WARM WELCOME DURING DRIVE THROUGH STREETS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28154, 18 December 1956, Page 14

WARM WELCOME DURING DRIVE THROUGH STREETS

After the grand welcome given to the Duke of Edinburgh on his drive from Harewood Airport to Lyttelton on Sunday evening, yesterday’s ceremonial drive through the streets of Christchurch was somewhat of an anti-climax. But although the crowds were only a fraction of those in 1954 when the route was much shorter, and not nearly as voluble, their reception was nevertheless warm and sincere.

There was no gathering by the sides of the streets hours before the retinue was scheduled to pass, for business went on as usual in shops and offices until just before the Royal procession was expected. A few businesses closed down for a period from just after mid-day until 12.45 but others had no interruption.

Up till about 12.15 p.m. buses and traffic used the Royal route as they would on a normal day but after that the streets were almost sealed off. Christmas shoppers and workers swelled the crowd quickly, especially in Cathedral square and many suburban residents had arrived at the last moment on buses. Some who were about to leave for their homes delayed

their departure until after the Duke had passed. In contrast to the ceremonial drive of January, 1954, there was a notable absence of decorations, bunting and greenery. Offices and shops throughout the route had flags flying from their flagpoles but apart from that decorations were mainlv those which have been displayed by firms for Christmas. For those who had gathered it was a short break from the day’s work for apart from children who had been brought into town for the day from the outskirts, few were equipped with anything to wave at the Duke. It was a fairly restrained and dignified crowd that bent low to get a glimpse of His Royal Highness in the right back seat of the covered car. They were usually rewarded with a smile and a wave, but there were some who disappointedly proclaimed: “I did not see him at all.” Departure from Lyttelton The Duke left the Royal yacht Britannia at noon and was greeted by groups gathered along the route from Sumner to Lichfield street and he arrived in Durham street to begin the ceremonial drive about 12.25 p.m. One of the most popular positions, as it was when the Queen was in Christchurch was the intersection of Oxford terrace and Cashel street by the Bridge of Remembrance. Although there were only about 100 persons, mostly women waiting there at noon, by 12.30 p.m. they were several deep and moved quickly forward to leave just enough room for the Royal car after the leading police car had passed. A few men waved their hats but from a rather self-conscious crowd the cheering was mild. About 12.40 p.m. there was a similar convergence to leave a narrow alley as the personal standard of the Duke became visible at the Worcester street entrance to Cathedral square. The Duke paused in his waving to look out on the Citizens War Memorial and the imposing Cathedral that he must have remembered well from his last visit. It was on the east side of Cathedral square, where the gathering was densest of the whole route, that the Duke gained his best and most enthusiastic reception—the cheering was fit for a Royal visitor, and many persons who had already seen him on the other side of the Square hurried across to join it. A two-deep crowd along the edge of Latimer square waved handkerchiefs and a few flags but was again surprisingly quiet apart from several small boys who had climbed trees. The Duke passed with his usual smile and wave, seemingly for everyone and then he was at the Winter Garden for the civic luncheon.