THE ROYAL VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1920, Page 1

THE ROYAL VISIT

HOK JTIKA ARR ANGEMENTS.

Tl:c public meeting called for last evening at the Town Hall to make preliminary arrangements for the visit to Hokitika of 11.R.H. the Prince of Wales, drew only a fair attendance, about 50 or 60 being present. The Mayor (Mr Perry) presided, the County Chairman (Mr Bruce) also attending. Mr Perry stated the object of the

meeting .and outlined the proposed programme. He stated that a representative of the Government had been in Hokitika to make arrangements for the Koval Party, and he had expressed the warmest appreciation of the generous manner in which the proprietors of Keller’s Hotel and the Ited Lion Hotel had placed their hotels and services at the disposal of the authorities. Excellent arrangements were in progress for the accommodation of tho Hoynl party at Keller’s Hotel, and for the balance of the party at tho lied Lion Hotel. Referring to the proposed programme, Mr Perry invited discussion and suggestions.

In the course of the discussion that followed, Mr Aitkcn expressed the view that it would be a difficult matter to arrange for the children’s accommodation. Mr Evans expressed the hope that whatever happened the children should receive the most consideration, and that every effort should be made for tiie occasion to be a red letter day for them. He had no doubt whatever that the townspeople would rise to the occasion, and that there would be no difficulty whatever in arranging for the children from tlie country.

M Brueo also expressed his assurance that the children would be well catered for. He had no doubt that every child who desired to come would he amply provided for. He thought the townspeople would be able to take in nearly all of them, leaving only a few to be catered for by the Committee. After further discussion the programme as follows was adopted on the motion of the Mayor and Mr Bruce. The following committee were then appointed, with power to add to their number. The'Mayor made a spirited appeal to all residents to make the occasion a fitting one to do honour to their future King and to show loyalty to the Throne and Empire, of which Westland was so proud. (Applause). The proceedings closed with a verse of the National Anthem.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12th. 1920. SUGGESTED PROGRAMME AND ARRANGEMENTS. 6.30 p.m. Royal party arrive Railway Station, Guard of Honour to attend. Drive slowly by Stafford and Novell St. to Keller’s Hotel. Hotel balcony to he illuminated with electric light. On arrival at balcony, official welcome.

Loyal address to be presented by Mayor, United Choirs to sing “God Bless the Prince of Wales.” H.R.H. replies. Soldiers present- floral tribute. National Anthem. 9.30 p.m.—Torch-light procession by Fire Brigade to Town Hall. 9.45 p.m.—Public Reception at Town Hall. IT.R.H. to he on dins, public to pass quickly in single file through the main hall in front of H.R.H. Public social in Drill Shed throughout evening. Admission by ticket at tariff to be arranged. Annexe to be built out in Camp Street for refreshments etc.

Free picture entertainment in Princess Theatre for children. H.R.H. to visit public functions at his convenience. Town to be illuminated and decorated. Country children to be billetted with private people or in special buildings under senior school teachers. Meals to bo provided for children in Supreme Hall.

THURSDAY, MAY 13th. 1920. 8.30 a.m.—Children to assemble at Town Hall. 8.50 a.m.—Children to march to Sewell St. and form up in front of Government- Buildings. 9 a.m.—H.R.H. to inspect Boer War and Coronation Clock Tower. Inspection of assembled school children, who will sing “Land of Our Fathers” and other national songs. Royal party to drive slowly via Hamilton Street, Revcll St. and Stafford St. to Railway station, inspecting Pioneer’s Memorial and site for Westland’s Great War Memorial. Children to move by shortest route to railway station and line north end to farewell His Royal Highness. 9.30 a.m.—Depart north. Forenoon—Children’s sports and past times. Afternoon —Picture entertainment. Evening—Children’s hall. God Save the King.

RECEPTION COMMITTEES. Chairman, G. A. Perry Esq. Mayor. Deputy Chairman, T. W. Bruce Esq. County Chairman. Executive Committecc, — Hons H. L. Michel and J. Grimmoiul, Messrs T. E. Y. ’Scddon, R . Wild, A .Aitken, H. M, Coulson, J. A. Murdoch, J. Mandl and Major Jeffries. Decoration and iliurninaton CommitU'o, Messrs Maunder, Millner, Thompson Braddon, Wild, Langford, A. IT. Keller S. J. Preston, F. McGregor, T. M ■

Duff, D. Stevenson, Shannon. Town Hall Reception Committee,— Mayor and County Chairman, Mr Coulson, Mr Scddon, Miss Perry, Mcsdames Bruce, Coulson and Stewart. Drill Shed Decoration and Annexe Committee.— Sgt. Majors Solomon and Mclntosh; Sgt. Wallace, Misses Wallace and Returned Soldiers and lady helpers. School Billetting and Entertaining

Committee, — School Committee and teachers. Social Commttee, (including catering)—Messrs A. H. Lawn, W. Berry, W Joyce, and ladies of Overseas Club.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. Arrival.—Station and approaches to ho kept clear of public, returned soldiers to form a body guard and escort Prince to hotel. Public to line route. Guard of honor to be arranged by military.

Presentation of address.—Space and position to be assigned to lodges and other bodies parading for the occasion in groups of membership. Decoration scheme.—Re veil St. to bo a fern grove. Venetian poles with ropes of greenery to festoon Stafford, Weld, Hamilton and Sewell Streets traversed .by Prince. Clock tower to be decorated specially. Arches to be arranged at different points. Reception or levee at Town Hall. Admission by ticket bearing name of bearer, to be announced when approaching Prince. Social.—To be by ticket, 400 printed allocated as follows: Hokitika 150, County 150, -Kumara 50, Ross 50, to be applied for between Ist and 7tb .May; ballot where necessary to take place on Bfch. Price was fixed at 5s per ticket. Musical.—Messrs Valentine and Brun ton to arrange for scholars learning national songs to be sung. Childrens’ Gala.— Inspection by Prince, Children to form “a living avenue” from Keller’s Hotel to Public Biddings.,

UW MAN & N .7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION IMPRESSIVE BURIAL SERVICE. BARBADOES, March 29 When no further hope was entertained on tlie Renown of recovering Gunner Lush, who fell overboard on tlie 24tli, the ship was stopped. A most touching funeral service was held on the forecastle deck, tlie whole of the ship’s company being drawn up, with the band and firing party of tha dead man’s comrades. The Prince and staff attended, together with the ship’s officers, in full uniform, and wearing their swords. The Chaplain conducted the service standing on an elevated structure beneath tlie muzzles of the gigantic 15in. guns. “Abide With Me” was sung with the band as accompaniment and a subdued roll of drums, the whole of the ship’s company of 1400 standing bareheaded. The marines fired three volleys and the bugler sound il the “Last Post.’” the mournful notes floating away on the breeze over the spot where the unfortunate gunner was last seen sinking in the sea. The Renown then resumed her voyage and increased her speed in order to reach Barbadocs on scheduled time. The cruiser Calcutta, with Admiral Everett aboard, was sighted early on tho morning of the 25th approaching the Renown as an escort. When she came close up a cutter from the Renown was lowered and rowed to Hie Calcutta and brought back the Fla* Lieut., with the despatches. The Prince had an enthusiastic reception in Barbadocs and entertained tlie Governor and leading resident? al dinner and a dance aboard the Renown.

TO MEET THE PRINCE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 30. It is announced that Commodore Charlton, British Air Force attache, leaves shortly for San Francisco to meet the Prince of Wales.