GLORIOUS SUNSHINE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1927, Page 10

GLORIOUS SUNSHINE

MANAWATU'S ROYAL WEATHER.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

PALMERSTON N., This Day. In glorious sunshine, a typical autumn day, the Duke and Duchess of York left their hotel this morning at 9 o'clock to receive a w.lcome from the people of Manawatu, with Palmerston North as its capital. Long before the Eoyal party appeared 5000 school children had been drawn up in the Square, as well as the Boy Scouts from all over the district, Girl Guides, Flock House boys, Girls' High School and Technical School pupils, and Cadets. The guard of honour was supplied by tho 7th Battery of the New Zealand Artillery. The Duke commented on the fine physical appearance of the school children, stating that he had been very impressed, with tho school children of tho country.

Amidst tlie spontaneous outburst of cheering, the party then proceeded to the dais in the centre of tho Square, where an address of welcome was read on behalf of the municipality and the Kairanga County Council. An address of welcome from the Scottish Society of Palmerston North was also presented, as well as a sprig of heather plucked by its president from the banks of Loch Lomond. Mr. James Vmmg 1, the pioneer settler who presented a stockwhip to the Prince of Wales in 1920, gave a greenstone tomahawk to the Duke. Following the Duke's acknowledgment of the welcome, the Royai party entered their ear and drove around the Square through the throng of cheering people to tho railway station, whence the Eoyal train departed for Hawkes Bay.