DUKE AT WELLINGTON

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 December 1934, Page 7

DUKE AT WELLINGTON

INFORMAL CLUB-VISITS ENTHUSIASM RAMPANT [PER press association.] WELLINGTON, December 17As warm as was the brilliant sunshine itself were the receptions given the Duke of Gloucester during the third day of his stay in the capital city. The sweltering heat notwithstanding, large crowds were again abroad eager to wave or cheer the Royal ambassador as he passed in publie to his engagements. The main function provided, however, an opportunity for more concentrated demonstrations of loyalty and expressions of goodwill than did the larger and more comprehensive gatherings on Saturday. This circumstance was particularly noticed at club receptions and a State luncheon. His Highness was in excellent form, creating lasting impressions at each place he visited. His utterances were again a study in balanced contrasts.- His deviation into dry humour when speaking at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new railway station, and his choice of figurative language at the Parliamentary function instantly appealed. . M „ ; Wearing a typical morning sun. oi grey, the Duke began his programme for the day with the laying of the foundation stone of the railway station, and was acclaimed by a large crowd which had assembled for the ceremony. Then, in turn, he visited the Returned Soldiers’ Association headquarters, the Commercial Travellers’ Club, the United Services’ Club and the Wellesley Club. These were largely of an informal character, and clearly were a source of enjoyment to His Highness. An incident which will live in the memory of those privileged to witness it, took place. When the Duke met the ex-servicemen, those present prepared to drink the health of the Prince, and when the Royal visitor realised that Hon. Mr Perry, M.L.C., the president, was likely to have difficulty in manipulating a soda syphon with one arm, His Highness immediately went to his assistance. Later he helped Mr Perry to light a cigarette. In English and Maori, the “Diggers” sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” His' Highness listening with delight to the native version. “I am very glad I was able to look in this morning. Good-bye and good luck to you all,” said the Duke, in acknowledging cheers from the ex-soldiers. The entire gathering followed the Prince to the entrance of the buildings, and cheered him again as his car.departed. As a memento of his visit, the Duke accepted and placed in the lapel of his coat a tiny Tiki from the Wellington Association.

At the Commercial Travellers’ Club the Duke was presented with a life membership badge, and a tiny ticket of the New Zealand Association and learnt again that he “was a jolly good fellow.” He was cheered to the echo as he addressed a few words to the members. “I have learnt in the last few months,” he said, “what the advantages of commercial travellers are, and I am looking forward to carrying the same advantages in this Dominion as I did in the last.”

Similarly cordial and enthusiastic welcomes awaited His Highness at the United Services and Wellesley Clubs. The social hall of Parliament House has been the scene of many notable events, but rarely, if ever, of such a great and enthusiastic reception as was given the Duke at the State luncheon there. He met New Zealanders in their representative type—members of a community which holds dear the ties which bind the Dominion to the Motherland. So intensified was the volume of this ovation that several minutes elapsed before His Highness was able to reply to the Prime Minister’s toast and speech. At the conclusion of the reply there was a second ovation of a like calibre.

Many guests attended a subsequent garden party at Government House, the scene there being one of colour and life. Those present were in turn presented to His Highness, after being received by Their Excellencies. The Duke dined privately at the Wellington Club and at 9.45 p.m. attended the Mayor’s charity ball in the Town Hall. Always interested in, and immensely popular with children, His Highness will to-morrow meet the Wellington rising generation in a display at Newtown Park. There will be no engagements in the afternoon, and late at night the Prince will leave by train for Hawke’s Bay. Furthei’ evidence of the democratic tendencies of the Duke was provided in an unrehearsed incident at the Town Hall to-night. In anticipation of the arrival of His Highness at the Mayor’s Charity Ball, large crowds assembled in the vicinity of the Civic Centre, and it grew rather than diminished in size as the arrival time approached. Round about 10 o’clock the Royal suite appeared, and at once there was cheering, but there was more to come. Having ascertained that the Town Hall had a balcony, the Duke climbed the stairs and appeared before the concourse. A thousand | throats burst into tumultuous acclamation, and in the excitement, of the moment, the rope barriers sagged before a rush from side streets, and the crowd in its happy enthusiasm, converged on the entrance steps. _ The. police, who entered into the spirit of this unofficial reception, formed a double-armed cordon, while the people vociferously acknowledged handwaves from the Prince at both sides of the balcony. Inside the hall, which was brilliantly decorated and crowded to the limits of comfort, the Prince was given another rousing reception. His first dance was a valse, which appears to be his favourite measure.

SCHOOL CHILDREN’S DISPLAY DUKE’S FIRST REAL SPEECH. WELLINGTON, December 18. Ten thousand sturdy young New Zealanders, drawn from schools and different organisations in Wellington city, united at Newtown Park, to-day, to extend to the Duke of Gloucester such a welcome as can come only from the throat of a rising generation. It was a remarkable demonstration, and a colourful moving picture of. young New Zealand at its enthusiastic best. Great thoughtfulness was shown by His Highness, in appearing in the distinctive uniform of a Colonel of the Tenth Hussars, and for 75 minutes, every eye was fixed on him. He took ■ the march-past from the foot of the (steps of the Royal enclosure, and sal-

uted each leader as the division passed him. The marching was first-rate, and in harmony with the kaleidescbpic variety of each school and organisation uniforms. Acting strictly to whistled signals, the children carried out the programme with exactitude, but this did not restrain the river of enthusiasm which was subsequently displayed. In accordance with his usual practice, the Duke found time to chat with several cot cases from the Wellington Hospital, who were sufferers from infantile paralysis, and belonged to the special class conducted at the institute by the Education Board. One little boy, Abie Eyles, who is able to walk, received the thrill ’of his lifetime when the Duke shook him by the hand. A brief address was delivered to the children by the Duke, who made his first public extemporary speech in New Zealand. “Boys and girls of Wellington,” he said, “ I thank you for giving me this opportunity of seeing you this morning. I know some of you had to start very early, in order to be here, and I appreciate that very much. ‘ I know, also, that you have just finished your examinations. I hope you have all been successful in defeating the examiners. (Loud laughter). Now, boys and girls, I take this opportunity of wishing you a happy Christmas, and I hope that you will enjoy your holiday.” The Duke then paused for a few seconds, adding: “I have succeeded in getting an extra day’s holiday for you at the end of your Christmas vacation.” This announcement was received with unbounded enthusiasm, the children firing their hats into the air, waving their arms, and shouting with delight. The hills girdling Newtown Park will long echo the cheering His Highness was given at the conclusion of the function. On foot, he had inspected each division in the vast group, and at the finish circled the ground by car. Inevitably, the previously staid ranks were broken, the youngsters swarming to both sides to give the Royal visitor a final cheer. The remainder of the afternoon is at the Duke’s own disposal, and arrangements have been made for him to have a swim at a secluded beach, 20 miles out of Wellington.