind the rear rank. The Regimental band was formed up in the centre rear of the guard.

The King's Colour

Marching down the barracks and followed by two sergeants with fixed bayonets came the officer carrying the King's Colour. Several paces in front of the guard of honour the colour guard halted. Came the order, "Present arms," and to the flashing of sword and bayonet the band played the first six bars of the National Anthem. The colour sergeants then took up their position in the centre of the front rank, the officer being three paces in front. Later came another "Present arms," and while the band played the first six bars of the National Anthem the King's Colour was slowly dipped. The guard was then inspected, as it will be by the Duke, again the colour was dipped and the parade was over. The band returned to its corner to practise that march music again, and the individual units returned to the admonitions of their officers.

POLICE ARRANGEMENTS PLANS ALMOST COMPLETED [THE PRESS Special Servico.] AUCKLAND, November 12. For some time the New Zealand police authorities have beet: discussing complete arrangements for surveillance during the tour of the Dominion by the Duke of Gloucester. The arrangements have been almost completed, and the Auckland police have already been acquainted with the work that will be required during the Royal visit to the city. Mr W. G. Wohlmann, Commissioner of Police, gave an indication to-day of the organisation that will be necessary. Police precautions are always made on the occasion of a great event. During the approaching Royal visit, the Duke will be guarded by the English officers who are accompanying him throughout his tour of Australia and New Zealand, but men with local knowledge

are also requited. Certain of the detectives of Auckland have been assigned to duty connected with the visit.

In Australia, both Federal and state officers have been required to co-operate with the English guards, their principal purpose being to maintain general surveillance. Much the same system will be followed in the Dominion. It is evidently not intended to leave the duty of a Dominion-wide guard to one group of men, the authorities having realised the advantage of assigning to duty men in possession of intimate knowledge of particular districts and cities, and it is anticipated that the staff will be changed accordingly throughout the tour of the Dominion.