THE DUKE SAILS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1935, Page 5

THE DUKE SAILS

GREAT EAREWELL

SCENE AT LYTTELTON.

(Per Press Association, Copyright).

CHRISTCHURCH, January 21

Amid scenes of intense enthusiasm, H.M.A.S. Australia, with the Duke of Gloucester aboard, left Lyttelton for Russell at seven thirty tc-night. The Duke had spent most of the .afternoon life Christchurch. His engagements, apart from visits to public and private hospitals, included the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Sandillands Returned Soldiers’ settlement administration block.

The progress of the Royal car from Christchurch to Lyttelton was follow•*1 with in tense ouhllc invest, groups of people lining the route like trees growing by the wayside. The flmnonstration at Lyttelto n wharf whs inspiring. Thousands packed the approaches, and the wharf railway platform, and gave His Highness a memorable farewell.

“I am very sorry my visit to New Zealand has come to an end,” said the Duke, replying to the farewell of the chairman of the Harbour Board (Vtr E. J. Howard, M.P.). “I have enjoyed myself very much indeed.”

HONOURS CONFERRED

KNIGHTHOOD FOR MR. YOUNG

CHRISTCHURCH, January 21

A knighthood for the Hon. Mr J. A. Young (Minister-in-Attendance) headed the- list of honours for personal services conferred by the Duke of Gloucester to-night at the conclusion of the official .part of his New Zealand tour.

The complete'honours' list is ias fol-

lows : Knight Commander of the "Victorian Order.—The Hon. J. A. Young. Commander of the Victorian Order. Mr Malcolm Fraser. Member of the Victorian Order, Fourth Class—Commissioner W. G. WoLlmann.

‘ Member of The /Victorian Order, Fifth Class—Mr' H. VI. Patrick , Transport Officer. Royal Victorian Medals. —Inspector James Cummings, 'Senior-Sergeant J. A. D°mpsey, Sergeant P. Bolton, and Mr E. W. Jenkins (head waiter for i..e tour.)

VIR. FORBES’ STATMENT CHR.ISCHURCH, ' January . The follewing statement was made by the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, this evening: “It has been a great honour and pleasure to the people of New Zealand to have had this visit of Hi s Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester. Spontaneous enthusiam and warm and sincere expressions of loyalty have been the keynotes of tlie welcome which has been accorded to His Royal Highness from one end cf the Dominion to the other. We fully realise the strain which must have been imposed upon His Royal Highness in carrying out his duties, and in the continuous travelling which the tour entailed. Civic and local authorities have earned the highest commendation for the part they have played in receiving and entertaining our royal visitor, and I take this opportunity of acknowledging the valuable assistance thus rendered. The officials connected with the arrangements of the tour have performed their work well, and are to be complimented upo n their efficiency. The Minister-in-Attendance, the Hon. J. A. Young, has reason to feel gratified with the manner in which his responsibilities have been discharged. In a sentence, remarkable success in everv way has attended the tour. The people of New Zealand will refiiin lasting impressions of this royal visit, which has afforded them further opnortnnity of shewing their intense loyalty and devotion to the throne.”

THANKS TO OFFICIAL PARTY

CHRISCHURCH, January 21. With the conclusion to-day of the official section of the New Zealand tour of . the. Duke of Gloucester, an opportunity was taken by Sir J. A. Young to express the thanks of the Government to the members of the New Zealand official party who accompanied His Highness. Addressing a parade of the special police and detective detachment, under Commissioner Wolilmann, the Minister said that the work of all ranks had been magnificent throughout the tour, and had won the warm-hearted appreciation of the Government. They had discharged their duties with skill and tact, their work in controlling the crowds and regulating .all form s of rtaific being phrticularlv commendable. New ’Zealand could be congratulated on having such a fine force, imbued with File right sense of its to the community. The Minister also thanked the ofiicifll. for loyal. ymd efficient services. The character of i-h<* men had ’been most exemplary. He similarly addressed the baggage officers, whose work had been most exacting.