ROYAL TOUR OF N.Z. IN MARCH NEXT

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1948, Page 7

ROYAL TOUR OF N.Z. IN MARCH NEXT

The Itinerary Night to be Spent in Greymouth (Per Favour of the Government) WELLINGTON, ■ Aug. 24 The Pj'ime Minister. Mr Fraser, today released the details of the place-to-place itinerary which has been approved by His Majesty the King for his tour of New Zealand. This itinerary is now final and no variation can be made. The programme containing details of the functions and events for each centre has not yet been settled, but will be released at a later date. Following is the itinerary:— Monday, February 28.—The Royal Family will arrive at Wellington by H.M.S. Vanguard in the morning. Tuesday, March 1. —At Wellington. ■Wednesday, March 2—At Welling? ton (rest day). Thursday, March 3. —Morning: Fly. to New Plymouth. Afternoon: Motor to Wanganui with a stop at Hawera. Stay the night at Wanganui. Friday, March 4—Morning: Motor to Palmerston North. Afternoon: Motor to Wellington. Saturday, March s.—Morning: Motor to Masterton and return during the afternoon. Sunday, March 6. —At Wellington. Monday, March 7. —Morning: Depart by ’ H.M.N.Z.S. Bellona for ton. Afternoon: Motor to Blenheim. A short stop. Fly to Nelson and stay the night there. Tuesday, March B.—Morning: Fly to Westport. Afternoon: Motor to Greymouth, with a short . stop at Reefton. Stay the night at Greymouth. Wednesday, March 9.—Morning: Motor to the Westport aerodrome, via the Coast road. Afternoon: Fly to Dunedin. Thursday, March 10. —At Dunedin. Friday, March 11. — Morning: Motor to Invercargill, with a stop at Gore. Stay the night at Invercargill. Saturday, March 12.—Afternoon: Leave by train for Dunedin, with a short stop at Balclutha. Stay the night at Dunedin. Sunday, March 13. —At Dunedin. Monday, March 14.—At Dunedin. Evening: Leave by train and spend the night on a siding north of Dunedin. Tuesday, March 15. — Morning: Leave by train for Christchurch, with stops at Oamaru, Timaru, and Ashburton. Evening: Arrive at Christchurch, where they will stay. Wednesday, March 16.—At Christchurch. Thursday, March 17.—At Christchurch. Friday, March 18—Morning: Fly to Napier. Afternoon: Motor to Hastings and return to Napier. Stay the night at Napier. Saturday, March 19. — Morning: Flv to Gisborne. Afternoon: Fly to Waharoa aerodrome and motor to Rotorua, with a stop at Matamata. Stay at Rotorua. Sunday, March 20.—At Rotorua. Monday, March 21.—At Rotorua (rest day). , Tuesday, March 22. —Morning: At Rotorua. Afternoon: Motor to Hamilton, with a stop at Cambridge. Stay the night at Hamilton. Wednesday, March • 23.—Morning: Motor to Auckland, with a stop at Ngaruawahia for a Maori function and a stop at Huntly. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 24, 25 and 26.—At Auckland. Sunday, March 27. — Afternoon: Leave by H.M.S. Vanguard for the Bay of Islands and whilst there reside on board the Vanguard. , Monday, March 28. — Morning: Motor to Whangarei.’ Afternoon: Return to Bay of islands. Tuesday, March 29.—At Bay of Islands. Wednesday, March 30.—At Bay of Islands. Thursday, March 31.—Depart for Australia. Maori receptions will be held at Christchurch, Gisborne, Rotorua, Ngaruawahia, and Waitangi. START SOON ON GREYMOUTH ARRANGEMENTS While no concrete plans had been prepared, a start would be made as soon as a timetable was made available, said the Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge, commenting on the Royal visit before he left for Wellington yesterday. He added that this would be the most important civic function in the town’s 80 years’ existence and a great deal of preparation would be necessary to fittingly celebrate the occasion. Mr Boustridge said that more detailed arrangements would probably follow the proposed visit of officials of the Department of Internal Affairs to Greymouth at the end of next month. The accommodation of the Royal visitors, is at present, the only certain arrangement. The King and Queen, and Princess Margaret, with the official party will be in Greymouth on Tuesday, March 8, .and will spend the night in a specially prepared suite at Revingtons Hotel. It is understood' that the hotel has been taken over for the sole use of the Royal party. The Albion and Dominion Hotels will accommodate the remainder of the Royal party. It is expected' that all other hotels will be booked out long before the visit. Representatives of various local bodies have already discussed preliminary plans for entertaining the Royal visitors. Final decisions, however, must remain in abeyance in the meantime. It is certain, ‘however, that as the Royal party will not be visiting Hokitika, there will be a big influx of visitors on March 8 and a late afternoon or evening function will be necessary.