Arrangements For Royal Visit To Greymouth

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1948, Page 2

Arrangements For Royal Visit To Greymouth

Earlier Conceptions of the shape pf tlie Royal visit to Greymouth had to be readjusted last night yvhen the Mayor of Grey mouth, Mr F/F. Boustridge, announced to a gathering of about 40 representatives of West Coast local bodies, School teachers and others, the outcome of his discussions last month yvith the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, Mr J. W. Heenan, and Brigadier Gwatkin, of the )Lord Chamberlain’s Office, London. Their Majesties will, it appears, make only brief appearances at Greymouth. They will drive to their hotel on arrival between 5.30 and 6 o’clock on the evening of Tuesday, March 8, and will appear at 10 o’clock the next morning to 4rive to an official reception at the Recreation ground, at the end of which—between 10.30 and 11 o’clock —they will leave for Westport.

Outlining the proposed programme for the Royal visit, Mr Boustridge said that this was still subject to confirmation by the Government, for, though Mr Heenan had promised that further advice would be received within a day or so of the discussions, a month had elapsed without conformation. “I don’t think we can wait any longer,” he said. “Their Majesties,” he said, “will leave Westport (where they will arrive by plane in the morning) after lunch on March 8, travelling by car via Reefton. They will arrive at Greymouth between 5.30 and 6 p.m. and will be received by the Mayor and town clerk. Other than this greeting, there will be no reception that day and Their Majesties will drive to their hotel where they will remain during the evening, and, officially, nothing more will be seen of them that day. Public Reception “A public reception will be accorded the Royal visitors at the Recreation ground the next morning at 10 o’clock, “continued Mr Boustridge. “If it is wet the reception must be held indoors —■ possibly in the Regent Theatre —at the same time and so we had better hope that it is not wet otherwise very few people will be able to be present. A dais will be erected on the Recreation Ground, at the south end in front of the Technical School and a flag will be hoisted on the flag pole there. “The party omthe dais will include 10 members of the Royal party, the Mayor arid Mayoress of Greymouth, the town clerk and his wife, Grey Borough Councillors and their wives, the Mayor and Mayoresses of Hokitika, Ross, Kumara, Runanga and Brunner and the chairman of the Gf(?v and Westland County Councils ahdlheir wives,” said Mr Boustridge, who added that he had suggested that the president of the Grey R.S.A. and his wife should also be included in this party. Presentation of Residents “The total number of people to be presented to Their Majesties includes those on the dais and must not exceed 40,” said Mr Boustridge. He pointed out that those on the dais would number 38 and, if another two were to be selected, there would have to be some unusual circumstances. If Mr J. B. Kent, M.P., is present on the occasion of the Greymouth welcome to Their. Majesties, Mr Boustridge said, he would be among those on the dais, but, as'he would have been previously presented to the-Royal visitors with other members of Parliament at Wellington, he would not be among those presented at Greymouth. . The presentation of bouquets as suggested had been, approved, he said,

adding .that “Miss Westland,” Miss B. Howat, of Hokitika, had accepted the invitation to present the bouquet to Her Majesty, the Queen. A speech of welcome could also be presented if desired, but this, however, would not be read but would be merely handed to the King, who would then present in return his speech in reply. A copy of the proposed speech would have to be submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs before the end of October, he added. A presentation of a suitable article could also be made to his Majesty if desired. No special items had been stipulated, but he suggested that some gift with a local flavour, such as of gold or greenstone be made.

The Royal party would motor from Revington’s hotel via Tainui and High streets to the rear of the dais (turning down the entrance to the Technical School grounds) prior to the reception, and the party could return by the same route or via Shakespeare and Heaphy streets. Bands would have to assemble at the Recreation ground and would not participate in the procession. Assembling of Children h

The assembling of school children in a large block at the Recreation ground was not favoured, as it was felt that fewer would be able to obtain a close view of the King and Queen and the Princess than would be the case if they were lined in front of adults on the route to the ground, where they could see the party on its way to and from the reception. . Local body representatives, other than those on the dais, and elderly people would be provided with, seats in front of the dais and members of the R.S.A. (probably numbering 1000) would form three sides of a square around these seats. _ .

The transporting of., the „school children would be the responsibility of the Education Department, which would finance this movement, added the Mayor.