DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 December 1934, Page 12

DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

WELLINGTON GATHERINGS AT THE RACES [pee press association.] WELLINGTON. December 15. The Duke’s visit to Trentham races was highly successful. He received wayside greetings on his way through Hutt Valley. Arriving at the course at 2.30 p.m. he motored to the end of the people’s enclosure, and then entered the Vice-Regal box, where he talked with the Club’s president, Mr. Riddiford, and from which he watched the racing with keen interest. His Highness wore an ordinary grey lounge suit, a brown hat, turned down, and brown shoes. There were scenes of enthusiasm when the Duke presented the cup to Sir Charles Clifford, owner of Cricket Bat, which won the Gloucester Handicap, and the Duke chatted with both Sir Charles and the winning jockey, A. Russell. In congratulating the rider, who is only eighteen years of age, His Highness asked him how many times he had ridden Cricket Bat. Following the presentation of the cup, the Duke left the official box in company with a few officials only, and commenced a tour of inspection of the grounds. He moved freely among the people, but so unostentatious was the procession that many people did not realise that they had just been passed by the Duke. A visit was paid to the stables, and then to the birdcage. After this His Highness walked through the people’s enclosure, and was vociferously acclaimed. He had afternoon tea in the Stewards’ Stand, and left on his return for the city shortly after the end of the sixth race. There were loud cheering from the three stands in union as the royal car departed. GOVT. HOUSE BALL WELLINGTON, December 16. As a soldier, the Duke of Gloucester is not entirely at his ease in appearing at public functions. This is reflected in his dislike for being photographed at close quarters, and observance of this by photographers through out his tour will be appreciated. In this same connection, it is pointed out that the Prince is particularly sensitive to be phootgraphed close up while speaking. Mr. Young, Minister-in-Attendance, said to-day he felt sure the feelings of His Highness in this direction would be in every sense respected throughout the Dominion. Prince Henry is a good and witty conversationalist, as several fortunate dancing partners found at the Government House ball on Saturday night. The function was a glittering and colourful spectacle, and one which His Highness evidently enjoyed. He danced with enthusiasm, and with different partners, maintaining an animated conversation in both the ball room and sitting-out places. The guests had the opportunity of defining yet another feature of the Duke’s personality—his capacity to enjoy himself and communicate to those in his company the same spirit of happiness. The Prince had the first dance with Lady Bledisloe, his other partners being Mrs. T. C. A. Hislop, wife‘of the Mayor of Wellington; Mrs. Brian Trolove (Marlborough), Miss Jessie Forbes, the youngest daughter of the Prime Minister, and Miss Sheila Hudson.

The Prime Minister will be in Rotorua at the week end, to attend the Maori reception to the Duke. Mr. Forbes will not proceed to Auckland, as he has arranged to spend Christmas at his home at Cheviot. On his visit to the races, there was an essentially human touch, in the spontaneous visit the Duke paid to the people’s enclosure. Some moments elapsed before the vast crowd realised that His Highness, who, up to that time had been viewing the races from the Vice-Regai box in the lawn grandstand, was among them, walking along quite unconcernedly with Mr. Young (Minister-in-Attendance) and Mr. Riddiford, president of the club. As his presence became evident, a loud voice burst from the stand, “Who’s your cobber Young?” With that, the Minister raised his hat, and waved in the direction of the inquirer. The Duke did the same. Immediately lusty voices were united in cheering acclamation, rising and falling as the Duke passed crowded groups. Smilingly, and frequently raising his hat, he acknowledged the greetings. His thoughtfulness in leaving the lawn for a stroll round in the outer enclosure was a gesture which the crowd appreciated. His reception there was as warm as it had been on the lawn.

SUNDAY’S SERVICE After Saturday’s full programme and ceremonial function, the Duke had a quiet time to-day. In the morning he attended divine service at St. Paul’s pro-Catherdal, where the Lesson was read by Lord Bledisloe, and the sermon was preached by Bishop Sprott, who, in the course of his address, referred to the vital part the Empire would take in moulding world, fellowship. , This afternoon was at the Duke s own disposal, and he undertook a private trip into the country. To-morrow he faces another heavy programme of engagements, which include laying the foundation stone of the new railway station, a State luncheon at Government House, a garden party and a civic ball. The Duke has accepted from the people of the Cook Islands two specimens of native craftsmanship, a casket made of wood from the tree Tou, and a ring of tortoise shell. The Tou is a tree common to several of the islands in the group. The casket, which is inlai dwith pearl shell, from the Manihiki lagoon, is the work of a man from the Island of Manihiki. The silver inlay of the tortoise shell ring represents a Tiare, a Maori favourite floral ear decoration of the native women of the Cook group. To the natives the flower is symbolical of that which is high and good, and, according to their custom, is, therefore, never worn on any part of the body lower than the head. Supporting the flower are fernleaves, on each side of which the kuru (bread-fruit) is depicted. ’ Acknowledging the addresses from the Harbour Board, Cook Islands and various organisations His Highness expressed appreciation of the evidence of loyalty and affection displayed and said the King confidently relied on the continuation of New Zealand s co-operation in the maintenance of peace throughout the world. Port Nicholson, he said, provided a vital link of an Empire haven for shipping and a hospitable resting place for seamen of every country. “I am most

grateful for the welcome you offer me, my staff, and my shipmates on the Australia.” For general information it is announced that, in all motor processions His Highness will occupy the second car, and will always sit on the right hand side. A further means of identifying the Duke’s car is a crown in front of the cab. An open car will be used whenever weather conditions are favourable. OVER THE RIMUTAKAS. • WELLINGTON, December 16. An experienced motorist, the Duke spent yesterday afternoon at the wheel of a motor car, which is being used for the road portion of his New Zealand tour. He drove the car to Featherston and back, covering about 9.0 miles in the journey, which was without incident. ' His destination was the estate of D. H. S. Riddiford, and the Prince found no difficulty in negotiating the Rimutakas both ways. He returned to Government House early in the evening. WELLINGTON RAILWAY STATION. LAYING FOUNDATION STONE. WELLINGTON, December 17. The weather is brilliantly fine for the Duke’s third day in Wellington. His first official act of the morning was the laying of the foundation-stone of the hew Wellington railway station, at 11 o’clock. In anticipation of the Duke’s passage through the streets, crowds necessarily smaller than those of Saturday congregated at different points to cheer the occupant of the Royal car as he passed. There was a dense concourse of people in the vicinity of the railway station site, the crowd extending into Bunny Street, and the slopes of the grounds of Parliament House. On his arrival, His Highness was given another magnificent reception. In the presence of a distinguished gathering, the Prince declared the foundations well and truly laid. A witty reference in his speech to the station and the launching of a ship, raised loud laughter. A feature of the ceremony was the presentation, on behalf of the Government, of an exquisitely-executed and designed inkstand, the top being of greenstone, inset into a stand of New Zealand honeysuckle. On the back, surmounted by the Royal Arms, is a complete ninecarat gold model to scale of a K locomotive. In front of the stand, is a gold inkwell. Encasing the stand was a casket of New Zealand woods. Before proceeding to Parliament House for the State luncheon, His Highness visited the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the United Services, the Commercial Travellers’, and the Wellesley Clubs. Laying the foundation stone of the new station, the Duke said: I am very pleased to have been invited to lay the foundation stone of the new railway station, for the capital city of New Zealand. It is the nature of things that the growing population, and increasing demands made upon railways by the busy port should have rendered neecssary an up-to-date station, with fully equipped sidings and yards. After many years of service, the old station is no longer adequate for present day requirements, but the sentimental may well sigh over the passing of such a landmark in the history of Wellington. The site of this station has been won from the sea by reclamation, a form of enterprise which has besides added much to the area available for building, and been of great value to this city. In the altered circumstances, I imagine that the Harbour Master may now become the station master, and pilots engine drivers, while it would not have been unfitting if I had been given a bottle of champagne with which to launch this new concern.' But, in any case, I sincerely trust that the skill and enterprise shown in the construction of this station will be rewarded by success, fulfilling the hopes and expectations of the people of Wellington.

Mr. Forbes stated that the building had been designed on the

MOST MODERN LINES, embodying tevery feature of railway station construction that has been developed to facilitate the working of the traffic. The building itself would rest on 1700 concrete piles of varying length, and be of steel frame construction, with reinforced concrete floors and brick walls. It would be entirely fireproof and designed to allow continuous suburban traffic and main line traffic, to flow without hindrance to one another. The whole re-arrange-ment of railway facilities at Wellington had been so designed as to bring the station as near the city as possible, and from the location in which the building was being erected, it would be seen that Wellington citizens were to be congratulated on the proximity of this great facility to the centre of the city. The contract price for the building was £339,173. This was the largest building contract which had so far been let in the history of the Dominion. In addition to the building itself, there will be platforms and verandahs, which will cost £30,000. Mr. Forbes mentioned that associated with the erection of the building was the construction of a new railway outlet from Wellington, joining up with the present line at Tawa Flat, and the electrification of the line between Wellington and Paekakariki. When the whole of the works was completed, Wellington would be very favourably situated as regards railway facilities. In the construction of the building materials of New Zealand manufacture were being used to the greatest possible extent, and where suitable materials of Dominion manufacture were not available, Empire products were being used. The building would be entirely constructed of materials manufactured within the Empire, and besides providing all facilities for the railway station, the buildilng would also include new administrative offices. Mr. Forbes referred to the fact that the foundation stone of the present administrative offices was laid thirtythree years ago by the Duke of Cornwall and York (His present Majesty). The great development which had taken place in connection with railway business since that foundation stone was laid resulted in the building becoming totaly inadequate for the requirements, and the opportunity had ( been taken of the erection of the station, to provide administrative offices, which would enable al Ithe various branches of the railway administration to be located in one building. The present building would be taken over by the Government for the housing of other Government departments. A rousing reception was accorded . the Duke at the Returned Soldiers’ Club, ex-servicemen standing on the steps of the Farmers’ Institute, lustily ’ cheering him at the four clubs he visit- J ed. In addition to cheering Hisf

Highness, members sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The State luncheon at Parliament House was most impressive, the decorations, which were purely floral, being exceedingly beautiful. PARLIAMENT HOUSE LUNCHEON MR. FORBES’ WELCOME WELLINGTON, December 17. In the course of his speech at the official luncheon 1 to the Duke at Parlia. ment House, Mr. Forbes welcomed the Duke as an ambassador of our kinsfolk in the United Kingdom, and he referred to the pleasure which the previous Royal visits had given. New Zealand, said the Prime Minister, was a land which was British in birth and in sentiment and policy, and it was the earnest hope that the Duke would feel entirely at home during his stay in the Dominion. “We are proud of our British descent,” he said, “and our desire is to prove worthy of that priceless heritage.” We in New Zealand had watched with the utmost sympathy the determined struggle of the people in the United Kingdom to overcome the successive blows of economic adversity, and never for one moment in the course of that struggle had we wavered in our complete confidence that those qualities of courage, imperturbability, of industry, of order, and above all of sound common sense and goodwill which carried the British people so triumphantly through times of crisis and peril in the past would again enable them to prevail over the economic difficulties of the present time. To-day, we knew that our confidence had been justified, and we rejoiced to note the unmistakable indications that the Old Country was once more gathering strength. For ourselves, we were still confronted with many difficulties and new perplexing problems. We were endeavouring to meet them with the spirit of our forefathers —the spirit of the British. Turning to world problems, Mr. Forbes said that the greatest sources, of international uneasiness to-day were undoubtedly the unsolved pi oblems of disarmament and security. Only those in the closest touch with the position as it developed could realise the almost insuperable difficulties to be overcome and the magnitude of the efforts that had been made by the British Government in the matter. These efforts would continue to receive our enthusiastic support. However we must realise that Britain must proceed with all proper caution on the side of security. Britain with the entire concurrence of the Dominions, had already given a vast pledge to the world. “We have two messages to entrust to your Royal Highness on your return to the Homeland, messages which you will find confirmed in every quarter of New Zealand. Firstly, the firmest assurances of our affectionate loyalty to His Majesty your father, personally, and as King of the United Kingdom, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the seas. Secondly to our kinsfolk in the Homeland, these sentiments—that we are proud of our British descent, and still prouder of our British traditions of fair play and goodwill to all,—that we have no constitutional problems or questions of freedom or status, that we value most highly our membership of the British Commonwealth. of Nations and that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the British people for good or ill, for better for worse, in all things for all time.” Mr. Forbes then asked those present to drink the health of His Highness.

THE DUKE’S REPLY. “Although you are entertaining me in the Capital. I feel that so far I am only on the threshold of New Zealand,” said the Duke of Gloucestei, speaking in reply to Mr Forbes. You have opened the door and bidden me welcome, and I enter, eager to see and to learn all that I can in the course of mv extensive • tour throughout the country, which you have so considerately arranged for me. You have, Sir, made clear the feelings of loyalty with which the King, my father, is regarded by the whole people of New Zealand, and of their attachment to the Empire. I know that when I return home I shall be able to support your words by my personal experience. You have made kindly reference to the previous visits paid by members of my family to this country. From what they have told me, and incidentally, I may say I have never met any visitor to

New Zealand, who did not express a wish to return here, I have been particularly anxious to come and see the country of whose beauty and fertility I have heard so much, and people, both pakeha and Maori, who established so great a reputation in lhe War. I look forward especially to meeting members of the, Maori race, a race of warriors and athletes, who proved .so staunch in their loyalty to the Empire, and such helpful partners here in the work of the country. I know, Sir, that New Zealand has led the world in many forms of social legislation. and this fact adds greatly to the interest of the visitor in going among the people and observing the conditions under which they live, both in the cities, and in country districts. The great Dominions provide children with a wonderful open air life, and it is small wonder that one sees nothing but healthy, happy faces on all sides. I know that their welcome to me, as I go through this Dor inion, will be one of my most enjoyat. ? experiences. To turn for a moment to less cheerful matters, may I say I realise how very

serious 1.. 3 been the depression through which New Zealand has recently passed. I sincerely hope that the rift now visible in the clouds is truly a portent of fair weather, and that you will soon emerge into the sunshine of prosperity, especially as regards the marketing of primary products, of which the trade of these Islands mainly consists. I thank you gentlemen for your hospitality to me to-day, and I ask you as representatives of the people of New Zealand, to say that I bring to them and their children at this Christmas time, a message of greeting and good wishes from their kinsmen at Home.” GUARDS BAND ARRIVES. WELLINGTON, December 17. The Grenadier Guards Band arrived at Thorndon at 11.17 from Palmerston North to an already filled city owing to the Duke of Gloucester’s laying the foundation stone at the new railway station. A huge crowd assembled along the Band’s rbute to the Town Hall, where a civic reception was accorded them. The Band played its way through the streets to the accompaniment of great cheering and excitement en route. They halted at the War Memorial to lay a wreath. The First Battalion Band accompanied the Grenadiers on the march • from Thorndon to the war memorial, where they were joined by the Port Nicholson Silver Band. On reaching the Town Hall, the bands formed up in front of the dais on which were the Mayor (Mr Hislop), the DeputyMayor (Mr W. H. Bennett), President of the N.Z. Bands’ Association (Mr E. Palliser), and the President of the Wellington Provincial Bands’ Association (Mr H. B. Burdekin). Major Miller replied to the Mayor’s welcome, and specially thanked the police for the splendid handling of the crowd, which had given the Band a chance to make a show.