Japanese visit quiet

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33230, 21 May 1973, Page 1

Japanese visit quiet

The public reception accorded the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan, Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, by the public of Christchurch on Saturday was in keeping with the weather—restrained and with only occasional periods of warmth.

Apart from 200 or so wellwishers at Christchurch Airport on their arrival and departure, the public appeared indifferent to their visit.

But among the occasional members of the public to whom the Royal pair spoke there was warmth, courtesy and, at times, humour. While Crown Prince Akihito gave the impression of unbending correctness, Princess Michiko stole the limelight by her relaxed and friendly manner with public and officials alike.

Because of their interest in much of what they saw in Chistchurch the Japanese Royal couple slipped further and further behind their timetable which eventually necessitated cutting the full Town Hall tour from the itinerary and shortening by half the time set aside at their hotel after the Town Hall function.

In Christchurch, the visitors saw the Canterbury Museum and a display at the Antarctic Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, before going to the Town Hall for luncheon. The Japan Airlines blue-and-white DCB bringing the Crown Prince, his official party, and about 50 journalists, landed at Christchurch Airport 15 minutes late. A gathering of about 200 lined

the roof and floor areas waving paper Japanese flags which were handed out. The Crown Prince and Princess and their entourage, were met on the tarmac by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr N. G. Pickering) and Mrs Pickering, the Town Clerk (Mr M. B. .Hayes) and Mrs Hayes, the chairman of the Paparua County Council (Mr D. H. Warren) and Mrs Warren, the Paparua County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) and Mrs Kelly, the honorary consul of Japan in Christchurch (Mr J. Pallet) and Mrs Pallot, and the deputy airport manager (Mr R. Buchanan). Crown Prince Akihito was introduced to the waiting party by the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) who, accompanied by Mrs Kirk, flew to Christchurch in the Japanese DCB. It was Mrs Pallot’s second meeting with the Crown

-IPrince; the first being at the slQueen’s coronation in London I in 1953. I While waiting for the Japanese Royal couple to / descend from the front of the 1 aircraft, the large Japanese s press party of about 50 dis- < embarked from the rear, s Within minutes, they were at e work with what was probr ably the greatest concentras tion of expensive cameras / seen in one place in New Zeas land. 1 Crown Prince Akihito and r Princess Michiko, before getI ting into the first of six large r black limousines drawn up near the aircraft, walked s across to talk to some of the ’ flag-wavers. r The entourage attracted I little public interest on its - way into Christchurch, al- . though it appeared that the 1 bulk of the Transport Departi ment’s patrol cars and motor-

cyclists were on duty along the route. It was the same story when the Crown Prince and Prin-1 cess left their hotel for the! airport early on Saturday: evening — a fast drive in order to get aboard a Ministry of Transport V.I.P Friendship for the flight to Te Anau before darkness fell,; as there are no night-landingi facilities there.

The pictures show scenes from the visit:— Left: Princess Michiko. Middle: The Crown Prince and Princess outside the Christchurch Town Hall with the Mayoress (Mrs Pickering). Right: An explanation for the Crown Prince from the superintendent of the Antarctic Division of the D.S.I.R. (Mr R. B. Thomson).