THE ROYAL VISIT

Evening Star, Issue 17312, 27 March 1920, Page 2

THE ROYAL VISIT

LOCAL PROGRAMME ARRANGED. The Reception Executive making arrangements in connection with the visit of the Prince of Wales met yesterday, tho Mayor (Mr W. Bogg) presiding. Ihe following programme, which covers the whole period of His Royal Highness's visit, from arrival at 5.52 p.m. on Monday, May 17, to departure on Thursday, May 20, at 9 a.m., was adopted, copies to be forwarded to each local body and organisation concerned: FIRST DAY-*IAY 17. The Mayor and councillors to meet his Royaj Highness on arrival at the railway station; His Royal Highness to inspect guard of honor at station; the Mavor to drive with His Royal Highness to Fernhill Club and leave the Prince there. . SECOND DAY—MAY 18.' Leaving club at 1.45 p.m., His Royal Highness will drive through the streets" to the Town Hall, where a civic reception wiil be held in the open in front of the hall. A guard of honor to be in front of the platform and to "present amis " on s arrival of His Royal Highness. Band to play National Anthem. His Worship the Mayor to read citizens' address of welcome. All other addresses to be handed in unread. His Royal Highness to read hia reply. His Royal Highness to inspect guard. _ It is estimated that 55 to 40 niin-. utes will be occupied in this portion of the proceedings, taking to, say, 2.25. His Royal Highness then to drive to Dunedin Hospital, total time taken, say, 30 minutes, taking to 2.55 p.nv. At 2.55 p.m. His Royal Highness will leave for Port Chalmers, allowing 30 minutes to reach the Port, 50 minutes there, and 40 minutes for the return journey, including a break of, say, 10 minutes at West Harbor on the way baok. His Royal Highness will reach the club at, sav, 5 p.m., or at tho latest 5.30 p.m., which would allow half an for possible delays. Public reception in Drill Hall at 8 p.m. The proposal in respect to this function is that a few musical items should- be rendered by the Peace Choir and other musical societies of the community. The Mayor will preside, and say a few words by way of welcome to the Prince. THIRD DAY—MAY 19.

11 a.m. : His Royal Highness to leave club and proceed to Carisbrook Cricket Ground, where school children's gathering will be held. Total time estimated 1 hour to 1-i hours, His Royal Highness returning to club at, say, 12.30 p.m. at latest. Relative to this suggestion the executive have been obliged to suggest this hour to enable the country children an opportunity of being conveyed back to their homes before dark in the evening, otherwise they would have attempted to leave the forenoon entirely free. 2.30 p.m.: Military review at Forbury Park, lasting probably one hour. A football match will be arranged for the Carisbrook Ground, at which His Royal Highness could call on his way back to the club, and spend 15 to 20 minutes. 8 p.m.: "Returned Soldiers' Night" at Drill Hall. This function will take the form of a presentation of address by the returned soldiers, with reply by His Royal Highness, together with a few musical items. A place of prominence in the gathering will be given to veterans who nave eeen service in previous wars, and also to the 'parents of the brave lads who made the supreme sacrifice in the recent Great War. SCHOOLS' DEMONSTRATION. The Schools' Demonstration Committee reported that it was resolved to recommend the executive that the former time suggested—viz., 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.—be adhered to in connection with the school children's demonstration. The information to the committee had led them to, believe that It would be quite impossible to have the country school children (estimated at over 1,000) to arrive in Dunedin from the various districts in time to commence at 11 a.m. as suggested. Application had been made to the O.R.F.U. for the use of Carisbrook Ground for Wednesday, May 19. The committee requested the executive to supply two brass bands for the demonstration. Steps were being taken to obtain a detailed list of the number of children from each school taking part, together with the number of teachers and members of committee. When that information was available it wydd be reported to the executive. Cr Clark said the Children's DemonI stration Committee regarded the morning 1 as a most unsuitable time for the chili drori's demonstration. If the time which hac! now been recommended and approved (11 a.m.) was impossible ho would arrange for the Schools' Demonstration Committee to wait on the executive as a deputation to discuss the whole matter afresh. The Schools' Demonstration Committee will meet on Monday to consider the practicability of the executive proposal.

DR THACKER WANTS TO KNOW. [Special to the 'Star.'] OHPJSTCBURCH, Marclf 27. It the Mayors of Auckland and Wellington are invited to attend the Maori reception to the Prince of Wales at Rotorua. a.nd no invitation is extended to the Mayor of Christ-church. (Br Thaclier, M.P.), "there is going to be a row. A warning of that was given to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Sir Francis Bell) bv Dr Thacker yesterday. At the conclusion of the Ministers business with a Christ-church City Council deputation the Mayor asked if there was to be an official parliamentary reception to the Prince in Wellington. "Yes," replied Sir Francis 8011, "in Wellington, and you will get your invitation." "I wondered." said Dr Thaekor, " because I haven't received an invitation yet, nor one for the Native reception at P.otorua." The Minister explained/that the accommodation at Rotonia would bo filled to overflowing with the Natives and the Prince's staff. The only Dominion guests would be Sir Joseph and Lady Ward. Sir James and Ladv Carroll, nnd the Hon. and Mrs W. D." S. Mac Donald. "What about the Mayors of the largecities?" suggested Dr Thncker. "They will not be there," was the reply. "We cannot possibly invite more, for we could not put them up. We have even had to refuse some of our own staff and generals."