PRESENT KING’S TOUR

Evening Star, Issue 21904, 15 December 1934, Page 10

PRESENT KING’S TOUR

THEN THE DUKE DF YORK DELAYED ACCEPTANCE OF INVITATIONS MANY HONOURS CONFERRED For several years after their inarriage the present King and Queen,* who were then the Duke and Duchess of York, came but little before the public. There was no call for them to do so. Victoria was on the throne, mindful of position, jealous of any abridgment of her responsibilities, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were always at hand effectively to represent her when occasion arose. So the “ Yorks ” lived quietly at York Cottage, pleasantly occupied with domestic interests. This interlude formed a fitting preparation for the stormy public life that awaited them. They were learning how to rule when the time came. The death of Queen Victoria, on January ‘22, 1901, and the accession of Edward VII. served as their imperative call to action. An important mission was given then to visit the British dominions, it was a duty of high Imperial significance. INVITATIONS TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND. The project of such a Royal tour had been broached as early as 1898, when, a few months after their marriage, the Duke and Duchess were invited to honour with their presence these portions of the Empire. On the. occasion of Queen Victoria’s diamond, jubilee in 1897 the invitation was renewed by theNew Zealand Government ‘‘in fitting, recognition of the hospitality of the British natoin, and as evidence of our attachment to the throne and to the Royal Family.” It was not, however, practicable- for the Royalties to make the journey at that period! In 190 U, when the consummation of Australia’s federation marked a new development in the history of those States and the enthusiasm with which tho colonies had sent the flower of their manhood to assist the Mother Country in the South African struggle seemed to merit some return, the proposal was revived with stronger force. The consent’ of Queen Victoria was obtained, and'in September .of 1900 the tour was practically planned. The details, ffT progress' when Queen Victoria died, were suspended, and it was at first- thought that the tour would have to be ;abandoned, but King Edward ruled that his mother’s wish was paramount and should, be given effect to, also that the trip should be extended to'New Zealand and Canada. Carrying out those: instructions, 'the Duke and Duchess bade, farewell to their children "and sailed- in'the Ophir from Portsmouth on March IC, -1901. The chartered steamer, accompanied by two cruisers, went by way of Gibralta, Malta, Port Said, and Colombo to Australia.BOUND FOR AUSTRALIA. After leaving Colombo preparations were made, at the Duke’s desire, to pay the customary homage to Neptune when crossing the Equator. It was Mis Royah Highness’s wish that every man on board, whether he had crossed the Line before or not, should undergo the rite, and he cheerfully agreed to be the first victim. Ho was duly lathered ami shaved by one of tho barbers and tipped over backward into tho canvas bath, where a number of “ bears ’’.were waiting to receive and duck him repeatedly. The members of his suite and members of the ships’ companies were then similarly treated, to the great diversion of the spectators. Australia gave tho Duke and Duchess a series of enthusiastic welcomes, and afforded them several opportunities of

seeing the Jifo of the people up country. The most important event in that portion of the tour was the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament by the Duke. ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND. '■'i'he Ophir reached Auckland on June 11, where the flight Hon. 11. J. Seddon (then Prime Minister) presented

the New Zealand address of welcome.At Wellington, where'the party’arrived on June 18, honours were conferred upon men who had rendered signal service to the dominion, including the Governor (Lord Ranfurly), who was made a Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George, and the Hon. J. G. Ward. Their - Royal . Highnesses' were welcomed at Christchurch on June 22. and came to Dunedin on the evening of June 25 by train, accompanied by Lord and Lady Ranfurly, Mr and Mrs Seddon, Mr Ward, and the Hon. J. Carroll. TWO DAYS IN DUNEDIN. Lord Ranfurly presented the mayor (Mr G. L. Denniston) and the members of the City Council, whilst the Prime Minister introduced members of Parliament and the Executive Commissioners, and the Duke and Duchess forthwith drove to the FernhilL Club, which had been vacated for their use, the Prime Minister and his party going to the Grand Hotel. , On the way a sensation occurred. Ine horses attached to the Prime Minister a carriage broke away into a mad gaiiep, and were not stopped until one of tho onlookers (Mr J. W.'Blackwood) jumped out from the crowd and grabbed the horses' heads. . . Bonfires, street Illuminations, and arches in Princes street made Dunedin very gay looking that night. Tho weather was fine—cold but clear. _ Next day there was a big function for the presentation of addresses at the Octagon. AH Dunedin seemed to be present, prince Alexander of Teck and Lord Wedlock accompanied their Royal Highnesses. Colonel Morris waa in charge of, the parade of veterans. TRIBUTE TO PIONEERS, The Duke, in his reply to the various addresses, referred to the pioneers of Otago as “ having, infused in.to their: now' life that courage, perseverance, and tenacity of purpose which, to-* gether with’ the spirit of, enterprise, are the inherent characteristics of their race.’-’ , Medals were then presented to tha soldiers who had fought in the Boer War, after which the,veterans’ luncheca was celebrated in the Choral Hall. The principal speaker was the Prune Minister. ' In , the afternoon the' Duke and Diichess visited the Agricultural Show, and the Horticultural. Society’s show, after attending the children's demonstration on the Caledonian Ground. In the evening there was a display, •of fireworks, and after'the State din, ner, given bv Lord and Lady RanfurlV in the Fcrnhill Club, the Duka and - Duchess held a provincial reception in-the Agricultural Hall (now Hia Majesty’s Theatre). . _ On the following morning, which was Thursday, June 27, the foundation oil Queen Victoria’s statue at the corner of-the Triangle (now named the Queen’s Gardens) was laid -by • the Duke, and the Royal visitors entrained at -T1.30 for Christchurch. • They embarked all Lyttelton on .the Ophir, which -at once put to sea, accoriipanied by the cruisers St. George and Junp,-bound for Hobart. DEPARTING MESSAGE.- ‘ Before leaving. New Zealand tho Duke wrote to the Earl of Ranfurly, as follows “1 am .‘anxious to tell the people' of New Zealand How happy wa have been in their beautiful -land,' wjth what regret we leave it, and what lasting feelings of gratitude we carry’ away, for the loyal enthusiasm, cordiality, and kind-heartedness so univers-Jly. accorded to us.' Though unfortunately, our stay has, through Torce of circumstances, been a short one, I earnestly, trust that the experience and [knowledge! of the country which, I have gained, and my personal intercourse with'the people, may in some measure tend to sustain and enhance the existing feeling of - sympathy and ’interest between the Mother Country and New;

Zealand, and thus draw still closer those ties of affection and brotherhood by, which we are so happily' bound,Heartily wishing that the , steady growth and prosperity; of the .country may ever continue, I am, etc.” Returning to Australia, the Dak* and Duchess enjoyed enthusiastic wel* comes at Hobart, Adelaide, and Perth,