THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18414, 21 May 1920, Page 4

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

INVERCARGILL VISIT. JOURNEY THROUGH SNOWSTORM. [Peu Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, Alay 20. Tho * tour of Now Zealand by the Prince of Wales practically concluded to-day, so far as olticial engagements arc concerned. • It is a pity teat tee visit to Southland, whose capital uaa tuo honour ol : *bKilling hi* Royal Jiig ij nous a public farewell, should bo marred by rain. The linal stages of the .1 uu [" ney south from Duncuiu were notable lor changes of climate of a- romaikablo diameter. At Dunodin a southerly brought rain with it during tho nigut, •and dawu showed a dusting ot snow on tho highest lulls in the neighbourHood. The sun. tamo out brightly, however, and when tho timo ot departure of the Royal train approacned ait avenues to tho station and all good observation posts along the railway were filled with people, who gave bonny .Prince Edward, tho conqueioi oi the citv’a collective heart, a remarkably enthusiastic gend-off. It was a real Scots speeding of the parting ' As soon as the train was clear of the city environs evidences of a cold snap became increasingly apparent. Little patches oi snow lay near tho lino and the liills roared white heads to tho sky, making tho landscape ot green and white particularly striking m the bright sunshine. Milton was the first stop, people turning out in force to participate in welcoming tho Prince. A few flakes of snow now began to fall, and along by Sterling developed into quite a storm, a strong southerly wind driving a flurry of white before it in real winter fashion. At Sterling and small wayside stations tlie people turned out unmindful of the suow to cheer the King’s son on hi& way. As Balclutha came in sight the sun .showed himself and the grey pall of cloud lifted. Balclutha added its quota to tho expressions of loyalty and homage that had been showered upon the Royal visitor wherever no appeared, and tho train proceeded on its way. , , « , As tho train left tho neighbourhood of tho sea and the higher levels about Clinton were travelled a wonderful panorama of rolling uplands thickly carpeted with snow, with bills on either hand completely mantled in white, spread out before tho travellers’ gaze, giving a reminder of familiar winter scenes in the homeland. _ The sun still smiled down warmly but its rays could not banish tho crisp tang of cold from the atmosphere. It still was fine when Gore was reached, but before the people’s welcome to tho Princo was completed flakes of snow began to fall again. There had been a lot of rain in the morning and conditions underfoot wore very sloppy, but this did not damp the patriotic fervour of the people, who gave his Royal Higßhess a warmly cordial reception and parting cheers At Matauia, snow began to fall anew, but a little further on tho train ran into green fields again, though all were sodden with the rain that fell some hours previously. The sun struggled through the clouds fitfully for a while, then the clouds conquered again, and the landscape became blurred with mist.

At three o’clock the train pulled into Invercargill, which lav all wet and muddy under foot. The town’s chief thoroughfare, Dee Stret, was very creditably decorated with lines of greenery strung across it great width. Midyray along the thoroughfare was a very fine fern arch, m which numbers of coloured electric lights were disposed like huge glow worms, giving a particularly pleasing effect when darkness fell later on. The street was lined with cheering thousands as the Royal party drove to tho Show Ground, whore a great concourse had gathered to greet the first member of the British reigning house to honour tho district with a visit. Several thousand school children massed in front of the huge stand, which was packed with spectators. A large number of Territorials and Cadets were on parade, also a long linq of returned men and nurses, who came in for hearty individual greetings and handshakes, which the Prince never omits in the case of those who served in the farces oversea. Then followed a progress through the ranks of the children^ho forgot tho discomforts of tho wet, muddy ground in tho joy of having a real Prince, their own Prince, in such close personal touch. Little faces that a moment before looked pinched with cold became wreathed in smiles, and vo mg voices made the air resound with glad cries of welcome, .lb was a wonderful illustration of tho power of this young man from a far country, yet of their own kith and kin, to reach the hearts of those with whom he comes in contact.

On the return journey to the Grand Hotel, where ho was quartered, the Prince visited the soldier patients in Southland Hospital. He spoke a few cheery words to the men, shook hands with ah. an.l received from them a present of a leather bag, worked with tikis, for Queen Alexandra. Before dinner lie went for a stroll with some of his stall’, the party’s appearance in such an informal and familiar manner among them arousing the, people’s enthusiasm to the highest pitch. A citizens’ reception was held in the drill hall to-night, the large building being crowded. It is estimated that about 9000 people wero present, including several hundred returned soldiers. The Princo arrived at nine o’clock, accompanied by his suite and the Mayor, Air John Stead. As tho Prince entered the building be was heartily cheered, the demonstration continuing for some timo and being renewed after the National Anthem. In the course of a short speech his Royal Highness expressed regret that his stay in Invercargill was so brief and lie was, therefore, unable to come into as ctoso contact with the people as he would have wished. At, tho conclusion of the function those present filed past the Royal dais and wero greeted by tho Prince, to whom were presented the conductors of the Hibernian band, male choir and Orphans’ Club orchestra, which supplied the musical programme, upon which the Princo congratulated them. The Koval train left shortly after ten o’clock for Lyttelton - amid an enthusinstic demonstration.

The Princo to-night presented to each member of tho quarter guard which has accompanied him a tobacco pouch bearing bis monogram, and to tho sergeant of tho guard a pouch and pipe. The Prince’s farewell message to New Zealand will be handed to Air Massey on the Renown.

DEPARTURE FROM DUNEDIN. PRINCE’S FAREWELL WORDS. ' [Pkr Press Association.] DUNEDIN, May 20. The Prince had a great send-off this morning- The weather changed in tin night, turning very cold, and this morning there was a light covering of snow on the high hills, but the sun, shone brilliantly li'om a clear blue sky. There was n big gathering outside the Fernhill Club when tho Prince drove off shortlv before ton o clock. The route along Pnnco3 Street was lined with cheering people, and from Customhouse Square to Anssac Square there was a. huge crowd, ir* being ostimated that in Ammo Square alono, which is just outside the railway sttu tion, about 9000 people wcA con. B TOW Fire Brigade made art effective display at tho entrance to the station, vvlier# extension laddsM

raised in the form of a pyramid under Which tho Prince passed. As the tram steamed, south at 10.14 a.m. with the Prince waving from the platform of tho last car, sirens from the brigade’s seven engines sounded farewells. but could not drown the tumultuous cheers of the people assembled. The Prince’s parting words to the Mayor were:—“Good-Dye, sir. Thanks verv much for your entertainment in Dunedin. lam so delighted. It has been a great pleasure to me. I thank you sincerely for tho arrangement of tho whole organisation.” A guard of honour was formed by the Otago High School cadets.

PRINCE'S MOVEMENTS'. ARRIVAL EARLY THIS MORNING, H.M.S. RENOWN TO SAIL AT DAYBREAK TO-MORItOW. The Royal train is due to arrive in Christchurch at nino o’clock.this morning and to reach Lyttelton at 9.15 a.m. W liether this timetable is observed closely will depend on tho Prince of \\ ales. 'The actual sailing time of H.M.S. .Renown has not been fixed yet, but tlie vessel will leave very early ou Saturday. The Lyttelton Harbour Board telegraphed to Sir William Fraser asking whether it would be possible to delay the departure of H.M.S. Renown until eleven o’clock on Saturday, so that Christchurch people would be able to go down to Lyttelton and give the vessel a fitting send-off. A reply was received that as 11.M.5. Renown would have to pass through Cook Strait in daylight it was not possible to delay the vessel, which would go out at six o’clock on Saturday morning. Anything in the way of a formal send-off, therefore, has had to he abandoned. In connection with the departure of H.M.S. Renown it is officially stated that the vessel will be off Kaikoura at noon on Saturday. This suggests that Lyttelton will he left at about eight o’clock. •

What tho Prince of Wales will do on his arrival in Christchurch to-day is not ascertainable for publication, but it is believed that he will go hunting or shooting. To-night he will give a farewell dinner on hoard H.M.S. Renown. The guests will include their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Countess of Liverpool, the Prime Minister, the Mayors of the four centres and others. There will be a dance’ after dinner. The Prince lirb consented to a civic reception at Lyttelton at 6.5 this evening on his arrival by train. The reception will take place in the hall of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, and will last for five minutes.