IN OTAGO.

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

IN OTAGO.

DUNEDIN’S WELCOME. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, May 17. A call was made at the Waitaki High School, when the Prince loft the train and made a careful inspection of tho buildings and appointments. The School Cadets, a very fine body of boys, made a great impression by their smartness and steadiness on parade. Before leaving his Royal Highness planted a commemoration oak in the school grounds. Oamaru was reached by motor. Tho townspeople turned out in very large numbers, and accorded the Prince a warm-hoar tod reception. The route back to tho train led through well filled streets, and the people’s enthusiasm knew not the meaning of “ halt,” until the Royal visitor was well clear of tho town.

Darkness had fallen over the country by the time Palmerston came alongside. Going along past Port Chalmers a line spectacle was presented to the visitors. Scores of coloured “flares” about tho town lit up the surroundings with weird and striking effect. Dunedin gave the Prince a “ cheerio ” welcome- The city was brightly illuminated. Smiling faces filled the streets, and lively, at times thunderous, acclamations rose to the clouds above the scintillating streets. From the railway station, the facade of which was very finely illuminated, the route led through Stuart Street around the Octagon, up Princes Street, thence by way of Manor Place to the Fernhill Club, where the Prince, resides during his stay here. Stuart Street from tho entrance appeared like a bower roofed with fairy lights. AA’lien the procession entered the Octagon the Town Hall showed a bold front, and a pagoda-like erection of electric lamps, that was very effective. Away up Princes Street was the Harbour Board’s arch, in the form of a gantry spanning the roadway, the framework seemingly composed of nothing hut lights, running through garlands of greenery, and bearing lifebuoys, on which were the names of New Zealand hospital ships and transports engaged in war work. Other illuminations were plentiful, but not carried out on such an ordered scheme as in other cities. The enthusiasm of the huge crowds in all the streets along the route, however, was unbounded. Possibly it was worked up by beacon fires that studded the hills, heralding the Royal train’s approach to tho city. However that may be, it was a braw Scots’ welcome to the bonny Prince, who has walked right into the hearts of the people here ns ho has everything else in Now Zealand. Later in the oveuing tho Prince attended a citizens’ hall in the Art- Gallery, a brilliant function in every respect.