MAORIS WELCOME DUKE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21354, 22 December 1934, Page 16

MAORIS WELCOME DUKE

ARRIVAL AT ROTORUA WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED AT WHAKATANE TRIBUTE TO A GALLANT RACE (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGEAM.) ROTORUA, December 21. Through country steeped in native tradition and history and rich in mountain scenery the Duke of Gloucester to-day traversed a 220 miles triangle from Gisborne to Rotorua, via Opotiki and Whakatane. So impressed was his Royal Highness by the majesty of the 17-mile gorge which joins Matawai with Opotiki that he attested its magnificence when addressing the citizens of the latter place. Although the weather was brilliant, travelling was not fatiguing, and the Duke arrived at the famous thermal centre fit and obviously happy. Throughout his long journey he had received further concrete evidence that the people of New Zealand had the warmest regard for him, and were delighted at his presence among them. Apart from the official functions, which were attended almost to the limit of the population, people lined the various routes in large groups, groups of three and four, and singly. I ? lags and streamers fluttered from fence rails or were suspended from wires, and in one instance a bunting message "Welcome" flew from the top of a radio mast.

Duke's Kindly Action

Characteristic of the Duke's

thoughtfulness was his action in stopping the car near Opotiki to shake hands with two aged women who had seen representatives of three generations of the Royal House, and had expressed a wish that one of the fourth might slow down his motor-car when passing : :heir house. Hearing of this, the Duke alighted from his car, and brought everlasting joy to these two lonely women—one Mrs C. Connolly, is aged 84, and the other, Miss G. H. Abbot, is aged 91. Unveiling at Whakatane the memorial scroll to members of the Ngatiawa and Ngati-pukako tribes who served in the Great War, his Royal Highness said he was pleased to pay a personal tribute to the gallant part r.aken by the King's Maori subjects, who had displayed once more the warlike qualities of their race. "I am nroud," he said, "to unveil this granite scroll." Exhilarating as had been the spectacle of the mountain scenery fringing the outskirts of the unconquered country, another surprise awaited ihe Royal party when- Rotorua's renowned lakes came into view. The golden sun lit' up the glistening waters as a jewel flashing in the light. The Duke, who was wearing a double-breasted blue lounge suit, sat at the wheel for part of the trip to Opotiki and Whakatane. thoroughly enjoying the drive through bowers of fern, and being unaffected by the dust of the open road. With the members of his suite, he had a picnic afternoon tea on the famous Hongi's track.

Welcome at Rotorua In accordance with Maori custom, his Royal Highness was welcomed at the steps of the Rotorua Hotel by Sir Apirana Ngata and paramount chiefs, although the official ceremony is on Saturday. After the formal reception, the Maoris .■'ave their famous national anthem, beginning "This is the man, the hairy man, who maketh the sun to r.hine," and an impromptu haka. A notice cordon kept back the crowd, hundreds of whom had swarmed towards the hotel entrance.

Each day emphasises some fresh r eature of the Duke's tour. The latest of these is the remarkable extent to which returned soldiers have paraded at official functions, and the number of them who have offered wayside salutations. His Royal Highness is making a point of speaking individually at gatherings to some of the returned soldiers, and during these inspections members of his staff have followed ihe same practice. Major-General M. G. R. Howard-Vyse, the Duke's .;hief-of-stciff, has shown particular interest in former soldiers who ?erved in Palestine, where he had a command.

Message from Mr Coates

Unable to attend the Maori welcome to the Duke of Gloucester, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, who has just reutrned to New Zealand from Australia, has advised the Hon. J. A. Young that but for the accumulation of business he would have been present. "I know I would have enjoyed, in company with my Maori friends, the reception they will give the Royal visitor. Please convey to the people my best wishes, and the assurance that although I cannot be with them in person my heart, as I feel sure they will know, is with them, and is warmly associated with theirs in one of the most memorable of many days." The Duke had a free evening, which he spent with his'suite at the hotel after dinner. BOY BATHER'S SURPRISE (PEJtSS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.) GISBORNE, December 21. Quite unaware of the identity of the Duke of Gloucester, a young bather at Wainui Beach last evening chummed up with his Royal Highness in the water and animatedly discussed aspects of surfbathing. Catching the spirit of the moment the Duke exchanged views and passed on hints on the handling of the surf-board which the youngster sought. The subsequent revelation thatit was the Duke he had been talking to did not abash the lad, who hurried to the water's edge and carried his Royal Highness's surfboard to the bathing shed, and calmly wished the Royal visitor "all the best" during his tour.

CHRISTCHURCH PROGRAMME RIVER CARNIVAL PROPOSED ROWING RACES To discuss proposed items on the programme of the river carnival to be held on Saturday evening, January 19, as part of the arrangements for the visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Christchurch, a conference was held yesterday afternoon between representatives of the entertainment committee and of the rowing bodies in Christchurch. The entertainment committee was represented by Cr. T. Milliken (chairman) and Messrs H. Bradley and H. S. Feast (honorary secretary); and the rowing bodies by Messrs R. J. Hobbs (Canterbury Rowing Association), C. R. Russell (Canterbury Rowing Club), D. Lee (Union Rowing Club), and R. E. Nightingale (Avon Rowing Club). Cr. Milliken, who presided, welcomed the representatives of the rowing bodies, and said the object of the conference was to ascertain what rowing events could be included in the programme of the river carnival to fill in the time between 7.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., and also to enlist the assistance of the rowing bodies in other events, such as the procession of decorated boats, to fill in the time till 9.30 p.m., when the Duke was to arrive at the carnival.

Mr Hobbs said that he had had a look at the river between the bridge at Armagh street giving access to the North Hagley Park and the Carlton bridge, and his opinion was that it was not wide enough to permit of rowing races. Mr Lee said that at the narrowest point in the stretch mentioned the river was 44 feet wide.

Possible Race for Double Sculls Mr Bradley asked if it would not be possible to have a relay race. Mr Lee said that with close steering it might be possible to get a race over a course 300 yards long. When the weir was completed it would, perhaps, make a difference of 18 inches in the width of the river.

Mr Hobbs: It will take some marvellous steering. He added that it would depend on the clubs whether a race could be rowed. He thought that there would be serious risk of damage to the sculls. The association wished to help. Mr Russell said that it would depend on the risk involved. A race for double sculls might be possible.

After some further discussion of details, the representatives of the clubs undertook to ascertain what entries could be got for a double sculls event to be raced in heats. Mr Bradley mentioned that landing stages would be provided as required, and areas would be roped off so that the crews would not be hampered by the crowd. The chairman said that it was proposed to have telephone communication between the two bridges. Other Attractions The representatives of the rowing bodies undertook to assist in arranging for at least two, and possibly three, darktown crews, and said the clubs would assist with the procession of decorated boats. Canoe races, and tub races, and a greasy pole competition, also were suggested, and these events will be arranged for by the entertainment committee, which also will make provision for prizes for the different events.

Mr Bradley said that it was estimated that about 75 pleasure boats would be available to take part in the carnival.

The chairman thanked the representatives of the rowing bodies for attending and for their helpful suggestions.

IUVER CARNIVAL COMMITTEE'S APPEAL An appeal for all persons owning small beats to co-operate with the organiser of the river carnival being arranged for the evening of January 19, in honour of the visit of the Duke of Gloucester, is being made by the entertainments committee of the Christchurch City Council. Cr. <T. Milliken, chairman of the committee, has asked that local bodies, business Arms, societies, trades, private persons, etc, with boats should decorate boats for the carnival. Arrangements have already been made for the 47 boats belonging to .he Antigua Boat Sheds to be at the disposal of the committee; these boats can be obtained by application to the organiser or at the City Council offices.

Cr. Milliken emphasised yesterday that those persons owning boats—dinghies, flat-bottomed boats, and ordinary pleasure craft—could have ihern transported without difficulty on trailers to the site of the carnival in Park terrace. Places were to be set aside for the launching of the boats and their decoration.

He said that tliough there should be no lack of enterprise in the decorations, a flat-bottomed boat could be transformed into a Viking ship with small expense for canvas, and by the presence of a properly-dressed crew. The organiser wished the main industries of the province to be represented in the displays. He had also been advised that the Maori communities would assist at the carnival. A special programme of races for boys in canoes had been arranged and rowing clubs were also arranging races. Before the Duke's arrival, at 9.30 p.m., a programme, as interesting and enjoyable as possible, would be held. There would be at least 3ft of water in all parts of the river, and ample room for any number of boats, he added.

Those intending to assist the committee should make application to the honorary organiser, Mr H. Bradley, either at 821 Colombo street, or at the City Council offices.

DUKE'S MOUNT AT MARTON RACES (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, December 21. Mr James Bull, the Rangitikei sportsman, said in Auckland to-day that the Duke of Gloucester would ride Black Man in the Ladies' Bracelet at Marton on New Year's Day. Black Man, who is owned by Mr C. L. Bull, a son of Mr James Bull, is a six-year-old gelding which has 13-2 to carry in the race.