DUKE AT ROTORUA

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 February 1927, Page 5

DUKE AT ROTORUA

RAILWAY JOURNEY INCIDENTS

WELCOMES EVERYWHERE

(Per PreM Association.)

ROTORUA, Feb. 27. The beginning of the Royal progress through the Dominion was perhaps inauspicious from the point of view of the weather, as, after steady soaking rain all night in Auckland, the morning dawned dull and forbidding, much like last Tuesday, but showing less promising signs of the clouds lifting. They did, however, for a while, and the departure from Auckland City was made at 9.30 in a fine patch. Though thin rain fell at intervals, great crowds saw the Royal car enter the station precincts, and as the train steamed through the suburbs, every coign of vantage held its full complement of cheering men, women and children waving farewell to the ‘Little Duchess’ whom they have so taken to their hearts. Every crossing throughout the day, it may be mentioned here, had its group of people waving good wishes to the speeding visitors, and wherever a farmhouse stood near the railway, there was a knot of youngsters by the wayside with the homekeeping elders at the homesteads, all giving expression to delight at even seeing a fleeting glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of York as might be gained through the windows of the Royal coach. Happy, indeed, was the youngster who at some point was fortunate enough to come undei* the glance of the Duchess when the train happened to be going slow on an up grade, or stopped momentarily at an unscheduled spot, as occurred once or twice. The Royal train, conveying the Duke and Duchess of York to Rotorua, made a momentary stop at Pukekohe. The railway platform was gay with bunting and greenery, while banners bearing the words “Greetings from Pukekohe.” fluttered in the breeze. There was drizzling rain. Three thousand were present, including Boy Scouts, and pupils of the local schools, who, waving flags and cheering, madly greeted Their Highnesses as the train steamed in. The Royal visitors stepped from their coach on to a carpeted dais, and amid the greatest enthusiasm, little Mirabel Massey, granddaughter of the late Prime Minister, handed a handsome bouquet to the Duchess. The train drew out, accompanied by cheering and flag waving, Their Royal Highnesses bowing their acknowledgement.

Just before reaching Ngaruwahia, the Royal train pulled up for two or three minutes opposite the site of a camp where about six hundred territorials are in training. The men were drawn up along a fence opposite the train, and the Duke stepped out and took the Royal salute, afterwards having all the officers presented to him. The Duchess, meantime, had left the Royal car, and she came in for special cheers from the delighted troops, and onlookers gathered about her, as elsewhere, seemingly from nowhere. When the train moved on, the men ran forward to the fence, which they mounted and the last seen of them from the train was a line of waving arms and caps, while the owners cheered until they must have been hoarse. At the station here in the vicinity of the lines there were many eager faces. Maoris seeming to be in the majority. and above the din of the train —which only slowed down, but did not stop—there could be heard snatches of war cries.

Frankton furnished a similar scene, though here the pakehas predominated and the Maori note was not very insistent. WELCOME AT HAMILTON. Hamilton was reached a little after noon, and on the station platform the Mayor, Mr J. K. Fow, with the Mayoress and Town Clerk (Mr W. Waddell) were presented to Their Highnesses. A procession of motor cars was then formed, and drove through the town and across the Waikato River to Steel Park, in Hamilton East. The whole line of the route was bordered by cheering people, so that it seemed scarcely possible that any could be left to make a display in the Park. This idea was soon dissipated, however, when -the Park was reached. Here was a great crowd of people, and on the green, besides a guard of honour, furnished by the IGth Waikato Regiment, there were marshalled about a hundred returned soldiers of the Great War, and nearly a score of South African veterans, with scouts, girl guides, and twelve hundred school children. The Duke inspected the soldiers, and the Duchess the Guides. The presentation of Municipal Councillors and other representatives of local bodies followed. Then Their Highnesses mounted a dais, and the acclamation, which had been very warm all the time, now redoubled in fervour, and it was some time before the Mayor was able to read an address of welcome to Hamilton and district.

The Duke did not speak in reply. He handed a written appreciation to the Mayor. After a few minutes’ conversation with those around them, the Duke and Duchess entered their motor car, and as the rain fortunately was holding off during all the proceedings so far, they caused the hood to be lowered as they drove around the ground through forty long double lines of children, whose delight and enthusiasm became intense, and the air was full of caps thrown up by the boys. It seemed as if the head gear were permanently suspended and waving in a gyrating breeze. The scene was certainly an inspiring one, and its fervour was undiminished until the Royal party had left the grounds en route to Claudelands to rejoin their train. On the way to Claudelands station, the Ducal car travelled the river drive skirting the Soldiers’ Memorial Park on the riven bank. Here is a fine plantation of native trees, each dedicated to soldiers from the district who had made the supreme sacrifice in the war. These attracted the Royal attention, and when they came abreast of a. stone Cenotaph midway along the Park front, the Duke and Duchess stopped their car and walked into the grounds to inspect the memorial. The Duchess, by one of those happy little actions, so marked in all her doings, stepped forward and placed the bouquet which she had received at Pukekohe, on the base of the Cenotaph, while all present bared their heads and observed silence for a few minutes in memory of the honoured dead.

WANT TO SEE EVERYTHING. After the train journey was resumed rain fell at intervals. Nevertheless, wherever a human habitation was neai' there were little knots of people to wave to the Royal coach.. As the Duke and Duchess had expressed a desire to see a dairy factory in operation, a special stop was made at Waharoa, where one of the most up-to-date and largest plants in New Zealand is in operation. The manager and staff showed the Royal visitors through the buildings, explaining the whole process of butter-making from the reception and weighing of milk and the separation of cream therefrom. A quantity had been held back from the morning’s supply in order that an actual demonstration, of the work could be given. The churning of the cream and the working of the resultant butter to make it ready for packing and other subsidiary operations were explained, no details being missed by the Duke and Duchess of York, who evinced the keenest interest in all the}’ saw. This keenness was evidenced by a little incident during the inspection. The attendant manager asked: “What would you like to see next?” and as quick as a flash the Duchess replied “We want to see everything!” And they did. A mysterious “bush telegraph” must have been busy, as, although the stop was unpremeditated, quite a large gathering of people were present outside the factory to give a warm welcome and God speed to the visitors. Here, as in all places, children were specially in evidence, and no doubt many of them had a bettei’ opportunity than lots of their city cousins had of seeing at close quarters this charming Royal lady, whose presence in any gathering seems to put all else out of mind for the time being. This stop occupied thirty-five minutes. When they regained their car, the visitors were able to resume their interrupted lunch. Once more under way the train traversed varying classes of country, so the Duke and Duchess could see something of the dairying and pastoral lands, with evidences of the timber industry at stainto the basin of the Rotorua furnished tions, while the long stiff climb over the hills before the train dropped down some fine glimpses of natural bush beauties. At Tirau the people were afforded a special stop by an accident, owing to the engine driver missing the tablet, and having to halt to pick it up. At Putaruru, the people had an unexpected opportunity of seeing the visitors, while the train stopped for the engine to take in» water. The Duke and Duchess both stepped down on to the platform, and spoke to those arounu ~*em.

ROTORUA’S RECEPTION The rain at this time became steadier, but when Rotorua was reached, it broke for a while. At the station a number of prominent Maoris lined the platform, and local leading men, with their wives, were presented to the royalties by the Prime Minister and Sir Maui Pomare introduced the native chiefs. After this an adjournment was made to the street outside the station, where Maoris in mats, some carrying spears’ or meres, gave a characteristic welcome and haka. An address from the people of the town and district was read by the Mayor, Mr. C. H. Clinkard. The Duke handed him a written reply, expressing the pleasure he and the Duchess felt at visiting a place so full of interesting natural wonders. In the evening, the Duke and Duchess of York attended a Maori entertainment in the Theatre, where the girls’ graceful poi dance and canoe dances, and songs, were greatly enjoyed, while the men’s more vigorous war dances and hakas roused the whole audience (which was largely Maori) to a great pitch of excitement. The singing of the women was particularly attractive.

Hon. A. T. Ngata, who acted as Minister of Ceremonies, explained that the programme was designed chiefly to give the visitors some idea of what they might expect to see on a large scale on Monday.

Steady rain fell most of the evening, but it did not deter large crowds from watching in the streets for a glimpse of the royal couple as they moved to and fro in the theatre.

During the rest of the night and early this morning, very heavy rain fell continuously, while a fresh northeasterly wind whipped the surface of the lake into turbulent short seas. By the mid-forenoon, however, this had eased, and the waters calmed, while the sun came out at intervals, promising a fine day, only to disappear in a few minutes, and let the clouds loose their showers on the town. As the wind shows a westering tendency, the local weather-wise ones are optimistic concerning the prospects for tomorrow, when a big Maori demonstration takes place.

A “QUIET” SUNDAY ROTORUA, February 27. The weather has continued changeable all day, very heavy showers alternating with bright sunshine and ’boiling heat. The Duke and Duchess of York spent the day quietly. In the afternoon the ducal party went to Whakarewarewa to have a quiet look around the sights there but though scenic effects were there, quiet was certainly not. Whispers of the visit seemed to get abroad, and quite a large crowd of people were in the vicinity. The Pohutu Geyser, happily was in a working mood, and it sent up a fine shot. To-morrow morning will be a full one. Thousands of natives have arrived in Rotorua, either to take part in, or to witness, the official Maori welcome to the Duke and Duchess. This will be in the form of a demonstration on Arawa Park. About 2,500 Maoris are taking part, including fifteen hundred visitors, representing various tribes in other parts of the country. The Arawa Tribe is the host to a large number of these, and has established accommodation- camps for such as are unable to secure quarters otherwise. A demonstration of hakas, pois, etc., will be preceded by a Maori reception on the racecourse, and the presenta-

ADDRESS FROM MAORIS.

tion of an address of welcome, to which the Duke will reply. It is understood this will be the only occasion on which he will be heard speaking outside the cities. The unveiling of a memorial to men of the Arawa Tribe who fell in the Great War will be the Dukes last official act here, and in the afternoon he will leave for Towamu. GIFT TO MAYORESS. (Special to •‘Star.’’) AUCKLAND, Feb. 26. Prior to the departure for Rotorua this morning, the Duke presented to Mrs. A. D. Campbell, daughter of the Mayor (Mr. G. Baildon), who acted as Mayoress ditring the Royal visit, an autographed photograph of the Duchess and himself. He expressed delight with the warmth and enthusiasm of Auckland’s welcome.

ELOQUENCE AND LOYALTY.

ROTORUA, February 28. Following is the translation of the address from the Maoris presented to the Duke and Duchess of York at this morning’s ceremonial welcome : — “Seek them from the far horizon and draw them hither. Haereinai. Haeremai.

“May it please Your Royal Highness : Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. S|on welcome. The second of that name, your Royal father bore to this distant land a generation ago, welcome. Thrice has Royalty deigned to honour our courtyard, to enter our humble house and talk among us. It is good. Thus is fulfilled that word we spoke on this ground to your elder brother, that those who govern this far-flung Empire should walk and walk with its peoples in all its several parts, and so understand and be understood of them. Come, then, in that spirit of trust, wherein. England appeals to the hearts of all races, knitting them surely together in peace and goodwill. Welcome the messenger of the era to be when space and distance may be made of small account, when words and works may encircle the globe as does the sun, so that no part of the Empire may brood in gloom and there conspire evil. “Daughter of an honoured house. Welcome, welcome. Thus did that first Royal Duke appear before the eyes of oui’ fathers with his lady. Welcome the second Duchess. Ha! Is it a woman’s peace you bring? Woman’s hands and woman’s tears have soothed the wounds of a warring world. Now woman strives for the peace of God, and enduring peace, the peace which passes all understanding. Welcome then, embodying the ever-recur-ring hopes of mankind for a state in which health, happiness and prosperity shall prevail. There are ruined liomes to be built again. There are broken hearts to be mended. There are empty places to be peopled. Thete are waste places to be turned into gardens. Come, then, with the Empire’s call to. all your kind to cement its foundations anew in seriousness, with patience and forbearance. “Welcome, then, Royal son and august lady. We do not need to repeat the vows already made to His Majesty the King and to his eldest son. Loyalty has become a tradition of the Maori tribes of New Zealand, who have come to know and to value the things for which the Crown stands. The generation which welcomed your Royal father’ has passed away, and with it have gone many of the old-time ways and wisdoms of our people. How else could it be? Aotearoa and Te Waipounanui have the common inheritance of your people and our people. ‘’Welcome and ■ farewell. Pass on to that larger land where awaits your ultimate duty, the dedication of yet another, cornerstone in the proud edifice of the Empire. “Haere ra. Haere ra. ”

THANKS TO RENOWN’S CREW. AUCKLAND, February 28. Before leaving the Renown, the Duke of York handed the following message to the captain of the warship : — “Before leaving the ship to begin our tour of New Zealand, the Duchess and I wish to express to yourself, the officers and ship’s company, our grateful thanks for all that has been done to make the journey a pleasant one for us. We have thoroughly enjoyed it, and hope that this feeling u shared by all on board. We realise that hard work has had to be carried out under trying conditions, and wish to assure all on board that their labours are deeply appreciated by the Duchess, myself and all those accompanying us.” Captain Sullivan read the message to the ship’s company, assembled on the forecastle deck. It was Enthusiastically received. GREYMOUTH CHILDREN.

A meeting will be held at eight o’clock this evening in the. Municipal Chambers, to make arrangements for entertaining the children from the country schools, who will be present in Greymouth on Children’s Day, on the occasion of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. As about 2000 children are expected to visit Greymouth for the event, a strong committee of both men and women will be required to cope with the arrangements on the day. All willing to help are requested to be present at the meeting ihis evening.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Most people arc under the impression that the Duke of York is physically much bigger than the Prince of Wales. As a matter of fact, he is very little taller, and no broader than his distinguished elder brother (says an Auckland correspondent). He is just as fresh-coloured and fair in' complexion. He is, however, a real “ship of the old block,” strongly recalling the manner and habit of His Majesty the King when a young man. His Highness has a slight nervous impediment—more a hesitant moment than a stutter —but when the difficulty occurs, as it does at almost every phrase, he simply waits a momen and then gets the word quite clear. There is never any fluster or awkwardness, certainly nothing that could be termed a verbal embarrass - ment, for after a few phrases one gets used to the pauses, which, after all, clarify his remarks as effectually as do the pauses of a good elocutionist.