THE ROYAL TOUR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 March 1927, Page 9

THE ROYAL TOUR

VISIT TO HAWKE’S BAY. CHAT WITH TRAIN CREW. / A PLEASANT INTERLUDE. (BY TELEGKAPH—PEESS ASSOCIATION.) WOODVILLE, March 5. The run from Napier was made in ideal weather conditions, and yesterday’s wayside groups of waiting people were repeated all along the line. An unscheduled stop was made at Takapau for water, and occupied about ten minutes, during which the Duke asked that the train crew be presented to him. Accordingly senior driver Mr. J. F. Pirie, and emergency driver Mr. L. 11. Sigglekow, with fireman Mr. A. Anderson, went back to the Royal car, where the Duke conversed with each, asking questions about the work on different sections of the line, the men’s experiences, and how they came to be allotted to this special job. On learning that mere seniority itself had not entered into the matter, His Royal Highness was impressed, remarking: “It is good to see merit receive its recognition.”

- POSSIBLE DELAY. MASTERTON, March 5. During shunting operations, at the Masterton station this morning, one empty train ran into another empty stationary train, with the result that one carriage was telescoped and another put off the line. This will necessitate at least two hours’ work, and may delay matters in connection with the Royal visit, which is timed at 1-10 p.m. RENOWN IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, March 5. H.M.S. Renown arrived at Wellington at 10.10 a.m. to-day from Auckland via Gisborne and Napier. WAIPUKURAU’S COMPLAINT. WAIPUKURAU, March, 5. Hundreds of Waipnkurau town and country residents -assembled at the station yesterday afternoon in the hope of obtaining a.‘ fleeting glimpse of the Royal party when northward bound, bur thev were disappointed. This morning, under the impression that the train was stopping here for water for the engine, a large., number again gathered at 9 o’clock, but were again disappointed/ No stop was made. There was no appearance of the Royal visitors at- the largest) town in the stretch of 70 miles between Hastings and Dannevirke.

RECEPTION AT WOODVILLE. ECHO OF GREAT WAR. TUMULTUOUS SEND-OFF. WOODVILLE, Mracli 5. The Royal train arrived slightly late. The weather was glorious. Their Royal Highnesses were met by the Mayor, Mi-. 11. P. Horne, and Mrs. John Horne, and were escorted to the dais on the station platform. A rousing reception was given the visitors from the largest crowd which has ever assembled in Woodville.

After the address had been presented, and the.reply to the councillors and wives, clergy and prominent citizens of Pahiatua and Woodville were presented the Duke shook hands with the veterans and Returned Soldiers, and the Duchess with the Girl Guides and Brownies. The Royal pair walked through rows of children, amidst tremendous cheering. . The stay was longer than arranged. The proceedings were somewhat informal. The Royal train pulled out to tumultuous cheering. Among the returned men was Sergeant David Bennett, D.C.M., Bth Black Watch, who was at Loos when the Duchess’s brother, Captain BowesLyon, of the same battalion, was killed in September 1915. This occurred during the fighting for Fohenzollern Redoubt. Bennett was presented to the Duchess.

THE LINE CLEAR AGAIN. MASTERTON, March 5. Wrecking gangs were quickly at work and by 12.45 the line was .cleared. It is intended that the Royal party will leave the train at Opaki, a few miles north of Masterton, and motor to Masterton.