ROYAL VISITORS DELAYED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29909, 24 August 1962, Page 10

ROYAL VISITORS DELAYED

Arrival This Morning By Steamer

King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand are expected to disembark from the steamer-express Rangatira at Lyttelton about 8.15 a.m. today and then drive over Evans Pass, round the Sumner waterfront, and down historic Ferry road to Christchurch.

This morning’s arrival, resulting from the cancellation of the flight into Christchurch last evening, caused a flurry in many parts of New Zealand but, once the decision was made, the alternative plan B moved swiftly into operation.

The flight of the Royal aircraft from Auckland landed at Wellington, the Royal couple dined at the Waterloo Hotel, and then boarded the steamer express.

a complete prohibition of parking in Armagh street between Manchester street and Madras street from 9 a.m. Other areas in which parking will be prohibited near the Winter Garden will be marked by signs. The ceremonial drive will go through the city by way of Manchester street, Worcester street, Cathedral square, Worcester street. Cambridge terrace, Cashel street, Colombo street, Cathedral square, Colombo street and Armagh street. There will be a complete prohibition of entry on to the route for six minutes beforehand. Later in the afternoon when Queen Sirikit visits the Red Cross Society in Cashel street, the area of Cashel street between Montreal street and Rolleston avenue will be closed. No parking will be allowed from 1.30 p.m. Explaining the need for the complete prohibition of parking in some areas, the deputy traffic superintendent of the City Council (Mr H. W Birdling) said that at the Civic Theatre, Winter Garden and Red Cross Society headquarters there would be a considerable movement of traffic early in the day. To expedite all arrangements it was considered desirable that all parking should be prohibited near these buildings.

King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit will now be greeted on the wharf by the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr J. B. Collett) and Mrs Collett; the Town Clerk (Mr J. Thompson) and Mrs Thompson; the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr A. A. Macfarlane) and Mrs Macfarlane; and the board’s secretarymanager (Mr A. L. Burk) and Mrs Burk.

The cavalcade of cars is expected in Cathedral square about 8.45 a m and it is expected that there will be huge crowds of office and shop employees on their way to work. Businesses may be late in opening. No official engagements were scheduled for last evening or this morning, in case plan B had to operate so the main programme will begin as scheduled with the drive at noon to the Civic Theatre for a civic reception and a ceremonial drive at 12 45 pm through the city to a civic luncheon at the Winter Garden

Ferry road into High street and then round Cathedral square to the United Service Hotel. It is expected that the Royal Party will arrive in the Square about 9 a m. All intersections along the route will be manned by traffic officers ani no moving traffic will be allowed on the route while the Royal party is there.

Other traffic arrangements for today cover the civic reception and luncheon, and the visit of Queen Sirikit to the Red Cross headquarters in Cashel street. The Royal party will travel by way of Cathedral square, Colombo street and Gloucester street to Manchester street for the civic reception at the Civic Theatre at 12.15 p.m.

This afternoon, Queen Sirkit will visit the Christchurch headquarters of the Red Cross Society while King Bhumibol inspects the Industries Fair They will leave their hotel between 3 15 and 3 20 p.m The Royal couple will attend a concert by the National Orchestra in the evening They will leave the hotel at 8.15 pm The King and Queen will breakfast aboard the Rangatira and will leave for Christchurch by car about 8 15 a m Altogether. 34 cars will leave Lyttelton The first part of the convoy, consisting of 11 vehicles and three baggage cars, will leave at 715 am. At 8 am. one car and three vans will leave followed by eight cars of the official party at 815 am., and then the eight cars of the Royal party Traffic Plans

For this drive there will be a total prohibition of parking in Manchester street between Worcester street and Gloucester street from 9 a.m. There will be a further parking ban on the north side of Worcester street from Manchester street to Latimer square. Areas which are banned for parking in Latimer square will be marked by signs. Motorists who are in the habit of leaving their cars parked overnight in Latimer square will have to have them moved by 7 a.m., otherwise the cars will be moved by officers of the traffic department.

The Royal party will leave the Municipal Chambers at 12.45 p.m. for the Winter Garden for the civic luncheon.

The route for the drive into the city will be from Lyttelton to Sumner, along

Parking and traffic arrangements for this drive include