DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1934, Page 2

DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

HAMILTON AND CAMBRIDGE. l: [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ’ December 29. Still limping slightly and wearing a leather slipper, the Duke of Gloucester boarded the Royal train at Auckland at 10.45 a.m„ en route for Hamilton, Cambridge and the Chateau Tongariro. Large, crowds lined the route from Government House to the railway station to express by waving and cheering the city’s message to the Royal visitor of bon voyage. Before the train departed, His Royal Highness had a brief conversation outside his carriage with the Mayor (Mr. G. W. Hutchison). Hamilton was a gaily decorated township, and the Prince arrived at 1.15 p.m., to receive an enthusiastic welcome. Waikato was en fete for the event, and, although the stay of the Royal party was brief, thousands who had congregated to see the King’s third son had more than a glimpse of him. The children’s gathering was partciularly impressive. Replying to a civic welcome, His Royal Highness said that Their Majesties often spoke of the beauties of New Zealand, and the affectinate welcome given them. To him it had been a pleasure to visit so important and historic a district as Hamilton. From Hamilton the Duke motored to the Ruakura State farm, where he made an inspection. The next stop was at Cambridge. He was the first member of the Royal Family to visit Cambridge. The Duke was given a rousing welcome.

Replying to the civic address, uie Duke said: “I hope my visit will serve as a link between this town and the Homeland, as I was educated at Cambridge University, and I know that many New Zealanders also received their education there. I thank you for your good wishes, and hope that you will all prosper in the delightful surroundings of the new Cambridge. The Duke attended polo contests, but did not play. Captain A. R. W. Cutties and Captain D. Schreiber, of his staff, however, took the field. With his shirt open at the neck, and wear ing corduroy trousers, the Duke later .went for a quiet ride in the country lanes in company with Captain J. C. Tweedie.

FOOT NOW ALL RIGHT, THE CHATEAU, December 30. With the rugged beauty of New Zealand’s famous mountain resort a’ a background, and the towering mistenveloped Mt. Ruapehu as a sentinel the Duke of Gloucester spent most of to-day in the open air. His foot has now completely recovered, and he was able to wear boots for his morning s outing in the saddle across country, adjacent to the Chateau Tongariro, During the course of his ride, he had a couple of gallops, as a preliminary to the brief training which he will undertake at Hunterville to-morrow for his race in the Ladies’ Bracelet at Marton races on Tuesday. Three hours this afternoon were devoted io trout fishing at the Tokaanu Delta, where he landed four trout, the largest of which was five pounds.

BLACKMAN’S COLOURS. THE CHATEAU, December 31. The Duke of Gloucester definitely will ride C. L. Bull’s Blackman, *13.2, in the Ladies’ Bracelet, at Marton races to-morrow. A new set of colours has been chosen for His Highness, these being emerald green with gold cash and emerald green cap. Captain Arthur Curtis, the Duke’s private secretary, will have the mount on Tranquility, owned by the President of the Club, Mr H. W .D. McManaway. Tranquility’s colours are light blue with canary sleeves. Up at 8 a.m., the Duke resumed fishing in the Tokaanu Delta to-day, and returned to the Chateau shortly before noon, to have a short rest before leaving lor the Duncan Estate, Hunterville.