FLOOD OF GREETINGS

Gisborne Times, Volume LII, Issue 5464, 27 April 1920, Page 5

FLOOD OF GREETINGS

PRINCE ACCLAIMED BY 50,000 AUCKLANDERS. WONDERFUL SCENE IN THE DOMAIN. A LIVING UNION JACK. Press Association Telegram. AUCKLAND, April 20. Auckland lias truly taken the Prince of Wales to its heart. Today, the third of his stay, the people turned out once more in their thousands to catch a glimpse of him «s he passed to fulfil engagements. Everywhere his appearance evoked an outburst of acclamation such as probably lias been never heard in the city before. .The piece de resistance of the morning was the children’s display morning was the children’s display in the Domain; in fact the children dominated everything during the forenoon. From an early hour all roads in the city led to the Domain. Every thoroughfare was packed with a moving tide from the tiniest toddlers to grandparents, all with one aim in life—to get a good view, or, in The case of the scholars, to reach their appointed places in the ranks of the demonstrators. By ten o’clock the picture presented in the park was one of a wondrouslv effective nature. Eight thousand children were drawn up on the green sward, the girls, who numbered rather more than half, being in sections dressed in rod. white and blue, occupying the central portion in the form of a square, and the boys drawn up in the rear. The grandstand and sloping banks around She level portion were packed with expectant crowds. It was estimated that over fifty thousand people witnessed the pageant and many more thousands lined the streets on the Prince’s route to the Domain, largo numbers being content to get a view of him thus rather than struggle for a place in tlie grounds. The arrival of a .detachment from the warship Renown comprising seamen and marines with the band of the Royal Marine Light Infantry belonging to the Portsmouth depot, aroused the people, the bluejackets having a right hearty reception. THE PRINCE AND THE CHILDREN.

At ten o’clock His Royal Highness drove into the grounds and once more Aucklanders let loose a flood of acclamation as the Prince, seen for the first time in mufti, came slowly along to a point opposite tlie centre of the front rank of expectant little faces. Here lie was received bv the Mayor, who presented Lhe chairman of the Education Board (Mr. E. C. Banks) and members of the Board. The Prince took a very keen interest in all that concerned the children, asking for details about numbers, ages and the schools from which they came. The Prince was accompanied by Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey and members of the staff, all of whom discarded their uniform for the occasion. On his arrival the band played the National Anthem, and as he took 1 1 is sent there was a movement among the groups of girls standing in advance of the- main body as if they had been touched by a magic wand. These groups resolved themselves into the lettei's of the word “Welcome.” The effect was truly charming and when all curtseyed low the spectators could not contain themselves. One- mighty continuous sound of cheering greeted the evolution. Fifteen hundred little girls m red. white and bluo made up this little tableau. The qualification “little” must he made for there was something grander to follow, though it is doubtful if it could impress the beholders any more deeply. The instructor was mounted on a stand with a small girl on another stand beside him. ancl to the shrill call of his whistle and led by the little solitary mite the whole assemblage went through the movements of the flag drill. Then the girls fell back on either side and the hoys marched into the centre of the picture, 2000 of them, and every one imbued with the idea that lie was the only one there. Much care and many drills must have heen devoted to practice, for this display, though brief, afforded a fine example of what hoys are capable of doing in tlie hands of enthusiastic instructors. To the inspiriting strains of lively quickstep marches every movement was made with such swing, and vim and such perfect synchronization of action that again and again the beholders were, moved to involuntary bursts of appreciative applause. As in the ease of the girls so with the boys. One little fellow took the raised platform near the instructor and as the latter gave the whistle signal this proud little New Zealander, for the moment the cynosure of all eyes, gave the lead to the 2500, and *aght well he did it. A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOR. The boys then retired, and at a signal various groups of red, white, and blue clad girls moved in towards the centre of the ground, and when all were in contact what a moment before had appeared to he just a ined‘ ley of color stood revealed as living Union Jack people, a kaleidoscope of color, became transformed into a living Union Jack. The people remained silent for a moment in amazement at the change. Then arose such cheering and applause as surely the Domain rarely heard. ’A hen at_ a further signal every child of the 3500 in the flag began to wave bannerets of her color the effect was heightened a. thousandfold and the spectators were entranced. The fluttering folds of the Jack having come to rest again, the instructors came before the Prince, who shook hands and congratulated them warmly upon the results of their work. The little girl and boy leaders were also presented and retired proudest of all. these at baying had'vpcrsonal congratulation from him whom some day they will acclaim King. A further little gui became the envied of all beholders as she stepped forward with a camera and the Prince stood while she obtained a special snapshot of him. Then came an unrehearsed incident which was probably the finest of all. The Prince entered Ins car and before leaving the ground proceeded on a slow circuit of the living flag. for a few moments the ranks stood still. Then they broke in proximity to the car which became the centre of a moving mass of color, excited cheerin<r iuvenile.R struggling to get close and 'with childish abandon trying to <rot a handshake or throw a banneret upon him as he stood smiling and bowing his acknowledgment of Ins small admirers in their worshipping demonstration. They had taken this slight fair young man to thenhearts. He was not only the Prince of Wales to them. He was their pi'ince and they meant, to let lum know it, so the scene went on till at last the circuit of the ground was made and the Royal party proceeded homeward for luncheon and other engagements. ROYAL GUESTS' AT THE RACES. The people, however, did not lvuny away. They had brought their lunch with them and had it al fresco. Then they waited at various vantage points to gain another glimpse of the 1 mice as lie went to the races at Eller she. Here in the afternoon he was the guest of the Auckland Racing Club The Ellcrslie course was looking at its best. Rich golden tints ot autumn mellowed the former brilliancy of trees and grounds, making a toil to set off the vivid green of lawns and the bright hues of ornamental flower beds and borders. The stands and lawns were filled with visitors, and the ladies’ dresses, the uniforms of men from the warship and the col-

ors of flowers made up a kaleidoscopic effect not easily forgotten. Tim Prince’s arrival was the signal for m great outburst of cheering which was continued almost all the time while lie was received by the president ana stewards of the club and conducted to a space reserved for the Royal party in the stand. The Prince did not remain there, however, hut after watching a race made a tour of inspection of the paddock, stables, and appointments generally, also taking a great interest in the working or the totalisator. Returning iron! the races to the city the Royal car was still the magnet that drew all eyes till it turned into Government House gates to issue again after dinner as Royal Highness went off to a civic reception at the town Hall. PUBLIC RECEPTION AT TOWN HALL. Fullv fom- thousand people were present at"the reception tendered toe Prince this evening in the Town Hah. There was a brilliant gathering despite the fact that heavy rain had come on at dusk, making the conditions outside unpleasant. The Prince arrived at the Hull shortly after nine o’clock with Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey and the officers of the Renown. He was received by the Mayor, -Mr Gunson, and was escorted in through the waiting throng to the foot of the stage where the Premier and other Ministers, with local civic dignitaries stood. Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward., and. the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald were also present. The Prino-. of Wales stood and shook hands with tlie people, as they passed by. this task proving a herculean cm*, lasting over an hour, IMPROMPTU VISIT TO NORTHERN Ci.L'B. Early this evening the Prince pil'd a short visit to the Northern Club, where he w-ao toasted enthusiastically. The call was an impromptu one, His Royal Highness having remembered that that club had placed tin; building at the disposal of his father’s staff in 1901, and he felt he should express his persona) appreciation of tlu> fact. The Prince leaves at 10 o’clock to morrow morning for Rotorua.

WELCOME AT ROTORUA TO-DA\. ADDRESS EROM. THE MAORIS. Press Association Telegram. AUCKLAND, April 20. One of the features in the proceedings attendant upon the Prince’s visit to Rotorua will he the presentation to His Royal Highness of a loyal address from the Maori race. The address itself is a very fine product of the illuminator's handicraft, the lettering being enclosed in a rich iccjbrown border design, being a reproduction of the traditional Maori carvings with tlie three-fingered god appearing frequently among the intertwining .scroll work. Inserted u> this border are water colors of Mount Egmont. Huka Falls, the Wa'roa Geyser, and La ke Ta upo. The text of the address is as follows :

"Haere Mai eTo Koiuku Rorenga Talii.” Te Manuhiri Taurangi, “To His Royal Highness, Edward, Prince of Wales, — •■Ye who lie in the dark chambers of Death. Come forth and hearken! Ye. who sleep the long last sleep. Arise! Stand forth, and give welcome, for 10, the First-born of the line draws near. Eldest of him. whose face ye saw on this twice honored ground. ‘•Son! Lord! Welcome! Majesty! Return once more, following tinway your father trod. Least, among tlie peoples that acclaim his ‘maim’ we give place to none in the service and loyalty, and tints we greet thee. “Welcome to these, the furthest Isles of the Southern Seas ! Welcome to Aotenroa! Y\elconn* to Te Waipomnunu! Our hearts are full of gladness. “Come in the glory of victory. Once moi'e the bonds that knit the Empire in one allegiance have hold true.

“Your father came to ns after a war that added a bright Jewel, tlie Diamond of Africa, to the Imperial Crown. You come, a Soldier Prince, the embodiment of a greater victory, won over the forces of oppression and lawlessness. The World has been s«vedi for freedom, wherein the peoples great and small may grow side by side without fear.

“Bring with you memories of our boloved dead. They live again, who strove with you on the fields of Tu in many land's beyond the Seas. Your presence there endeared you to the hearts of our Warriors. Your brief sojourn byre will soften the sorrows of those, whose dear ones have followed the setting sun. “Royal son of an illustrious line. King that is to be, we are proud that you should carry oil the traditions of your Race and House. For it is meet that those who sit on high should turn ail equal face, to humble ns to mighty. Walk therefore among your peoples, sure of their hearts, fostering therein the lov e they bore Queen Victoria and those- wh 0 came after her. “Welcome and farewell! [Return in peace without misgiving, bearing to His Majesty the King, and to Her Majesty the Queen, the renewal of the Oatli we swore to them on this ground a generation ago, an Oath rooted in the Treaty of Waitangi, thrice hallowed by time and manifold trials. The Maori people will be true till death, and so. farewell!”

PRESSMEN ON THE RENOWN. LONDON TIMES WARNS AUTHORITIES. EVERY FACILITY MUST BE GI VEX CORR ESPONDENTS. United Press Association—Cof'7rigbt’ (Received April 29 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 26. Private advices from correspondents aboard the Renown, expressing dissatisfaction at the Press arrangements, have reached London. The Times, commenting on the splendid welcome given the- Prince, while expressing the nope that the Prince’s visit to the Dominions wilt result in far-reaching benefit- to Imperial relations, warns those responsible for the tour that publiicty is the essence of success, and every facility must be given to the correspondents to carry out their duties; any failures in this respect, any inclination to think lightly of their work, would be a foolish and a fatal mistake.—United Service.

LATE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND HIS MASCOT. ELEPHANT WHICH WAS “TREATED” TO BUCKETSFUL OF BEER. Mr F. C. Leggett, of Ormond, writes to the Editor as follows: “In referring to earlier visits by members of the Royal Family, you justly remark that very few now remain who participated in the welcome to the late Puke of Edinburgh in New Zealand m 1851. ‘ Allow mo to say that mv wife and I are still of that small band. We quite remember our visit to H.M.S. Galatea, then at Auckland, and the Jack Tar who carried on board our eldest son then in bis fourth year, and now* a J.P. at Puha. This Jack Tar showed us and others over the ship, but we were* disappointed to nncli . tiie Duke’s cabin closed to the public, because certain curious .and sinister persons had previously sinned in cut-

ting off portions of his curtains to carry away as mementoes. The Duke had a mascot in, the form of a small elephant, three or four feet high, which used to he brought asho.ro daily in a launch for exercise and many a bucket of beer “shouted” by spectators it enjoyed. We also saw people throw three-penny and sixpenny pieces on th<* ground. These were picked up by the elephant and handed to the keeper—a marine. The. Duke was loyally welcomed, hut the pageant of that day would make a poor show compared with that which will greet the Prince of Wales in the various cities and towns on the occasion of the present Royal visit.

ARRANGEMENT'S FOR VISIT TO AUSTRALIA. ARRIVAL OF ROYAL MOTOR CARS. (Received April 20. 9.-Id p.m.) MELBOURNE. April 26. Three motor cars for the use of the Prince during his Australian tour arrived by tlie Commonwealth steamer Boorara. Supplies of oil fuel not being obtainable in Melbourne., the Navy Depart arranged :i special supply for the Renown during her visit.—U.P.A.

REROUTED VISIT TO INDIA. HTML TO SAIL IN .MALAYA IN NOVEMBER. (Received April 27. 12.10 a.in.) LONDON, April 20. The Daily Express states that the Prince of Wales journeys to India in the battleship Malaya, which is leaving England in the middle of November.—United Service.