QUEEN VICTORIA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 2

QUEEN VICTORIA

HER FIRST RAIL TRIP SUBJECTS PROFOUNDLY SHOCKED (non OUK OWM CORBISPONDINT.) LONDON, November 17. Speaking at the centenary dinner of the London, Midland, and Scottish Railway in London, the Duke of Gloucester recalled how many people were shocked by the first train journdy made by his great-grandmother. Queen Victoria. It was in 1842 that Queen Victoria ventured on her first railway journey from Slough to Paddington, and when she said she enjoyed it many of her subjects were profoundly shocked. “Tributes were paid in the press to the precautions taken by the directors of the line and to the Queen’s courage, but it was plainly suggested in so many words that Her Majesty’s person should not be subjected to such risks, and that Royal railway excursions should either be wholly abandoned or only very occasionally resorted to,” said His Royal Highness. “But during the next few years public opinion became more or less reconciled, and in 1848 Queen Victoria travelled for the first time by train from Balmoral to London in two days, sleeping the night at Crewe, thus initiating the long and uninterrupted association of my family with your great system.” Effect on Eton Morals The Duke also told how the coming of the railways created widespread opposition. “The strongest opposition,” he said, “came from the landed gentry whose properties would be ruined, and among the countless stories there is a record of a reverend gentleman who demanded, and obtained, handsome compensation because his daughter’s bedroom windows were exposed to the unhallowed gaze of the men working on the London and Birmingham line.” The Duke also recalled that when the Great Western Railway was planning its line from Paddington to Bristol public attention was drawn to the disastrous effects that it would have on the health and morals of Eton College, and the Duke of Cumberland opposed the bill in the House of Lords on the grounds that the railroad, even from the distance of Slough, would be “very disturbing to the Eton boys.”

The dinner was in celebration of the London and Birmingham line—the first main line between London and the industrial Midlands. Its construction was carried out by Robert Stephenson, and the Duke observed that, while surveying and prospecting the route, Stephenson covered the distance between London and Birmingham on foot no fewer than 20 times. ENGAGEMENT NOTICES The engagement is announced ol Maurice Ellis, younger son of Mr and Mrs R. C. Price, Papanui, and Nancy Evelyn, only daughter of Mr and Mrs A. C. Rowland, Shirley. The engagement is announced of Annie Ida, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs G. V. Cross (Avonside), to Kenneth Norman, youngest son of-Mr and Mrs R. Pannell (Avonside).

The engagement is announced of Gladys Rosamond, second daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Brown, Springfield, to Leslie Gason, second son of Mr and Mrs W. Smart, Kowai Bush.

The engagement is announced of Evelyn Cameron (Betty), only daughter of Mr and Mrs E. A. Wheeler, Godley avenue, Papanui, to Cyril Henry, only son of Mr and Mrs H. C. Ward, Bletsoe avenue, Spreydon.

The engagement is announced of Elvira Edith, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs Sydney Andrew, River road, Avonside, to Maxwell Thomas, younger son of Mr and the late Mrs T. J. Hunter, Chrystall street, Shirley. The engagement is announced of Doris Elizabeth '(Betty), eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs C. R. Thomas. South Crescent road, to Mr Fred Mclvor, Kingsley street.

The engagement is announced of Joyce Hazel, only daughter of Mr and Mrs W. H. West. Cashmere, to Wilbur, youngest son of Mr and the late Mrs W. T. Dawson, St. Albans.

The engagement is announced of Alice, second daughter of Mr and Mrs William Botherway (Burwood), to Richard Henry, second son of the late Mr and Mrs R. H. Trevella, Rakaia.

The engagement is announced of Janet Isobel, only daughter of Mr and Mrs T. M. Hanna, “Seaview,’ Sefton, to Herbert Samuel (Jack), elder son of Mr and Mrs J. Criglington, Armagh Glen,” Sefton.

The engagement is announced of Irene Lorna, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs C. Shaw, Ashley street, Rangiora, to Norman Andrew, -second son of Mr and Mrs A. M-. Russell, Ashley.

The engagement is announced of Robin Wilfred, third son of Mr and Mrs T. Mehlhopt (Tai Tapu), to Joan Doreen, second daughter of Mr and Mrs G. Pimm, Coutts Island. ° Notices of engagement for publication in “The Press” must be signed by both parties to the engagement, A charge of live shillings (ss) will be made for each notice. —6

OBITUARY MRS W. PRESTIDGE The death occurred recently of Mrs W. Prestidge, one of the best-known pioneer residents of Hororata. Mrs Prestidge was born at Bow, Middlesex, England, in 1856. She arrived at Lyttelton in March, 1857, with her parents, Mr and Mrs Baker, in the ship Whip Roe Hampton (Captain Chandler). With her parents she lived for a few years at Papanui, and then removed to Hororata, where she lived for 72 years. ■ .. Mrs Prestidge was the first pupil teacher at the Hororata School. Her marriage to Mr Walter Prestidge took place in 1880. She Is survived by four daughters—Mrs Crawford and Mrs Stavely (North Island), Mrs Fuller (Islington), and Mrs T. Murfitt (Hororata), and three sons— Messrs H. M. Prestidge and George Prestidge (Hororata), and L. Prestidge (Prebbleton). Her husband predeceased her two years ago. The widespread esteem in which Mrs Prestidge was held was indicated by the large attendance at the funeral at the Hororata cemetery. The pall-bearers were Messrs H. M. Prestidge (son).W. Chapman, G. Chapman, and B. Prestidge (nephews). The service was conducted by the Rev. C. W. I. Maclaverty. Many floral tributes were received. _,. „