AN INTERESTING DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1935, Page 10

AN INTERESTING DAY

SIGHTS IN FAR NORTH SETTLERS GATHER IN FORCE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) EUSSELL, January 27. Watching every phase with the closest interest, the Duke of Gloucester, hatless; and wearing a shortsleeved, open neck shirt, spent several pleasurable hours on Saturday afternoon viewing and photographing treefelling and log-hauling operations in the hinterland between Opononi and Kerekeri. Normally a placo of isolation, Omahuta Bush yesterday resembled a thriving village, so groat was the attendance of settlers, fully 1500 of whom were present to see the Koyal visitor and express good will to him through their lusty cheering. . > The presence of spectators, howeiver, did not vitiate the informality of the Duke's • outing, his Eoyal Highness and party moving as freely through the bush as though they were ordinary tourists. A Royal salute from ii siren greeted' the Duke's appearance at the forest clearing where a kahikatea log containing 1350 superficial feet of timber had. been hauled with difficulty from the bush. In. a different part of the reserve, where 50 children holding ferns provided a fronded arch for him, his Eoyal Highness' saw the mighty kahikatea slowly topple into the gully with a groan and a roar that conjured up visions of a verbal; contest of prehistoric monsters. . The Duke tramped, three-quarters of a mile into the bush along a bullock track to see and photograph various phases of the working of bullock teams. His camera,was again in action when with the forest and cheering settlera left behind ; j?rince Henry, who was again driving his. car, pulled, up at the Mangamuka Eiver Bridge to see a log dumped into the river and hit the water "with a tremendous force, sending 'vast showers of spray skyward. He arrived at Kerikeri late in the afternoon, via Okaihau and Eangiahua, ana had a high,tea on the lafwn at the home of Mr. E. A. Little, and inspected a citrus plantation. Later he visited the Kerikeri residence of Captain B. Edkins. ''..■.'■■.. " i Paihia was reached at 8.30 p.m. and his Eoyal Highness embarked on H.M.A;S. Australia -half an hour later. Guests at:dinner or. the Australia were Lord Bledisloe, Lady Bledisloe, and the Et. Hon. J. G. Coates. ■ Today the Duke of Gloucester became the guest of Lord Bledisloe, who, with Lady Bledisloe, arrived at Eussell on the Matai yesterday. SERVICE AT WILLIAMS MEMORIAL CHURCH. His Eoyal Highness, in company with their Excellencies, Mr. Coates, and Sir Alexander Young, attended Divine service at the Williams Memorial Church .at Paihia.' Large crowds on the wharf watched the arrival of the Eoyal barge and the viceregal launch, and formed an' unofficial procession behind the visitors as they walked a quarter of a. mile'to the church. Although the church was filled to capacity, the size of the congregation was eclipsed by that of the worshippers who remained outside and who, through the wide,' open windows, followed the service singing the hymns and joining in the prayers. They participated also in the offertory. The sermon was preached by Archbishop A. W. Averill, Primate of New Zealand,-who said the duty of all to the uncertain future was to remember God, who had given a vision of Empire, which must never be allowed to fade. It was a vision, said his Grace, which embraced the pursuit of justice, righteousness, and the fear of God. So long: as we realised the real strength of the Empire was the character of its people, and so long as the Empire was served in Church, ana State by men of the highest character and ideals, we might believe the golden age of the Empire was yet to come.Prince Henry, had luncheon on the Matai with their Excellencies. Other guests were: Archbishop and Mrs. Averill, Mr. and Mrs. Coates, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Eeed..