WELCOME TO DUKE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21324, 17 November 1934, Page 16

WELCOME TO DUKE

GATHERING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN LANCASTER PARK CHOSEN AS VENUE Lancaster Park has been chosen as the venue for the gathering of Canterbury school children to welcome the Duke of Gloucester in January. A proposal to hold the function at Cranmer square was not adopted by the School Children's Demonstration Committee at a meeting yesterday, on the ground that Lancaster Park offered greater facilities. Mr F. T. Evans presided over the meeting. In describing to the Mayor 1 he progress made, he said that only 2000 out of 20,000 children attending the schools had stated their definite intention of taking part in the welcome. It had now been decided to hold an informal gathering, but no venue had been fixed. Lancaster Park and Cranmer square had been suggested. Melbourne Demonstration ' The Mayor said he thought it would be a pity if those children who remained in Christchurch during the Duke's visit were deprived of the opportunity of seeing him. He had been tremendously impressed with the demonstration he had witnessed by the children of Victoria on the Melbourne cricket ground. It was so successful and so attractive that it had been decided to repeat it an another occasion. About 100,000 persons were at the ground; it would probably be impossible to describe anything more delightful than this display; the children were dressed to represent the seasons, and the function was one of the best events organised for the Centenary celebrations. Christchurch could not, of course, hope to rival it. Mr Sullivan said he thought there would be something lacking if the children were merely taken to the function and marched past the Duke, cv the Duke asked to walk through their . ranks. He suggested that folk dancing or maypole dancing might, be performed; this would give the function some colour. He agreed that something fhould be done to give those children remaining in Christchurch an opportunity to see trie Duke.

Appointment of Sub-Committee On the motion of Mr J. F. Eames, seconded by Mr C. S. Thompson, it was decided to hold the gathering at Lancaster Park, which, it was considered, had advantages over Cranmer square in the facilities it offered. A sub-committee to conduct the organisation of the gathering was ret up, consisting of Messrs V. J. Gamble, J. E. Maxwell, and J. H. E. Schroder.

The Mayor said he thought that interest and curiosity aroused after the Duke's arrival in New Zealand would bring 6000 or 7000 children to the gathering. There would only be two other public appearances at the civic reception, and at the dance in the barracks. The children therefore would not have had an opportunity other than this to meet the Duke. Father A. L. Burger," S.M., rector of St. Bede's College, advised that between 50 and 60 pupils of St. Bede's would be able to take part in the function. CHOICE OF HOTEL FOR DUKE UNITED SERVICE AND WARNER'S BOTH CONSIDERED In a statement issued by the Department of Internal Affairs, it is explained that the announcement in a report at this week's meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board that the Duke of Gloucester would stay at Warner's Hotel while in Christchurch, is incorrect. It is stated that an investigation revealed a typist's error in the advice sent from the department to the Inspector of Fire Brigades in regard to fire protection at all places at which the Duke of Gloucester has to stay. In the case of Christchurch, the words "or United Service" were inadvertently omitted, leaving the name of "Warner's" alone, wnereas the entry should have read "Warner's or United Service."

No decision as to which hotel was to be selected had been arrived at until near midnight on the evening of Tuesday last. The decision in this case offered great difficulty, as both hotels were considered more or less equally suitable. Immediately the decision was arrived at telegraphic advice was sent to both hotels. The United Service Hotel has been selected. _______________