WELCOME AT ROTORUA

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 15

WELCOME AT ROTORUA

THE DUCHESS'S TKIUMPH

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

ROTOBUA, 27th February.

Eotorua gave this Duke and Duchess of York an ■ enthusiastic • reception. Notwithstanding. - the , lowering rain clouds, all the space adjacent to the station was filled by the townspeople, the Maoris occupying the front of the pictured- ? ■ Leading meiij -with their ivives, were presented to Their Royal Highnesses by the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates), and Sir Maui Pomare introduced the Native ciiicfs. An adjournment was made to the street outside the station, where the. Maoris, in mats, some carrying spears or meres, gave a characteristic welcome and a haka. The warriors' dance and chant of welcome, oven though executed by men in European dress,, with only a Maori mat to lend the natural note, were very realistic, even to the minds of those who have seen such things in past days under truly aboriginal conditions. On behalf of the Arawa tribe, Chief Meta expressed, in a few words, the honour they Jolt in the visit of the King's son and his consort to their country. An address from the people of the town and district was read by the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Clinkard), the Duke handing him a written reply expressing the pleasure he and the Duchess felt at visiting a place so full of interesting natural wonders. A drive to the Grand Hotel, where

their Royal Highnesses are staying, was another triumph for ''the little Duchess," whose smile won He., way into the hearts of the Natives, as it has all along captivated the pakeha. The arrival of the Royal couple at the theatre at night was the signal for a wonderful outburst of aprlause and cries of welcome in two languages, until the orchestra, composed wholly of Maoris, played the first bars of the National Anthem. Their Royal Highnesses watched each tabloid sample from Monday's programme with evident relish, while the singing gave them an agreeably pleasant surprise. At the close of the entertainment the Hon. A. T. Ngata, M.P.,: explained that what had been done that night was indicative of the musical progress made by the Maoris since the earliest days of the white man's colonisation of New Zealand. First there was the Jew's harp, then came the accordian, and today they had a full-blown orchestra, not forgetting a ukulele trom Hawaii. /Before the Royal party left, the little daughter of Mr. Tai Mitchell, the leadj ing Arawa. man, came forward and prei sented a beautiful bouquet to the I Duchess, who also accepted a tipare, or head-band, made from finely-dressed harakeke fibre, dyed with colours obtained, from New Zealand. As a tiny tot, at the prompting of. attendant elders, detached this from her own head -and handed it to the Duchess, the enthusiasm of the audience mounted to its zenith. The Duchess spoke a few kindly words to the little girl, who bowed herself out of the Royal presence amidst more delighted acclamation. '.-;'. .;-"'. . ■:> , Rain beat down incessantly all night and early this morning, recalling the weather 1 experienced in ,the bay of -Islands. It may ;be mentioned that' neither of the Royal Visitors landed afr Russell, which was rather a pity, as the locality-holds so much of interest connected with the early days of colonisation.' -•'•■• ' ■ ■