Timaru’s Royal Welcome

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31042, 23 April 1966, Page 1

Timaru’s Royal Welcome

(From Our Own Reporter) *■

TIMARU, April 22. In spite of unsettled weather, scenes of unprecedented enthusiasm greeted the first visit to Timaru by the Queen Mother today.

When the Royal aircraft landed at Timaru airport at 3.46 p.m., a 15-knot south-easterly was blowing and the cloud was down to 700 feet.

When Her Majesty arrived at the Theatre Royal for the welcome by the Mayor (Mr D. R. Dowell) there were 1060 persons in the theatre. Hundreds more were outside to listen to the relayed addresses.

The scroll of the address of welcome, read by the Mayor, was presented to the Queen Mother. In the address, printed on parchment, and surmounted by the arms of the City of Timaru in four colours, the Mayor said Her Majesty’s presence was an honour that would long be cherished. He said the Queen Mother’s inability to travel two years ago to New Zealand was deeply regretted. “We are glad that you are now restored to health.” “The spirit of the pioneers is maintained in the motto of our city, ‘palma non sine pulvere’—no reward without effort,’ ” said the Mayor. The Mayor said the area had provided its share of outstanding New Zealanders — Richard William Pearse, who made the first powered flight in New Zealand, Cecil Walkden Wood, who constructed the first motor-car made in the country, Bob Fitzsimmons, the first boxer to win three world

titles, and John Edward Lovelock, winner of the 1500 metres event at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. The Queen Mother in her reply said: “It gives me great pleasure to receive this address from the citizens of Timaru and the people of South Canterbury. “I have twice previously hoped to visit this district, and twice my hopes have been dashed. I am, therefore, all the more happy to have an opportunity today of seeing something of your famous city and its surroundings. “You may rightly feel satisfied by what has taken place in the short span since those first sailing ships arrived here from England just over 100 years ago. “South Canterbury is a district which has produced many notable New Zealanders. 1 know also that it is a fine and important farming area which plays a large part in the economic life of this country. lam looking forward to seeing your harbour, of which you can be justly nroud, and, In particular, your beautiful Caroline Bay. “On my return home, I will not fail to convey to the Queen your message of loyalty and devotion. I will tell Her Majesty, too, of my brief, but most enjoyable visit to you and of the warm and kindly welcome which I have received.

“I pray that happiness and prosperity may be with you in the years that lie ahead.”

Enthusiastic Crowd

The ceremonial drive from the airport to the theatre demonstrated the deep affection in which the Queen Mother is held. Several thousand persons were at the airport, and cars were parked bumpet to bumper. What undoubtedly gave the Queen Mother great pleasure was the sight of two Corgis, with flags in their collars, sitting proudly on a fence. From Washdyke south people stood six deep in places. When the Queen Mother left the Theatre Royal there was a cold wind, but it failed to detract from the warmth of the public’s welcome.

The Royal procession drove past soldiers and airmen, Legion of Frontiersmen, girl guides, scouts and cubs, sea scouts, school cadets, and members of the Boys’ and Girls’ Life Brigades. There was a ceaseless flutter of flags, and bursts of cheering as the convoy approached the bay hill, where groups of children swarmed across the barrier. Ships Dressed In the harbour, ships were dressed for the Royal occasion, and when the car in which the Queen Mother was travelling was abreast of the Suffolk, the cheers which rang out from the ship were taken up by the crowd on the wharf. It was starting to drizzle when the Queen Mother’s car stopped alongside the Britannia.

Her Majesty spoke to the chairman of the Timaru Harbour Board (Mr E. W. D. Unwin) and Mrs Unwin, and the secretary-manager (Mr N. de V. Lawrence) before she stepped on to the redcarpeted gangway. Smiling as only she can, Her Majesty waved to the hundreds of people pressing against the barrier on the wharf before she went below.