WEST COAST VISIT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18407, 13 May 1920, Page 7

WEST COAST VISIT.

AN INTERESTING JOURNEY. [Per Press Association.] HOKITIKA, May 12. The reputation given th© West Coast for wetness cannot be subscribed to by those included in the Royal party now visiting the district. Wonderfully fine weather prevailed again to-day ana tho trip from. Reefton to Westport and back to Inangahua Junction by motor, and thence to Hokitika by train was tiio pleasantest, perhaps, of the tour. The day's tally was 180 miles and the motor portion was something to bo remembered. His Royal Highness set out from Reefton at 9.80 in the morning. Tho sun was hardly strong enough to dissipate tho mists which lay over tho upland flats and wreathed the peaks ot tho neighbouring ranges, while a slight coating of rime lent a sharp tang io the air. By the time Inangahua was passed and the lower Duller gorge entered the sun had gained the ascendancy, and in some enclosed parts was almost as hot as on a summer noonday. Those whose lirst visit it was to tho famour gorge were enthusiastic at each turn, as it unfolded some scene of rugged grandeur. Tho awesome sweep roun<X Hawke Crag was safely negotiated, and the beautiful fern arch was admired, while a great yellow gash in tho face of a hill marked tho site of a recent slip which spoiled one of the best known spots on the road. On the outward trip a cinema pictwo was taken of the fleet of motor-cars filing past the fern aroh.

Westport was reached at midday and the townspeople gave the Prince a cordial welcome, tlio streets being decorated and a general holiday atmosEhere lying over tho coal port. After alf an hour's stay a start was made on tho return journey to Inangahua Junction, his Royal Highness taking tho wheel and driving the car all the way through tho gorge Mn good style, his time being equal to anything done on the run. On arrival at Inangahua tho party found luncheon awaiting them in tho train.

Passing Reefton on to Greymouth and Hokitika the Prince held a brief reception of school children, who made a pretty picture outside the station and sang patriotic songs with great fervour. Something of a novelty was introduced by an address to the Prince being read by a little girl, Ivy Kearns. Tho journey by train down the valley to Greymouth, past sawmills and gold workings, mostly gaunt skeletons remi niscont of rush days when tho district was in th«j heyday of prosperity, was hardly interesting, and no one ■ww sorry -when ghosts of past activity were swallowed up in the darkness, which fell before the sea coast was reached. Ab tho train passed through Greymouth after dark considerable crowds gathered in tho vicinity of the station and heartily cheered the Royal carriage. At Hokitika, so long the home of the man known in these islands as tho Great Imperialist, the peoplo lived up to their old-timo reputation for loyalty. The whole town and district seemed to have poured their population into tho streets of Westland'a capital, and more enthusiastic crowds could not bo found anywhere. The streets were gaily decorated, a special feature being illuminated arches* at intervals along the line of the Royal procession, with many tiapparencies _ showing legends of welcome and benediction on tho people's Prince of to-day and King of to-morrow. As the procession moved off from tlfo station coloured lights blazed up, a band played and the people cheered, the whole scene being one of remarkable enthusiasm, which was sustained during the time the motors made their way Blowly to Keller's hotel, which are the Prince's headquarters. His appearance on the balcony with Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, member for tho district, the Mayor, Mr Perry, and the county chairman, Mr Bruce, was the signal for fresh and prolonged cheering. Addresses of welcome from local bodies were presented, and .the Prince in a happily-worded reply referred to tho warmth of tho receptions, accorded him at each place visited on the coast, at tho same time wishing the peoplo a return and continuance of the glorious prosperity tho district had known in years gone by. Later in the evening his Royal Highness attended a public reception and citizen's ball in the Drill Hall, -which was finely decorated for >he occasion. The function was a really # brilliant success, indeed it may be said that Hokitika's welcome to the Princo was extraordinary in the intensity of the patriotic feeling displayed. _ To-morrow tho party will make its way across tho Otira gorge en route to Christchurch.