DUKE’S ARRIVAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 December 1934, Page 7

DUKE’S ARRIVAL

WELCOME, AT WELLINGTON HARBOUR PAGEANTRY [FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON,. December 15. Escorted by ships of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy and the New Zealand .Air Force planes, H.M.A.S. Australia, bearing His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, arrived at Wellington this morning, amid animated and stirring scenes that will long be remembered. As the grey fighting ships moved up the harbour, in line ahead, a grand spectacle was provided . for thousands of enthusiastic observets, both ashore and afloat.

The day broke fine, but heavy clouds frequently obscured the sun. At intervals, the sun broke through and flecked .the waters of the harbour with silvery light. . Every vantage point fronting the harbour was crowded with eager sightseers, while Wellington’s mosquito fleet and the ferry steamer Muritai, all gaily decorated and crowded with passengers, combined to give a fitting welcome to the Royal visitor. The warships made an impressive spectacle as they approached the harbour. Entering the heads about eight c’clocks, the ships exchanged signals and altered their positions. H.M.S. Dunedin took the lead, followed by the Leith, Australia, Diomede and Laburnum. Majestically, the procession of ships steamed up the harbour. The roar of planes overhead was the only thing- to break the silence. Off Point Halswell, all the warships turned, and. While the Australian picked up the pilot, other ships proceeded to Point Jerningham, where they anchored, forming a lane through which the Australia was to pass. The ships were dressed, and as the Australia got under way again, the Dunedin, Diomede, Leith and Laburnum thundered out the Royal salutation. As the Australia passed through the lane, three lusty cheers for the Duke were given by New Zealand naval ratings. Not since the previous visit of Royalty has Wellington seen such a colorful and inspiring spectacle. With the band playing on the quarter deck, and ratings standing to attention, the big cruiser quickly glided towards Pipitca wharf, where the berthing was carried out with the precision for which the Navy is noted. A host of small craft of every description followed the cruiser to the berth, and an animated scene was presented.

THE FIRST GREETINGS The first session of New Zealand’s loyalty to the Throne and Empire, was strikingly demonstrated to-day, in the tumultuous welcome that Wellington gave the Duke of Gloucester on arrival in the Capital City. The scenes of enthusiasm and displays of affection which marked the procession through the city of the King’s third son, will take their place to shine as a record of the memorable occasion and the people’s joyous reception of the representative of the Crown, the thunder of the salute and picturesque enactment of harbour pageantry will be long memories. As His Royal Highness touched New Zealand soil at 10.20, to begin his round of official ceremonies, patches of blue sky peeped through the grey clouds, giving promise of a return of the - sun that has ruled Wellington daily for the past weeks. Hours before the Australia crept alongside Pipitea wharf, the City was alive with excitement, in an atmosphere of carnival and fete reserved for such occasions. Every avenue of approach to the waterfront was thronged with people eager to catch the first glimpse of the Prince, and enthusiasm mounted when the soldierly figure of His Royal Highness stepped down the gangway to inspect the guard of honour. He acknowledged the cheering with a ready smile —a smile of sincerity by which New Zealanders will remember him.

Berthing at 9 a.m. the cruiser received Lord Bledisloe an hour later. Then the Prime Minister and the Min-ister-in-attendance on the Duke (Mr. Young) went on board. Preceded at five minute intervals by the Ministers and Lord Bledisloe, the Duke disembarked promptly at 10.20 a.m., and after receiving the Royal salute inspected the Guard of Honour. In the gaily decorated enclosure, His Royal Highness received Lady Bledisloe, Ministers of the Crown and their wives and other dignitaries, and their wives.

Following the presentation of the Harbour Board’s address, the Royal party started its procession to Parliament House, through lanes of flags. In front of the steps of Parliament House were thousands of people clothing the lawns and approaches, and Pohutakawas blossoming their colourful message of welcome —this was the background against which the Government tribute was paid. Welcomed by the Governor-General, His Royal Highness then listened to a speech of welcome from the Prime Minister and the presentation of an address from Cook Islands, and in clean tones and pleasing voice acknowledged the greeting and spontaneous expression of loyalty. It was

A BRILLIANT SCENE in harmony with the reception the Duke had already had from the air and water. Even more impressive was the next phrase. The cheering died down and a reverent hush spread over the great assemblage as Prince Henry alighted in front of the Citizens War Memorial, where ex-service men had been marshalled, and he placed a wreath of remembrance at the base of the cenotaph. The solemnity of the incident was communicated to the onlookers and for ■,sever al seconds. a silence significant and all-embracing reiEiiecl. The hands of the clock at Government Buildings pointed to 10.40 when the procession moved off to the Town Hall, along a route that was black with cheering citizens and gay with flags, festoons and bunting. Thousands of people from far and near formed a moving avenue —a thoroughfare which never ceased to cheer and extend a sincere welcome. At the civic reception, a address of welcome was read by the Mayor (Mr. T C A Hislop) and addresses were presented on behalf of religious and other bodies. After the Duke had re- ' plied the City Councillors, local body representatives and their wives were presented to him. • Along the route from the Town Hall

to Government House, the Duke received another rousing welcome from the vast crowds, which had assembled in Cuba Street, Courtenay Place and Kent Terrace, ending at the gates of Government House.

In the afternoon His Royal Highness is attending a special meeting arranged by the Wellington Racing Club. This is an unofficial function, the Duke occupying the Vice-Regal box in the main grandstand.

HIS EXCELLENCY’S ADDRESS. The Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) extended a most cordial welcoihe to His Royal Highness on behalf of all classes and both races in New Zealand. His Excellency said: “We are indeed gratified and honoured that, after your strenuous tour in Australia, you are, with the King’s gracious permission, about to spend' six weeks among us, and we hope and believe that your sojourn in this attractive outpost of the British Empire will prove enjoyable and interesting. Nowhere within the wide ambit of our Empire territory will you find people more loyal to the Throne, more devoted in their affection for the Royal House, or more steadfast in their attachment to the Old Country and its traditions and ideals than those who inhabit this Dominion. Nowhere, moreover, will you meet better' or keener sportsmen. You, can be assured of a greeting of enthusiastic sincerity from persons of every class and occupation -wherever you may travel within these ocean-girt Islands, evoked spontaneously both by their deep respect for our muchbeloved King and Queen, and also by your own personal qualities and sympathies, which are such as appeal strongly to the highest instincts of. the virile God-fearing and progressively minded nation, characterised by resourcefulness and energy, which New Zealand aspires, to be. “The visit of your Royal parents to this country 33 years ago has left behind in the minds of her people the happiest recollections of the gracious and sympathetic interest displayed by Their Majesties in all their activities and in the pleasant environment with which a bounteous Nature has endowed them, and the indissoluble link of affection for the Royal House is destined to be still further cemented —if this indeed be possible—by your welcome appearance in our midst on your way back to the Motherland, which all New Zealanders describe as “Home.” It is- our earnest hope that you will, during your all-too-short visit to this Dominion, feel thoroughly at home among the people of this particularly homely branch of the British Family of Nations. “Our economic horizon has been sadly darkened by clouds of industrial and trade depression during the last three years, but the clouds are lifting and the advent of Your Royal Highness will materially aid in their final dissipation. In expressing the hope that you will thoroughly enjoy your stay here, I would remind you that New Zealand, apart from its healthy, sunny climate and. fertile soils, possesses many advantages and attractions, unique throughout the Empire, in the wealth of scenic beauty within a relatively small area, displayed by its mountains, rivers, sounds, glaciers and lakes, and in the wonders of its thermal area and its glow-worm caves, not to mention its sporting facilities, and the rich feast which it offers to the naturalist. The loyal, happy and accomplished Maori race will join whole-heartedly with their European compatriots in this welcome which, in the name of all alike, I now warmly extend to Your Royal Highness.”

PRIME MINISTER’S ADDRESS. The Government’s address of welcome was read by the Prime Minister, who said: On behalf of the Parliament and people of New Zealand. His Majesty’s Ministers extend to Your Royal Highness the most hearty and cordial welcome upon your arrival in the Dominion. The most distant of the self-governing Dominions from the heart of the British Empire, New Zealand, stands unswerving in her loyalty to the Sovereign, and it is therefore with unfeigned pleasure, we warmly greet, in person, Your Royal Highness, the third of His Majesty’s sons whom we have been privileged to welcome to our country The growth and development of New Zealand, in less than a century, forms a living tribute to the colonising genius of the British people, and to the sturdy manhood of the pioneer settlers, who laid so solid a foundation. The qualities of courage and tenacity handed down from those earlier days have in no small measure helped the citizens of the Dominion to meet the trials and tribulations inseparable from the recent difficult years of world-wide economic stress? We are confident that in no part of the Empire will the welcome to xour Royal. Highness, from all classes of our population, bo ‘ more enthusiastic and sincere. We trust you will enjoy the scenic beauty and natural wonders for which the Dominion is justly renowned, and carry away with you lasting and pleasant memories of your visit to us. We Parliamentary representatives of the people of New Zealand, pakeha and Maori, unite in wishing you a very happy Christmastide in this Britain of the South.

COOK ISLANDS. Signed by Mr. H. F. Ayson, Resident Commissioner, and President of the Island Council, and by Arikis and members of the Council, a loyal address from the people of the Cook Islands was presented by the Prime Minister. In saluting the Prince, the signatories said that the Cook Islands were always proud to claim they were the youngest child of ler late beloved Majesty, Queen Victoria. The European and Maori peoples of the Islands were living happily together in a spirit of goodwill and mutual respect, and had always fully recognised the great, privileges, they enjoyed as an integral part of the Empire, and were well contented with, the administration of the New Zeal; I ,nd Government. They asked the Duke to convey to the King a message of devotion and attachment from the hearts of all pis subjects in Cook Islands, and of gratitude for the interest he had always taken in their welfare, and to assure him of their continued unswerving loyalty to the flag and Throne.