Special visit by couple

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33230, 21 May 1973, Page 14

Special visit by couple

The Japanese Royal couple, Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko, could have been excused from thinking they were in the proposed Antarctic Hall of the Canterbury Museum when they entered the headquarters of the D.S.I.R.’s Antarctic Division in Christchurch on Saturday morning.

Three days of hard work had transformed a suite of Government offices into a mini-Antarctica, complete with snow, penguins, toboggans, a field camp, where the preparation of dinner was under way, clothing, equipment, and a wide array of literature, paintings, and photographs. Immediately on arrival the Royal couple were met by the superintendent of the division (Mr R. B. Thomson) and Mrs Thomson and escorted into a small conference room where with their official party they were shown slides compiled to show something of the history, research and natural beauty of the Antarctic.

CO-OPERATION PRAISED In his commentary Mr Thomson made special reference of the long-standing cooperation in Antarctic research which has existed be-

tween Japan and New Zealand over the last 15 years. Crown Prince Akihito also referred to this and expressed his country’s deep appreciation.

clambered on top of the filing cabinets in order to “cover” the Royal progress through the area. While Prince Akihito, accompanied by Mr Thomson, took a keen and serious interest in a display of rocks, it was the princess asking about Antarctic “housekeeping” which drew the cameras. Princess Michiko asked Mr P. Kavanagh what was in the stew he was preparing and whether it was ready to eat. She was also intrigued by the primus on which it was cooked. She then turned her attention to Mr S. Norman’s woollen cold-weather clothing and the Japanese manufactured boots used by the New Zealand expedition.

She took a lively interest too in the mounted penguins, saying that they reminded her of the nuns in the convent where she once received part of her education.

Mr Thomson said afterwards he suspected that Prince Akihito was something of a student of geology judging by the discussion. He said that the Crown Prince

Meanwhile the converted had specifically asked to visit display area was almost over- the headquarters to personrun by the 50 or so Japanese ally acknowledge the good newspapermen accompanying relations which existed bethe Royal couple who, in tween the scientists of both addition to taking consider- countries on the continent, able interest in the exhibits, Before their departure, the

Crown Prince was presented with a specially commissioned painting of Scott Base by the Christchurch artist, Mr M. Conly. When he was presented Mr Conly was told by Princess Michiko that she and her husband would always cherish the gift. Mr Conly also explained, in answer to questions by the princess, how the painting had been done in the cold conditions of Antarctica. Princess Michiko was presented with a copy of Mr Thomson’s book, “Coldest Place on Earth.” A HAPPY STUDENT

When the Royal entourage arrived at the Cambridge Terrace premises of the Antarctic division there was barely a handful of spectators.

But one was a young student from Tokyo, Mr T. Nishizawa, now at the Christchurch Technical Institute. He was about 20 yards away from the entrance but Princess Michiko, seeing him just as she was about to enter the building, beckoned him forward and introduced him to her husband. Mr Nishizawa said it had been an overwhelming experience for him.

So it had, of course, for the staff of the Antarctic division who within minutes of the Royal cavalcade moving off to the Town Hall set to the task of changing the area back into offices in readiness for the routine of Monday morning.