WELCOME IN CATHEDRAL CITY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXXI, Issue LXXXI, 14 May 1920, Page 5

WELCOME IN CATHEDRAL CITY

"HATS OFF TO CHRJSTCHURCH."

'BY TELEGUAP0 —PB.HSH AWSOOIATION.)

CHRISTOHURCH, May 13

The Royal party's journey across the Alps, byway of Arthur's Pass from Westland into Canterbury, was made in ideal weather, though a brisk easterly breeze and snow on. the topmost heights made the air keen and bracing.

At various .small settlements the people, though few in numbers, were very enthusiastic, and at Otira and Arthur's Pass, the two railheads between which coaches carried the visitors over the top of the pass, school childreni made quite brave little shows.

The Prince was driven over by the veteran Mr A. Hall, proprietor of the coach line, who in 1869 drove the Duke, of Edinburg from Melbourne to Bendigo, and to-day used the whip given him by the Duke on that occasion. Everyone walked three miles of the steepest part of the range.

The rugged mountain scenery, with ever recurring bluffs, gullies, and cascades falling down steep cliffs, and little mountain tarns coming occasionally into view, was greatly admired. At Arthur's Pass, the Royal train was waiting, and after the Prince had walked to the end of- the tunnel, and had inspected the workshops, a start was made on the run down to Christchurch, which was reached a little after 7 o'clock.

"Hats off to Christchurch for its welcome to the Prince of Wales tonight,'* must be the verdict of anyone who has seen the Royal visit celebrations in New Zealand centres touched at up to the present. The night was fine, though clouds threatened to release pent-up moisture at any moment. This was surprising to the travellers, who had enjoyed such glorious weather all the time since they landed in the South Island at Picton on Monday morning, and to-day had been perhaps the best of all. c

Bonfires at hamlets and homesteads all along tha line lit up the scene momentarily .along the line after darkness fell, and at Rolleston, 14 miles away, lights on the Port Hills beside Christchurch began to appear. By the time the city station was reached it seemed as if flames of a vast area of bush on fire were' ascending skyward. The railway station was tastefully decorated where the Prince stepped on to the platform. The Mayor, Dr Thacker, . was formally presented, and also members of the City Corporation, and a territorials' guard of honor was1 inspected.

Then the Royal party entered a long line of motor ,cars and began to drive to the Christchurch Club, where the Prince resides during his stay here. Passing through the gates in a barricade fronting the station, the eye en~ countered a seemingly endless throng of people in Moorhouse avenue and Manchester street, which were spanned at short intervals by strings of colored electric lights, giving the appearance of a long tunnel with a fancifully illuminated roof.

The procession made its way slowly through cheermg crowds, His Royal Highness constantly acknowledging the acclamation and frequently standing up in his car to let people see him better. When a turn was made into High street, \past -the Clock Tower in a glare of bright lights, a gorgeous sight burst upon the view. Two castellated archways in imitation white marble, beautifully lighted up by electric bulbs of soft hues, spanned the pathway of, the Prince. Through Cathedral Square, the Bank of New Zealand, the Post Office, * Government Buildings, newspaper and other buildings surrounding or near the Square, were all decked with flags and lighted, bearing various patriotic designs. The crowds grew thicker as the Square was approaches, till finally the Royal car was held up, and people surged around it in a riotously enthusiastic mass. After making a partial circuit of the Square as quickly as the dense body of people would permit, the Prince's car turned into Worcester street, and at last reached the entrance to the Christchurch Club.

Here the patriotic enthusiasm of the crowds reached the pinnacle of its fervor. Even when His Royal Highness had entered the club people remained in front: cheering and waving flags until the Prince" came to an. upstairs window and once more acknowledged the plaudits of the crowd. During the whole progress from the station the Cathedral bells chimed out a welcome, which, added to ; the glad huzzas of the multitude in the streets below, made the Prince's coming to the capital of Canterbury a veritable triumph. Christchureh tad accorded our future King a fitting welcome, and at the same time done herself great credit.