DUKE AT CHRISTCHURCH

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 61, 14 March 1927, Page 10

DUKE AT CHRISTCHURCH

yiSIT JPO FACTORIES

(By Telegraph.)

/ (Special to ''The Evening Post.") 7. • CHRIBTCHUBCH, This Day, Profound" disappointment was felt in jphristchureh when it became known ♦bat the Duchess of York had to abandon her Southern tour, but, being Sunday, many had not heard of the change in the plan and journeyed to Lyttelton to see the Eenown come in and the puchesa land. Others who" intended making a similar journey heard the tews in time and stopped in town. Throughout yesterday -there was a ferowd in that part of the Square opposite Warner's Hotel waiting to get a 'glimpse of the Duke on his goings and pomingg, and always when he did appeal lie received a most cordial greetjlig. In the absence of the Duchess, phristohnreh has taken the Duke to its

heart and he must have been delighted With the magnificent reception. He

has several times appeared on the balkony at Warner's and waved a friendly greeting to the crowd below patiently ipaiting to see him at close quarters. .<; The Christchurch crowds have been remarkably well behaved, and the police have had no difficulty in keeping perfect order. x -"■ This morning the Duke was early Abroad, accompanied by the Mayor, in yarder to see something of the local industries in which he is taking the keenest Interest. Last night the Duke dined at the home of Captain Tahu and Mrs. •Rhodes.

_ After this morning's tour of inspecvfcioa of various factories in the city, llPifc Bqauil Bighnesa motored to the

rades of Girl Guides and.Boy Scouts. It is estimated that the crowd totalled 12,000.

Earlier in the day, Tami Horomona, the last of the full-blooded Morioris", was presented to the Duke, who thanked him for his expressions of loyalty. The scene at the Show Grounds was inspiring when the Duke arrived. In an_ instant a sea of flags appeared, the children assembled on the outskirts of a drill squad, waving them with all the exuberance of youth. The cheering which accompanied the waving of the flags rose in a crescendo. The perfectly.'disciplined drill squad remained motionless until, at a further signal, such a burst of cheering as has never before been heard in Christchureh filled the air in perfect unison. The 1600 boys and girls in the drill squad opened their throats and waved their arms, accompanying the movement with a full volume of cheers. Three distinct cheers wre given, then, af tr a momentary subsidence, the children on the outskirts maintained the crescendo. The drill squad again tok up the cheering, which continued until His Boyal Highness reached the platform. Then, for the first time, could be heard the handclapping and cheering of the public.

At the conclusion of the demonstration of physical exercises, His Highness expressed a wish to meet Mr. G. A. Webb, the physical instructor. When Mr. Webb was presented to him, he congratulated him very heartily on the display, remarking that it was beautiful and had. been a great pleasure to him.