THE ROYAL VISIT

Evening Star, Issue 17353, 15 May 1920, Page 10

THE ROYAL VISIT

CHRISTCHURCH FESTIVITIES WARRED BY THE WEATHER .' BUT ENTHUSIASM NOT DAMPED. [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, May 14. " Prince's weather," that marked the Royal tour ever since Rotorua was- left, broKe to-day. The morning was wet and drizzly, but tho -'afternoon saw the sun making feeble % efforts to break into smiles as the Prince Walked from the Christchurch Club to Latimer square, where a j . formal presentation of am address from the . citizens was made . by the Mayor. Many • thousands of people were present, and .- heartily cheered the Prince's coming.and going. A feature of this function was '• the presence of members of the Christchurch Cambrian Society, the women being dressed in their quaint Welsh national garb. Mrs Hudson made the presentation, „ 'and ' God Bless the Prince of Wales' was then sung in English and Celtic. His .. Royal Highness, in acknowledging the ad- ; dress, said he was always glad- to meet ■ Welshmen anywhere, in the Empire. -.: Addresses were also presented from the •Lyttelton Harbor Board, Returned Sol•diers' Association, the Methodist Church, and the British Israel Association. FREEDOM OF THE CITY. At the conclusion of this ceremony the Freedom of the City of Christchurch was conferred upon the Prince by virtue of a "document handed bv the Mayor (Dr /,-Thacker). This is the first case of the ' freedom of a city being conferred on anyone in Christchurch, or, indeed, in New '. Zealand, and it was decided upon at a •meeting of city councillors while waiting "for the Prince's arrival on the railway ..station last evening. It is not clear .whether the idea can .be given proper " effect without special legislation, but that "phase of the matter will be inquired into . later. In the meantime the idea, which _,< originated with the Citizens' Association. has been carried out. and His Royal Highness is enrolled as the first honorary freejnan of the city of Christchurch—a unique "" distinction for both city and man. THE MILITARY REVIEW. After the Latimer square function the •Prince drove to Hagk-y Park, the -route being lined by thousands, and thousands more stood on all sides of_ tho parade ground in the park. The inspection of veterans and Territorials took some time, and the Prince's frequent stoppages to speak to: men wearing special ribbons or to wounded men earned His Royal Highness frequent cheers and applause. The troops mads a fine display, and a large number of returned soldiers and nurses filed past the Prince. The drone of an aeroplane overhead added a touch to th? scene reminiscent in many ears of dreadful days not long past, when such sounds meant much to the auditors. Rain kept riff, but the ground was damp underfoot, and a chill southerly wind made things uncomfortable. The streets are brilliantly illuminated again to-night, and are packed with sightseers. THE BALL. To-night the Prince attended the citizens' ball given in his honor in the Drill Hall. Cache! street. Great crowdwatched his progress to the hall, and inside the scene was one of splendor, the decoration being carried out on a lavish scale," and the bright dresses of the ladies, made up with the naval and military uniforms and the sober civilian evening apparel, a charming kaleidoscope of life and color. To-morrow evening a second ball will be given, the Navy League and the Returned Soldiers' Association being the joint hosts. The Prince is expected to attend thi3. In the afternoon he will be the guest of the Canterbury Jockey Club at a special meeting at Riccarton. • SOMETHING LIKE A CRUSH. THE PRINCE'S HEROISM. [SPECIAL TO THK ' STAH.'} CHRISTCHURCH, May 14. Over 3.000 people were present at the citizens' ball. The King Edward Barracks building was badly over-crowded The bulk of "the guests appeared withir the hour of the time set down for th; arrival of the Prince—that is, between i and 9 p.m. It was then that tho single en trance scheme failed dismally. Hundred: and hundreds of ticket-holders surgec round the iron gate, which every now am then would open a few inches to allow an other small batch to enter. MeanwhiL myriads of taxis and cars were discharg ing their passengers on the Toadway t< swell the further struggling throng through which the tasis themselves had t< plough their way to reach calmer water at Cambridge terrace. Nor were th people's troubles over once they got inside . for the great ball room was more thai swamped by the immense multitud present. Everything was grossly over taxed, and the people had to squirm au< screw to get anywhere in the buildino Tt was announced that the Prince wouh shake hands with all present if they won! pass in orderly procession before him The notion of shaking hands with tha

vast assembly was appalling, but the Prince set to work like a hero. The guest.; ■ filed before him rapidly, but he never j missed one, and was keenly observant of each individual. Frequently he stopped . to. say a word or two to a bemedalled soldier. The progress of shaking hands lasted "well over an hour, but the Prince gave no impression that the task to him was dreary. Quite the contrary, for the ' Prince throughout maintained marvellous | freshness and geniality. Each and every j recipient of the Royal hand-shake received also an impression that the pleasure was • mutual The Prince stayed till midnight and enjoyed himself. THE OFFICIAL SET. The official eet at.the ball to-night was j constituted as follows: —The Prince and ! Mrs Thacker ■ (the Mayoress), Admiral' Halsey, and Lady Heaton Rhodes, Captain . Taylor and Mts Boyle, Colonel ~R, A. Chaffy and Mrs Tahii Rhodes, Mr Jamason and Mrs . A. Williams, Captain Tahu Bhodes and Miss Clifford, Colonel W. M. Grigg and Mrs W. S. Bean, Sir William ' FraseT and Mrs H. li. Smith (wife of the town clerk). ' «WE WANT THE PRINCE," .; [Special to the ' Star.'] CHEISTCHUKCH, May 14 Jit tho entrance to the Christehurch Cia'o, where the Prince is residing, last night the crowd were particularly dense. With difficulty, deapite the efforts of ; many stalwart constables to clear a way, the'* car drew up to the canopied entrance. Many did ><£ see the Prince at this stage, and once he ~"i£>i disappeared into the building through the cheering came per-1 eistent cries of "We want the Prince,' we want to see the Prince." For a few minutes the uproar continued. The Prince, smoking a cigarette, appeared at a window, then the clamor increased to a full-throated rear. Cigarette in hand, the Prince leaned out of the window, acknowledging the plaudits with his hat. For several minutes the Prince remained in this position, and, despite the enthusiasm below, his quiet and modest demeanor did not. change. Just an extra short wave of.his hat, and he withdrew, leaving the impression that his acknowledgment was the more sincere because it was lacking in any suggestion of tho theatrical. THE CIVIC RECEPTION. A great concourse'of people greeted the Prince with, a bearty cheer as be walked to the dais in Latimer square this afteraoon for tbe civic reception. The threatening .> weather, -which.- broke'into" a light drizzle just before the ceremony, kept the *olor scleme drab, and many an urni brella. went" wp during the--wait for the f-Jftgasir J?S&' itt'are.

expectancy about the great crowd which nothing could damp. The centre of the dais was covered with a light structure to keep tiie rain off tho Prince, and the table was draped in red, white, and blue. Members of the City Council, members of ParhamerJt, and others occupied, seats* on the right of the Prince, together with Other civic officials. On the left side were members of the Crown and other invited guests, including those who were to prosent addresses of welcome. Old colonists from the fir?t four ships, some 30 in number, occupied seals just below the Roval box, and a nice touch of color was lent by tho Welsh-costumed Indies of the Cambrian Society, who were .seated to tho Prince's left on forms placed on the grass. Other invited guests bid seats on Ion? forms fronting the dais, and behind them the huge crowd stretched right across the road behind. It was estimated that there were up to 10.COO persons piesent, and the number wuld have- been vastly larger if there had not been the ronhter attraction of li.e review at Hagley Park. ,T1 T.- IPTMAN f i mid n to tl i Pimie hi-, trni " tl " 1 let dun << tho Cit tl! - ti i iMd \<u RoW Iligh 11 it' fii l unn i U t! c c t in i r nl ird Ihj pi. th"t \c m in t tl i t amot on • i i ' t 1 i\e with heh it s on i t> ( ii i •> u. '! men t' iAI or «i d I' <' <. ccrle-l tl con 11 i i o l l 1 L!S t 1 tl ( i ( T m \ mi 1 eh.( la'h it -it'i \h 1 hj e lav < ■• > i" , in with in d t'l ti i i i 11- V i e <Ur - nitii £ ii ii p d iin Jit ci n 1 vnlke 1 s i '\ lil tl |i i i ]i - -r '(in r t 1i i < n i » n Jo ijixi " ' n tin ji iii to ied hj r i •ii i 1 11 il \ 'd totiM.' ho uoil the A PIGTIT IIOVAL WELCOME. The _ Prince's drive through the streets this a-lieni..-o:t was a series of demonstrative !• yal -'.\tic,me.--. Tpou.-ands of spectator? ::\ the streets, at windows, and other vantage points cheered as the Roynl v;«itor. standing in his motor car so that ail who so desired could get a good look at !■•!!!. passed from Latimer souare to Ph'.r'.oy Park. The Prince was ohviousiv m'p.c.-sed with bis great reception, and lie sfuutcd continuously. The alter comment.* of the spectators proved that the Prince would return tho hj ,'.d',,f the affection of those who went to admire. Outside the Caldeonian Hall Highlander.; and kited lassies were assembled, and a. littie girl presorted the Prince with a sprig of helthea.

The scenes in Armagh street, where about 10.000 school children were assembled, were unusually stirring, and despite the uncertain weather, the children made the most of the occasion, cheering the passing soldiers first, waving flags, and yelling hurrahs on the slightest provocation. The front rows of"whits dressed girls added charm to the scene, and when the Prince passed through the noise was deafening. ON THE WAY TO THE BALL.

To-night the Prince pissed from the club to the Kir.c Edward Barracks to attend the citizens' baU. and H.R.H again received a wonderful ovation from tho great crowds in the streets as he passed. The Prince was seen standing with a cigar in his mouth, and his hat in his hand, which he continually waved in response to the storm of cheering. Alighting from the car he passed quickly into the barrack, just after 9 o'clock, and a little later the strains of the National Anthem, followed "by a roar of cheers, announced to the huge crowd congregated outside the building that the Prince had entered the ball room to participate* in the festivities of the evening. A 7 HAGLEY PARK, AN IMPOSING- CEREMONY. THE GRACE OF THE PRINCE. [Special to the ' Star. '] CKRISTCHURCII, Mav_l4. The military review held at liagiey Park this afternoon was probably the most imposing seen in Christchnrch since the day when His Majesty the King (then the Duke of Cornwall and York) reviewed J 8.000 troops, and the Prince at yesterday's function stood almost upon the same spot as did his parent. 19 years ago. The weather was .sombre, but the rain held ! off. Now and again a fitful gleam of : wieter sun would light up the landscape, j which provided a beautiful setting of I autumn tints. A loyal populace was preI sent in its thousands. It would be almost I impossible to say. how many there were, but the attendance must have been a record. Overhead an aeroplane dived from out of the low-lying cloads and whirled round and round, and provided exciting stunts. THE PRINCE ARRIYES. Distant cheering, growing gradurdly ' louder, heralded the arrival of the Prince, and Dunctually to time, attended by Admiral Halsey and other members of his • 'all', he arrived at the saluting post, while the air was rent with the cheers of the ;.'/iihered thousands. In front of him were A OCO troops drawn up in mass formation, conspicuous among them being the contingent of war nurses, W.A.A.C.s, and : W.R.E.N.S., and other war workers. ; Wearing his uniform of Colonel-in-chief of 1 the Welsh Guards. His Royal Highness : inspected the troops, who were under the . command of Colonel G. J. Smith. j WAR-WORN SOLDIERS.

Afterwards His Royal Highness shook nands with three or four carloads of disabled soldiers, arid followed this by inspecting the disabled soldiers and" the veterans drawn up near tho base. The Prince then returned to the saluting post, fid the returned soldiers iihd past him. He shook hands with every one, and he conversed with several. Ho used his hit hand throughout, and one could not but ■understand the sev;re strain which this handshaking ordeal must subject him to. for he was shaking hands for exactly 45 minutes with about 1,750 peoplo First came the women war workers, and then the officers and men of the X.Z.E.F. It _ was a most severe ordeal for the Prince. The stated parade of th-3 returned soldiers was 150 officers and 1,-''-C0 men ; hut after the roll had been called at Crai.mer square, where they fell in, from ISO to 200 more men joined in. It seemed that the returned men—most of them were in mufti—would never stop i filing past the Royal dais, and towards the conclusion tho men shook hands with the Prince at the rate of about 30 to the minute.

" How in the deuce did he get there?" was a loud question asked as a man (who surely had reached three-score years) was seen to approach the tainting base in the returned soldiers' procession. " He will get a chat/' replied another voice to the questioning one, and sure enough he did, and he stepped off the dais wearing j a broad and proud smile ; but the ques- | tion was never answered. I There was one incident in the returned ! soldiers' handshaking which was. not ac- ! cording to programme or good behavior, i A uniformed returned soldier who had evidently been taking too many libations ] earlier in the day, started just as he was a few yards- off the Royal base to sing "He's a jolly good fellow." A Returned Soldiers' Association official called tho boisterous one out of the line, and then an argument started. The official had a great regard for decorum, and the Towdy ex-soldier had a lot of time for his "Digger" Prince, and he was going to shake hands with him. This he proclaimed vociferously, and he energetically unloosed his coat. Things mis-lit have i happened, but Colonel Pmith strolled along, I and his smile and gentle persuasion caused the soldier to again take bis place in the line. The Royal handshake was given with the accompaniment of the Prince's smile, and when the critical moment had pa.<v=erl without any untoward expressions of loyalty His Highness smiled again. , THE PRINCE'S SYMPATHY. One observer at the military review remarked : "Tho Prince speaks to about •very tenth man." He was not as observant as the Prince. It was mostly those maimed o? with war; scars en them that

His Highness stopped in tho long procession to exchange a few words. When passing through the Territorial and Cadet ranks ho also frequently paused to exchange a few words with the fortunate ones whom his eyes rested on or who arrested his observation. A GREAT CROWD. There wore about 2,000 cars packed in North Hagley Park during the review. A man who has seen largo gatherings at the Crystal Palace. England, and elsewhere estimated that tho attendance of the public in the park alone numbered between 25,000 and 26.CC0. "A LITTLE TOUCH OF KINDNESS." (Special io the 'Star.'] CHRISTCIIURCH. May 14. Such is the favorably impression created by the Prince of Wales in Christchurch that people to-day lingered to see him as •often as possible. Their feelings were well expressed bv one ladv, who was standing l i the citud out lie th» Chris'curch Club t'is moiiimg Vi "L tnnn asked her if ho had seen the Pun o on his arrival the pi \iois<\ nine; On \n " she replied. P> it I < an t --co enough ot hi n."

One of those little kindly touches which r i tic inn_, *ho P it e t> thousands in J hi c ) ii\ ( u r 'it tne _ieat military ie\ie\ Vs,ft in on V little bugler, a 1 <l ibotit 13 v us wis "stiturned at tho sili f n_, post lid dt th co chsion of the p~ ■• ii*-i->n of tl o ada ts« to the Prince mlh Retimed S>l nets' Vssociation he 1 d out his orders, and commenced blast upon his bugle. At the fame ninm nt the im 'p v s p die 1 a.way from i smo 'a fir t> Pino \ s just about t)PH to tl » dd *s o* the R.S.A. 'Hie ' lf k ' ujcr Ino'rd d iceited, for the i i 'it s nine hi „H lauphed but the lad s anin qui l c j. in, agun foi the Prince 1 n It i mil ip to hm pi ted him on the shoulder, and conversed with him for quite a couple of minutes.

Th-" pilot train which preceded the Royal train from Arthur's Pass on Thurndav found that one of the Tailway patrolnunt on the line near Darfield had lieen overcome by influenza. He was lyim: beside- the track in a very low condition. The train picked the man up, and brought him to Christchurch, where he was admitted to hospital. Paring Thursday night and yesterday

was a i'.eavv 'swell inside the Lyttelton Harbor. Additional hawsers had t'> he applied to H.M.S. E-enown to secure her •'{■ her berth at No. 6 wharf. A number of the crew were engaged all morning keening the fenders in position -when the cruiser snggrcd ncainst the wharf, many of trie fenders being crushed to mateh-

NAVY LEAGUE'S WELCOME. It was decided to send the following letter to H.E.H. the Prince of Wale? : ""

Colonel Griggs, Secretary to H.KH. the Prince of Wales. Sir, —The executive of the Ota go branch of the Navy League desire through you to extend to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales a very cordial welcome to the Dominion and particularly to the province of Otago.

We are especially delighted to wei- I come him in our midst, not oniv because His Royal Highness spent hi? earlier years in the atmosphere and training of the Imperial Navy, but also because his Royal father before him was pleased to serve and command in the British Navy, in the growth a.nd "well-being of which lie has ever since taken such a keen and absorbing interest. Although His P.oval Highness served his Empire with distinction on land in the great war which is now happily at an end, we are proud to know that he has thus served in both, services, and that his interest, in tho senior service continues undiminished, one visible proof of this being th.it His Eoyal Highness j is visiting the different parts of his far- j flung Empire in fine-'of the most- powerful units of the Great Imperial Navy. Since its inception, the Ota go branch of the Navy League has constantly striven to keep before the people of this land, and especially before the younger generation, the noble traditions and principles r>£ our glorious Navy, and thus to fit them for being worthy citizens of the great Empire, as the. future head of which wo,are so proud to own His Royal Richness. May we here say how disappointed we are that circumstances over which we have no control havo robbed us of the chance of paying some, little a* tent ion to the officers and.crew of his gallant ship, 11.M.5. Renown. We wish His Royal Highness every success and haopir.css on his tour of this and other lands, and we should be glad if you would convey to him the assurance of our heartfelt loyalty. OYERSEAS CLUB DANCE. Intimation was received by tho Mayor yesterday afternoon from Sir William Eraser (Minister in Charge of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales's visit) that His Royal Highness will be pleased to attend the Overseas Club dance in the Art Gallery on tho evening of the 19th. ACCOMPANYING THE PRINCE. Sir William Eraser (Minister of Internal Affairs), who is responsible for the arrangement's of the" Royal tour, will arrive in Dunedin along with the Prince. Major-general Robin, Major-general C-haytor, Brigadier-general Richardson, and Brigadier-general M'Gavin are also coming to Dunedin, as well as Colrnel Sleeman and Captain Tahu Rhodes. Among the oilicials of the Public Service who are accompanying the Prince are Mr J. Hislop (Under-Secretary, Department, of Internal Affairs), Commissioned O'Donovan (Police Department), Messrs E. W. M'Villy, F. W: Mac Lean, E. E. Gillon, and Grant (Railway Department). Mr (Postal Department). The following journalists are accompanying the Prince on his tour:—MiKeith Murdoch (representing ' The Times' and the Sydney 'Sun'), Mr'Everard Cotes (representing Renter's Agency), Mr Victor Marsden (representing" the 'Morning Post'), and Mr John Sandea (representiihthe Australian Press Association). Among the other visitors are Captain Barker (from H.M.S. Renown), Mr Brook* (photographer), and the Hon. E. P. Lee (Minister of Justice'!.