OUR PRINCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1920, Page 1

OUR PRINCE.

BELOVED BY ALL.

There being no doubt at all about what the people of Auckland thought ot the Prince of Wales, a member of the “Herald” staff had the happy idea of ascertaining how lie was regarded by the bluejackets of the Renown, who have seen much of him during the past few months. He found that all had the highest opinion of our visitor, expressed in various ways. “There’s nothing stuck up about the Prince,” said one; “he’s a thorough out-and-out gentleman.” “He’s a thorough sport,” asserted another, while a third remarked “He’s a good boy, he’ll do me, anyhow. Something was said by the newspaper man of the strain put upon our visitor b v the numerous tiring functions m which ho took part on Saturday. The idea was received with scorn. “Him tired!” exclaimed one of the bluejackets “Why, lie’s as fit as a top. How doe’s he do it? There ain”t a blessed day he don’t spend an hour at least in runnino’ round the ceremonial deck. That’s the special deck that’s been fitted up there above his cabin. Either that or some other physical stunt. He s~got a fake sculling boat fixed up there, and when lie’s through with his ‘track work in the mornings he gets into the moveable seat and sculls away for dear me. llloss you, he knows the way to keep fit.

lie does.” To another group of bluejackets the reporter commented on the profound impression that the Prince had made upon the people of Auckland. He does that everywhere,” was the quiet reply. The interviewer was recommended to ask a new-comer, described by his mate as “a red-hot socialist, what he thought of the Prince. The man’s reply was amusing and significant, “Tile Prince ? What do I think of him ? Same as the rest of the ship s company. He’s the bloke for my money. You was told I wasja socialist, eh - Well, I may be up against the officers now and again, and I don’t deny it; but I’m not against the monarchy. Not now I’m not; nor won’t be so long as a cove like him represents it. Pity they wasn’t all like him.” There ceitainly would not he so many kings m exile in Europe to-dav if all of them had been of the Prince’s stamp. We should now like to hear the bluejackets’ opinion of the railway men whose action threatens to so seriously disorganise the Prince’s tour, though possibly we might not he able to print it.