DISLOYAL WEATHER

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 February 1927, Page 7

DISLOYAL WEATHER

DUKE’S FISHING SPOILT

DUCHESS CATCHES SCHNAPPER

(Per Preu Ansociation.)

RUSSELL, Feb. 25. A north-east gale during last night blocked all chance of going after big fish to-day, so the Royal party settled dcwn to do some trolling and line fishing in sheltered waters. They also had an opportunity of seeing some of the best Coast scenery. Starting about 8.45 the Duke, in the launch ‘Mason Bee,” made for Rawhiti Channel, trolling for some time with little result The launches anchored in a sheltered bay off Moturoa Island for lunch, and numbers of schnapper were caught here. This afternoon rain set in, and it becum ■ worse. At 3 o’clock this afternoon a short choppy sea compelled a return to the ship. The catch included a good number of schnapper and one kingfish.

Meantime the Duchess, in Mr. B Court’s launch “Joan,” was taken to the sheltered waters of Moturoa, accompanied by Captain Sullivan as A.D.C. Trolling off Moturoa, a kaliaiwai was hooked, and the Duchess landed it. Sne also accounted for several salinapper of a fair size a visit was paid to Unupukapuka Island, where the Duchess inspected the Sporting Club established there, she

r ting much interested in the appointments and the view. She ah’- <amined with interest the swordfish caught yesterday, which was on the weighing scale.

The Duchess next paid an unannounced call on Mrs. Court, at her home in Crakawa Bay, where she partook of morning tea and captivated the hearts of the children, exchanging confidences about her own baby. As the sea was getting choppy, the launch made for the Renown, which was reached in time for lunch.

The Duchess displayed a fine athletic figure as she waited for a favourable moment to jump from the plunging launch on to the gangway landing stage. The Renown left for Auckland at 9 p.m.

STILL RAINING

AUCKLAND, Feb. 26.

The Renown returned to Auckland at 6.15. The weather was thick and drizzly, but was clearing slightly by 8 o’clock, promising better by the time the royal train leaves for Rotorua at 9.30.

AUCKLAND’S FAREWELL.

AUCKLAND, Feb. 26

Despite the steady rain, a great crowd gathered to witness the departure of the Duke and Duchess for Rotorua, by the train at 9.30 this morning. There was a roar of cheering as the Royalties appeared in response to persistent cries. Umbrellas were lowered, as the Royal car rolled up between the ropes, and men bared their heads to the rain. Children, heln aloft by parents shouted with glee. The Duke bowed and waved his hat to one side of the carriage, and the Duchess’s face, illuminated with happy smiles bowed to those on the other side, occasionally waving a fragment of lace.

ARRIVAL AT PUKEKOHE

PUKEKOHE, Feb. 26

A large crowd waiting at the station gave the Royal train a warm welcome on its arrival. The Duke and Duchess stepped out on to the platform where the little granddaughter of the late Prime Minister, presented a bouquet to the Duchess. The Royal pair stood for a few minutes, acknowledged the applause, and spoke with the leading residents, then the train moved on..

FEILDING’S RESENTMENT.

FEILDING, Feb. 25. Feilding district is suffering from cold anger and indignation over the non-inclusion of this town as a stopping place for the Royal train. An application was made through the member for the district, and it was hoped that an arrangement would have been made for a short stop next Thursday, en route to Palmerston North, but a message has been received from Mr Coates saying he could only arrange for the Royal train to slow down. The Mayor, Mr Carthew, has replied that, as the privilege of standing alongside the railway line, to see Royalty pass is not likely to be availed of by returned soldiers, and thousands of school children and loyal citizens, he suggested that the train should not slow down, but should follow the ordinary timetable, as fixed by the Govern-

ment. The Mayor further added that he noticed that the itinerary had been altered to include Pukekohe as a stopping place. R.S.A. LIFE-MEMBER. (Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 25. During his visit to the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Club, on the' evening of Tuesday, March 15, the Duke of York will be ’presented with a gold badge life membership of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. It was originally intended that the nresentalion should be made at Wellington. but in view of the fact that the Duke has consented to visit the Christchurch Returned Soldiers Asso

ciation, the Dominion Executive of the Association decided it would be more appropriate for it to take place on that occasion. It will be made by Sir Andrew Russell, Dominion President, who is coming to Christ church specially for the purpose. RENOWN AT LYTTELTON. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 25.

A strong effort is likely to be made to induce the authorities to permit the .M.S. Renown to berth in the inner harbour at Lyttelton, instead of in the stream outside Camp Bay as has been announced.

This morning was occupied by the Harbourmaster! Captain T. M. Hunter)) taking soundings in the harbour. If his report on the depth is favourable, representations will be made this evening by the Harbour Board to the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, that the Department should recommend bringing the big battle cruiser within the moles. The vessel will be only one day at Lyttelton (March 19). If there is any roll in the harbour, it will be impossible for any large crowd to board the Royal cruiser. APATHY AT WESTPORT (Special to "Star.”) WESTPORT, Feb. 26. The public meeting, last evening, to make final arrangements for the celebrations of the Royal visit threatened to bo a washout till the ladies came to the rescue.

Tiie committee, chiefly school teachers, reported adversely against holding a sports gathering of children on March 11, mainly on account of the lack of support of country teachers. The chairman said that 450 children were coining from the suburbs, and it was proposed to give them a meal, but nothing further. The town children could attend to themselves.

The ladies present raised a strong objection to this procedure, favouring a picnic. The chairwoman of the Ladies’ Committee stated that the At Home had been deleted. A picture entertainment held the previous night realised fifteen pounds’ profit, which was put to the fund for entertaining children, making the amount available thirty pounds. After lengthy argument, the ladies committee said they would take the matter up themselves and make arrangements to give the children a monster picnic, which -would cause them io remember the royal visit. The children’s entertainment committee finally decided that it was impossible to carry on, and handed control over to the ladies. It was decided in view of the latest notification from the Internal Affairs Department, not to hold the ball as at first proposed. The Mayor stated that the Victoria theatre could be engaged for the night of March 19, and if wet, the reception could be held there, and if fine at Victoria Square.

The ladies asked permission to take control of the theatre and run a concert, the proceeds to help to defray the cost of the childrens picnic. The request was granted. The military area officer reported that Girl Guides and Cadets would form the guard of honour. The decorative committee reported that the arrangements were well in hand.

GREYMOUTH CHILDREN’S DAY. A meeting of ladies to make arrangements for entertaining the children on Children’s Day, on the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, will be held in the Municipal Chambers on Monday, February 28, at 8 p.m.