DEPARTURE FOR THE SOUTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18411, 18 May 1920, Page 5

DEPARTURE FOR THE SOUTH.

(CHARMED WITH CHRISTCHURCH.

j !A HEARTY SEND-OFF.

r “This is very sad, leaving your fcbarming city,” was the Prince s pleasant remark to Mayor and Mayoress as he stood ready to board the Royal train for the south yesterday morning. In his buttonhole ho wore a little bunch oi violets with a green leaf given to him by tho Mayoress- He was in civilian slothes, wearing tho grey felt hat which has been familiarised to almost 'the whole world in countless photographs. He was very bright and smiling. It is recorded that while in Canada the Prinoe made the quaint declaration that his visit had improved his piorale- This morning his morale appeared to be well-toned, and. he appeared to enjoy a certain exhilaration find eagerness in joining thb Royal train once more for the fresh opportunities it afforded of mooting the people. A HEARTY SEND-OFF.

Although the city had returned to Work yesterday morning, many peoplo lined the Prince’s route to tho railway Station, and cheered him as he went along. At the railway station, in company with Admiral Halsey, lie inspected the very soldierly guard of honour of 100 boys from the Boys’ High School and congratulated Captain Hoare on their good bearing. He shook hands with Captain Hoare, Lieutenant M’CalJum and Lieutenant M’Lachlan. Tho High Sohool Band, under Sergeant Davy, was also on parade, thirty strong, and it played the National Anthem on. the Prince’s arrival.

A DEMOCRATIC PRINCE. On his entry of the Railway Station the . Prinoe. was informed that tho stationmaster (Mr J. Woodbury), just a few minutes earlier, had tripped over the carpet laid to the Prince’s carriage, and had broken a bone in the left elbow. The Prince at once went in to see him, find shook hands, sympathising with him and wishing him a rapid recovery. On the platform the Hon G. W- Russell and Miss Russell wore presented to tho Prince, who shook hands and chatted for a moment, and also shook hands with Mr C. E. Bevan Brown, head master of the High School. Standing by was a very old gentleman, Mr T. W. M’lntosh, and the Princo stepped over and offered his hand with the smiling remark, “ One of our ancient Britons-” Mr M’lntosh replied that his father was one of Nelson’s men. “ God bless you,” said the old man, “ and give you sc safe return to your loved ones.’’ A DANISH GREETING.

Mr H. B. Sorensen, the chainnan of the Harbour Board, who is Danish Consul at Christchurch, was on the platform to join in wishing God-speed to the Prince, and in saying good-bye he conveyed to the Prince the hearty greetings of the Danes in Christchurch. The Prince replied tnat ho had met many Danes in the North Island, and at Dannevirke the Mayor was a Dane. Both Mr Sorensen and the Prince are knights of the Danish order of St Olaf, and tho Prince commented on the fact that he had noted Mr Sorensen’s consular uniform at the citizens ball. AU REVOIR TO CITY. The Prinoe shook hands with the Mayoress and Mayor, and chatted very pleasantly for a minute or two, telling them how sorry he was to leave, his 10 o’clock arrived, the Prmc& shook handß again with tho Mayor and Mayoress with the remark “Au Revoir.” The Mayor replied that he wished his Royal Highness could come back to Chnstchurcn piany times. Three cheers were given by a big group of people on the platform, and the train steamed slowly out with the Prince waving his hat from the rear platform of his carnage.

A ROYAL GIFT. The happiest man in Christchurch as the Royal train steamed out -was Superintendent Dwyer, of the Christchurch police. He was left standing with a little narrow leather case which the Prince pressed into his hand with a hcar+c handshake as the train was actually moving. Mr Dwyer hastened to open the case and found that it contained a gold tie pin. The head was oval and the edge of milled gold, while the centre was of red semi-transparent enamel, with white Prince of Males feathers let into the enameL and me scroll with the motto in green enamel. The gift was a beautiful memento, and it was tendered in recognition of the excellent work of the police m Christchurch. Previously, on the railway platform, the Prince had shaken hands with Mr Dwyer and congratulated him an the traffic and other arrangements. On entering his carriage the Prince sent for Mr Dwyer, who was actually the last man to say good-bye. THANKS TO OAR DRIVERS. At the railway station the Prince balled for Mr G. Dickinson, who had charge of all the motor-car arrangements for the Prince and his suite during the Christchurch visit, and asked that the drivers should bo drawn up in order that bo might shake hands with them. This was done, and the Prince complimented Mr Dickinson on the type of cars used, and on the skill of the drivers. Twenty-five cars were used, and they and the drivers were in attendance as long as the Prince stayed in Christchurch.