KING AND QUEEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1039, 11 June 1924, Page 11

KING AND QUEEN.

.VISIT TO EXHIBITION, TEA IN NEW ZEALAND PAVILION. LONDON, May 20. Liko a happy family party, out for a day's enjoyment, tho King and Queen, and Urn Prince of Wales, paid another surprise visit to ".Veinbioy. They were particular:)' j interested in the Australasian pavilions. I The Queen wore a cream dress, a white j silk stockingette eloa:-:, white shoes biuol: | hat, aliaded with pink feathers, a pink J parasol, :u-.<i had ir./jjO poarl earnings. She j .vas occoia>.Mied bj ijia Duchess of Devon- j shire, -he party spent an hour examining i the AuawaL'ttn exhibits, under the guidance | oi tho High Commissioner, Sir Joseph Cook, the Agents-General, and the Exhibi- j tioli Commissioners, j The cheering which heraided the arrival | had hardly died down, when a loud hissing | startled the vast company thronged about the entrance. It was discovered that an excited woman had climbed a fire hydrant in the doorway, turning on the hose. At- j tendants quickly turned it oft' before the Witter touched their Majesties. Although the doorj were quietly closed halt an hour before the Royal arrival, the pavilion was still crowded. "Ah," Baid the King, "this is one of the most popular exhibits. The orowd rather spoils the view of these wonderful exhibits." PRINCE'S REMINISCENCES. When their Majesties in the cinema hall saw a film of Australian life, the King commented, "Now I understand why you always have crowds here." To allow the crowds to disperse, the party withdrew to the cool, tastefully decorated Federal room, and signed the visitors' book. The Prince, who was dressed in a grey suit, carried his hat in his hand all day. He moppet! his brow, sprawled in an easy chair, and said: "This is hot—Australian, all right." Previously, when a policeman was pushing a woman admirer out of his pathway, the Prince remonstrated: "Don't policeman, I don't mind a bit." Their Majesties while in the Federal room, shook hands with the wives of the Agents-General and the High Commissioner, as well as with Lady Denison. Then Mr Colebatch presented to the Queen a crested Morocco cabinet, containing a bottle of Australian perfume. The visitors accepted gifts of cases of apples, and of dried fruits. The party toured the pavilion, the Queen animatedly chatting with Lady Cook, and the King and Prince of Wales boing escorted by Sir Joseph Cook and others. The Prince directed the Kings attention to a working model of an Australian sheep station, saying, "Dad ! Dad! Look at that bronco-bucking stockyard." Their Majesties were convulsed with laughter. The King, watching the shearing, asked: "Doesn't the noise of the machines frighten the sheep?" 'The Prince replied: "No; isn't it marvellous the knack that the Australians have of handling sheep?" The King thoroughly inspected the refrigerating plant, and plied Mr Farrar with questions. Ho was specially amused at the animated model of a cow. which switched its tail. The King remarked: "She wants to be milked." The Queen was delighted with the furniture and pianos, saying, "It's a splendid demonstration of what can be done with Australian woods." ROYAL VISIT RECALLED. The King was intensely interested to learn that the Australian pavilion had been finished on the opening day. He said: "By Jove, I never thought you'd do that when I visited it the week previously." The Queen was fascinated by the flashing black opal from Lightning Ridge. Before an immense photograph of Sydney Harbour, the King pointed to Farm Cove, and, turning to the Queen, said, "That's where we anchored in the Ophir 23 years ago." I When saying farewell to Messrs Farrar ; and Smart the King said: "This is a most beautiful and magnificent show. It is our second visit, and we'll come again." Sir James Allen, the High Commissioner for New Zealand, and Lady Allen, entertained their Majesties at tea in the New Zealand Pavilion, the table in the reception hall being prettily decorated with carnations, tho Queen's favourite flower. Sir James paid their Majesties a further compliment, by providing a Lincoln tea service, which is the Queen's favourite china. Sir James and Lady Allen and Mrs Roberts conducted the visitors round the pavilion, Mrs Roberts presenting the Queen with a rug. Entering the Maori whare, the King regretted to learn that the ancient Pawa shells, forming tho eyes of the carved figures, had been stolen during the construction of the building. Tho Queen was 'interested in the carvings illustrating tho legend of tho first Maoris' voyage to New Zealand. Her Majesty had a long conversation with the Samoan Princess Ita, who wat in native dress, and who told the Queen in excellent English that she was the first Samoan woman to visit England. The Prince of Wales renewed an acquaintance with Mr H. C. Reed, and recalled the fact that they had surf-bathed together on a Samoan beach. Princess Ita, on behalf of the people of Samoa, presented the Queen with a mat. -J. I— ——