THE ARRIVAL

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 55, 7 March 1927, Page 5

THE ARRIVAL

BRIEF BUT HAPPY WELCOME

A HANDSHAKE FOR WELLINGTON

..The arrival of the Koyal pair at Lanibton Station and the formal reception on-the platform by the Mayor and burgesses :before the visitors entered the I, city portals was simplicity itself and

impressive to the few who witnessed it for its absolute formality.

The general public had been excluded from the station platform, which was deserted save for the few civic authorities and other officials who had taken up their position in readiness for the arrival of the train more than half an hour before the scheduled time for its arrival. The narrow platform had been ■profusely decorated with flags and native fern, arid from the point at which the platform of the Eoyal carriage was to draw up a. carpeted exit had been prepared through the station building, under a gaily-coloured bower of flags and bunting in which the Boyal colours were paramount. Prom the exit door to the edge of the footpath a covered way had been formed'by the liberal use of flags and bunting.

Twelve minutes before the appointed time for the arrival the pilot train drew in, and the small company assembled on the platform was reinforced by a party of police and other entourage officials.

Punctually at 5.24 p.m. the big engine of the special train prepared for the North Island tour, the Eoyal coat of arms emblazoned on its front, appeared at the curve in the main line at the northern end of the platform, and slow ly and quietly steamed past the waiting group until the Eoyal carriage, the last in the train, was abreast of the exit, where it stopped.

FRESH AFTER A HARD BAY,

A pause of; half a minute, and \b. Duke of York, dressed in a grey travc! ling suit and bare-headed, stepped from the ear. He was closely followed liy the Duchess, a radiant figure all in blue. Their Eoyal Highnesses advanced smilingly—the Duke of York with outstretched hand—to acknowledge the brief words of welcome'addressed to them by the Mayor, a simple message on behalf o^ the city autii ority—"May I ask Your Royal High nesses to accept a sincere , and warm welcome to Wellington." Mr. Norwood then presented to the Eoyal visi tors the Mayoress, the Town Clerk (Mr. E. P. Norman), and Councillors the Hon. E. A. Wright, J. Aston, H. I). Bennett, M. P. Luekic, G. A. Troup; JY W. Meadowcroft, W. H. Bennett, B:~ G. H. Burn, H. A. Huggins, J. Burns, and ,F. W. Manton. The little ceremony was conducted calmly and quietly.

The unaffected ease and engaging personality of : the young Duke, and the instant appeal and delightful womanliness of ithe Duchess, which have so captivated those who have seen the Royal

pair throughout the North, were apparent as these official courtesies were being exchanged. The Duke, who appeared sun-tanned as a result of tlio long sea voyage through the tropics and his outdoor life generally since his arrival in the. Dominion, had a pleasant smile and a firm handshake, in which heartiness was obviously felt as well as manifested, for each member of the civic party. The face of. the Duchess as the Mayor spoke his few well-chosen words of welcomo was a study that revealed at once the charming personality of which so much.has been written, and for which she has become fanied in England. Despite the arduous day's travelling Their Boyal Highnesses had left Napier at 8 a.m. and had already been accorded public receptions at several towns along the lino—she appeared perfectly fresh, and showed no signs of the Weariness that a long day in a railway carriage and several official functions .naturally entail. Bright eyes, radiated amiability and" sincerity, instantly bespeaking the genuineness and openness

of her nature, and a faiut but more expressive smile lit up her features as with her, head upturned and slightly inclined she received the Mayor's greeting and acknowledged the bows of the councillors. . This first glimpse sufficed to convince the onlookers that the reports of the Duchess's beauty and charm that have preceded her have not erred on the side of flattery or by exaggeration, and one-recalled the remark of the King when he learned of the betrothal of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon to his second son that he had met no more charming' girl in England. It is a fact that none of the camera studies which have been published adequately portrays the prettiness and winning personality of this Royal lady. She compels admiration.

The formalities at the railway station occupied less than four minutes. The Royal visitors, attended by the Earl and Countess.of Cavan and the other members of the. suite, including Sir E. Heaton Rhodes, as representative of the

Government, then followed the carpeted way to the station .exit, and there had their first meeting, at the distance measured, by the roped.and cordoned enclos-ure,-with the people of Wellington.