DUKE AND DUCHESS.

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1927, Page 5

DUKE AND DUCHESS.

CHILDREN’S DISPLAY. By Twelve Thousand. YESTERDAY’S DOINGS AT AUpKLAKD. AUCKLAND, Feb. 23. Auckland to-day fully retrieved its reputation, as a. city of sunshine. From the earliest /dawn, nature seemed to smile her brightest upon the festivities arranged in, honour of the Puke and Duchess of York, and, as a general holiday was-observed, the whole population Were able to p&Fticipate in some part of the proceedings, which, summarized, included a private 'function at Government .House, hit.', wk native delegations 'from the Cook Islands, Samoa, and the Tokerlau Group presented addresses of welcome and loyalty on behalf of the natives of those islands. The ceremony was brief but impressive in its simplicity, the native-dignity of the brown skinned chiefs showing out in a remarkable manner.

The piece de resistance, from a pub Tic. point of view, however, was the children’s display in the Ddniain, be tween eleven o’clock and 12.30, when twelve thousand young Next Zealanders were assembled in certain ordered formations to carry out various evolutions, leading up to the massing of four thousand girls in red and white in such a manner that the movement culminated in presenting a living flag—the Red Cross of St. George, on a white background, when, as a finale, the whole of the children raised their voices in cheers for the Duke and Ducir. of York, and each fluttered a tiny Union Jack. The effect was wonderful from the grandstand - ,’ where the royal party were seated. The view was one not soon to be forgotten. In the arena were massed the children actually partieipat iiig in the exercises, while all around

were thousands more children, and al the.back of the ground, opposite the stand, the sloping hillside was thronged, a gkovo of trees affording welcome shade from the.boiling sun, and adding a finishing note of colour in a very kaleidoscopic picture. At the conclusion, the band played

“God Save the King.” The Duke and Duchess then entered their car and moved round the ground among the children, to their great delight, as both stood up during a good part of this time so that the youngsters had a chaiive of seeing them close at hand. A procession of cars then left the ground, T heir Royal Highnesses returning to Government House for luncheon.

Garden Party and At Home.

A SWELL SOIREE. AUCKLAND, Feb. 23. There was ri gyirden party at Government House, this afternoon, and it was attended by a large number of official visitors and leading citizens oi Auckland. The Governor-General r<> i-oived the guests on the lawn, and they then filed past tfic Duke and Duchess who acknowledged the’obeisance of every one in the long line. Afterwards, it. was noted that the royal visitors took occasion to speak awhile with some of the older people who, in their day, had played a prominent part in the earlier years of colonization.

The Duke had a keen eye for any who bore evidence of having suffered injury during service in war, and, like his elder brother, possesses a good memory for faces that he lias seen in.other days. This evening* great crowds thronged the approaches to the Town Hall, whole Their Royal Highnesses were the guests of the. city at an “At Home.” The scene in the beautifully-decorated hall, with the gay dresses of the ladies providing a foil for the sober black of the men, was an entrancing one.

Renown Leaves Auckland.

A ROYAL FISHING EXCURSION. AUCKLAND, Feb. 23. The Duke and Duchess of York tonight left the “At Home” at- the Town Hall in time to rejoin the Renown, which, at 11 o’clock, lifted anchor, and departed for the Bay of’’lslands, on a fishing excursion, which is being, treated as private. The Duke and Duchess return on Saturday morning, when they will en train for Rotorua. RENOWN TO VISIT LYTTELTON. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 23. Advice has been received by the Mayor, Mr J. K. Archer, from Mr J. Hislop (Under Secretary for Internal Affairs) that 11.M.5. Renown will come to Lyttelton, arriving on the morning of March 19, and leaving the same evening on her voyage southwards. MESSAGE FROM THE KING. AUCKLAND, February 23. The Governor-General has received the following message from the King in reply to one sent yesterday reporting Their Royal Highnesses ’ arrival and reception: —“I am very grateful f* youi message reporting the safe arrival ot the Duke and Duchess of York. I am delighted to hear of the loyal enthusiasm of their reception, but of this 1 had no doubt, knowing by experience all that a New Zea laud welcome means. ! George, JX.I. MORE EMIGRATION PROPAGANDA. LONDON, Eebruary 22., Belfast to-night broadcasted a special New Zealand programme, drawn up by Publicity Officer Drew coincidental with the arrival of the Royalties at Auckland. The scene included the landing of Scottish and,. Irish migrants, with their breezy dialects. A message from Mr. Coates was broadcasted welcoming the opportunity for closer contact with the Royal Family, extolling their influence in strengthening the tics of sym pathy and airectien. Sir .Tames Far. also sent a message. AUSTRALIAN VISIT. MELBOURNE, February 22. Much dissatisfaction has been caused. in the country centres of Victoria

over arrangements for Jithe Duke of York's visit. Of eight days devoted to Victoria all will- be spent in Melbourne. Only one country centre, Ballarat, will be officially visited. Their Highnesses calling there for half an hour en route to Adelaide. Mr. Bruce, replying to tiic protests, said that Melbourne being the Federal the programme had necessarily to include important Federal functions, as well as those of the State, and with in the time available, it was impossible for the Duke and Duchess to visit all parts. The programme had been drawn up by the Federal Government in ordtn to make reasonable provision for the visitors' rest and comfort. SYDNEY, February 22. Preparation for the visit of the Duke !of York are well forward, and include many elaborate functions, mostly confined to the city. There is some diseon tent owing to the country centres being, cut out, but this is unavoidable owing to the shortness of the time available. The day of arrival will be proclaimed a public holiday. A discordant note was struck at the conference of trades unions, the mib tant section carrying a resolution tn favour of boycotting the Duke and Due boss of York’s visit and declaring all the celebrations anti-working class.

ANOTHER “TIMES” SPECIAL INTEREST. LONDON, February 21.. In connection with the Duke oi York’s visit, “The Times” has pub Ji shed an attractive thirty-two page number, maintaining an admirable standard, literarily and pictorially, and an exhaustive panorama of every aspect of New Zealand’s activities. Mr. Cdhtes, in an article, deals with migration and trade. Other contributor? are Lord Jellicoe, General Godlcy, Sir Andrew Russell, members of the Cabinet and public servants and journalists.

Lord Jellicoe says: “While New Zealand naval recruits are not as plentiful as desirable, and the percentage of de sertions is over large, the men arc high ly intelligent and disciplined, and compare favourably with their British comrades. The Dominion people realise the importance that Singapore should possess a sea base.”

General Goclley pays a tribute to thecitizen forces and war time heroism of the New Zealanders and Maoris. He pays a compliment to Sir J. Allen s work, and praises Mr. Coates’s war re cord. He added: “If the military spir, is dormant, i* is by no means dca-.!.”-On the occasion of the Renown’s arrival, “The Times” In a leader stresses that though the farthest removed of all the Dominions, New Zealand is still the closest in spirit to the parent land. It recalls the feeling in New Zealand that the inter-relations report would necessitate the consent to loosening the bonds, but Mr. Coates has since put the report tn in a proper perspective, show ing that New Zealand was doing a real service to the Empire by the accept anco ofthe unsought! implications of equal status- The leader adds: “lhe Duke of York will be speaking for all the King’s subjects in Britain, when he expresses the warm regard in which New Zealand is held.”