THE ROYAL VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1927, Page 3

THE ROYAL VISIT

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—When His Royal Highness- the Prince of Wales visited Xew. Zealand the writer was in command of the Otago Military District, and according to reports of the Prince's reception in the northern cities the arrangements for guarding the Prince and for securing his uninterrupted passage from the station to his residence were not all that could have been desired. To guard against a repetition of this in Duriedin, care was taken by the Mayor when convening the Citizens' Reception Committee to specially invite the Officer Commanding the District and the Superintendent of Police to become members of the committee.

Mr. M'Grath (the then superintendent) and I "(then 0.C.D.) were accordingly added to the committee. 'We suggested that the route whi<-* '■' would travel to his r ind that Territorial, Jt^e the route, with the r ,a intervals. We also suggested that the guard of honour be drawn up in an enclosure. These suggestions were adopted, and it was officially admitted that the arrangements were perfect. The .Prince saw everyone and everyone saw him, which would have been quite impossible had these safeguards not been taken. May I ask, through you, Sir, why similar officials were not specially invited to join the local committee in connection with the Duke of York's visit? This query also prompts nic to ask whether the essential co-operation. and support of the Commissioner of Police has been solicited.—l am, etc., • ' T. W. -M'DOSTALD.