DUKE OF GLOUCESTER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 25 October 1934, Page 7

DUKE OF GLOUCESTER.

RECEPTION AT CANBERRA. TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY. CANBERRA, Oct. 24. Heavy overnight rain and leaden skies at daybreak gave rise to anxiou3 thoughts concerning the day’s festivities on the occasion of the visit of the Duke of Gloucester, but these were soon dispelled when the sun rose and there was glorious blue sky with occasional cloud. Crowds collected at an early hour to await the arrival of the Royal train. Preceded by a police escort, the Governor-General (Sir Isaac Isaacs) made a procession from Government House, joined T>y a Light Horse escort at the railway station. Punctually to time the Royal train arrived at £-30, and the Duke, stepping from the train, was welcomed by the Governor-Gen-eral, the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) and other officials. From Capitol Hill, overlooking Parliament House, came the booming of the Royal salute. Preceded by a Light Horse escort, the Royal procession made its way to Parliament House. To-day’s festivities marked the greatest day at Canberra since the Duks of York opened the Federal Parliament. The Duke wore the striking uniform of the Tenth Hussars. Among those present were the Prime Minister, the Premier of New South Wales (Mr B. S. B. Stevens), the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Sir Maurice Hankey, Lord Milne, Rear-Admiral Sir George Hyde and the various Consuls. Official greetings were presented in a joint address in the Senate. The Duke, in the course of his reply, expressed gratitude for the wonderful reception given him everywhere since his arrival. He lunched at Government House with the Governor-General and members of the Ministry. When the ceremony was over, the Duke planted a pinus halepensvs tree at the war memorial. It was grown from seed from Gallipoli. The_ spade was that used by the Duke of York in 1.927. . Then followed an inspection of the returned soldiers. Mrs Milieu, wife of Senator J. D. Millen, broke an arm after the presentation ceremony. She fell on a highlyglazed parquetry floor of the King s Hall. She received attention from Dr. Earle Page, M.P. When the Duke of Gloucester learned of the accident he expressed keen regret.