THE PRINCE OF WALES

Evening Star, Issue 17279, 18 February 1920, Page 7

THE PRINCE OF WALES

IN NEW ZEALAND FROM APRIL 17 TO MAY 14. IN DUNEDIN FROM MAY 10 TO MAY 15. The programme of the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to New Zealand has been definitely settled. As His Royal Highness will be only 27 days in the Dominion, there has been considerable difficulty in arranging his course of travel, and it- must be clearly understood that no proposals for the variation of the programme can now be entertained. It is hoped that the public generally throughout New Zealand will join in the desire of the Government that His Royal Highness should be treated in all respects as the guest of the Dominion, and that no undue calls should be made upon him to perform official functions. His Royal Highness has himself expressed the desire 10 see the people rather than the sights, and the Government will endeavor to meet his wishes. Requests have already been received from all parts of New Zealand that the Prince should lay foundation stones or unveil memorials. It would be impossible to find time for ceremonies of ttat nature, even during the three cr four days of his stay at the principal centres. In accordance with His Royal Highness’s express request arrangements will be made for returned soldiers to assemble at the principal places of stay, and also at.the places where it is reasonably possible for the Royal train to stop for from a quarter to half an hour. Similar arrangements will he made for the assemblages of school children. It is, however, to be noted that returned soldiers or children will he conveyed only by special trains from distances sufficiently limited to enable a return special train to reconvey them to their homes on the same day. !t is desired that the arrangements for the local reception and entertainment at each place of visit should be proposed by the local authorities and residents, though such arrangements must necessarily be submitted to and have the approval of the Government before being finally decided upon. The Government will propose to Parliament the provision of a subsidy of £ for £ ripen approved expenditure incurred by local authorities for the purpose. At all places where the Maoris arc to assemble, including Rotorua, His Royal Highness will be the guest of the Government. The Prince will arrive at Auckland on April 17, Rotorua April 20, and Wellington April 27; and the South Island dates are as follow :

May s.—Depart Picton 8.15 a.m. ; arrive Blenheim 9 a.m.; depart Blenheim 10 a.m. ; arrive Nelson 3 p.m., allowing half-hour for lunch on road.

May 4.—Depart Nelson 9 a.m. ; arrive Westport 2.30 n.m. ; depart VVestport 0.30 p.m. ; arrive Inangahua 5.50 p.m. ; arrive Reefton 6.30 p.m. ; stay overnight. _ May s.—Depart Reefton 9.15 a.m. ; arrive Greymouth 10.30 a.m. ; depart Greymouth 12 noon ; arrive Otira 2 p.m. ; depart Otira.'2.lo p.m. ; arrive Arthur’s Pass 4 p.m. ; arrive Christchurch 7.30 p.m. May 10.—Depart from Christchurch 9.30 mm. ; arrive Ashburton, spend half-hour; Timaru, spend half-hour; Oamaru, spend half-hour; arrive Dunedin.

May 15.—Depart Dunedin 9 a.m. ; Milton, stop five minutes; Balclutha. stop five minutes; Gore, stop 10 minutes ; Invercargill, arrive, say. 1 p.m., stay uHu. May 14.—T0 Lyttelton, and sail for Milford Sound and Australia.

The Kaikoura Trotting Club cannot entertain the proposal of Mr Hopkins, the president, to offer the club's totalisator permit for the Royal Meeting at Christchurch.