SUCCESS OF ROYAL TOUR

Evening Star, Issue 21934, 22 January 1935, Page 8

SUCCESS OF ROYAL TOUR

GOVERNOR AND KING EXCHANGE FELICITATIONS {Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, January 22. On the departure of the Duke of Gloucester from Lyttelton, the completion of' lus official tour of Now Zealand, the Governor-General despatched the following telegram to the King;— f beg, with my respectful duty, to inform your Majesty that His Royal Highness completed this evening his odicinl tour of New Zealand, leaving Lyttelton Harbour in the cruiser Australia amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The tour has been most successful. His Highness has won all hearts by his gracious, friendly sympathy with all classes throughout the dominion, and with their various pursuits and interests. His Majesty has been pleased to send the following reply;— I was very glad to receive your telegram on the departure of my son from New Zealand, and to hear that im is good in health and spirits. The Queen and I warmly appreciate the enthusiastic reception he received on all occasions, and thank you for the very kind words in which you refer to the large share that his personality and efforts had in the pleasure his visits gave to all classes throughout the dominion. At the same time we recognise that much of the success was due to the care and forethought bestowed by you and your Government upon the arrangements. We are most grateful to you and Lady Bledisloe for your kindness and hospitality to our son and staff through-

out their stay. The Duke has signified his intention of sending to the Governor-General, n farewell message of his departure from the shores of New Zealand in H.M.A.S. Australia, due to leave the Bay of Islands on January 29. THE LAST WEEK PURELY PRIVATE ENGAGEMENTS Although the Duke’s official tour of the dominion ended with his departure from Lyttelton in the Australia last night, it will be another week before His Highness leaves New Zealand for Fiji, en route to England. The cruiser, with Prince Henry aboard, is timed to arrive at Russell at 7 on Thursday, morning, and the programme for the remainder of that day , is confined tentatively to a deep sea fishing expedition by the Duke. An opportunity for the Royal visitor to see the finest specimens of New Zealand kauri trees will be afforded on Friday when, in company with Mr Coates, lie motors from Pnihia through Trounson Park and Waipoua State Forest. The portable cinematograph which His Highness used during the official tour will doubtless be frequently in action on Friday. The Duke spends Friday night at Opononi, in the Hokianga district, and on Saturday proceeds by car and launch to Omahuta to see bush working and bullock teams operating. A visit will be made also to Kerikeri before His Highness re-embarks in the evening on the Australia. With Lord Bledisloe the Duke will attend Divine service at Paihia on Sunday morning, and in the afternoon he will accompany His Excellency to the historical spots at Waitangi. Monday has been set aside provisionally for a big game fishing excursion. The Australians scheduled to sail for Fiji at 9.30 on Tuesday morning. With a few exceptions the members of the New Zealand official party are not accompanying His Highness on his North Auckland engagements, which are purely of a private character. The party returned from Lyttelton by the Wahine to-day, and was formally disbanded. Sir Alexander Young, who acted as Minister in Attendance, resuming his. Ordinary Ministerial duties, and Mr Fraser, manager of the tour, returning to his departmental responsibilities.