THE PROGRAMME.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18408, 14 May 1920, Page 7

THE PROGRAMME.

The following copy of tire rearranged official programme was handed to the newspaper correspondents last evening:—

TO-DAY. Morning: Free Afternoon: 2 p.m., presentation of civic and other addresses in Latimer Square. Leave for Hagley Park, via Worcester Street, Cathedral Square, Colombo Street, Chester Street and Armagh Street. Route to be lined with school children. 3 p.m.: Military review, Hagley Park. Presentation of war decorations. Inspection of returned sailors, soldiers,’ nurses, etc. Return to Christchurch Club, via Armagh, Chester and Colombo Streets, Cathedral Square and Worcester Streot. 9 p.m.: Leave Christchurch Club, via Worcester, Street, Cathedral Square, Colombo Street and Cashel Street for citizens’ ball, King Edward Barracks. Return to Christchurch Club, via Cashel Street, Colombo Street, Cathedral Square and Worcester Street.

TO-MORROW. Morning: Free. I. p.m.: Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Riccarton. Evening: Free. SUNDAY. 11 a.m.: Attend Divine worship, Anglican Cathedral. Afternoon: Visit institutions for sick, and disabled soldiers. Receiver by General Officer Commanding and Senior Staff officers. MONDAY. 10 a.m-: Leave Christchurch railway station. 11. a.m.: Arrival at Ashburton. 12.41 p.m.: Arrival at Temnka. 1.5 p.m.: Arrival at Tirnaru. 2.55 p.m.: Arrival at Oamaru. 6.52 p.m.: Arrival at Dunedin.

SECOND CITIZENS’ BALL. The demand for admission to

citizens’ ball to-night is so- great that very largo numbers of persons have been linablo to obtain tickets. . In order to prevent disappointment, the Princo of Wales lias asked the Mayor that another civic ball may be given to-morrow, to which thoso unable to obtain tickets for to-night’s function may be admitted. It lias been arranged to hold the second ball in substitution for that contemplated by tho Lady Liverpool Fund and tho Returned Soldiers’ Association. The Prince has intimated to the Mayor that ho will bo very pleased to attend the second ball as well ns tho first.

NO MINOR FUNCTIONS

ADHERENCE TO OFFICIAL PROGRAMME.

[Per Press Association.] OTIRA, May 13. Tho following correspondence lias passed between the Mayor of Christchurch and Lieutenant-Colonel Grigg, private secretary to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales:—

“ Private Secretary, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, "Westland.

“Dear sir,—By misfortune I was unable personally to interview you in "Wellington, .and so banded on to the Internal Affairs Department some' low small items on his Royal Highness Prince’9 programme in this city that could be carried out in conjunction with those that are fixed on the official programme. On Friday morning I wish the Princo to visit the soldiers’ farms at Avonhead, where lie will see some of tho most recent ideas of settling soldiers and where he would personally meet Romo of those diggers. Thence he could go to the Orthopaedic Hospital, and thence to Sydenham Park, in which it has been arranged to have nil mothers and children in the vicinity that will not be able to go out and seo him in the streets, and where lie will ho officially welcomed by tho Scouts. Thenco he proceeds as per official list to ilie Sanatorium on Cashmere Hills, where he will see the convalescing diggers. On Saturday momiiro it is desirable that the Prince should”go by motor to visit other city parks, where 110 will again see mothers and email children who will he unable to take part in the city functions. During the evening of Saturday our Savage Club wish that the Prince might spare them half an hour to bo made a Great Savage, and from that ho might attend for from half to one hour a social function and hall that is being given at our King Edward Barracks by the Returned Soldiers Association and Lady Liverpool Fund Workers to the

men of tho Renown. Here our Prince would see the Democratic section of the community, and the Returned Soldiers’ -Association desire to present to him their address of welcome. All these minor functions fit in with tho greater, and were withhold so that 11.1t.H. might be aide to fix them personally. I hope, that these additional functions will not bo imposing on M R.H.’s good nature, and that ho will comply with tho wishes of these sections of tho community, as apparently his sole desire is to meet the people, the workers and their boys and girls. On your arrival in this city 1 hope to have a personal interviow with you to further point out the desirability of carrying out this list.—Yours faithfully, (signed), Henry T. J. Thacker, Mayor. “His Worship tho Mayor of Christchurch, —J. have only just received your letter of May 10th, and hasten to inform you that the Prince of Wales cannot undertake any engagement whatever outside his official programme. Were H.it.H. to do so in Christchurch he would bo doing a grave injustice to Wellington and Auckland, and would have in fairness to increase his future programme everywhere. This is out of the question. Ii.R.IL is very sorry to disappoint any who have been advised to make engagements for bis benefit without authority, and greatly regrets that no notice has been taken of previous intimations on this subject. He is most anxious to see all the people of Christchurch, including returned soldiers in military hospitals, Cadets and school children and is confident that the Government has made ample provision for this in Christchurch as elsewhere in the official programme. lam giving your letter and this telegram to the Press in order that all concerned may havo the earliest notice possible of H.R.H.’s decision. —Lieut-Col. Grigg, secretary to H.it.H. tho Prince of Wales.” A MESSAGE TO SOLDIERS. Tho following statement has been issued by the Prince’s private secretary explaining the position in connection with functions not included on tho official programme:— “The Prince of Wales wishes to thank the returned soldiers in all cities and towns which he has visited for coming to meet him in such largo numbers. Ho appreciates this greatly, particularly as many have come long distances from tho country, and ho looks forward to seeing those who belong to the cities _ and districts which still remain to be visited. “He is particularly anxious to see returned soldiers at the < public receptions and parades arranged for him by the local authorities, because circumstances have necessitated his declining invitations to functions given by returned soldiers alone. He has made this decision with great regret, because he would like nothing better than to go wherever possiblo to returned men’s gatherings and clubs. Time, however, will obviously not permit of his going to nil, and he feels that it would not bo playing the game to accept some and to turn others down. Ho is sure that his old comrades-in-arms will appreciate this and that those whose districts ho has still to visit will make up for it by giving him tho opportunity of seeing as many as possible of them again at the official receptions or parades which havo been arranged for him.’’