ROYAL VISIT TO HOKITIKA

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1920, Page 4

ROYAL VISIT TO HOKITIKA

The Railway Department advised the local Committee to-day that the Royal train would arrive at Hokitika at 7 p.in. on Wednesday, May 12th, that is, half an hour later than lixed previously. It will be preceded by a pilot train due a quarter of au hour earlier. T-lie Royal train will depart at 10 o’clock the following morning—half an hour later than first intimated. A pilot train runs out a quarter of an hour ahead of the ltoyal train.

On Wednesday, May 12th, there will be four passenger trains in from Grfeymoutli. The morning and mid-day trains will run at the usual hours. The third train departs from Greymouth at 4.30 and will be due here at 6 p.m. The fourth train departs from Greymouth at 7.20, and will be due hero at 9.10 p.m. Outward trains to Greymouth will be four in number also; the morning and mid-day being as usual. The train will depart at 7.20 p.m. (in lieu of 5.5) and the late train will depart north 10.30 p.m., reaching Greymouth at 11.55 p.m.

The trains will run as usual between Ross and Hokitika, except that the 7.15 train will not depart till 9.30 p.m. On Thursday, May 13th, there will not be any overland service, which for that week will be changed to the following day, Friday, when there will be connection from Hokitika.

There will be an early train from Greymouth for Hokitika departing at 6.15, and reaching here at 7.50 a.m. The out train from here north will not leave till 8 o’clock for Greymouth, and an extra train will leave ICumara for Greymouth at 8.20 a.m. A train will leave Greymouth for Hokitika at 2.15 and go through to Ross. On the Ross line, the morning train will leave Ross' for Hokitika at G. 30 o’clock, and return at the usual hour in the afternoon. Excursion fares will be charged on all the line's in connection with the Royal visit, particulars of the duration of which will be advertised.

The Billetting Committee in charge of the school children met on Friday night, and completed arrangements for the task in band. The school teachers who have notified the numbers travelling will be advised this week of the special arrangements in regard to each school. A number‘of residents have offered to accommodate children and these offers will be availed of. Any additional offers should be made at once to Mr S. J. Preston. Children not otherwise provided for will be aconunodated in two large rooms at the public building, under the care of teachers selected by Air Brunton. The meals for these children (tea on Wednesday nigho and breakfast on Thursday morning) will be provided at tlie Supreme Hall, Miss Thompson being in charge of the catering. Tea will lie served from 4.30 to 5.30 covering the arrival of north and south trains; breakfast will be served at 7.45 covering also arrivals by the early morning trains. mi Thursday, commencing at 11.30 a picnic lunch will be provided for all children-—town and country—at the Supremo Hall; and afternoon tea at 3.30 for south bound children, and at 4 p.m. for north bound and all other town and country children. A special band of workers including the school teachers, will co-operate to make the time as memorable as possible for the children, and the country children who stay overnight will be well catered for. Sports and picture entertainment will fill in the day after the departure of the Prince.